Clio 182 - running costs (i.e. stuff that goes wrong)
Discussion
Rear shocks seem to die at about 50k and cost £50 each. Definite DIY job to change though which is nice.
Tyres are expensive because they run 16's. I'm VERY tempted to ditch mine and stick my set of 15's on for tyre cheapness and better ride quality. Tracking seems very easy to knock out which costs me £70 to have laser aligned.
Rear discs are a bit pricier than normal because they hold the wheel bearing. £120ish a pair from memory but again, easy DIY.
Bottom (dephaser) pulley is apparently a weak spot (very well documented) but I have no experience of that thus far. Touch wood.
Not much else that isn't standard French hot hatch stuff really although they are a bit of a pain to work on as the engine doesn't fit in properly and therefore there's no room for anything. Interiors are low quality and therefore rattle.
Tyres are expensive because they run 16's. I'm VERY tempted to ditch mine and stick my set of 15's on for tyre cheapness and better ride quality. Tracking seems very easy to knock out which costs me £70 to have laser aligned.
Rear discs are a bit pricier than normal because they hold the wheel bearing. £120ish a pair from memory but again, easy DIY.
Bottom (dephaser) pulley is apparently a weak spot (very well documented) but I have no experience of that thus far. Touch wood.
Not much else that isn't standard French hot hatch stuff really although they are a bit of a pain to work on as the engine doesn't fit in properly and therefore there's no room for anything. Interiors are low quality and therefore rattle.
Standard exhausts rust through after about 4 years. I got a replacement stainless one for half the price of the OEM crap.
Rear shocks as mentioned and when they go it is really scary as the car feels like it's going to spit you off the road on every slight corner.
Tyres are about £100 a corner for GSD3's which I prefer to the OEM Exaltos but IIRC they have stopped making them.
Disks and pads aren't too bad and even I managed to change the fronts!
Rear shocks as mentioned and when they go it is really scary as the car feels like it's going to spit you off the road on every slight corner.
Tyres are about £100 a corner for GSD3's which I prefer to the OEM Exaltos but IIRC they have stopped making them.
Disks and pads aren't too bad and even I managed to change the fronts!
roystinho said:
Try Northwest Performance at Northwich for servicing. They're pretty hot on their Clios
Personally, I would suggest having a read on ClioSport about their cam timing efforts before recommending them to anyone. If you are in the Northwest, use a place called Birchdown. I wouldnt trust NWP to set the timing on my watch, let alone my clio.
Sir_Dave said:
Personally, I would suggest having a read on ClioSport about their cam timing efforts before recommending them to anyone.
If you are in the Northwest, use a place called Birchdown. I wouldnt trust NWP to set the timing on my watch, let alone my clio.
A friend has nothing but praise for them, though I have no personal experience to back that upIf you are in the Northwest, use a place called Birchdown. I wouldnt trust NWP to set the timing on my watch, let alone my clio.
Tycho said:
Rear shocks as mentioned and when they go it is really scary as the car feels like it's going to spit you off the road on every slight corner.
Minor hijack 
My 182 is on 53k miles, noticed the rear getting a bit twitchier recently - doesn't take remotely kindly to mid corner bumps. Even with only an 1/8th turn of the wheel, a bump annoys the back end. Does that sound like your symptoms, Tycho?
Mechanic didn't mention anything 3 months ago at MoT time, any other common(ish) problems that could cause that? Tyres are good, balanced and aligned properly.
simoid said:
Minor hijack
My 182 is on 53k miles, noticed the rear getting a bit twitchier recently - doesn't take remotely kindly to mid corner bumps. Even with only an 1/8th turn of the wheel, a bump annoys the back end. Does that sound like your symptoms, Tycho?
Mechanic didn't mention anything 3 months ago at MoT time, any other common(ish) problems that could cause that? Tyres are good, balanced and aligned properly.
Sounds about right, mine got really scary and felt like it was going to oversteer when remotely turning. Not a nice feeling. The car was transformed when they were replaced.My 182 is on 53k miles, noticed the rear getting a bit twitchier recently - doesn't take remotely kindly to mid corner bumps. Even with only an 1/8th turn of the wheel, a bump annoys the back end. Does that sound like your symptoms, Tycho?
Mechanic didn't mention anything 3 months ago at MoT time, any other common(ish) problems that could cause that? Tyres are good, balanced and aligned properly.
Tycho said:
Sounds about right, mine got really scary and felt like it was going to oversteer when remotely turning. Not a nice feeling. The car was transformed when they were replaced.
Yeah caught me out on a bumpy roundabout at about 25mph - dab of oppo and all that!Thanks mate, will be getting it seen to ASAP.
Sir_Dave said:
roystinho said:
Try Northwest Performance at Northwich for servicing. They're pretty hot on their Clios
Personally, I would suggest having a read on ClioSport about their cam timing efforts before recommending them to anyone. If you are in the Northwest, use a place called Birchdown. I wouldnt trust NWP to set the timing on my watch, let alone my clio.
5678 said:
Sir_Dave said:
roystinho said:
Try Northwest Performance at Northwich for servicing. They're pretty hot on their Clios
Personally, I would suggest having a read on ClioSport about their cam timing efforts before recommending them to anyone. If you are in the Northwest, use a place called Birchdown. I wouldnt trust NWP to set the timing on my watch, let alone my clio.
Have a look at my blog if you want some idea of running costs.
5678 said:
Polarbert said:
I've been there as well. Just a bit to far to travel from Nottingham.
Have a look at my blog if you want some idea of running costs.
Trying to keep mine up to date too. Repairs/upgrades/etc.Have a look at my blog if you want some idea of running costs.
Interesting that both of ours seem to come in at the 40p per mile mark too.
Polarbert said:
Yes it is. And I see you've been to Birchdown. I went there for a couple of years but it was too far to travel this year. Managed to find a great service place in the Nottingham area.
May I ask where - if you can post it in the thread I started today that would be great! 
probibly waay too late to be any use, but.. have run my 182 for 3 years, the rule of thumb is this... if its common.. ITS COMMON!!! if it isnt.. IT NEVER HAPPENS!
the funny thing with mk 2s is that they got the vast majoraty of it bang on, but what they didnt, well, dredge any renault forum, bottom balljoints, trackrod ends, busting shock absorbers, crank sensors, pencil coils, tell me any car on the road that doesnt have those problems?
forget 2 year servicing, thats just a form of neglect, service every 12k, interim every 6k , and change the drive belt 12k or 12months before its actually due, aux belt should be done along with the timing, always fit a kit, just belts is just being a tightarse, and needlessly penny-pinching.
always fit good tyres, wan-li crap is simply another form of neglect.
when i did my timingbelt, on the back of scare mungering, i replaced the cam de-phaser, then wondered why id spent 179 quid on it, as in 3 years have never seen one go, and when i asked renault, they said theyd sold 1, in 12 months, oh well, live n learn.
so basicly, its a tough old bird, proned to all the usual problems of all cars, dont buy the first s
tbox you see, look after it, and youll be smilley happy bunny.
the funny thing with mk 2s is that they got the vast majoraty of it bang on, but what they didnt, well, dredge any renault forum, bottom balljoints, trackrod ends, busting shock absorbers, crank sensors, pencil coils, tell me any car on the road that doesnt have those problems?
forget 2 year servicing, thats just a form of neglect, service every 12k, interim every 6k , and change the drive belt 12k or 12months before its actually due, aux belt should be done along with the timing, always fit a kit, just belts is just being a tightarse, and needlessly penny-pinching.
always fit good tyres, wan-li crap is simply another form of neglect.
when i did my timingbelt, on the back of scare mungering, i replaced the cam de-phaser, then wondered why id spent 179 quid on it, as in 3 years have never seen one go, and when i asked renault, they said theyd sold 1, in 12 months, oh well, live n learn.
so basicly, its a tough old bird, proned to all the usual problems of all cars, dont buy the first s
tbox you see, look after it, and youll be smilley happy bunny. I agree with the above. The cars are pretty old now and the parts that fail are all known now. No matter what problem you have, someone else will have had it already.
Regarding the dephaser pulley you've mentioned though, they can get to a point where they need replacing. Mine came off for the timing belt change and it was so worn it wouldn't really go back on (@80k)
Regarding the dephaser pulley you've mentioned though, they can get to a point where they need replacing. Mine came off for the timing belt change and it was so worn it wouldn't really go back on (@80k)
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