Clio 172 Cup- What to look for?

[320touring]

Off to see a 172 for the good lady tomorrow as she's identified it as a possible replacement for the 328i


I'm more of an "old German Scrap" person, so I'm not too hot on French FWD

Can any of you fine people advise me of any common failings/issues to watch out for?

Car is a 51 plate, 3dr cup with 71k on it..

Thanks in advance

[cheddar]

PH 172/182 buyers guide:

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2578...

[320touring]

spot on, many thanks!

[Defcon5]

Cup on a 51 plate?

Didn't think they were available til 03?

[320touring]

Defcon5 said:

Cup on a 51 plate?

Didn't think they were available til 03?

Looking at the pics and reading the ad, the car is a 52 plate..

a pic

[cheddar]

Couple of things the buyers guide doesn't mention.

Wheel bearings - noisy on hard cornering, listen out.

Interior door release surround cracks and fails.

Engine mounts - engine pulls back towards firewall under load and bangs - easy fix, loosen top mount, yank engine forwards, tighten.

Angry little terrier of car and a cracking drive.

Enjoy

[exgtt]

Mine was a 52 plate, they didnt come out till 2002.

Check for diesel like sound from engine when warm - dephaser. Full cambelt job & dephaser (£450ish) if no aircon. Aircon only an option on 2003 models and the belt job is £100 more.

Check 3rd gear syncro - a snick or crunch is rebuild time.

Check no vibration/knocking from drive shaft - new uns are £250 each fron Renault! Sourcing decent 2nd hand ones is a bit of a nightmare as there are a few different types.

Check for knocks when turning steering wheel when stationary, check for any play in steering - inner steering arms are £50 each and a couple hours labour. Steering pulling left/right under acceleration/braking probably wishbones. Not that dear. The front end (steering arms/wishbones/arb bushes) can be refreshed for about £300 and well worth doing before mods.

Just usual french car checks really but the above are the big things.

[320touring]

cheddar said:

Couple of things the buyers guide doesn't mention.

Wheel bearings - noisy on hard cornering, listen out.

Interior door release surround cracks and fails.

Engine mounts - engine pulls back towards firewall under load and bangs - easy fix, loosen top mount, yank engine forwards, tighten.

Angry little terrier of car and a cracking drive.

Enjoy

Thanks for the tips- I'll pap them on the list of things to look at

Yeah, seems like they could be a fun drive!

exgtt said:

Mine was a 52 plate, they didnt come out till 2002.

Check for diesel like sound from engine when warm - dephaser. Full cambelt job & dephaser (£450ish) if no aircon. Aircon only an option on 2003 models and the belt job is £100 more.

Check 3rd gear syncro - a snick or crunch is rebuild time.

Check no vibration/knocking from drive shaft - new uns are £250 each fron Renault! Sourcing decent 2nd hand ones is a bit of a nightmare as there are a few different types.

Check for knocks when turning steering wheel when stationary, check for any play in steering - inner steering arms are £50 each and a couple hours labour. Steering pulling left/right under acceleration/braking probably wishbones. Not that dear. The front end (steering arms/wishbones/arb bushes) can be refreshed for about £300 and well worth doing before mods.

Just usual french car checks really but the above are the big things.

All above noted too, many thanks!

Does the car in the picture look like a Cup? (I believe it has the right spoiler?!)

cheers

[Butter Face]

That is a Cup. Looks ace.

Very rare car these days, get a clean one, keep it tidy and maintained and you'll love it forever!!

[exgtt]

Is it just me or does that drivers door look a bit wrong?

[320touring]

Butter Face said:

That is a Cup. Looks ace.

Very rare car these days, get a clean one, keep it tidy and maintained and you'll love it forever!!

Cheers- we'll see tomorrow when we view it!

exgtt said:

Is it just me or does that drivers door look a bit wrong?

Fair comment- should be easily checked in person- I hope its not..

Also will check sticker on door pillar, see if its had any paint. quick txt check should see what is what..

[Butter Face]

Just HPI'd it for you mate, all clear with 3 precious owners.

Hope it checks out in the metal and let us know how you get on

[exgtt]

Coming from german stuff prepare for the comedy interior ha ha.

[320touring]

Butter Face said:

Just HPI'd it for you mate, all clear with 3 precious owners.

Hope it checks out in the metal and let us know how you get on

many thanks!

currently raiding the back of the sofa for coins;)

Good lady will probably be using it mainly, with me stealing it for some backroad runs to work on nice days.

hope it checks out- looks decent, good mileage (if the belt has been done!) and reasonable price

[Ian_sUK]

Please tell the good lady to bear in mind it doesn't have abs.

[Ian_sUK]

Please tell the good lady to bear in mind it doesn't have abs.

[exgtt]

Also check the average mpg on the trip, these little beasts are good on fuel, under 28mpg its been ragged if recently had a trip reset, or if its long term mpg reading the lambda/cam timing could be out. Lambda is a hundred quids worth. The car should have a pronounced 5k kick. Bit like mini v-tec yo. Weak kick plus poor mpg plus recent belt change means cam timings out and belts not been done right. Its easy to cock up apparently. Can cost 30bhp.

[320touring]

Ian_sUK said:

Please tell the good lady to bear in mind it doesn't have abs.

yeah I related that- just like her mk1 golf

exgtt said:

Also check the average mpg on the trip, these little beasts are good on fuel, under 28mpg its been ragged if recently had a trip reset, or if its long term mpg reading the lambda/cam timing could be out. Lambda is a hundred quids worth. The car should have a pronounced 5k kick. Bit like mini v-tec yo. Weak kick plus poor mpg plus recent belt change means cam timings out and belts not been done right. Its easy to cock up apparently. Can cost 30bhp.

good knowledge, and I'll check it out, cheers

[exgtt]

No worries, they are strong little motors IMO. Mine took a right caning over 100k miles, still on original gearbox/engine. Once they are on the boil they are quick, the owners club seems to be the biggest critic of these cars. They do go, some strong uns with a bit of weight saving breaking into 13's over the quarter.

[grenpayne]

Couple of other minor bits to mention if it's not too late...

Check the rear shocks for signs of leakage, they can only last 50-60k miles, though some will do better. Tell tale signs they're on their way out will be a skittish rear end when you drive it too. Easy and cheap to replace though (30 mins and ~£85) so it's not a deal breaker. Also if you get a little knocking on full lock (not partial lock) it's normal and it's the shock tops touching the body work. Cured by fitting a couple of these.

Good luck, they are great cars if you get a good one! I absolutely adore mine