Gutless 1.2 Clio!
Discussion
I've just bought my daughter a 13 reg Clio to replace her C1 after 4 years.
However I don't think i did my homework properly as it seems to me to be dangerously slow and has absolutely no overtaking ability or acceleration?
Its only done 12k the service light is on but dont think its in limp mode, are they all this bad?
I've looked at a remap but that will only give 10 hp more, would that be enough?
Think i may have to get rid before ive even given it to her!
However I don't think i did my homework properly as it seems to me to be dangerously slow and has absolutely no overtaking ability or acceleration?
Its only done 12k the service light is on but dont think its in limp mode, are they all this bad?
I've looked at a remap but that will only give 10 hp more, would that be enough?
Think i may have to get rid before ive even given it to her!
I'll bet it's not dangerous - it's just your perception depending what you're used to. Jump from an M5 into a Clio and it will feel slow.
Surely all cars of that power range will struggle with some overtakes? One of my cars only has 70bhp and it is slow - therefore I drive it accordingly and don't even attempt overtakes that I would easily achieve in my others.
Worth getting it checked over to make sure it doesn't have an underlying fault though.
Surely all cars of that power range will struggle with some overtakes? One of my cars only has 70bhp and it is slow - therefore I drive it accordingly and don't even attempt overtakes that I would easily achieve in my others.
Worth getting it checked over to make sure it doesn't have an underlying fault though.
DannyScene said:
Does a 1.2 little run around clio really need overtaking ability?
I wasn't thinking of overtaking in the PH sense, more the abilty to accelerate somewhat to get past a tractor/Bus or the abilty to take less than a mile to pass slower traffic on a dual carriageway or Motorway. This in my opinion is a safety factor which atm this car does not have.
Booked it in for a diagnostic so we'll see if it has a problem, if not then its going before she sees it!
They weight a tonne-ish and have 75bhp. That's more than adequate.
What is it these days, so many people complaining about cars being 'dangerously slow'.
You should try a 2CV or Trabi! Even these aren't dangerously slow - I'm rarely the slowest car on the road in the Trabi and often overtake others on A-roads.
What is it these days, so many people complaining about cars being 'dangerously slow'.
You should try a 2CV or Trabi! Even these aren't dangerously slow - I'm rarely the slowest car on the road in the Trabi and often overtake others on A-roads.
t slow but it could be made to move and it got me in a lot of trouble those first few years of driving. actually he is't alone, I test drove a 14 reg 1.2 { when they were newish} and I genuinely thought it was in limp mode! I asked the salesman what was wrong with it,"nothing" was the reply.It may well have 75bhp{at 6000rpm} but are gutless mostly throughout the rev range. you need a 1.4 or maybe a tce 1.2 to get reasonable pace.
Had a 1.2 Corsa as a hire car once. Had no overtaking ability what so ever, was awful
All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
Had a 1.2 Corsa as a hire car once. Had no overtaking ability what so ever, was awful
All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
chrisr29 said:
Had a 1.2 Corsa as a hire car once. Had no overtaking ability what so ever, was awful
All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
Same. I had a 1.2 Corsa as a courtesy car a few years back and the other half actually owns one as her daily. They are horribly slow but not "dangerously" slow.All you could do was chug along with the rest of the traffic with your brain switched into limp mode. I've hired Transits with more go than that thing. A short while after I leased the VXR model for a couple of years - the motor in that was as good as the 1.2 was bad. I do think you need a certain amount of poke to get you out of trouble on the odd occasion.
Most cars of that size/power don't have much overtaking ability. I had a Punto 1.2 for years (with all of 60hp!) and even when ringing it's neck it didn't go very fast! However, it was fine at the time and did the job.
Strip the interior and give it some soft compound tyres for extra cornering speeds (if you need to over take, get them on the corners!). Get the geo looked at. Give it some negative camber (might require new top-mounts, I think?). Maybe replace the side and back glass with perspex? All look into a carbon fibre bonnet.
A nice set of Mintex 1155 pads should slow the thing down if you're looking to brake later than the rest of the traffic. Just don't forget to get some heat into them first!
Don't forget to remove the sound deadening for that extra raw sense of speed! Weighs a ton, too. You'll be glad to see rid of it. And think of the fuel saving!
Then start saving for a super charger
You've got to make the best of what you've got.
A nice set of Mintex 1155 pads should slow the thing down if you're looking to brake later than the rest of the traffic. Just don't forget to get some heat into them first!
Don't forget to remove the sound deadening for that extra raw sense of speed! Weighs a ton, too. You'll be glad to see rid of it. And think of the fuel saving!
Then start saving for a super charger
You've got to make the best of what you've got.
I found this post as i have just bought a 2007 1.2 clio for my wife to learn to drive in. I took it for a spin and it was ridiculously underpowered...had to change down to first gear just to go up a hill or round a corner.
Had a mechanic friend look at it and it was suffering a very common wiring fault with Clios of this age. Changed the damaged wiring loom (which chafes on the ECU box), replaced poorly designed black TDC sensor for blue one, gave it a service and changed coil pack and the car now drives great.
I drove it to work this morning to give it a proper run on the motorway and had no problem keeping up or even overtaking traffic.
Drives like a go cart and is a really enjoyable and pure drive when running correctly. You should maybe have someone look at this as I was of the very same opinion to you initially, but have since changed my mind.
Had a mechanic friend look at it and it was suffering a very common wiring fault with Clios of this age. Changed the damaged wiring loom (which chafes on the ECU box), replaced poorly designed black TDC sensor for blue one, gave it a service and changed coil pack and the car now drives great.
I drove it to work this morning to give it a proper run on the motorway and had no problem keeping up or even overtaking traffic.
Drives like a go cart and is a really enjoyable and pure drive when running correctly. You should maybe have someone look at this as I was of the very same opinion to you initially, but have since changed my mind.
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