People that've had a Clio 172/182 for at least a year or two

[Pulse.]

Just wondering what your experience has been. Particularly those who bought theirs 2nd hand, and have had one out of warranty. I know I'd get a better response on Cliosport, but I'm too lazy to register, and i'll get a good un-biased response here I hope.

I've been looking at maybe buying one, perhaps around the 04-05 plate mark, as they seem to be relative bargains for the performance I want.

But, I'm well aware that they are french, so want to know what people think.

I'm used to ultra reliable cars, and I had a Megane Coupe (2002) which was so unreliable I just had to sell it (Coil Packs, etc). Glad it was in warranty.

So what do you think with regards to:

Reliability first and foremost
Impressions of the 182FF (as this is what I'd want)
Performance
MPG
Anything else you can think of.. Please, I have all day to read, so post as much as possible! Haha

Thanks.

P.S. Is it normal for it to be so hard to insure? Can insure a BRAND NEW Astra VXR for the same price!

[172ff]

All your questions have been done to death on cliosport.net you'll get a better idea on there.

I love my 04 172ff. Just make sure you find a clean one and makes sure you test drive a couple. Lots of thrashed ones out there! It sounds like you had an old dog of a Renault. I dont think there are many with a list like yours and remember the RS isnt made in the same poormans factory as the rest of the clios.

Other than the alternator I've had no problems.

Re insurance: Its group 16. Its going to be steep. I pay £550fc, 26m, 3yrs ncb .

Edited by 172ff on Thursday 6th March 21:54

[Pulse.]

Yeah, I know it'll be steep, but just wondered why it cost the same to insure a £7000 Group 16 car as it did for a Group 17 £15000 car. I suppose a lot of them have been nicked or crashed.

[John D.]

Cliosport is your friend for this kind of info. Loads on there if you use the search function.

[warren182]

Just bought my 3rd cliosport. In my prev 2 (172 and 182), covered over 90k miles over 3.5 years. Mine were very reliable, had a rotary switch go on the 182, and the brake switch worked lose. Otherwise very good, never broke down, just used normal consumables etc.
Performance wise, easily a match for the class (civic type r, cooper s). Comfy over long distances (was working 100miles from home). Great to drive, composed but never inert.
Make sure you get a car with the cup packs (suspension and spoilers), makes the cars much easier to sell on. Exhausts are weak, most people go for a stainless steel replacement when it fails. Recaro's are great if you can get them, lowers the driving position and more comfortable.
Did a few track days in the 182, was keeping pace with the impreza's and basic elise's.

[warren182]

MPG
182 32-33mpg
172 35mpg

Not sure why the 172's are slightly more economical, but both that I've owned consistently get 35mpg.

[Ianeire]

I've been running a Phase 1 172's (have had two) for about a year and a half. Have had no issues with either car to be honest. Engine mounts on the first one and throttle cable on the second one. Covered about 30k miles I think.

I find petrol consumption very reasonable on them. The OBC reads <40mpg on national speed limit long drives and 36/37 at 80 on the motorway. Lowest I've ever seen it was at 16mpg after a full morning session on Mondello International circuit.

[Woza]

I bought an 04 plate clio 182 about a year ago.

Touch wood, as yet, i haven't had to fork out for anything expensive (in fact nothing at all)

I get 32mpg if i drive sensibly but have seen 28/9 quite regularly.

For the money it is a great little car and wont fail to put a smile on your face everytime you drive.

For better opinions i would suggest registering with renaultsport.co.uk - its not full of chavs and the people are very helpful.

Mine was up for sale a while ago and i am still open to sensible offers - doesn't be the best time to sell at the moment though!

Woza.

[Tycho]

I've had my 182 from new. It's an 05 plate and has only had a duff oxygen sensor and the engine mountings needed changing. I have just sent off a cheque for the outstanding balance to the finance company. Nuff said.

I love it and plan on keeping ot for another few years. Paid £500 FC, 34yo with 3 years NCB.

[warren182]

Oh, and personally, I'd get a 172 over a 182. I've owned both, 182 isn't significantly better, and prices are 1-2k higher. 172 with eibach pro springs (~200 fitted) is the equal of a 182. The 170bhp v 179bhp is pure marketing. A good friend of mine is running an 04 182ff, with a stainless steel exhaust (yozzasport) and is well run in. Mine pulls a slight gap over his on the straights.

[pugs9000]

Pulse. said:

Just wondering what your experience has been. Particularly those who bought theirs 2nd hand, and have had one out of warranty. I know I'd get a better response on Cliosport, but I'm too lazy to register, and i'll get a good un-biased response here I hope.

I've been looking at maybe buying one, perhaps around the 04-05 plate mark, as they seem to be relative bargains for the performance I want.

But, I'm well aware that they are french, so want to know what people think.

I'm used to ultra reliable cars, and I had a Megane Coupe (2002) which was so unreliable I just had to sell it (Coil Packs, etc). Glad it was in warranty.

So what do you think with regards to:

Reliability first and foremost
Impressions of the 182FF (as this is what I'd want)
Performance
MPG
Anything else you can think of.. Please, I have all day to read, so post as much as possible! Haha

Thanks.

P.S. Is it normal for it to be so hard to insure? Can insure a BRAND NEW Astra VXR for the same price!

Same here, apart i have been running a 2001 megane coupe for the last 4 years and apart from obvious things like tyres and brakes nothing apart from an o2 sensor has gone wrong and i test drove both a 172 and 182, i could not really tell the difference apart from price and i pick up my 172 on monday, can't wait.

[LeeME3]

Ran a 172 for nearly 2 years and its a high miler being 82000 miles on a 53 plate (find it in the classifieds if you want to see how good the body work looks after those miles). Mainly motorway miles but 100% reliable - and was that way from new (it was a company car at my wife's company before we had it). Only issues have been a new bonnet (pheasant 1 Clio 0) and a new wing mirror (taxi 1 clio 0) neither of which are attributable to it being French!

Just make sure the cambelt has been done or factor it into the price if it is imminent (60K miles IIRC, Renault charge about £850 for the job, independent about £400).

And they are great fun! Go on, buy mine, I'm open to offers!