Renaultsport Clios
Discussion
Don't worry , this is not another what car as I have done my own mental wrestling match.
As I have left job and started my own company I need to replace my company car that dissappeared up my drive on the last day of December. Wanted something interesting that wouldn't cost a lot of readies to buy, maintain and run witht at least some reasonable go. If the year goes well and I can upgrade in 12 months then the idea is to cage up and run as a track toy.
So I decided on a Renaultsport Clio. Have between £2500 and £3500 to spend.
What do I need to look for, good and bad?
Understand French build may not be up to some standards and I need to look at cam belts and shocks as starters alongside the usual second hand car pitfalls.
Thank you in advance!
As I have left job and started my own company I need to replace my company car that dissappeared up my drive on the last day of December. Wanted something interesting that wouldn't cost a lot of readies to buy, maintain and run witht at least some reasonable go. If the year goes well and I can upgrade in 12 months then the idea is to cage up and run as a track toy.
So I decided on a Renaultsport Clio. Have between £2500 and £3500 to spend.
What do I need to look for, good and bad?
Understand French build may not be up to some standards and I need to look at cam belts and shocks as starters alongside the usual second hand car pitfalls.
Thank you in advance!
Get over to the Cliosport Forums, there is enough info over there to help.
You'll be looking at a 172 for that sort of money I'd have thought.
Cambelt must be done, that is a given and the most expensive service item you would need to worry about.
Many have been tracked so be mindful of history, owners and wear and tear on chassis components. Be mindful of any cars lowered on cheap springs or cheap adjustable coilovers, they don't do the cars any favours.
172 Cup is the most raw, but lack of ABS doesn't appeal to all.
Plenty of choice out there so you can afford to be fussy.
You'll be looking at a 172 for that sort of money I'd have thought.
Cambelt must be done, that is a given and the most expensive service item you would need to worry about.
Many have been tracked so be mindful of history, owners and wear and tear on chassis components. Be mindful of any cars lowered on cheap springs or cheap adjustable coilovers, they don't do the cars any favours.
172 Cup is the most raw, but lack of ABS doesn't appeal to all.
Plenty of choice out there so you can afford to be fussy.
Don't underestimate just how unreliable Renault's are...people will be along shortly to tell you how their Renault has never let them down - but they are either lying, or are just very lucky.
Be careful.
Carsurvey.org will let you build up a picture of common problems from real owners.
Yours, a Renault owner.
Be careful.
Carsurvey.org will let you build up a picture of common problems from real owners.
Yours, a Renault owner.
Firstly, a very good choice. You've obviously come to the same conclusion as i did in that the renaultsports tick a lot of boxes for reasonable outlay.
After years of driving hot hatch Vw's I found they were no longer offering what I wanted in a car. It was pretty alien to look at Renaults for me but i'm very glad I did.
I went for a 53 plate clio cup. I've had it four months and a really pleased with it. Firstly decide if you want the cup or what they call the full fat. The cup in my opinion is a much more focused car. They did a bit with geometry, aerodynamics and lightweight wheels. It does make them a better drive but you do lose a few creature comforts (allthough I mangaed to get one of the 100 cups with climate).
If your doing high miles I wouldn't go for the cup.
The next thing i would advise is driving as many as you can. They vary massivly from slouchy, slow, noisy, unreliable bags of nails to very nice reliable examples. Just finding one that hasn't been modified is a task that cuts out 50% of the available cars in your area. You need to be looking for examples that have been treated kindly. Look for FSH, reciepts, carefull owners. This is because the mechanicals can be a bit iffy on some, gearboxes seem a weak spot, as do clutches, rear shocks only last 50-60k but are cheap, exhausts are utter rubbish and very expensive. Most have been replaced with aftermarket jobbies which usually involve chopping the rear bumper to expose the can. I really dont like this so I had to look even harder to find one with the standard concealed exhaust. (they're chavvy enough).
Service wise they are cheap and easy. Except for the cambelts at 50k which is a very expensive job and not to be skimped on. They can't bechanged properly without the correct renault locking tools so if its done in backtreet garages they wont be able to get the timing right and it really effects the performance. If its a cup its not too bad at around £300. If its a full fat with climate you need more parts and its a minimum of £500 and anything up to £900 at a dealer. if the dephaser pulley needs changing (rare) then that adds more costs.
To cut it short. Bye a very good one and you will love it. I payed just over 3600 for my cup which is about as genuine and original as they come. I felt i payed a little more than i should but I was happy that it was the right one. You will get a nice one for your budget.
After years of driving hot hatch Vw's I found they were no longer offering what I wanted in a car. It was pretty alien to look at Renaults for me but i'm very glad I did.
I went for a 53 plate clio cup. I've had it four months and a really pleased with it. Firstly decide if you want the cup or what they call the full fat. The cup in my opinion is a much more focused car. They did a bit with geometry, aerodynamics and lightweight wheels. It does make them a better drive but you do lose a few creature comforts (allthough I mangaed to get one of the 100 cups with climate).
If your doing high miles I wouldn't go for the cup.
The next thing i would advise is driving as many as you can. They vary massivly from slouchy, slow, noisy, unreliable bags of nails to very nice reliable examples. Just finding one that hasn't been modified is a task that cuts out 50% of the available cars in your area. You need to be looking for examples that have been treated kindly. Look for FSH, reciepts, carefull owners. This is because the mechanicals can be a bit iffy on some, gearboxes seem a weak spot, as do clutches, rear shocks only last 50-60k but are cheap, exhausts are utter rubbish and very expensive. Most have been replaced with aftermarket jobbies which usually involve chopping the rear bumper to expose the can. I really dont like this so I had to look even harder to find one with the standard concealed exhaust. (they're chavvy enough).
Service wise they are cheap and easy. Except for the cambelts at 50k which is a very expensive job and not to be skimped on. They can't bechanged properly without the correct renault locking tools so if its done in backtreet garages they wont be able to get the timing right and it really effects the performance. If its a cup its not too bad at around £300. If its a full fat with climate you need more parts and its a minimum of £500 and anything up to £900 at a dealer. if the dephaser pulley needs changing (rare) then that adds more costs.
To cut it short. Bye a very good one and you will love it. I payed just over 3600 for my cup which is about as genuine and original as they come. I felt i payed a little more than i should but I was happy that it was the right one. You will get a nice one for your budget.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
Don't underestimate just how unreliable Renault's are...people will be along shortly to tell you how their Renault has never let them down - but they are either lying, or are just very lucky.
Be careful.
Carsurvey.org will let you build up a picture of common problems from real owners.
Yours, a Renault owner.
Look again and in more detail at the stats to these car surveys. Renault never do well, But when looked into its actually the top end cars that are the poorest performers. The meganesand the lagunas with all the electrical gubbins seem to be what let them down. The clios and the twingos do much better.Be careful.
Carsurvey.org will let you build up a picture of common problems from real owners.
Yours, a Renault owner.
Renaults arent the best, but the cliosports can be great fun for the money. Just keep up on servicing and maintenance and you should be ok. yes you could be unlucky, but you can be unlucky with an audi and it will cost you twice as much.
Thought about a 306 GTI-6 or Rallye instead?
Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Had heard I may be looking at circa £500 for the the belt to be done properly and went over the forums and found an Indy nr Birmingham that is well repected on there. Happybto paybthe right money for the right well looked after and unmolested car.
Keep any bother stuff coming
Keep any bother stuff coming
Berger said:
Thought about a 306 GTI-6 or Rallye instead?
Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
Hmm. No, not really. Will have a look again but maybe harder to find a low miles example?Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
coach said:
Just had a quick scout and cant find any GTI6 that bare low enough on the miles and unmolested
Back to the RS Clios unless there are any others alternatives in the mileage range (under 60k) and price bracket?
What's the hang-up on mileage? Most GTI-6s will have been totally refreshed at this age. Mileage irrelevant.Back to the RS Clios unless there are any others alternatives in the mileage range (under 60k) and price bracket?
I don't have any issues with the seating position on mine except that the gear lever is indeed a long throw which was trouble at first. I'm 6' 0" and it's fine for me.
I think everyone else has covered the main aspects of things to look out for, but common failures are the speedometer sensor and TDC sensor. Both are £20ish parts though and can be fitted yourself. It's been a reliable car in the year I've had it.
£3500 is a good amount, you should be able to get a very decent phase 2 for that, happy hunting.
Oh might be worth googling the reg of any car you go to look at. It might pop up on some forums and show exra history.
I think everyone else has covered the main aspects of things to look out for, but common failures are the speedometer sensor and TDC sensor. Both are £20ish parts though and can be fitted yourself. It's been a reliable car in the year I've had it.
£3500 is a good amount, you should be able to get a very decent phase 2 for that, happy hunting.
Oh might be worth googling the reg of any car you go to look at. It might pop up on some forums and show exra history.
HereBeMonsters said:
coach said:
Just had a quick scout and cant find any GTI6 that bare low enough on the miles and unmolested
Back to the RS Clios unless there are any others alternatives in the mileage range (under 60k) and price bracket?
What's the hang-up on mileage? Most GTI-6s will have been totally refreshed at this age. Mileage irrelevant.Back to the RS Clios unless there are any others alternatives in the mileage range (under 60k) and price bracket?
Renault sport hatches are great, extremely tuneable and great fun cars. I myself have a Williams, don't ever regret the day i bought it, yeah it goes wrong every now and again but if you look after it, it's a great little car.
Not sure what car nowadays you buy for 3 grand wont go wrong at some point.
G'luck
Not sure what car nowadays you buy for 3 grand wont go wrong at some point.
G'luck
coach said:
Berger said:
Thought about a 306 GTI-6 or Rallye instead?
Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
Hmm. No, not really. Will have a look again but maybe harder to find a low miles example?Rather than a middle ground 172 or a knackered 182 you would be able to get one of the very best, or one with all the track day modifications already carried out for ~£2000 leaving you with some £ in your pocket to spend on trackdays this spring.
Make sure the cambelt has been changed and the engine isn't a "tapper" and jobs a good'un.
I test drove a 182 last year and that really impressed me - dynamically I'd take one over a GTi-6 any day (and I suspect the 172 would be similar).
As for ownership ... well are they really that bad now? An old colleague had a 182 from new, and his frequently went back to Renault for small issues - bulbs going and things like that - while under warranty. Obviously that's a pain, but two things occur: Firstly it was never anything major (the engine didn't suddenly drop out the bottom or anything...) and, secondly, these minor maladies would have been fixed under warranty - hopefully for good.
Speaking of 306s. A mate has just picked up a 306 XSi with 60,000 miles on the clock. I kept telling him to hold out for a GTi-6 or Rallye in similar nick - he had the budget, but apparently not the patience. He seems very happy though, so maybe the XSi is a good way into fast Pug territory without paying a premium for a really good GTi-6.
I have a clio 182 paid £3100, on 99k full Renault history, owned by head mechanic at Renault dealership, it had all the belts done, fully serviced, new tyres, shocks, discs & pads all replaced before I bought it.
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal.
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it.
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
However driving position is odd to say the least and I suppose saying you have a clio does give much kudos.
Main things to watch for, exhaust and belts I`m lead to believe
P.s buy mine if you want £3100
I had the steering wheel re-trimmed as the old when had literally melted. Mine has been perfect apart from a shock absorber which has started leaking recently, its upto 108k now.
Really fun little cars, I`ve had what maybe considered better cars in the past 530d, Audi TT, and drive a 60 plate 320d M sport or EOS in work, the Clio`s handling is superb it just seems to just hold on the grip is phenomenal.
I use it mainly for work and will easily do 40mpg if sticking to the speed limit on the motorway, it averages between about 30mpg and 35mpg depending on how you drive it.
Its also got a good spec, with cruise, xenons, cd multichanger, climate control, half leather.
However driving position is odd to say the least and I suppose saying you have a clio does give much kudos.
Main things to watch for, exhaust and belts I`m lead to believe
P.s buy mine if you want £3100
Edited by coley20 on Tuesday 4th January 17:27
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