Clio V6

[ian748]

My girfriend is thinking of buying a Clio V6 Mk1
Any horror stories with reliability etc?
I heard they're were lots of expensive problems and was wondering what to look out for??

Cheers

[__LEE__]

Try posting this in General Gassing, you will get a lot more replies from there.

I know very little about them apart from the famous lift off oversteer, a 172 been a quicker car (allegedly!) and the handling issues.

On a more positive note a bloke down my street used to own one and they look fantastic in the metal.

>> Edited by __LEE__ on Wednesday 15th December 14:28

[Raify]

Yes, lots more fast replies from GG.

I fell in love with this car the moment I saw it, and was very dissapointed to read lots of very bad reviews.

Many different car mags slated the snap oversteer and the fact it was £10k more (but slower) than the Clio Cup. AFAIK it was fairly bomb-proof, mechanically speaking.

All of the handling issues seem to have been adressed in the Mk2 however, so it might be worth your girlfriend waiting for one of these to reach the right price. I'm thinking about it...

[ian748]

Not too worried about handling issues, she's had caterham in past and we have an integrale at the moment which will be our second car.

The Clio is to replace the smart car we have as a runaround, hense the reliabilty questions

I like a car thats a bit frisky anyway, keeps you sharp!

[_dobbo_]

Evo ran one as a long termer and weren't that kind about the handling but loved the car as I recall it.

They now run a mark 2 as a long termer as well.

For the money I must say the mark one is a tempting prospect. Not sure how much the handling would bother you in real life, rather than in the evo land of track days and hooning all the time!

[S Works]

I believe when some magazine or program ran a test of the Mk1 the ex-pro racing driver doing the shots refused to get it sideways after spinning it a few times.

I think he had a few choice words to say about it.

The fact that Renault made such wholesale changes to the Mk2 tells a lot if you ask me.

I'd leave it alone personally.

[Coxy the Bear]

I drove one and hated it after the second gear change.....the one where you change from 2nd to 3rd and trap your hand against the dahsboard! Apart from the fact that they couldn't decide which materials to use on the interior, so used all of them, it looks superb. Don't think I'd buy one though.

[silversix]

Had one on order, but cancelled after test drive @ Mira. Had EVO 6 at the time, and was very un impressed with the Clio. Looks great but not too much go. I bought a 172 as company car, and in my opinion it's better. my mate has a Renault Dealership, so got to drive both Mk1 and 2 V6's latter one is better, but on track (we tried all of them) a 172 cup could stay with them.

[carly]

I bought my MK1 Clio V6 about 18 months ago after falling in love with the car, & I haven't had any problems at all and still think that it is a superb car. Unfortunately I am now selling her for a 4x4 as I am getting a puppy and a two seater isn't ideal! My V6 is pristine and has a private plate that reads 'Clio v6' so if anyone is interested shout me back. Click on my profile to see a picture of her!
Also my ex-boyfriend had a 172 after selling his Clio v6 for financial reasons and he rated the v6 much higher than the 172. After racing the two against each other (on a legal race track of course!) the v6 beats the 172 hands down, despite a girl driving the v6!
Also comparing the two on looks... Well there is no comparison!

>> Edited by carly on Wednesday 5th January 15:59

[rico]

I've been out in evo's long-term Mk2 V6 Clio. Thought it was fantastic!!!

If insurance wasn't such an ass in London i'd be driving one now