wrxjay03

Hi I know this isnt a renault forum but i though some of you guys might be able to help. I am 16 at the mo, turn 17 in august, and am looking at getting a clio(mk2) for my first car. The only thing that has put me off is reliability, has anybody owned one and can comment on how reliable they are??
Many thanks

NotoriousREV

We had one from new (v reg 1.6 Si).

Positives: fun to drive, looked pretty good with the projector headlamps, cheap to run. Mechanically, it never actually broke down apart from a split gaiter on the CV joint causing problems for us when driving to the south of France.

Negatives: Electrically we had to have the sunroof repaired 1 hour after getting the car from the dealer (kept blowing fuses when you shut it), the passenger airbag had to be replaced (off the road for weeks while waiting for parts) and the speedo unit failed. Also, the interior was so flimsy bits regularly fell off in your hand if you so much as looked at them and finally the driving position is horrible.

We sold ours after 3 years vowing never to have another because it was just so annoying.

wrxjay03

oh what mileage did yours have when selling? alot of them are pretty high 60k+, so i dont know how much longer they will go on for ??

dpb

You can pick up a xsara quite a bit cheaper - sold my vtr for 1k (2001) model too cheap to a mate , should have been 1.6 maybe. Similar handling .

All french cars of the era lose their trim i you sneeze too hard .! mine was 18 months when i got it , have to say apart from airbag light staying on nothing really went wrong with it .. - much more useful small van capacity in the back too.


ps it still going fine with 65k on it

wrx9181

iTrader: (2)

my wifes got a clio cup nothing wrong at all but if you take to renault dont expect to be impressed by their dealings with you their cust care is crap

wrxjay03

thanks for the replies, what would you say is the highest mileage to be looking at? No more than say 60, 70k??

Billgtt

There's no need to be so worried with mileage when buying a car. I'd much rather have a well maintained car with 200k on the clock than an abused one with 20k on it.

NotoriousREV

Ours had about 40k on the clock when we sold it. Like I said, I think mechanically, they're pretty robust, just be prepared for all the niggly things to annoy you.

wrxjay03

did you have a 1.2 dynamic? this is the model im looking at due to insurance

NotoriousREV

Ours was the 1.6 Si (old 8 valve pushrod motor) so it was the old generation of engines. The 1.2 motors are pretty good, actually.

Personally, in that class of car I'd be looking at a Fiesta 1.25, more fun to drive, better motor and better build quality, if not quite as nice to look at. A mate at work has a 150k mile example that still returns 45mpg and only ever needs minor maintenance once a year to keep it going.

wrxjay03

dont really like the fiesta though tbh.
there are alot of 1.2 16v about, are the names dynamic, extreme, alize just different models? ( like gx, wrx, sti etc? ) is dynamic the basic mode?

wrxjay03

???????

NotoriousREV

Not sure on the trim levels, tbh. Just go with the nicest you can find

wrxjay03

yeah will do

deangtiuk

iTrader: (3)

My missus Mom as Clio turbo diesel, I'd steer clear. Have you thought about Seat Ibiza,VW Polo? these are more reliable and more tuneable.

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

The other half has the 1.2 mk2 clio, apart from a snapped cambelt, it has been fine since I slung a new engine in it, 7 years with no probs, the trim etc is cheap but thats to be expected.

Clarkie172

Clio's are decent little cars. They are French (electrics are poo and interior will rattle) but generally they are reliable mechanically. Make sure it has been serviced and if cambelt has been done, I wouldn't be put off one with 60k as my first car.

wrxjay03

so reliability isnt too bad its just the little things that will possibly go wrong? I know the interior isnt nothing special but what can you expect. As long as it doesnt turn into a money bucket thanks for all your replies

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Had an X 'Reg' 1.6 RSI 16v (78K on the clock) version for nearly a year. One thing they are renowned for is the exhaust corroding. First signs of issue with mine was a blowing from the exhaust. 1 Week later on the way home it snapped in the middle. Cost me £70 to get the centre section replaced.

Also the Aircon is known to have problems, such as mine for example. If you have one with air-con then check this carefully, as they are positioned enough to get corrosion and stop working. It will cost you in the region of £400 to put right.

Worth checking out the following forum, as this is where you'll discover the other nasty things about them: ClioSport

Also BBC's watch dog has been overwhealmed by owners having issues witht he bonnet catch malfunctioning and people experiencing bonnets flying up into the windscreens. Renault appear not to be too bothered about it apparrently.

As for the 1.6 I owned (115 BHP), I wasn't impressed by the fuel consumption, ride (Too high) or power. The Mark 4 1.6 Ghia Fiesta (Zetec with 101BHP) was more fun and handled better.

wrxjay03

i saw the watchdog bonnet thing when it was on, smashing the windscreens. I will check that link out see whats what. Thanks for the info m8

jpor

iTrader: (1)

No Worries. That forum was a great help to me when I owned one.

wrxjay03

been looking around on cliosport, looks like a good forum

wrxjay03

just incase some of you are interested, i picked up my clio today. its a 1.2 expression, and i LOVE it, really impressed. hopfully give it a good clean tomorrow, i just cant wait to drive it now, only another 7 weeks till im 17 anyway, for the pics...

abbott

fair play to you buddy looks like a nice clean example . i would have killed for a car like that when i was 16 parked up almost ready to drive ....

you do sit in it making broom broom noises though dont you ? lol i did when i got banned

Clarkie172

I have had 2 x Clio 1.2s a clio 1.8 16v and a 172 They were all reliable, no faults, lower engines returned good MPG and were all fun cars! The two sports were even more fun! Capable cars and suprised a few bigger supposidly quicker cars! Enjoy your motor mate! As for cliosport, they are a good bunch of lads! They should help you with what you need and give sound advice! Heres my last Clio:



https://www.scoobynet.com/members-ga...d-car-new.html

I still have a soft spot for Clios!

MovingShadow

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I've had 3 Clio's 2 x 1.2 16v dynamiques and a valver.

Great first cars, lovely handling and look nice witha few subtle touches. Never really had any faults with mine and had them for about 4 years.

wrxjay03

they both look awesome, what was yours lowered on and what size wheels did you have on? dont know how much to drop mine by on 15"s.

MovingShadow

iTrader: (3)

Drop it 60mm on Pi springs, cheap but effective. I wouldn't bother with 35/40mm springs as it just isn't low enough.

Mine was lowered 60mm Pi srpings in the top pic and FK coilovers in the second and the other black one was on Spax coilovers.

wrxjay03

well the thing is, once i got my clio home, i asked my sisters boyfriend (who is a mechanic) and he says dont lower it anymore than 25 as it will rub on the wheels and that he knows mates who have done that. Now the thing is, many people of cliosport have done theirs 60mm etc, so i dont see why mine would rub???

MovingShadow

iTrader: (3)

Mate the bloke is chatting absolute bollocks.

Mine was lowered 60mm on 17's and could take 3 in the back all day long.

And thats without arch mods!

25mm you'll barely notice the difference, slam it!