172 Cup Advice Needed Please

[JWB223]

Hi, I looked at a 172 cup today with 15k miles. Looks a lovely car so i put a deposit on it subject to a couple of things: 1: theres a thin spread of oil all over the top of the rocker cover, it was quite dirty so i am guessing its old oil. is this normal or do they leak abit or is there a major problem with the car?! its also missing a couple of services, i guess cause its so low mileage (53 plate) the previous owner didnt worry to much about it. its had an 18000 mile service done at 11000 miles. has it missed anything major? The car felt tight to drive and didnt rattle at all compared to a 182 cup i drove the week before with the same mileage. any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Fred@BTM]

rocker cover leak is very very common, not a major problem (unless its pouring out) BIG job to fix though

RS clios are to be serviced every 12000miles (normal clios are 18000)

sounds like a good car

price?

 

[JWB223]

car is £7000, bit more than i wanted to spend but if its worth it then i'm not against spending the extra. whats the fix on the rocker cover then? not just a new gasket then?? one other thing its got small yellow 172 badges next to the cup badges on the b pillers. r they standard?

Thanks

 

[Fred@BTM]

yep they're standard

its around a 7/8hour job to fix (its silicone type stuff you squirt on to seal it)

the problem is due to the factory using a large paint roller kinda thing to apply the sealant in the factory, all it takes is the sealant not to get on the roller evenly and it'll leak

 

[MarkCup]

I'd say £7k for that car is a little high.

There always seems to be one or two for sale that are quite a bit cheaper than that if you're prepared to accept a slightly higher mileage.

 

[JWB223]

thanks for the info, i checked it after i drove the car i there was no sign off any new oil so it doesnt appear to be leaking that much. i just thourght it strange after only 15k miles. so its not a major problem then? is it something that has to be done eventually? anything else major i could of missed? cheers for all your help.

 

[JWB223]

yeah i agree 7k is a bit high but it seems a real minter so i dont mind spending a bit more.

 

[Fred@BTM]

brakes in good nick? check for accident damage (very very very common on cups)

the exhaust (if its standard) WILL fall off

 

[Big Iain]

spend a little extra and get a 2 year newer 182 withe leather and all that jazz!! nearly 2k over priced for that imo cam belt due in the next year too. No service history with low miles like that Il bet its clocked!!

 

[Fred@BTM]

£7K for a cup is a bit OTT

 

[kully]

i'm asking around the same for my cup , so i'd also say the price is too high .
i've got 24k on 53 plate with good mods too .

check for kerbing on wheel as they are prone to bad driving , will need to check history as cambelt will be due next year

 

[JWB223]

as i say the car is mint so i reckon its worth a bit more. i did have a p/ex which i got £600 more for after some tough haggling so am pleased with the deal. Mileage fits in with mot certificate and the service its had done, i have phoned the garage it was done at to double check and it all seems good. brakes r good and it has new front tyres. exhaust is also good but from what i have read i agree it will fall off so will fit aftermarket one pretty soon. would the oilly rocker cover put u off buying?

 

[kully]

mine leaked a year after ownage , got it replaced under warranty .
a very common problem .

 

[MarkCup]

Mine has always leaked from new.

Yesterday, I passed 93,000 miles in it.

Don't worry about it other than for the cosmetics.

 

[Big Bob]

mine is exactly the same low miles good condition and i would be looking for 7k if i was selling would settle for £6750 and if its what you want buy it as in a few years they will be as rare as rocking horse s**t with no ABS or traction control there easy to put into a ditch and there are allready loads that are coming up for spares which have been wrote off.

 

[Butler205]

Mine leaks too. Done 76k.

I noticed one of the spark plug oils was full of oil when doing the cambelt service. Not bothered as its probably leaked about 1/2 a pint of oil in a year.

 

[Neil G]

Could be clumsy Renault mechanics spilling oil down the side of the funnel when topping the oil up

 

[JWB223]

Thanks for all your help, thats help put my mind at ease! i surpose a little oil can go along way and look worse than it is. one other thing does anyone know where the engine number is located just to check everything matches?