Advice please! Just bought 182 cup from dealer now furious

[bounce08]

Right. Hi everyone, first post on here but been a long time reader.

Today I collected my new car, an '05 Gordini Blue 182 Cup, 60k, £5200. The car was advertised on AutoTrader by a hot hatch specialist small independent dealer near Birmingham. The advert described it as "excellent condition". I went along a few days ago and saw it. The bodywork was immaculate. Admittedly taking this and the "excellent condition" comment on the advert I stupidly did not inspect the rest of the car...just the bodywork.

Great I thought. I traded in my car and signed the finance document and sales invoice and drove off. Immediately the clutch felt heavy - I had read this was a common issue with 182s so bit my lip. I also noticed the grip seemed pretty poor but blamed this on the wet weather.

I drove the 60 miles home and decided I would have my first proper look at the car. I inspected the tyres and was shocked to see the front two tyres had less than 1mm tread! Almost bald. I then tried looking at the engine bay but when I pulled the lever in the passenger footwell nothing happened not even a noise!

I had a look around and noticed that the front splitter was missing, and that the car was fitted with a K&N panel filter (a service invoice showed this).

I also noticed the exhaust noise was loud and booming even with very little revs. To sum up, these are the problems I found:

-less than 1mm tread front two tyres
-overly heavy clutch that no doubt will be shot in weeks
-no front splitter
-k&n panel filter fitted (this was not on the ad or told to me by the dealer)
-overly loud and booming exhaust

I am furious! The advert described it as "'excellent condition" and I trusted this and the dealer enough to not inspect the mechanics of the car having seen the bodywork was immaculate.

What are my options? ALSO can any experienced Clio owners advise re the heavy clutch and splitter?

I love the car and would be happy for the dealer to just contribute to the cost of these items rather than get a refund. I was also not given a copy of the finance agreement after I signed previously as the dealer said he had "left it at home". I did sign a sales invoice that states I had inspected the car even though I had not.

Any advice re overly loud exhaust reasons aswell? Surely if a dealer describes it as 'excellent condition' the car should be? He priced it OVER the cap and glasses prices so it's not like he has priced it to tKe these issues into account. Furthermore, he has sold me an unroadworthy vehicle with illegal tyres.

I know im stupid for not inspecting it prior and have learnt my lesson. Help!

 

[.GAZ.]

Nothing you can do! Bit daft not inspecting it properly, don't you think?

 

[bigup7]

did you not have a test drive mate?

i hope you did a HPI?

 

[jenic]

You are a fool for not checking the car out fully before hand tbh.

You were given the opportunity to do so, imo its your own fault it is like it is and I wouldn't be willing to do anything if I was the dealer. I also doubt you'd get anywhere through legal means either, since you had the chance to check all the faults and simply didn't.

Even my mum knows to check a car over before buying it

 

[Dave.]

Hi mate sorry to hear of the probs, sounds like a lot if money you paid for the car mate!

Did you not give it a thorough check?? Tyres etc are basics and surely you looked through the history?

I think the problems with the tyres will deffo have to be sorted by the garage but you bought the car without a splitter and hadn't previously mentioned it to the dealer. They may have been unaware it was supposed to have one. The exhaust issue is a struggle if the exhaust is in good order and it has a "sports" exhaust. If standard and kbackered then you may have a chance

Independant / CS long term member inspection FTW I'm afraid

Hope u get it sorted but I think you may have done your own legs.

£5200 was a lot of money with that mileage TBH

 

[Jamie]

Not sure who else you can blame but yourself really. To get the best advice though go to citizens advice.

With the tyres they were in fact selling a car unfit for road use so may get them covered.

 

[ferrett]

car should be road worthy so if the tyres are illegal take it straight back to him as for the mods theres not alot you can do and missing splitter squat you failed to notice that when you inspected the car , k+n panel filter is a decent upgrade as its a life time one as for the exhaust im sure there is plenty of people would swap you for a standard system , personally if its a s/s system i,d be pleasantly suprise and thus quite happy knowing the arse isnt gona fall out of the standard one ... the clutch is supposed to be heavy theyre all the same so not likely to let go anytime soon , id be more concerned if it was light

take it on the chin bar the tyres just coz its had mods doesnt mean its not excellent condition ! and dealers dont sell cars with no mark up

hope this helps

 

[Klio182]

Very tough mate. As worked with sales, they can advertise it amazing condition to get people to look as you said you have looked at the car and thought it was clean.
You should always check car when buying private or garage.
When I bought a Clio 182 had no splitter either. Was there when I looked at car and not there when I picked it up. Only my word though and signed the doc's like you.
Tyres are the same mate. You said you signed saying your happy. So not much leg to stand on.

You can always try but if he tough dealer then might have no chance of anything.

 

[bounce08]

I obviously regret not checking it prior but if a dealer describes it as excellent condition the least I would expect is that I would be road legal. It had a full service history which I had checked - I took the risk stupidly and it came back on me.

I'm not here to ponder over stupid I have been just what my options are - i know enough to know that the dealer legally has to provide me with a roadworthy car regardless of whether I inspect it. Less than 1mm tread on fronts means it is not roadworthy.

 

[Bluebeard]

-less than 1mm tread front two tyres... Thats how you bought the car. Your own fault. If you take it back all he's got to say is ''It was legal when you left, you must have been wheelspinning everywhere''. Your word against his.

-overly heavy clutch that no doubt will be shot in weeks... Could be a stiff cable. Not a lot to worry about, why didn't you mention it after the test drive?

-no front splitter... Not all dealers know about these. You should have mentioned it before buying it...

-k&n panel filter fitted (this was not on the ad or told to me by the dealer)... And thats a problem why?? You never have to replace the air filter now!

-overly loud and booming exhaust... Did you not pick up on this after the test drive???

It sounds a bit harsh, but did you have your eyes closed?! Th dealer hasn't lied. He hasn't hidden anything from you. He hasn't promised to do something and not done it.

People are always quick to criticise the dealers, but what about the people that leave themselves open?? Buying a car then moaning about the tyres is nothing short of mind boggling.

 

[bounce08]

Can anyone advise on the bonnet issue? It doesn't open at all, not even a noise when lever is pulled.

 

[ferrett]

its not stupidity mate weve all been there ! just makes you more aware on your next purchase ... i too have been so excited about getting a car ive overlooked a few things and got stung or taking peoples word for it which is something you must never do

1 he will have to put tyres on it
2 he will have to fix the bonnet cable

bar that im afraid he doesnt have to do much

 

[treemanx]

Have you ever bought a car before? Surely anyone with some common sense would check what they are spending over 5k on?

 

[jenic]

its not stupidity mate weve all been there ! just makes you more aware on your next purchase ... i too have been so excited about getting a car ive overlooked a few things and got stung or taking peoples word for it which is something you must never do

I'm sorry but it really is!

@ the op, i'd possibly chance it with the tyres and cable like above, but apart from that you need to take it on the chin.

A plus side is you may be able to swap the exhaust and filter for standard examples with people on here + cash your way

 

[Bluebeard]

Have you got someone to pull the bonnet while you operate the catch? Sometimes people over-oil them (Blame watchdog!!) and they get so gunked up that they stick shut. Worth a try.

 

[Sarah]

looks like the catch is jamed

 

[bounce08]

It is the dealers responsibility to point out any issues especially if he has described it as 'excellent condition' though right? The guy was a self labelled renaultsport specialist, full service history with recent cam/aux belt - why would I doubt the rest of the car? I obviously regret it now!

 

[AlexS]

This seems to happen time and time again on ClioSport, if your not prepared to look around a car properly or don't know what your doing then BUY AN AA/RAC/INDEPENDENT inspection, even if the cars at a dealer. Its not complicated, im sure there are plenty of local members on here that would have looked over it for you, tyres really are the basics.
I just sold a 172 with a brand new OEM Renault clutch, was just as heavy as my old 70k PH1.
How do you know the K&N is fitted if you can't get the bonnet open and check the air box, just because its on a service invoice means diddly squat, could have been ripped out ages ago.
172/182 exhausts drop off every 30k, a stainless one is an advantage.
Take it as a lesson, get on black circles, order some rubber and enjoy the car.

 

[bounce08]

Sorry to sound like an amateur but Im here now. Can anyone give anymore info on the heavy clutch? It tKes a bit of effort to push it down and the biting point is very high - are these normal characteristics of the 182 cup?

 

[ferrett]

you said the car is in excellent condition yourself ! tyres are wearable items !!! i dont get it ! i,d be more pissed if i seen loads of under paint prep marks etc just cause the tyres are low doesnt mean the car isnt excellent .. get new tyres take it for a blast and you will soon forget about it

 

[Keith Lemon]

Take it on the chin mate, am sure most people have missed things when buying cars, sounds like you got a little too excited. Try and get the tyres done if you can.. the K&N is a bonus, if the exhaust a non standard stainless one then thats also a bonus ( standard one would be ready to fall off now anyway). The clutches are heavy, I have a left leg like arnie after driving the 182 and trophy.. Dunno bout the bonnet though.. maybe the cable has snapped.. again speak to the dealer about this... Did you not look under the bonnet?? ( thats Crazy!!)

 

[bounce08]

The service invoice that mentioned the filter was very recent. Is the standard exhaust not stainless steel then? The actual tailpipes look quite big and the rear box is stainless/polished.

 

[Craigus]

You are a fool for not looking over it, I can't believe someone would buy a car without checking the tyres or noticing a loud exhaust.

 

[Keith Lemon]

Standard exhaust is made of butter mate, there w**k.. much better with a stainless, you would have to buy one soonish anyway.. filters a good thing.. chill..

 

[ferrett]

Sorry to sound like an amateur but Im here now. Can anyone give anymore info on the heavy clutch? It tKes a bit of effort to push it down and the biting point is very high - are these normal characteristics of the 182 cup?

ive had 5 172/182 and theyve all had heavy clutches (all of them) any of my mates laugh and dont know how i can be assed driving them with such problem ... you will get used to it in a way it stops you keeping your foot on it in traffic

 

[DrR]

lol tbh, i trust dealers less than buying private!

 

[TimR26]

Sounds like you didn't even test drive the car? If you had driven the car you'd have discovered about the heavy clutch, loud exhaust and likely noticed the tyres were shot.

Clutch sounds normal. The k+n and stainless exhaust are bonus so sell on here if not happy. Dealer might be kind and offer some money towards tyres if you're lucky but they should fix the bonet catch.

 

[Jimbo-Clio]

Firstly iam sorry to hear your having issues buddy as i agree with it is foolish not to comb a car before buying this mistake as been made this poor chap does not need to hear this same point for two pages! I think you might be able to get some new tyres and a bonnet catch as a good will gesture ring back and moan loads mate they might give in. You need a copy of your finance agreement badly!! make sure you get that.

The spilter is around £100 from renault but there are many other alternatives to the standard cup spilter.

Carbon fiber spilter £115 from ktec racing.

Skoda fabia vrs spilter looks pretty much like the cup one yet is around £10? part number be on here somewere

Clutch should be alright mate did you get a 3 month warrenty?

K N filter wouldent be my first choice of filter but is a good filter to have much better than the standard ones and u can clean it and re use it like mentioned above

with regards to exhaust check the tips buddy should have a brand on there has it still got a silencer and cat on the system? after market exhausts for the 182 are very expensive so you be able to sell it to someone for a standard 182 system and cash i would think.

hope this helps mate and good luck getting it sorted

 

[AlexS]

I have only just read the bit saying you bought it on finance? Did you pay a deposit on a credit card?
Daniel is the man to speak to, you MAY be able to get in contact with the finance company and they will fight the battle for you, the tyres need to be sorted as does the bonnet cable, you can forget about the exhaust/ splitter.
I believe Kneel had a similar issue, PM Daniel of Kneel.

 

[Marky_]

Is the standard exhaust not stainless steel then? The actual tailpipes look quite big and the rear box is stainless/polished.

That's not standard then.

This is what a standard one looks like:

 

[penaul]

cant belive you bought a car without lifting the bonnet

 

[Ads_172]

Most of the issues sound fairly small matey, spend less time being furious and more time enjoying looking at your shiny new toy which is in excellent cosmetic condition if nothing else!

182 splitters are made of soft cheese anyway, they break all the time.

If the tyres are a cheap brand then best to replace them anyway.

Clutches are always heavy and like a switch more often than not. Don't worry about it unless it's slipping.

Exhaust being 'boomy' is different to 'blowing'. If it's 'boomy' then it'll just be aftermarket and someone on here will happily swap you for standard. However, if splitters are made of soft cheese then the standard exhaust is made of even softer cheese. Aftermarket is better.

Bonnet catch is something the dealer should put right. It's probably just sticky or a dodgy cable.

Just enjoy RS ownership... the costs have only just begun!

 

[Riley!]

should of inspected before handing over you signature, your own fault IMO

 

[bounce08]

should of inspected before handing over you signature, your own fault IMO

Really??! Why didn't someone mention this to me earlier arghh!

I will be happy if the dealer replaces the front two tyres and bonnet catch is sorted - regardless of whether I inspected it or not it is not reasonable or legal for him to sell me a normal priced used car that is not roadworthy!

 

[Budgie]

PMSL.

Sold as seen, I'm afraid.

Would the dealer have taken your work that all the money was there, or did he count it? He would have counted it, because you can't trust anyone.

LOL.

 

[planetx]

you don't have a leg to stand on, go back will just piss the dealer off.

you will be like an annoying little mosquito in his ears.............take it on the chin.
I have a less boomy standard exhaust if you want to buy it.
Get some Exaltos all round, hunt down a standard airbox +ITG Panel filter and your car won't be no different than the rest of us.
The clutch thing won't bother you in a week or so, other cars will feel flimsy in comparison.

Oh and is it a cup or not???......regarding the splitter issue if it isn't a cup you won't of had a splitter in the first place.

 

[Fred@BTM]

has it had the cambelt done? there's another £500 to add if it hasn't

 

[ferrett]

The service invoice that mentioned the filter was very recent. Is the standard exhaust not stainless steel then? The actual tailpipes look quite big and the rear box is stainless/polished.

well then your onto a winner there s/s system prob a scorpion or ktec worth decent money , personaly i,d be smiling at that

 

[roystinho]

If the bonnet doesn't open how do you know it's got a panel filter?

 

[Fred@BTM]

and f**k me! you bought a car without opening the bonnet! face palm