Bit of a dilemma & need your help!

[Joe Hryszko]

Hi guys,

I would really appreciate some of your opinions on my situation!

In roughly 1 month i will be purchasing a 182 Clio Sport (which i am very excited about) i have a budget of £3,500 maximum spend.

Now the dilemma i have is; Do i buy a lower mileage 182 that wont of had the Belts/Dephaser done, for example I recently saw a 182 for sale that had done 40k miles, full service history and one owner from new. Get a year or two of driving out of it before the big service and belts need doing...

Or,

Do i buy one that's higher mileage and has had the belts, services done etc.? For example, I saw an inferno 182 for sale for £3200 (could probably get it down to £3000), 80k miles, full service history, serviced every 5k miles, belts and dephaser done 6k miles ago, new brembo discs and pads, flocked dash, sports steering wheel etc. This has been thoroughly looked after and was in good condition.

Which would you do? I'm a little bit stuck myself..

 

[danward]

Even the low mileage examples would need the belts and dephaser doing (if they had never had them done before) - its based on time as well as mileage.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Even the low mileage examples would need the belts and dephaser doing (if they had never had them done before) - its based on time as well as mileage.

I know it would need doing but i could get a year or two of driving out of it before it needed doing surely?

 

[182Trophy]

I know it would need doing but i could get a year or two of driving out of it before it needed doing surely?

Surely not no. Don't think that just because it has low miles it will last until 70k. It doesn't work like that. Check it has been replaced recently within the the last couple of years. Aux belt every 30k or 3 years. Cam belt every 5 years/70k iirc.

 

[-Dan]

I know it would need doing but i could get a year or two of driving out of it before it needed doing surely?

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way and there aren't any warning signs either.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Surely not no. Don't think that just because it has low miles it will last until 70k. It doesn't work like that. Check it has been replaced recently within the the last couple of years. Aux belt every 30k or 3 years. Cam belt every 5 years/70k iirc.

Okay, sorry I am quite new to this business! My current car has a chain and not a belt so its a little bit different! Thank you

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way and there aren't any warning signs either.

So in your opinion, you would get the car that has had the belts replaced recently?

 

[danward]

So in your opinion, you would get the car that has had the belts replaced recently?

I think that should be an important factor, but make sure they were done by a reputable garage, preferably a specialist.

 

[Addicted]

If they're not done recently, then generally speaking they'll be due next year (05 plate ones), as it's 5 years or 72k miles.

So either budget for one that will need doing, or one that has already had them done

 

[Joe Hryszko]

I think that should be an important factor, but make sure they were done by a reputable garage, preferably a specialist.

I mean im not trying to do it so that its somehow cheaper, i want the car to be in as good condition as possible! I just wondered which would be a better example to buy.. Low mileage and do the belts myself or one that's just been done but higher mileage

 

[182Trophy]

Okay, sorry I am quite new to this business! My current car has a chain and not a belt so its a little bit different! Thank you

No probs fella happy to help. I am no means an expert, however there are some very clued up people on here! With regards to the cam chain on your motor, get that checked regularly too as despite being designed to not snap, they sometimes can. Happened to my mrs corsa and it bent valves and bye bye engine.lol. You will love the clio. Quality bit of kit for laughs and smiles.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

No probs fella happy to help. I am no means an expert, however there are some very clued up people on here! With regards to the cam chain on your motor, get that checked regularly too as despite being designed to not snap, they sometimes can. Happened to my mrs corsa and it bent valves and bye bye engine.lol. You will love the clio. Quality bit of kit for laughs and smiles.

Selling the mini in just over 3 weeks so fingers crossed that doesn't happen in the time being..

Can't wait to own a 182, they look like so much fun! A colleague at work has an arctic remapped 182 and i fell in love with it when he gave me a lift home..

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Thanks for the help mate

 

[-Dan]

So in your opinion, you would get the car that has had the belts replaced recently?

Yes definitely, make sure the service history is good and frequent. And make sure the belts are/have been done at a specialists! So many failures have been seen, and to risk it being done by a 'local' garage isn't worth it IMO.

 

[Addicted]

As above, go for car by condition, if it's not had the belts done then great - you can get them done at a specialist yourself - just make sure the price is right to allow for that.

If it's in ace condition and the belts have already been done, probably worth finding out where they were done and their reputation if any.

 

[Gally]

If they've been done then where about is the massive question and a receipt to prove it. If not when is it required and how much is the car.

Your budget is high if anything so you should end up with a cracking example. Research the "full fat" models, that's the one you want.

Any colour in mind? Racing Blue is a favourite but I was never sure if they were cup only. You might even get a Liquid Yellow one provided the seller isn't in dream land.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

If they've been done then where about is the massive question and a receipt to prove it. If not when is it required and how much is the car.

Your budget is high if anything so you should end up with a cracking example. Research the "full fat" models, that's the one you want.

Any colour in mind? Racing Blue is a favourite but I was never sure if they were cup only. You might even get a Liquid Yellow one provided the seller isn't in dream land.

Okay i would much prefer to buy one off an enthusiast who has looked after it no matter what the mileage!

My budget will be a max of £3,500 (what i will sell my current car for) I have had a look at some of the FF models, they definitely are what i want.

I would love an Inferno, Racing blue or an Arctic blue? Liquid yellow's are extremely rare if im correct?

 

[Nick_Leeds]

If it was me I'd try find one that's had the belts done at a specialist (or if not factor that into what you are expecting to pay for the car), buy on condition and based on what you want from it. If you are wanting to put coilovers on it then the FF might not be the best choice as the bolt spacing restricts your choices quite a bit. I agree on the FF for the spoiler though non cup 182's look a little weak without one.

Having my 182 now for a bit, I've come to the conclusion that I'd have been just as happy with a 172 and would have had more money in my pocket for mods/repairs.

 

[Paul.M]

It seems that these F4R engines take to higher milage well if looked after properly, there are a few on here well into the 100 thousand miles, fletch has one on 140k or there abouts, Sir dave had a trophy that was on 180 odd thousand miles and still took many beatings on track like a trooper so don't let the milage put you off.

My 182 is currently on 96'000 and I have just had my belts done again as the car is now 10 years old (04 model) and it still drives fantastic.

As said your budget is ample and 'should' easily get you a very tidy model, don't buy for the sake of seeing one, have a look at a couple and you'll know which ones have been looked after or not.

Inferno and racing blue in my opinion are two of the nicest colours and certainly ones that stand out from a crowd so good shout on those choices!

Im sure a member or even members local to you will be able to give you a hand if you find some to look at, I have been helped out a few times by members local to me.

Anyway have a browse through the for sale section on here to get an idea of what sort of examples your money will get you, find a decent one and enjoy it.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

It seems that these F4R engines take to higher milage well if looked after properly, there are a few on here well into the 100 thousand miles, fletch has one on 140k or there abouts, Sir dave had a trophy that was on 180 odd thousand miles and still took many beatings on track like a trooper so don't let the milage put you off.

My 182 is currently on 96'000 and I have just had my belts done again as the car is now 10 years old (04 model) and it still drives fantastic.

As said your budget is ample and 'should' easily get you a very tidy model, don't buy for the sake of seeing one, have a look at a couple and you'll know which ones have been looked after or not.

Inferno and racing blue in my opinion are two of the nicest colours and certainly ones that stand out from a crowd so good shout on those choices!

Im sure a member or even members local to you will be able to give you a hand if you find some to look at, I have been helped out a few times by members local to me.

Anyway have a browse through the for sale section on here to get an idea of what sort of examples your money will get you, find a decent one and enjoy it.

Hi mate, thanks for taking the time to reply I do really appreciate it!

I have been told pretty much the exact same thing from a colleague at work who has a 182 FF on 91,000, "If they have been well looked after the mileage doesn't make any difference to anything"

I will definitely take you up on going to have a look around a few, there is a local Inferno on 80,000 which im going to go and have a look at I believe

The for sale section, i need to be a ClioSport Club member dont I?

Thank you again,

Joe.

 

[tomhunt85]

Hi mate, thanks for taking the time to reply I do really appreciate it!

I have been told pretty much the exact same thing from a colleague at work who has a 182 FF on 91,000, "If they have been well looked after the mileage doesn't make any difference to anything"

I will definitely take you up on going to have a look around a few, there is a local Inferno on 80,000 which im going to go and have a look at I believe

The for sale section, i need to be a ClioSport Club member dont I?

Thank you again,

Joe.

I've picked up a 182 Cup with only 55k miles on and also a 172 with 122k miles on in the last few weeks. Before now I'd have never bought a car with such high miles but if they're looked after it doesn't matter. The 182's a nicer car overall but the engine is definitely stronger on the 172. I should also add that the 182 is mapped.

I'd personally forget miles and buy on history and condition. Also don't be put off buying one with the belts due to be done. I got quite a lot off the 182 because I used this as a haggling point and I'll get it done in the knowledge that a specialist has sorted them.

 

[Paul.M]

The for sale section, i need to be a ClioSport Club member dont I?

Yeah the for sale sections are only available for full members, sorry I forgot about that bit! The membership will easily pay for it's self though when you eventually buy one with the discounts etc.

I'm not sure how far exactly you want to travel but being in leeds you are probably about two hours from Trev up at DTM cars in Newcastle, they always have a selection of tidy renault sports for sale and usually do the belts on them before selling them so they could be worth a phone call if you don't mind a trip out.

Also if you get the plate of the inferno and put it up or do a search on here for it then it may well have featured on here at some point and you may get to find out some more about the history.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

I've picked up a 182 Cup with only 55k miles on and also a 172 with 122k miles on in the last few weeks. Before now I'd have never bought a car with such high miles but if they're looked after it doesn't matter. The 182's a nicer car overall but the engine is definitely stronger on the 172. I should also add that the 182 is mapped.

I'd personally forget miles and buy on history and condition. Also don't be put off buying one with the belts due to be done. I got quite a lot off the 182 because I used this as a haggling point and I'll get it done in the knowledge that a specialist has sorted them.

Hi mate, my colleague at work keeps saying I should just go for a 172 because they are so much cheaper! But i think i would much prefer the 182..

Okay it sounds like mileage doesnt exactly matter with ClioSports Thats a very good point actually.. haggling and taking it into consideration with the price, and then like you said i can get the belts done with a specialist!

 

[Joe Hryszko]

Yeah the for sale sections are only available for full members, sorry I forgot about that bit! The membership will easily pay for it's self though when you eventually buy one with the discounts etc.

I'm not sure how far exactly you want to travel but being in leeds you are probably about two hours from Trev up at DTM cars in Newcastle, they always have a selection of tidy renault sports for sale and usually do the belts on them before selling them so they could be worth a phone call if you don't mind a trip out.

Also if you get the plate of the inferno and put it up or do a search on here for it then it may well have featured on here at some point and you may get to find out some more about the history.

Im going to sign up for the members section this week It really does look useful! Im based about 10 miles from Leeds so that would be quite a trip, but if its worth it I might give him a ring! There are so many nice examples coming up that is so frustrating because I cant actually buy my new one until June

Okay ill have a look, he had taken the plates off in the Pictures but i might ask for the Reg to hpi etc.

Thanks guys! Really is a lot of knowledge on here.

 

[hdsn555]

I recently posted about looking for a 182 too, so all the comments on here have been extremely helpful. Can't wait to get my hands on one and take it out for a test drive.

 

[imprezaworks]

The best £12 you will spend is go become a member on here mate, good luck with the search.

 

[Joe Hryszko]

I recently posted about looking for a 182 too, so all the comments on here have been extremely helpful. Can't wait to get my hands on one and take it out for a test drive.

Lots and lots of knowledge in the community, great place to be

 

[Joe Hryszko]

The best £12 you will spend is go become a member on here mate, good luck with the search.

I cant wait, going to sign up tonight