Buyer assistance 172..

[fussydude]

Hi,

I'm seriously contemplating buying one of these cars for fun purposes, mainly Trackdays, trips to the Nurburgring etc.

The 172 seems favourable as they seem to be around the £5000 mark which suits my budget.

Does anyone have any general advise of what to look for when buying one of these second hand - usual fault etc.

Thanks

 

[Dan 172]

Cambelt every 72k or 5 years, worth checking as it's not a cheap job.

Aux belt is advised to be changed at it's 36k service.

Rear shocks are common to fail.

Also check everything works, like the headlight washers, Xenons, Climate, etc

Check both seats move easily as the seat racks fail.

Condition of the exhaust as they normally last around 3 years/36k miles, replacement parts are Renault only or go for a louder custom exhaust.

Check for the LED by the gear stick for the alarm as imports don't have them.

 

[fussydude]

Hi, How much do the different types of belts cost to change then? AUX and Cambelt?

 

[Ross M]

Check for the LED by the gear stick for the alarm as imports don't have them.

dont think this should matter as it is the ONLY difference between import and non import. theyr both made in the same factory anyway by the same people at the same time.

 

[MickeyO]

Cambelt - cant comment as i have never had mine done

Aux belt, - i had mine done at the 36k service. BUt mines a cup and dosent have aircon so its a relativley easy job. If you have a full fat then aircon means its harder to change the aux belt so the price is higher i beleive because of time

Mine as about £200 for service and change of the Aux belt IIRC

 

[Ad]

cambelt service will be around the 400 mark. Aux belt on its own around 250.

 

[fussydude]

took one out for a test drive today. In all honest I wasn't that impressed. You need to rev them hard to get the power (like a low cc motorbike) but apart from that I preferred my GT TDi Golf.

 

[lemonnobby]

took one out for a test drive today. In all honest I wasn't that impressed. You need to rev them hard to get the power (like a low cc motorbike) but apart from that I preferred my GT TDi Golf.

:quiet: Shh dont say that on here, Dont you really have to use the full rev range to get the most out of any car anyway?

 

[DrR]

Show it a corner.

 

[fussydude]

true enough, the handling of the 172 will by far out match the Golf TDi as I understeer into a hedge.

I'm used to driving Turbo cars where theres loads of torque on tap.

 

[lemonnobby]

Did you get the gear change light on?