Buying a clio Mk2 1.2

[rozzr]

Hi guys,

After crashing my MG ZR 1.8 this weekend i am now unable to afford insurance next year and what with going to uni next year i think i may as well get a cheaper car anyway... so there goes my plan of a 172 at the end of summer and now been thinking of a clio mk2 ph2 1.2 billabong.

My mate is selling his pretty cheap - £1700 - it is an 03 plate with around 55k on the clocks. It needs the bootlid fixing as it is dented but nothing major i dont think. However, i test drove it yesterday and everything was perfect apart from 2 main things:

1) There was a tapping sort of noise that kept on coming from the sunroof (v annoying!)

2) the car seemed to wobble at 65+ so im not sure if this is likely to be just the wheels needing balancing (as one alloy got buckled by a pot hole so he has a spare on there atm) and maybe the tracking too.

Anyway, going to take it down to renault tommorow to get them to have a quick look over, but is there anything else i should look out for?

Also, i plan on keeping mods very subtle and keep it looking nice and un-chavvy! So nice and low - maybe on coilovers, nice subtle exhaust, HIDs and a couple of other little bits and pieces. However, just wondering if anyone could recommend a good set of alloys for these cars - which retain the smart look without being too expensive or OTT. I am still not sure if the standard alloys would be best, but would appreciate recommendations!

Thanks for any help!

Rory

 

[couzens]

sun roof is a common problem, most clios do it lol, theres a kit you can by from renualt if i recall, or stick a thin layer of sponge under the corners of the glass if you want a bodge lol not sure bout the wheels tho

 

[rozzr]

ah cheers mate, so long as its not a big job thats good - was annoying the hell out of me hahaha!

been looking at some of the cars on here and other sites and really liking the way clios can be modded. its a shame i can only insure the 1.2 (for under £1k) and not something like a 172 or something but i guess i have to pay for my mistakes...

oh i dont suppose anyone knows about buying bootlids for the cars? like what sort of price they go for or if anyone is selling a nice mint black one at all hehe! may as well avoid having any filler if possible!

 

[kic]

yaye, sun poofs a pain, i just turn my music up, on the wheels i like standard 16" turinis, or standard mk 2 172 alloys, personal taste really

 

[Martin_172]

get a 1.5 dci, insurance will be about the same as the 1.2 but it will get twice the mpg and just as powerfull, plus more torque makes it much better than a torqueless 1.2!

 

[rozzr]

get a 1.5 dci, insurance will be about the same as the 1.2 but it will get twice the mpg and just as powerfull, plus more torque makes it much better than a torqueless 1.2!

hm interesting point, but i can get my mates 1.2 for peanuts - £1500 odd for a 2003 clio is going to be pretty hard to beat i expect.

 

[rozzr]

yaye, sun poofs a pain, i just turn my music up, on the wheels i like standard 16" turinis, or standard mk 2 172 alloys, personal taste really

LOL that old trick, if you cant hear it it isnt there lol

 

[edde]

1) Common sort of problem no perfect fix is avaliable the spunge etc I'd never recomend puts to much load on it. If Renault have done all the possible fixes leave it.

2) Get the bottom ball joints etc checked as well.

 

[Martin_172]

get a 1.5 dci, insurance will be about the same as the 1.2 but it will get twice the mpg and just as powerfull, plus more torque makes it much better than a torqueless 1.2!

hm interesting point, but i can get my mates 1.2 for peanuts - £1500 odd for a 2003 clio is going to be pretty hard to beat i expect.

true, but im assuming your mates not stupid so there must be more up with it?

 

[rozzr]

1) Common sort of problem no perfect fix is avaliable the spunge etc I'd never recomend puts to much load on it. If Renault have done all the possible fixes leave it.

2) Get the bottom ball joints etc checked as well.

OK cheers mate, will have them take a look tommorow

true, but im assuming your mates not stupid so there must be more up with it?

he crashed it before but it was repaired by the insurance - not written off - so wasn't that bad... he is leaving with the army soon so needs it gone quick and like i mentioned it needs a couple of little bits sorting. the only major thing is the wobbling at 65+ which im hoping is just wheel balancing/tracking but will hopefully find out for sure tommorow.

rory

 

[mach10]

when i drive my sisters 1.2 it does that sunroof noise too, annoying!!

 

[crazyeyezclio]

i have found wishbones on clios bend easy so mite be that what is causing the wobble. peanuts to fix if you are slightly mechanically minded not a terribly hard job. hope this might help