Buying a Williams.

[DjTimP]

I am considering getting a Williams and want to know several things. Is it a good are, and how does it compare to a MK1 172. what is the reliability like, how fast are they, bearing in mind i have a billabong at the moment! what should i look out for and most importantly how much should i be spending on one? Your help is much apreciated.

 

[Loki]

well im buyin one at the mo and i used to have a 1.2 dynamique and current ly have a citroen ax 1litre. i test drove it the other day and it seemed pretty fast to me

 

[DjTimP]

thats what i like to hear. mind you the 1.2 is nippy if you are used to it so i suppose a 2.0 is always gonna seem fast!

 

[Tucks]

Performance on a Williams will be very similar to a 172.Power to weight is nearly the same.Will Defo seem fast after a 1.2/1.4 anyways!
As its an older car than what you have it will probably be more worn than your billabong mechanically,but they are pretty tough.Gearbox has been the weak link on mine(But I think I was brutal on it)
I dont tend to get to many minor probs,it seems reliable enough to use on a day to day basis!
Im not sure on value at the moment they seem to go for between 2000-4500.
Which version are you looking for?(1/2/3?)

 

[DjTimP]

whats the difference between the them?

 

[doddy]

What are the differences between 1 2 & 3??

EDIT: too slow dammit! lol

 

[Tucks]

whats the difference between the them?

Not much really.
3 is the newest version and was in a slightly different shade of Blue. Also has ABS & sunroof.
1- is the original version with the numberd plaque on the dash. It dont have the Colour coded Grill and has different 2.0 badges on the side that the version 2 has.
All have the same engine/suspension.
Theres prob loads of small differences in equipment/trim some1 here will know about!

 

[edde]

Best go have a look over at http://www.williamsclio.co.uk/ there loads of info and a forum on there about the Williams/1.8's
There a superb car though just as fats as 172/182's and in some respects bettwer than 172/182's. Its all a trade off though they do have there weeknessess.
Biggest problems are rust and a big folder of bill is important plus regualr servicing is great since they should be serviced ever 6k.

 

[Jamie]

dont let ppl put u off with all the horror tails of how much they cost to run. there not that bad at all imo (williams 3 owner on 80k)

 

[Loki]

as edde says you want a very good history to go with the car i know the one im buyin has loads took me bout 20 mins to go through it all and not a sighn of rust any where sounds nice and quiet aswell

 

[SOHROB]

rusty arches and bootlid are common but i found running costs are on par with a vts,astra gsi etc.Buy one and you wont be dissapointed,they are quick and get a lot of attention

 

[Daz]

My list of differences between the 16v and Williams, and then Williams 1, 2 and 3 is here:

http://www.williamsclio.co.uk/index.php?get=tech