Clio 182 guide for a newbie

[Heathypolo]

Hi fella's and lady's
I signed up to the forum a few months ago now looking for a clio as a track toy, after saving hard etc and getting a good rate on insurance i am looking to buy a clio 182 as an every day car.
i don't do megga milage so i'm not to fussed about the mpg etc.

all i want to know is what are the common faults that happen to most people, so not the oh my driveshaft snapped once there for it is a common fault and its a bad car.
i've read on a few different sites through google generic trim rattle's etc (that doesn't bother me really) and the generic "its french so it's electrics will fail" but i want to hear from people that own them what really to look out for, not read from some stereotyping keyboard "mechanic" that hasn't owned one and knows nothing.
I am used to German cars having owned VW's etc so i am used to rigid build quality but a mate of mine has a twingo gordini and that's absolutely flawless
the major thing I've read that worries me is apparently gearbox failure is quite common, now is this people who thrash the car's and give them death from cold talking? or people who don't regularly check/ maintain gearbox oil? or are they genuinely a weak box for the amount of power?

is there anything i should be looking to of been done before buying, i am capable of doing 90% of things myself as i am an adequate mechanic, but if i could do without the hassle that would be better
i've read that things like the cambelt etc is a bit of a pain to do needing specialist tools, so that should be done recently.
what sort of mileage do the cars become a bit problematic at? i mean i am aiming to get a low millage one but should i be worried by 60+K ones?
and finally what sort of price should i be looking at, there are a fair few that look good, for not much money (around 3k) i dont know if thats because im used to paying vw/german tax where a nail will cost you 3k!
sorry if some of the questions seem a bit simple, i just want a general overview from you all on what to look for and i know from last time i came on here everyone seemed top quality and really kind and helpfull

any help would be really appreciated guys
cheers alex

 

[Jay.S]

Join up and yon can browse the cars for sale section decent - mint ones always pop up.

Millege wise if it has been well looked after e.g regular oil changes, services shouldn't be a problem. The Cambelt needs doing every 5years or 72K of the top of my head so check that has been done. Don't mean to sound harsh but best if a specialist does it, if it hasn't already been done.

In the time I owned mine (18 months) all it needed was new rear discs as they are abit thin and can get pitted easily. Cheap enough job to do though around £100. The Exhuasts mounts can rot but they are really cheap nothing major. Of course general things like pads and tyres that was it.

Oh and get a RB For a good one its around the 4K mark. Also look out for bad mods imo a standard one is best.

EDIT: Infact there is a nice RB 182 Cup for sale on here for £3500.

 

[Heathypolo]

whats a "RB" , yeah i know i'd avoid poorly modded ones,
the cambelt wouldnt be an issue to change ive done a 20vt engine conversion on a mk2 golf amongst other numerous things pretty basic stuff tbh so it wouldn't be anything untoward
thanks for the info though dude

 

[Revels]

RB is a colour. Racing Blue.

With the cambelt, regardless of what you've done in the past, it's not something you'll do easily. Well, not successfully anyway.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?276833-172-182-buyers-guide.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?562600-172-182-Guide.-Cup-Packs-Spec-Info

 

[Heathypolo]

cheer's dude for the links.
imo i dont think it'd be to bad ive seen worse and done worse stuff not saying its not easy, but its not impossible

 

[sam55]

I think my car is a good example of what you might be looking for (not that it's for sale ha). My RB had 75000 miles on it when I got it early summer, and it was bog standard and in immacualte condition. I paid £3500 for it, have covered close to 3000 miles in it, driven it pretty hard every so often and it's not missed a beat. The worst thing that happened was a rusty abs ring needing replacing, cost me about £5 in parts. And also the exhaust is now blowing slightly, but that's not a French car issue tbh after 7 years and that mileage. Plus most people prefer to change the exhausts as the standard 182 system is silent.

From what I can see, as long as you let the car warm up before revving, and don't shove/kick the gearbox into gear they're pretty mechanically sound. And quicker than people think!

 

[Matt W]

cheer's dude for the links.
imo i dont think it'd be to bad ive seen worse and done worse stuff not saying its not easy, but its not impossible

Awesome. Post the results of your belt change on here.