Clio 182 Trophy Rust

[Calzonii]

Hi Guys,

I am thinking about buying a Clio 182 Trophy and I am wondering if anyone has any previous knowledge of rust on the rear wheel arches? The seller has sent me a photo of paint bubbling just where the 2 rear wheel arch panels meet. I am wondering if anyone knows if this is a major issue or whether it should mean to avoid the sale? I'm no expert on rust and was wondering if anyone on here would have any advice on the issue? I have attached a photo of the paint bubbling.

How would I repair this and does anyone know how much it would cost to do roughly? I don't want to buy it and it cost me a lot to fix properly!

Thanks!

 

[davo172]

Avoid it mate Imo there will be better ones out there what's service history who with ? l bills etc ? I've never seen one rusty there Rear end bump maybe bumper rubbed paint off archhs so rust starts .

 

[MarcB]

Its down to the Mud and Dirt collecting in the wheel arch and rusting from the back.
Open the fuel cap and you might be unlucky and see rust also.

Here is a very very bad one in the picture below and once again its down to the dirt and grim collecting in the arches and not being cleaned.

 

[Calzonii]

Yeah theres a full service history and the car has been really well kept. Everything changed on time, new belts, dephaser, complete clutch change etc interiors great! HPI I checked and it is clear.

Only issues are that is missing Sachs dampers on the car (seller has them and is selling with the car but need refurbed) and this rust.. Its really a tough one but i don't want to buy a rust bucket.

Is it hard to fix this? Or is it expensive? Ill definitely have a look at the filler cap but if its clean surely the rust may still be bad?

Thanks

 

[MarcB]

Here was my fuel cap

 

[Calzonii]

Thats a cracking job! How bad was the rust on the arch Marc? Do you think from that photo of mine it could be a bigger fix than yours? Also if you dont mind me asking did you repair that yourself or get it fixed by someone? If so who and can I ask how much it was? Thanks!

 

[MarcB]

My rust on my arch was smaller than a 5p and i mean very very small, it could only be seen when the bumper was taken off as it was on the lip going under the arch.
From what you are showing in your picture it looks a lot of rust from what i have ever seen on a 1*2.
I only noticed mine due to the dent in the rear below the fuel cap which had cracked the paint on the lip which as said could not be seen when the bumper was on.

It was repaired by a friend who is a panel beater / spray painter.
I never paid a penny as i looked after his car for over a year in my garage so he done all the work free.

Here was my dent that was in the car since i bought it

 

[Calzonii]

Car at the minute is £3,300. I need to refurb front sachs and rear sachs are missing. To be honest at the moment I'm thinking about giving it a miss. I know you obviously have t seen the car but given this info about the rust would you walk away?

Thanks for all the replies btw! Really helpful!

 

[MarcB]

For a full decent refurb from BG for the front Sachs you are looking at anything from between £600 and £1k

The rear shocks are being made by Sachs for Renault UK and there is no exact date given, the expected date is last week in July but I have been waiting 7 months as the date keeps changing. These around around £189 each for the tears.

As for the paint work you pay for what you get in my eyes.

 

[Dannyeff]

@Calzonii dont let this put you off.. if you want a trophy get one. exactly what i done. mines has small rust on the rear arches my sachs need refurbished and cornering force can and will refurb them for 300 inc vat . this is internals only. yes mark paid between 600 to 1k and his sachs are the nuts ( haha )

Whats the milage on the car. if it makes you feel better mail me your telephone number and i can call you and discuss and if your near glasgow you can be a passager in mines ( sachs need refurbed )

 

[Sir_Dave]

Having owned quite a few Clios (inc. Trophy's), the only ones with rusty rear arches (as per the OP's picture) were accident damaged/fixed with non-genuine parts.

 

[RS Charlie]

Having owned quite a few Clios (inc. Trophy's), the only ones with rusty rear arches (as per the OP's picture) were accident damaged/fixed with non-genuine parts.

That has been my experience with most French cars. Even my now sold 1989 180k Peugeot 205 GTi had very minimal rust and that was back last September.