Clio 200 considerations - rust etc

[Kosy]

Hi folks,

I considering moving ‘up’ to a Clio 200. I’ve a fair idea what to look out for in terms of mechanicals but can’t find much about rust.

Hopefully that’s a good thing but is there any problem areas I should be aware of when looking? (I’ve seen the radiator support).

Thanks

 

[RSRowe]

Typically the only places are the base of the rear screen and the weather strip along the bottom edge of where the windows are on the doors.
The rest of the shell is pretty good.

The radiator support is the worst part and can often end up being an MOT fail cus testers think the frame is attached to the suspension subframe.

 

[Jamie]

So rust isn’t a huge issue, then?

I’ve been thinking of a 197/200 as a second car - just a cheaper one.

Are the 200 gear boxes any better than the 197?

 

[RSRowe]

So rust isn’t a huge issue, then?

I’ve been thinking of a 197/200 as a second car - just a cheaper one.

Are the 200 gear boxes any better than the 197?

Rust. Nope. Just those areas I listed above.

Gearboxes are essentially identical and suffer the exact same issues.

 

[Martin_172]

As above rust was an issue at the base of the windscreen where improper fitted windscreens rubbed and caused premature rust, most were repaired under the 12yr anti corrosion warranty however, my mate for his done with 3 days left on it, and they even replaced the replica cup spoiler with a genuine one 😂

Front radiator support bar, last I checked it was still available from Renault for a few hundred quid. The aftermarket ones need a bracket cut off and moved to fit the RS as they are designed for non RS. I got one of the BTT powder coated ones from eBay, it's a cheap one, modified to fit then powder coated and after 12 months is rusting from the Inside out 😂