CLIO IV RS - Trophy from page 111

[The Boosh!]

Completely. As an example, 90% of new Mercedes registered are on PCP, probably similar with BMW/Audi.
The £200 a month clio offer got loads of product out the door, so Renault should know how well it works!
Cash buyers are in the minority, so a good finance package is essential imho.

Definitely!

The £200 deal was purely for volume - it wasn't profitable and therefore unsustainable (unfortunately!).

 

[Gally]

The launch was utterly shocking. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying. I didn't even know it had been released.

They've built the hype up 4 months before you could even get one, by the time the wet launch came about no one actually cared. Heads should have rolled for that alone.

 

[Matthew]

People being told they had to buy the car before being allowed test drives. You literally couldn't make it up.

 

[ForceIndia]

Do the sales figured reflect a more successful car, or a more successful car market full stop, given the period of time when the mk3 was sold? Is market share not a more accurate guage of success?

No idea what the market share figures would be, but simple numbers sold worldwide has so many influencing factors.

 

[DannyR]

I can categorically tell you that isn't right lol.

That was off of DVLA/how many left.

Do you have proper figures Luke?

 

[Matthew]

Do the sales figured reflect a more successful car, or a more successful car market full stop, given the period of time when the mk3 was sold? Is market share not a more accurate guage of success?

No idea what the market share figures would be, but simple numbers sold worldwide has so many influencing factors.

Good point. When the Mk3 was released (well the back end of 197 and then 200 production) it was the global downturn, where buying a car was the last thing on a lot of people's minds.

There have never been as many new car sales in the UK as there are now (I think), so as above, market share is probably more valid.

 

[ForceIndia]

From a completely non scientific point of view, I'd say the market share has dropped horrendously in the UK.

I see more fiestas, minis, and 208s than the clio. It's a massive shame, if they build something decent I'd buy one.

 

[DannyR]

I definitely see more normal mk4 clios then fiestas.

 

[MarkCup]

To me it's quite simple, the EDC 200 in Renault's eyes is a resounding success, it's sold more than what came before it over a comparable timescale, it's what the masses wanted and what Renault wanted and needed, more volume.

This does of course only apply to the masses outside of the UK. Within these shores it's been a monumental flop. Such a shame really as there was such a dedicated bunch of hardcore driving enthusiasts who prior to the EDC would pretty much queue up and say "please take my money". I actually did offer them money for an EDC 200 and got flatly refused so off I went to Ford, thank f*** I did!

I look forward to seeing if the 'Trophy' tweeks have made it a little more worthy of praise the 200 EDC should have got but didn't warrant.

 

[benhwolves]

If Renault are so happy with it then why release the Trophy. Doesn't make sense. Of all the special addition clios released in recent years the 182 Trophy was the most special/sought after and the one that continues to command a premium over the other 182s. Seems to me like they're desperately trying to recapture their piece of the market by using the trophy badge.
Just hope this one delivers as if it does I will get one. Not driven the current 200T so cannot criticise it. Owned a mountuned ST for twelve months and it was a great car. Got bored of waiting for this and joined the masses but swapped for a boggo focus as needed 5 doors. They definitely lost valuable customers by being complacent and ballsing up the launch. Definitely not a success.

 

[ForceIndia]

The trophy badge is a trim level. It's only the 182trophy that was that special, don't forget it wasn't the 1st trophy.

 

[CrippsCorner]

To me it's quite simple, the EDC 200 in Renault's eyes is a resounding success, it's sold more than what came before it over a comparable timescale, it's what the masses wanted and what Renault wanted and needed, more volume.

This does of course only apply to the masses outside of the UK. Within these shores it's been a monumental flop. Such a shame really as there was such a dedicated bunch of hardcore driving enthusiasts who prior to the EDC would pretty much queue up and say "please take my money". I actually did offer them money for an EDC 200 and got flatly refused so off I went to Ford, thank f*** I did!

I look forward to seeing if the 'Trophy' tweeks have made it a little more worthy of praise the 200 EDC should have got but didn't warrant.

You offered them money they wouldn't take lol, what's that all about? Sorry you've probably explained it elsewhere...

 

[Shocker]

People being told they had to buy the car before being allowed test drives. You literally couldn't make it up.

I Was in a Peugeot dealer the other day trying to get a look at a 30th anniversary 208 but they have none and only way to get a drive in one is to buy one
Do manufacturers think this is the proper way to sell a car
Well I dont , the best way to sell a car is to get bums on seats and also get your car out and about winning Motorsport events
Unless that is that the car doesn't actually do what it says on the package and they don't want you to see this until you buy the car
Just see what ford and coz worth did with the Sierra
What Mitsubishi done with the evo
They made them desirable and available to the general public
And look at subaru , the subaru was a typical farmers car until the late great McRae and Richards burns made Subaru famous , I do believe the Subaru cars would never have got famous if it wasn't for it doing rallying

 

[ForceIndia]

I Was in a Peugeot dealer the other day trying to get a look at a 30th anniversary 208 but they have none and only way to get a drive in one is to buy one
Do manufacturers think this is the proper way to sell a car
Well I dont , the best way to sell a car is to get bums on seats and also get your car out and about winning Motorsport events
Unless that is that the car doesn't actually do what it says on the package and they don't want you to see this until you buy the car
Just see what ford and coz worth did with the Sierra
What Mitsubishi done with the evo
They made them desirable and available to the general public
And look at subaru , the subaru was a typical farmers car until the late great McRae and Richards burns made Subaru famous , I do believe the Subaru cars would never have got famous if it wasn't for it doing rallying

Slightly different situation there. There are only 100 cars coming to the UK in the case of the pug, wether you get a go or not it'll sell out. Once the changes are rolled out to the standard gti it'll be easier to drive.

 

[green]

Hows this for a conspiracy.... Renault making less capable cars and bring out a trophy/raider/gordini spec versions to sell more body shells!! And the R version is the new true 182trophy version.
Best get saving the £30,000 for the Clio EDC 200.R

 

[Shocker]

Slightly different situation there. There are only 100 cars coming to the UK in the case of the pug, wether you get a go or not it'll sell out. Once the changes are rolled out to the standard gti it'll be easier to drive.

Pug are at it only 100 cars
Do they really think the 30th is going to be a collectors car
It's just a 208 with a daft advert with lots of stupid c j I effects
Someone at Honda back around 2000
Certainly got it right with the ep3 civic the car was supposed to be a limited edition of I think 5000 numbered cars
They priced it cheap and gave you a raw rip roaring engine with a light weight shell and superb handling and it sold like hot cakes , I think we'll over 38, 000 cars in the uk
Now that's a marketing success

 

[MarkCup]

You offered them money they wouldn't take lol, what's that all about? Sorry you've probably explained it elsewhere...

The day order books opened for the EDC 200 I emailed the Portsmouth dealership saying I'd like to come in and talk about placing an order, when could we arrange it, left him my mobile number. The sales manager responded saying I must be mistaken, where did I get that info from, they couldn't start talking about orders.

I explained it was info from Jeremy Townsend on the RenaultSport forum. Nope, he said, I was still wrong.

I posted this on the RS forum and Jeremy PMd me asking who it was and what dealer. I let him know then 15 minutes later got another PM from him saying he'd called and spoken to the dealer and explained the error of his ways and that he could in fact take an order from me.

I then waited patiently for an email or call from that dealer that never came.

So it was then Hello Ford who were everything Renault should have been.

 

[ForceIndia]

Pug are at it only 100 cars
Do they really think the 30th is going to be a collectors car
It's just a 208 with a daft advert with lots of stupid c j I effects
Someone at Honda back around 2000
Certainly got it right with the ep3 civic the car was supposed to be a limited edition of I think 5000 numbered cars
They priced it cheap and gave you a raw rip roaring engine with a light weight shell and superb handling and it sold like hot cakes , I think we'll over 38, 000 cars in the uk
Now that's a marketing success

I don't really understand your point? It's absolutely destroyed the current class leader at Bedford. It's a limited edition built to celebrate the 30th anniversary, and afaik the spec will then filter into the gti.

Point being, there is a reason that you've not been able to drive one, why waste cars of a limited allocation as demonstrators, when they'll sell without? Then once the spec reaches the standard gti you'll be able to test drive easily.

 

[botfch]

Renault seems to have tried to expand into other parts of the market and built a good all rounder hatchback. In doing so they seemed to have alienated there core followers while at the same time not impressing the market they where trying to break into. To the average person who isn't interested in cars its just a clio and there's far better cars available for a similar price that also look more executive/expensive that they would rather be seen in.
As long as they sell enough normal clios I don't imagine Renault gives a toss but I imagine we will see the renault sport brand watered down to a series of mediocre cars.

Ford it seems have listened to what its enthusiast want and made a car aimed at that market which would explain why they seem so popular.

 

[Noire RS]

The day order books opened for the EDC 200 I emailed the Portsmouth dealership saying I'd like to come in and talk about placing an order, when could we arrange it, left him my mobile number. The sales manager responded saying I must be mistaken, where did I get that info from, they couldn't start talking about orders.

I explained it was info from Jeremy Townsend on the RenaultSport forum. Nope, he said, I was still wrong.

I posted this on the RS forum and Jeremy PMd me asking who it was and what dealer. I let him know then 15 minutes later got another PM from him saying he'd called and spoken to the dealer and explained the error of his ways and that he could in fact take an order from me.

I then waited patiently for an email or call from that dealer that never came.

So it was then Hello Ford who were everything Renault should have been.

Contact Mark Harris at Renault Croydon, excellent service and numerous test drives, my dad worked for fords so I have privileged membership and havent had a ford since my escort si convertible in 1995. That closes the discussion on Fords, lmao.

 

[VoRN-182]

The day order books opened for the EDC 200 I emailed the Portsmouth dealership saying I'd like to come in and talk about placing an order, when could we arrange it, left him my mobile number. The sales manager responded saying I must be mistaken, where did I get that info from, they couldn't start talking about orders.

I explained it was info from Jeremy Townsend on the RenaultSport forum. Nope, he said, I was still wrong.

I posted this on the RS forum and Jeremy PMd me asking who it was and what dealer. I let him know then 15 minutes later got another PM from him saying he'd called and spoken to the dealer and explained the error of his ways and that he could in fact take an order from me.

I then waited patiently for an email or call from that dealer that never came.

So it was then Hello Ford who were everything Renault should have been.

So you didn't think to contact another dealer?

 

[MarkCup]

So you didn't think to contact another dealer?

Given what I posted do you think I should have had to?

I was a RenaultSport enthusiast who expressed a genuine wish to place an order with my local dealer.

Given the farce that was the launch up to that point it was enough to make me consider my money might be better spent elsewhere which as it turns out was exactly right.

 

[CrippsCorner]

The day order books opened for the EDC 200 I emailed the Portsmouth dealership saying I'd like to come in and talk about placing an order, when could we arrange it, left him my mobile number. The sales manager responded saying I must be mistaken, where did I get that info from, they couldn't start talking about orders.

I explained it was info from Jeremy Townsend on the RenaultSport forum. Nope, he said, I was still wrong.

I posted this on the RS forum and Jeremy PMd me asking who it was and what dealer. I let him know then 15 minutes later got another PM from him saying he'd called and spoken to the dealer and explained the error of his ways and that he could in fact take an order from me.

I then waited patiently for an email or call from that dealer that never came.

So it was then Hello Ford who were everything Renault should have been.

Damn that's a shame but I understand why you moved over to Ford. If they can't get that right what else are they going to do wrong! Useless f*****s. Made the right choice anyway I think, Fiesta >>> Clio all day

 

[ForceIndia]

So you didn't think to contact another dealer?

Flol if that's what you take from Marks experience. Dreadful. Customer shouldn't have to chase dealer to spend money. It's a hatchback not a gt3rs.

 

[VoRN-182]

I just find it odd that you decided to not bother buying a particular car because one salesman didn't contact you. Sounds more like you weren't that bothered about the car in the first place rather than anything else.

 

[ForceIndia]

I just find it odd that you decided to not bother buying a particular car because one salesman didn't contact you. Sounds more like you weren't that bothered about the car in the first place rather than anything else.

Seems like you've not read what he posted thoroughly.

 

[VoRN-182]

Seems like you've not read what he posted thoroughly.

Seems like I have, but thanks for your input.

 

[MarkCup]

Sounds more like you weren't that bothered about the car in the first place rather than anything else.

That's exactly right, but as an enthusiast, I was prepared to give RenaultSport the benefit of the doubt and blindly order even though reports and thoughts up to that point were that it wasn't quite the car we were all hoping for.

They had a chance and they let me go. I gave Ford a chance and the entire experience couldn't have been any more pleasant.

 

[Al_G]

Where CumCum gone ?

 

[Gally]

It's more gaulling the fact Mark had a decent mileage 200 at the time. He was prime candidate for a new 200.

 

[ForceIndia]

Saw one today. Really unimpressive looking from the front. No aggression, dull. Looks great from rear 3/4. It's like different people designed each half.

 

[Matthew]

Agree with that. The side and rear profiles are great IMO. The front is a disaster.

 

[McGherkin]

So has anyone considered the 220 then?

 

[aucky]

So has anyone considered the 220 then?

How much will it cost?

 

[rs 1an]

imo renault moved the game on loads with the current rs model, perhaps to far for you youngsters who still want the old 200 experience so the throphy may be renaults way of giving a bit back. Zoe rs for me is the future not queue at tesco for a pay at pump.

 

[leeds_182]

200 is a miles better looking car than the fiesta imo.

I was hoping that due to its 'flop' status there might have been some cheap 2nd motors about but they seem to be holding their value better than I thought. I guess that's because they sold so few.

 

[riz]

Saw one today. Really unimpressive looking from the front. No aggression, dull. Looks great from rear 3/4. It's like different people designed each half.

Like a Scorpio?

 

[ForceIndia]

Like a Scorpio?

Exactly

 

[Matthew]

imo renault moved the game on loads with the current rs model, perhaps to far for you youngsters who still want the old 200 experience so the throphy may be renaults way of giving a bit back. Zoe rs for me is the future not queue at tesco for a pay at pump. :smile:

Depends what you want though. If you want a relatively cheap, quick small hatchback that's really fun to drive, that's the Clios place in the market. The outgoing 200 was the best of them all at that.

The new one (going off every single car journo's review) is trying to be more grown up, like a golf. But the people who want a golf will buy a golf, not (no offence) a rather poorly made french car.

So it's lost it's enthusiast following and hasn't grabbed the 'golf gti' buyers interest. It's no where.

The front being rather horrible to look at hasn't helped either...

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

It's nothing like a Golf. The 200 EDC is a cracking car, I could genuinely see myself having one as a daily, but I don't have £16k spare to buy one and I don't need a car for work so having a newish car makes zero sense.

But just to clarify, very good chassis, quick and comfortable, 5 doors combined with the lower emissions/tax etc makes it a really good hot hatch.

The people that were in the market for one, would probably tell a different tale today if Renault had some decent customer service.