Clio sport 197

[mukiclio]

Hi, new member have been in the vw dub scene for years, i am now trying to buy clio 197 sport, worried about all the horror stories about reliability , servicing etc.Are there any problems with the 197 i should be looking for. I hope to purchace used 1/2 years old hopefully very low mileage 10,000 or so. Any help most grateful.

 

[Storm_Force]

It will still be cover under warranty until its 3 years old, had mine for 18 months and it was faultless (apart from dogdy xenon which was fixed under warranty) Are you buying it from a garage or private?

 

[mcphee197]

Hi, new member have been in the vw dub scene for years, i am now trying to buy clio 197 sport, worried about all the horror stories about reliability , servicing etc.Are there any problems with the 197 i should be looking for. I hope to purchace used 1/2 years old hopefully very low mileage 10,000 or so. Any help most grateful.

Had mine for 12 months, its never gone wrong and it is a hoot to drive.

I still love it 1 year on.

 

[mukiclio]

Both, get it a lot cheaper if you go private, bit worried as not to mechanically minded.

 

[alanc1000]

what sort of horror stories are you hearing, there arent that many? The ones i can think of are:-

dash illumination light erratic
wonky glovebox lid
clunky 2nd-3rd gear shift
poor performance from cold but software to fix this (same as 172s and 182s)
auto climate a bit funny on some cars, but software to fix this.

Gearboxes were revised on 08 plates.

 

[Strell]

Erm, tbh i thought the 197 was a pretty reliable car.
I have had mine 10 months and nothing has gone wrong so far (touches wood)

 

[Dyewitness]

horror stories?????

since when?

had cold start issue and resolved by software

 

[kevo66]

Horror stories? Not heard of any!!

Mine is great!

 

[marcr27]

Heard some people have had problems, but i've had mine nearly 7 months, done 32k in it, and not had one problem!

 

[Needster]

Nothing majorly wrong with it, sometimes (not very often TBH) it's poor from cold and mine has the clunky 2-3rd gear but they'll be getting sorted under warrenty when I pop up later today to Monsieur Renault.

Other than it is scccchweeeeeet.

 

[jimbo666]

yep, still loving mine! as with every car you could buy, there will be the odd fault and known fault here and there. they are nothing to worry about and can be resolved by warranty.

 

[trailerparktrev]

Mine's been ace since I bought it new in October 2007, needed a new radiator though, as the cooling fan had worked loose and was spinning and cutting into it.

 

[jayxx83]

dont forget the recaros wearing out too fast.

tbh, my 182 was spot on reliabliity wise, never missed a beat in the 40k miles I put on it, the 197 will be pretty much the same if not better.

 

[theduck]

7 months in and i still love mine. Need new front tires tho

 

[Rossy197]

mines in at the mo with a fu*ked CAT and no pressure to the o/s brake caliper ! dropped the car off yesterday and just spoke to them and they said there still waiting to brake test it... wtf..... 14hrs of being in the workshop and still no brake test.... thinking of giving renault uk a call tbh... Only had it 3 weeks btw and its a late 57 reg

 

[mukiclio]

As a new member thanks for all your help/advice. In the meantime i have phoned renault garage WATFORD regarding sevice cost its a lot more than VW.For example 12,000 mile service £298.00 {Vw £150.00},4 year sevice£585.00 inclu brake fluid, 5years cam/belt scary £848.00 .{VW inclu water pump/ garage discount £350.00,are these prices correct ?All prices are almost double Vw dealer.Need to find cheaper Renault near by, N.London M1/J4 Edgware.

 

[Poopensharten]

Car buying is a lottery, some are good, some are absolutley pasch.

 

[theduck]

12,000 mile service is NOT £298! Most places its about £160!

 

[alanc1000]

mines in at the mo with a fu*ked CAT and no pressure to the o/s brake caliper ! dropped the car off yesterday and just spoke to them and they said there still waiting to brake test it... wtf..... 14hrs of being in the workshop and still no brake test.... thinking of giving renault uk a call tbh... Only had it 3 weeks btw and its a late 57 reg

ooof blimey thats bad luck, not common faults but seriously annoying though. :dapprove:

 

[Munson]

They will have some problems, just like the 182, and TBH all cars. The biggest issue you're likely to have is that the dealers almost universally suck c0ck.

Take a Renaultsport Clio out on a track, though, and I promise you that you will forgive it all its sins. I only just recently realised this myself

 

[Jakey]

Having problems getting my cold start fix and 3rd gear chrunching problem sorted but car is amazing to drive! You will not regret it !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Kneel]

As a new member thanks for all your help/advice. In the meantime i have phoned renault garage WATFORD regarding sevice cost its a lot more than VW.For example 12,000 mile service £298.00 {Vw £150.00},4 year sevice£585.00 inclu brake fluid, 5years cam/belt scary £848.00 .{VW inclu water pump/ garage discount £350.00,are these prices correct ?All prices are almost double Vw dealer.Need to find cheaper Renault near by, N.London M1/J4 Edgware.

DONT take it to a renault garage for servicing, they will charge a fortune for labour. If you take it to a VAT registered garage using OEM parts it doesn't affect your warranty and will probably save a small fortune on servicing costs.

 

[Golgarth]

Those servicing prices seem like lottery numbers

 

[Storm_Force]

I live half way between two renaults dealers the price difference for the 1st service was over £60 ! when I mentioned this to the more expensive one he drop £80 straight off the price.

 

[RDP197]

Had mine for 12 months, its never gone wrong and it is a hoot to drive.

I still love it 1 year on.

+1

Had mine 9 months (on an 07 plate) and it's awesome, can't really fault it at all! Fairly rare, good toys, quick enough and a real pleasure My second service is coming up and has been quoted as £221 best price at an approved service centre to maintain the warranty. Stealers were up near £300!

 

[Gaz_]

No major issues here. Bought it on 12k, now on 32, and it gets driven My Climate did/has played up, but has been fine since feb.

 

[mukiclio]

Hi, thanks for all replies looking for Albi blue soon.