Clio Williams

[Tell]

I own an Mr2 2.0GT at the moment ive been looking round for a worthy predocessor (Spelling...?!) and the only car i can find i like and have always fancied is a clio williams. I recently looked at a williams 3 and it was great apart from a few parking dings on the doors ad a tiny bit of rust coming through where the wing meets the skirt. ( bottom under the doors)

But i have a few others to look at. What should i look for a few people have been commenting on the electrics. 2 of the dials - the small ones in the middle of the das - didnt work ???

I use my motor every day is this motor gonna be up to the job?

Quality site by the way, and hello to Matt16v cheers for the avise

Ben

 

[telford_mike]

really good buyers guidehttp://www.cliosport.net/buying.asp here

 

[_Tom]

Hi Mate

Check out the buyers guide on the home page for general advise for buying any clio. Just check for rust and obvious probs and youll be fine.

As for using it everyday - itll be fine if its looked after as i expect it would be.

http://www.cliosport.net/buying.asphttp://www.cliosport.net/buying.asp

 

[Daz]

3 Guages in middle, far left one (Oil Level) will only work on Ignition.. and then go down to 0.

Other two should move about quite a bit.. altho, middle (Oil temp) might take a while to move if engine is cold.

Lots of things to check - I might put a list of things on my http://www.daz-uk.com/williams/http://www.daz-uk.com/williams/ page of things to look at.. and make sure things are ok.

 

[FATBOY]

do it fella get one!!! you wont regret it!!!!!

 

[Martin]

Take your time when looking to buy a Williams mate, they are a great car but there are plenty of mint cars out there which are far from it. Amongst other things keep an eye out for knackered rear calipers (handbrake will be sh*t), rust (mostly around the rear arches, tailgate and under front bumper), check electric mirrors work on a Willy2/3, wheels (should have silver edge on the rim) plus all the usual stuff. Get yourself a good un and enjoy!

 

[Matt16v]

Welcome to Clio sport mate.

Youll find everything you need to know here.

If you get one that means I have talked Liquid Ice in to going from a Clio to a Tubby and yourself to going from a n/a 2 to a Clio!

For driving experience the Williams is gonna be better than the n/a 2, lighter quicker, handling is second to none.

Youll miss the wrap around dash though.

 

[Tell]

The pedals are a little small i have big feet! Other than that i loved it. That one i went to see wasnt the right one for me but it gave me a taster.

How do servicing costs dompare to the MR" my old man used to repair the 16vs and i have a mechanic mate. But i want to keep the book stamped.

Daz, the clock on the far left worked when you turned it on but the other 2 where dead.

Well wish me luck i think its gonna have to be a williams.

 

[Matt16v]

I doubt Renault Servicing is any more expensive than Toyota (both Foreign)

Just watch out for garages with cowboy mechanics who take it for a ragging!

Its pretty much the same car as the 16v so if some ones experienced there then they can look after your Willy as well.

 

[Matt16v]

I would say consider the MR2 Turbo though mate, Williams is group 17 so doubt insurance is much more.

 

[Tell]

I work in insurance, the problem i got is a turbo is an import so it makes things a little more difficult for me.

With the williams i can just write my own price (obviously without taking the p*ss!)

I will have an mr2 tubby one day just dont really want one yet, maybe when i sourced a bird thats got a 5seater. Not seen any in the traders lately tho ;-)

 

[Daz]

Quote: Originally posted by Tell on 18 August 2004


Daz, the clock on the far left worked when you turned it on but the other 2 where dead.

Erm, then yer looking at about £40/£50 for new Williams Centre dials I would have thought! Either that, or could be the sender I guess.

 

[night.icon]

dont get a 3

 

[FATBOY]

Quote: Originally posted by night.icon on 18 August 2004

dont get a 3

and why not lol

 

[Smokey McPot]

Well worth the investment.

proper drivers car

 

[Matty]

Used my Valver every day for 3 years with zero problems. Just check oil and change every 6K or sooner. Clutches can be heavy and a sign of wearing out. Cambelt at 72k or 5 years whichever is soonest.

Pretty reliable. Willy should be a better everyday car as the 2 litre gives more torque and low end grunt. If hadnt spent so much on my Valver would have had a Willy and depending if bothered about sunroof and more updated styling go for a 3 if not a 1 with plaque probably.

 

[Enid]

The gold plaque was the main reason I went for a 1 rather than a 2 or 3. Makes it a bit more special in my opinion.

 

[Matt16v]

Quote: Originally posted by Tell on 18 August 2004


I work in insurance, the problem i got is a turbo is an import so it makes things a little more difficult for me.

With the williams i can just write my own price (obviously without taking the p*ss!)

I will have an mr2 tubby one day just dont really want one yet, maybe when i sourced a bird thats got a 5seater. Not seen any in the traders lately tho ;-)

Who do you work for matey?

I work at XCS in the Lloyds building!

 

[Ben H]

Theres a mass of history about the Williams that I used to write about all the time but have lost the will a bit since I sold No.123 a few months back.

I really cant recommend any other hot hatch over the Willy in terms of driving. Whereas most hot hatches are talked about in terms of each other, the Willy seems to get a lot of comparison with other driving tools such as the Elise, Scooby, Delta Integrale etc. I dont think its too rash to say that its probably the most driver-orientated hot hatch of all. To think that this is over 10 years after its inception makes it even more remarkable.

Its fairly easy to buy a very average Williams for high money. I suppose different people have different ideas of what "mint" means, but 60% of mint Williams are far from it. The best ones are treasured by their owners in a way that most hot hatches never are.

Running costs can vary. Sorted cars that have led a gentle life are often less hassle, but remember that cars wear with age as well as mileage. There will be very few cars that have not had/need near rear arches, stone chip removal and wheel refurbishing. Interestingly, I think that there are very few "common" mechanical problems - although diffs and gearboxes would border this definition. I would always buy a car that has had the cambelt and clutch done if possible, as well as the cosmetics I described. Overall though, the running costs are extremely reasonable compared to the Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo Ive recently moved on to. Some Renault-only parts are extorionate though (mainly electrical switches, sensors etc. - i.e. not the sort of stuff that takes your car off the road).

All in all, the Willy is an excellent buy on a budget. I think you could expect to retain most if not all its value over a year or two. People will always pay for the best and mine sold for a small profit after a year and 10k miles (negated by the running costs unfortunately).

My prime advice would be to hold out for the best and do lots of research. The best examples are out there and do come up from time to time.

Good luck!

 

[Tucks]

I sold my wrx to get one.Not one regret,and so much cheaper to run.It really is that good.Paid 5k for mine 47thousand miles with stamps.If I had to pick a point with it the only thing I would say is it wears front tyres out quicker than most.People come over asking bout it though,which is a cool thing!

 

[major b]

ahhhhhhhhhh, thanx for the bit about the middle guages, my crankshaft seals just been done but i was worried as the oul guage max min went up to juast under max just before i started up and when i started up it went down to nothing, phew! btw, the other two do change about, especially the far right one, ta.