V
v6Max
Can anyone tell me about the different versions? Which is the one to go for 1, 2 or 3.
Cheers.
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Can anyone tell me about the different versions? Which is the one to go for 1, 2 or 3.
Cheers.
do a search m8, been covered 100s of times. Ben H is the man in the know about the differences. IMO their all pretty much the same and have pros and cons.
Quick rundown:
1 - no leccy mirrors I dont think. has the plaque
2 - different mirrors, front grille, rear lights, has leccy mirrors.
3 - same as above but in Monaco blue not 449. also has ABS and a sunroof (that WILL leak)
TBH u wont really find enough to make this choice, if u want one buy the best one you can find regardless of number, they are all great.
the willy 2s also had abs as an optional extra...............willy 3s as standard
willy 1 ......the original homolgomation special (total concentration on a drivers car)
wily 2........an extra run of the original due to demand, slightly heavier and better specced than willy1 (this is the in betweeny.....best of both worlds if u like)
willy 3......again more due to demand...dif colour, again slightly heavier better specced than 2 (if toys is for u get this version)
Monaco is the nicer colour!
I believe any earlier electrical bugs that the Clio suffered had been ironed out as well by the Williams 3.
No one mentioned that the Willy 1 is a phase 1 the 2 and 3 were phase 2s!
Different bump strips, grills, wing mirrors, rear lights and boot strip, think the clocks and instruments were slightly different as well.
(They are on the valvers any way)
V
v6Max
Sorry forgot about the search first rule.
Primary interest is the driving experience. It can be pink, steel wheels, with one seat and LHD as far as I am concerned as long as it drives well.
Sounds to me like the Williams 1 is the one to look at.
Cheers
lol, just get a mint one, any version is fine m8, they are primarily all the same car, with minor differences that dont really affect the day to day drive (well, except for ABS...). IMO you are better buying from here or a private sale, i made the mistake of buying from a garage and think I paid over the odds. either way it was cheaper than the car i was looking for but couldnt find, so no big deal really, Im very happy with it. it surprised me a lot.
i happen to know that there s a willy 2 for sale very local to me..........also once being owned by me ....and craggy........ the lad will take £3500 for it...........sh*t loadsa bills reciepts/history etc .............think its on auto trader website..........well worth a look if ur considering one tho
The Willies were not money spinners for Renault. Making practically bespoke, low volumes of what were basically parts-bin special 16Vs was not cheap. The initial batch was to satisfy homologation rules for Group A rallying and the 2 and 3 were really PR moves, aimed at boosting the profile of the Clio range as a whole.
Heres a quick guide for you:
Williams: The original homologation special, 400 RHD cars, numbered individually and made in late 1993. Although there were 400 RHD cars, a few are numbered over 400 as some of the initial 100 or so were LHD press cars.
Basically, Renaultsport took advantage of FIA Rallying rules that allowed engine capacity of up to 2.0 litres when a car was homologated (at the time, they were using the 1764cc Clio 16V as the homologation car). In order to do this, they had to make 2500 road-going 2.0 Clio examples. The car was named the Williams to celebrate the Nigel Mansell/Williams/Renault F1 victories, although it was basically untouched by Williams F1 Engineering Ltd. Nevertheless, Frank Williams is among the Clio Williams more famous owners - having No.0001 at the F1 workshop.
The original Williams was based on the Phase1 Clio 16V, with the various modifications basically concentrated on making the best hot hatch of the day an even more fitting home for the new Group A/N rallying 2.0 F7R engine. The Willy also wore that unmistakable trademark combination of 449 Sports Blue bodywork and gold/silver rimmed Speeline wheels, with wider tracks filling the 16Vs already pumped-up arches and sporting a larger rear lip spoiler. The suspension and transmission were very heavily revised, with the interior getting attention too.
The distinguishing features over the Williams 2 and 3 are the Phase1 exterior/interior trim ("retro" would be kind), lack of sunroof/electric mirrors/ABS/basic sound system. None of the three editions have any mechanical differences worth mentioning.
See here: http://williamsteam.free.fr/videos/Essai.mpghttp://williamsteam.free.fr/videos/Essai.mpg
Williams 2: Such was the public and press reception for the original Williams (see http://www.cliosport.net/articles/williams-2.asphttp://www.cliosport.net/articles/williams-2.asp), that Renault produced a second batch of Willies in 1994: much to the anger of the original Williams owners. Still, with numbers of RHD cars at less than 400, these are again very rare. These were also Phase2 cars, which in line with the general Clio range are smoother-looking and more soundproofed cars - see elsewhere for more details. The Willy 2 gained some of the refinements of the Clio 16V lost on the original Williams, such as electric mirrors. Still no sunroof or ABS and still 449 Sports Blue in colour.
Williams 3: Renault again gave in to the pressure and produced a final edition in 1995. These cars were limited to about 300 RHD examples and were Phase2 models. They are distinguished by their Monaco Blue pearlescent paintwork (shared with the Clio 16V), which is a lighter colour than the 449 Sports Blue. These final editions came with an electric sunroof and better stereo as standard, as well as ABS (I think, or at least a very popular option).
To some extent at least, its the look and your view that decides your favourite: Willy as the original rally homologation, Willy 2 the best of both worlds and Willy 3 as the refined final edition.
V
v6Max
Thanks BenH and Daz that what I was looking for.
