Do the new MK3 clios feel better made than the Mk2's

[The Boosh!]

Hello,

Doing a bit of research here and was wandering peoples overall views.

People who have owned MK2's (either Ph1/2) and bought a Mk3 (RS or not)...

Does it feel overall better put together than your previous Clio? If so why? Would you say Renault have "upped" their quality measures or have they remained the same?

Could I have a poll please? For the polls sake a simple yes or no is fine, but any other details would be great.

Thanks,
Luke!

 

[lbrench]

if you can find one piece of metal on the dash of the 200 i will give you a fiver its really bad, the only bit of metal is the diamond in the steering wheel, but in my step dads golf gti its a differnt story

 

[kev182cup]

Never owned 1 but they do feel more solid but as you can clearly see from people off here that they do have alot of niggles.

 

[ForceIndia]

I would of thought it'll be very difficult to say. Comparing a 3yr old car with a new one will always be biased.

 

[Revels]

I've never found the mk2's that bad, but the mk3's are definite improvement.

 

[Beef-Mc]

I've driven one of Mk3 Ph1 for a few miles and I thought the quality insde was better, less rattles and a nicer driving position IMO. At first I thought the stubby controls would be a pain but by the end of the trip I quite liked them.

Only thing that annoyed me was where reverse is in them lol.

 

[Gally]

General consensus is that they are better put together, as you would expect the more modern cars get the quieter and more refined they should get. (cups exempt)

 

[.Ben.]

I recently got in a 200 and it felt like a much better built vehicle.

The down-side was that on track, the refinement made it feel slower than the Mk2. I'm sure this wasn't the case in reality. In short, it FELT like a much more grown-up car.

 

[The Boosh!]

Keep these coming guys, the feedback is really good. I have a presentation for Renault on Thursday and need some real life examples of stuff like this

 

[Munson]

Better quality materials, still held together with nails.

 

[Gally]

I thought the steering was quite light in the mk3.

 

[Beef-Mc]

Oh theres still the issue of melting steering wheels in them IIRC.

 

[The Boosh!]

Oh theres still the issue of melting steering wheels in them IIRC.

Has that still not been resolved? I have mentioned this anyway.

Do they still rattle quiet a bit?

I have noticed that the door closing sounds a lot more solid on the new ones. not tinny like the mk2's

 

[.Ben.]

Oh theres still the issue of melting steering wheels in them IIRC.

^ Bought on by people wearing hand cream IIRC

 

[ForceIndia]

I have noticed that the door closing sounds a lot more solid on the new ones. not tinny like the mk2's

That's weight! It's become a weird way of judging quality, but in reality means little.

 

[MikeLYR27]

My R27 is on 47k and feels just as good as when i bought it tbh (touches wood). Has the odd niggly one but they could easily be sorted if i got my arse in gear lol! Nothing irritating. Much better than my previous 3 clios in every way.

 

[Needster]

Better quality materials, still held together with nails.

Nail. Head. You've just hit it.

That's weight! It's become a weird way of judging quality, but in reality means little.

I always thought it felt better built, and I used to compare the R27s door closing noise to my old Dynamique and it sounded sturdier - it was in fact the weight which deceptively made it feel better built when in reality is was as Roy said.

It's a step up yes, and more comfortable definitely, but you're comparing a new car to something older. The whole point in designing something new is that its better. Whether that be a tiny amount or a vast improvement.

 

[The Boosh!]

Comparing old with new - Yes there are always going to be other issues that would need to be factored in but i'm just after the general consensus.

 

[Brett]

I've driven a 1.2 TCE MK3 and it did feel a more grown up car. It did feel more solid, like things would last better. However it was brand new so not really a fair test to my then three year old 1.2

I would like to think build quality has improved though. Only time will tell though.

 

[Lagerlout]

Much better. Had a direct comparison as I bought my missus a 1.4 16v Mk3 to replace her 1.2 16v mk2, and I have a 172.

In all honesty.. the build is hugely better in the Mk3's. It felt better built, with better materials than the MINI tbh.

As for driving experience.... the 1.4 16v mk3 Clio is one of the worst cars I've ever driven. The 1.2 16v was great to drive.

 

[Marv-C]

Better quality materials, still held together with nails.

Plastic poppers more like

 

[Bazzon]

The 200 i drove was miles better qualitly than my 182, but saying that it had done hardly any miles.

They have stepped their game up alot in the newer cars.

The melting wheel is still a issue but its not one that bothers me a great deal because alot of companies have the same issue. (my Grandads 307 is terrible, Carls new Focus RS even the wheel in thats a bit funny)

 

[EllD90]

My MK3 feels like a well put together car in general, however there are still rattles and squeaks!

 

[mbk-172]

My 197 is significantly better than my old 172. 1 rattle and that's the badly designed glovebox which doesn't sit right. Steering wheel is fine, and i never had an issue in my 172 either, maybe I'm lucky.

Only other issue I've got is the bolster on the drivers seat (none recaro) has worn pretty badly, this could have been from the previous owner however.

 

[daydotz]

the way it steers is my only gripe the mk2 just feels more alive to drive but it does feel alot better built a step up in quality

 

[Jason_E]

My gearnob center insert came away in my hand one day.

There are already various rattles.

The brakes squeek like f**k sometimes!

Oh, and it's as plastic as a air hostess. Either way, when I get on a good road and show it some corners, I forget about all of this and just have a massive grin!

 

[alex-avfc]

The main issue that used to bug me in the MK2 was the 'on the piss' glovebox lid. I wonder if MK3's still suffer from this?

 

[Jason_E]

Yes, very much so.

 

[Poopensharten]

They arent rattles, thats soul lol

 

[Jason_E]

I call it character.

 

[Jasey]

The main issue that used to bug me in the MK2 was the 'on the piss' glovebox lid. I wonder if MK3's still suffer from this?

Shutting the glovebox on the 200 is probably the biggest challenge the car has to offer - especially if you have more than 3 things in it !

 

[daydotz]

ive had no serious problems with mine keyless doors handles seems to have caused me the most trouble hopefully they get it right 2nd time round :dead:

 

[Cliotoby]

Ive owned both a MK2 Dynamique and Expression, and a MK3 GT.

The GT feels a bit more solid, but it still rattles and is till made from plastic. It is still a s**t car.

Verdict - Dont buy a clio.

 

[MrTrick]

Are you deffo getting rid of your Clio then toby?

 

[Gaz_]

Having had a MK2 Clio in some shape and form since 2004 till 2008, then having the 197 for 18 months, then back to a MK2 the difference is night and day. The 197 is WAY more refined than the MK2, in terms of feel and quality. I did around 30k in the 197 and it was tight as a drum, no rattles that i can think of (boot catch + rear seats are the only ones i had, but cured). Really really miss that side of now having a 172 Cup again.... the 197 could be nice and relaxing if you wanted it to be.

 

[Gaz_]

Shutting the glovebox on the 200 is probably the biggest challenge the car has to offer - especially if you have more than 3 things in it !

You not had the bonnet up yet then? :rasp:

 

[Cliotoby]

Are you deffo getting rid of your Clio then toby?

Be a long time before i do, not a viable option really. 18 months i rekon.

 

[SBV116]

afpmsl at the people that said no! Are you on crack?

 

[sofaboy]

I have a MK3, the boot rattles, the brakes squeak, the passenger side A pillar is squeaking and the glove box is more pissed then George Best.


Still better then a MK2.

 

[JayR]

Iv owned a mk 1 16V (2 years), 182 (4years) and 197 (a month) and it doesnt take a rocket scientist to realsise that comparing the mk 3's to the older cars are like comparing new Audis to old Skodas!

I booked a TD up a good few years ago on a 197 based on just sitting in it in the showroom and realising it was a proper car and not some flimsy pocket rocket but i blew that one out as i knew i would want the car and at the time i wasnt really in the position to change.