Has your 172/182 been reliable?

[jkb89]

Hi Guys,

I know this if my first post, so bear with me, been stalking for a long time and have decided to try and get some feedback.

I currently have a Vecta 1.9 Diesel :dapprove: which I am looking to get rid of and get a Ph2 172 (not Cup, although I'm not fussy).

I've owned the Vectra for two years, but now that I'm 21 I'm thinking of upgrading to something a bit more fun, as TBH the Vectra is far from it!


Basically, I want to know has your car (172/182) been reliable? As in, there have been no major problems that have made you wish that you swapped cars!

That's all, a simple explanation of your situation regarding car reliability - Will the swap from a diesel to a hot hatch put a lasting smile on my face?

Regards,

Joe.

 

[The Boosh!]

Both my clio's have never had anything go wrong with them. If it does its USUALLY cheap to rectify, and there is a lot of info on here that can save you money too.

 

[Dean.]

Both my clio's have never had anything go wrong with them. If it does its USUALLY cheap to rectify, and there is a lot of info on here that can save you money too.

completely sums it up tbh

 

[Greeny.]

Touch wood mine has been fine so far! Owned it for 20k over 3 years with not a great deal of previous service history!

 

[JCC]

As with any type of car, you get good ones and bad ones, just your luck what one you pick. Oh and yes, it will definitely put a smile on your face, hence why I'm on my 3rd Clio.

 

[Fletcher]

Yep. Only let me down twice in nearly 5 years, and 80k! Now on 124k.

The exhaust fell of on the M3 (rotten back box) and the battery died on me.

 

[Leeshez]

Yes my exhaust has just fallen off. Oppsss.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

No. I've owned it for about 2 months and so far it has needed:

- New PAS pump
- NEW BLOODY ENGINE (which in turn then meant a new clutch, cam/aux kit, water pump, air con regas, oils, etc)
- Now the exhaust is gone

I hate my Clio right now.

 

[Gaz_]

I've had 4 RS Clio's and the worse thing i had fail was the steering rack on my first Cup in 2005. They do get spoilt though

 

[jenic]

As with any type of car, you get good ones and bad ones, just your luck what one you pick. Oh and yes, it will definitely put a smile on your face, hence why I'm on my 3rd Clio.

This.

Mine has been ok, only thing i have had to pay out for is a failed water pump.

My last clio however robbed me of every pay packet, as soon as it was fixed something else went, ended up trading it in instead of fixing it again.

 

[Chili Red]

Had a 172 which had a few things go wrong (needed the entire cylinder head replacing under warranty). 182 was pretty good. Washer jet leaked, shock blew and alternator went all in the first year, then after that it was fine and nothing went wrong for 2.5 years, then I sold it.

If you get one which has been looked after you should be fine, and yes it'll put a smile on your face.

 

[deggs172]

I've had my 2003 172 for about a month now
once you stop worrying about the rattles and quirks
you'll be fine
there's lots out there so it's only impatience that will find you a bad one
mines got 127k on it and still feels fresh
seems that cambelt and clutch are the expensive jobs so check for good condition or that they have been replaced and goodluck
you'll love it!!

 

[Jamie]

Had 4 Clio's and all have been cheap to buy and maintain. However, the Trophy is costing a bit more with my damper rebuild but that's not breakage more warranty.

 

[lmao2k]

I didn't name mine "the money pit" for a laugh! If its gone wrong, its been expensive and always at the most inconvenient times. I could of purchased a brand new car for what I have spent out.

 

[DrR]

My 182now 5.5years old, bought 2 years ago with 12k on, now on 39k
It's had 2 light washers, thats it.

Put another exhaust on though cos it was cheap, i don't think the standard would have lasted till now if it was still on the car


However my 172, bought on 44k, sold on 77ish
Had in it's 2 years
3 Gearboxs lol
Dephaser destroyed it's self causing 1200 worth of damage. Same as snapped cambelt.
New clutch cable (clutch creaked when warm to)
TDC sensor
New coolant pipes
New rear wheel bearings
Exhaust hangers
Wheel arch liners randomly fell out.
All the shocks failed.
Suspension top mounts
engine mount broke.
Exhaust fell off pretty much.
All the standard wheels rubbed.

Probs loads more but i can't remember, and the 3 specialists off here have said the car was in good condition so not like it was abused as such.

 

[Tom@JMS]

55k in 18 months, 6+ trackdays and about 200+ dyno runs - the only thing beyond consumables I have replaced is the clutch cable & a front wheel bearing.

 

[Russ_16v]

135k, running on itbs, still on original clutch

Few consumables, but generally very reliable

 

[alanc1000]

i had both, in the 172 the wires behind the steering wheel cover got twisted and chewed up, which caused the airbag sensor light to kick in, on the 182 it was the squeeking engine mounts but other than that they were great. They were both quite new at the time though.

 

[saltyhair81]

Year of ownership
68k ITBs/428s

speedo sensor
2 sets of NGK-Rs - (Blew spark plug)
Magencor leads
2 wheel bearings
leaky CV Boot
exhaust hangers
cambelt/aux belt
Gearbox refurb + new clutch
new handbrake
4 sets of rear discs / pads faulty bias valve / damaged hub housing
3 leaky shocks + knackered top mounts
Dog bone mount
Severed top engine mount
faulty omex TPS
rusted to shi* original backbox
Condenser made out of dust/removed
rusty horn terminals

now on 81k

...pretty reliable I'd say

 

[pablo.87]

Done 10k in my 182, alternator has failed, new rear disks. Cars on 80 k wear and tear I guess. It's no vw tho lol.

 

[mark_182_54]

83k
ballest in headlight
aircon
waterpump and suspension gone on rear twice , exhaust now fooked but loved the 83k all the way

 

[cjewkes]

Had my 172 cup nearly 4 years now and nothing out of the ordinary gone on it *touchwood*, just common things

Rear Shocks
Engine Mount

And thats about it

 

[dave126]

ive onloy owned my 182 for 6 days,
i had a 5door 306 before that, ( very boring)
mines been fine up to now, but obviously youd expect tht after a week,
so i cant really talk about the reliability of my car!!
however.....since getting into the car for the first time, i havent stopped smiling once. it is amazing!!! ive never had so much fun, and ive never wanted to drive my car so much, when im sat at work i get excited for the drive home, thts how good they are.
you will not regret buying a 172 or 182!!!
do it!!!

 

[yellowbelly]

Both my clio's have never had anything go wrong with them. If it does its USUALLY cheap to rectify, and there is a lot of info on here that can save you money too.

^^^^^^ amen to that

 

[Wests Renault]

my 1st 182 was extremely reliable (2004) and my current 172 has only had wear and tear bits replaced, so im happy

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Done around 6k in mine now, with the grand total of mileage of 80k.
Has had the following...

- New clutch (wear and tear so dont mind)
- Crank sensor
- New exhaust (perfect chance to upgrade! )

Nothing serious

 

[Sargara]

I had always heard horror stories about French cars and so ive always had breakdown cover, ive never once needed it though in 3yrs of Clio ownership.

Sure ive had things that need fixing and ive spent a fair bit of money on my car uprating brakes, SS exhaust etc but thats personal choice really.

 

[sussex_gti]

Mines been pretty much spot-on. Had the usual wear and tear items like radiator, c.v boot, rear wheel bearings, but this will happen with any car at some point. Providing they are maintained on time, and any faults rectified soon, instead of being left to worsen, they are as reliable as any other. Bad ones are usually down to poor maintainance by previous owners.

 

[yellowbelly]

I had always heard horror stories about French cars and so ive always had breakdown cover, ive never once needed it though in 3yrs of Clio ownership.

Sure ive had things that need fixing and ive spent a fair bit of money on my car uprating brakes, SS exhaust etc but thats personal choice really.

I'd never go without Breaksown cover, for the sake of what it costs per years.
imo its worth every penny.

about 5 years ago my clutch went on my 1st DC2 so had to get recovered

I had a saxo a few years ago which was slammed on its arse, due to this the powersteering hose split so I got them to pick me and the car up and take me to the garage I always used at the time.

My clutch went on my 2nd Dc2 so again a quick phonecall to them got it collected and taken to my mates garage.

Another occasion I was stranded in Cardiff (I live in Gloucestershire) after I foolishly/stupidly put diesel in my car just minutes after buying it, I blame it on the time of the day as it was just after 6.30am so I was half asleep.
Again the recovery came in so so handy, got picked up and taken to a garage in Cardiff to see if they could drain the fuel etc but once we got there they said they couldn’t so the recovery truck driver asked where I wanted to go so I said Gloucester please as this was where my mate works.
Off we went, I rang my mate to pre warn him he’d have my car to drain the fuel out, dropped it off with him picked it up the next day all sorted.

Without breakdown cover all of the above would have cost me a small fortune what with recovery and potential costs for staying over night somewhere.

Sorry for the short novel but i love having breakdown cover.

 

[diggs04]

I have a 182 and have to say a year of ownership and no problems at all (well apart from from emissions light but thats not a problem!).

Im a very happy customer so far!

 

[E11OOT]

My 182 - Owned for 3 years - No problems
My 172 - Owned for 4 months - No problems

If you look for a car that has been serviced regularly and has clearly been looked after, you will have to be unlucky for any major problems.

 

[jkb89]

Cheers for the feedback guys, it certainly seems like if you get a good one they're epic cars but if you get a bad one then it'll be such a money pit - I guess a good bit of research is needed before buying one.

Is there anything in particular to get a look at before buying the car? Obviously cambelt change etc. I'll have about £3k to play with so hopefully this will get me a niceish 172.

Would it be worth getting an RAC check or something similar before buying?

Cheers.

 

[E11OOT]

Cheers for the feedback guys, it certainly seems like if you get a good one they're epic cars but if you get a bad one then it'll be such a money pit - I guess a good bit of research is needed before buying one.

Is there anything in particular to get a look at before buying the car? Obviously cambelt change etc. I'll have about £3k to play with so hopefully this will get me a niceish 172.

Would it be worth getting an RAC check or something similar before buying?

Cheers.

If you do a search on here there is plenty of information about what to look for when buy a 172, have a little look.

if you are not to sure what to look for then im sure a friendly knowledgeable member (i'm not knowledgeable) off of here might be able to help you out if you view a car locally to you.

 

[z8jay]

Only had my 182 a few weeks and it's developed a problem with misfiring etc. I think it's just spark plugs. I knew all this may happen when i bought it though and have it booked in at jamsport on wednesday to sort it out + change cambelt.

 

[dmn1989]

182 has been more reliable than my old 197

only things that have gone are:

Upflow oxygen sensor, 3wheel bearings and a caliper.

all covers through warrenty though.

the 197 went through 2 gear boxes, a throttlebody and 2 seat bolsters in 1 year

 

[Day]

I think the Cup has been more reliable than the Phase 1 (less to go wrong maybe) but I'd still hate to think how much money I've spent over the years on my lot!

I know Rentech have a spreadsheet detailing all my transactions - I've asked to never see it!

 

[hillclimb_clio]

bought my 172 Cup a few months ago with c59k miles & supposedly a FSH. Since replaced: drivers seat cable, 3 x wiper blades, dog bone mount (upgrade to powerflex at same time), replaced plugs, replaced HT leads (upgrade to Magnecor at same time) - last 2 to try & cure a mis-fire, very happy to report neither worked (NOT!) Replacing Coil Pack next to try & rectify mis-fire BUT as everybody else has said - they are bloody great fun & I don't regret buying mine (yet!). Just working out which exhaust to replace the original with & trying to find a Ph1 Airbox to replace the lairy Pipercross IK fitted when I bought it.

 

[Richyy182]

Had my 182 for 3 1/2 years and its let me down once and that was because the battery died - its started every time - 58k

 

[Rocky_24]

Yep. Only let me down twice in nearly 5 years, and 80k! Now on 124k.

The exhaust fell of on the M3 (rotten back box) and the battery died on me.

and that happens on any car, ive had mine a year, no breakdowns no problems and it just passed its MOT with no advisories.

 

[cpcrampton]

Bought my 172 cup with 35000 miles now on 46000.
pas pipe needed replacing , rear shocks too.
annoying squeek still to find the source
bought myself a good one.