How closely related are the Clio and Dacia Sandero?

[massiveCoRbyn]

Well, we're back in lockdown, so I have been having random thoughts 😂 Am I right in thinking that the 2012-2020 Dacia Sandero is based on the MK2 Clio? Does anyone know how closely related they are?

A few years ago, they did a Renault Sandero R.S. for some South American markets, and it had a 150-odd bhp 2.0-litre engine. Here it is, for anyone who cares:

Ever since I saw that, I thought it would be quite fun to do something similar over here, fitting the running gear from a Clio into one. I know it's not the best looking car ever, but I still have a strange interest in the idea of doing it at some point

Does anyone have any idea how closely related the two cars are? I assume getting the engine and gearbox to physically fit wouldn't be that hard, but I wondered if suspension bits would also work? Anyone ever looked into it?

 

[McGherkin]

 

[Djw John]

My mums partner has one, maybe a 15 plate. I've had a good look around the bay and you could defo throw a f4r in it. I kinda want it off him when he's done and f4r or f4rt it. Banded steels, wee bit lower and surprise folk.

 

[Martin_172]

we have a DCI one at work and ive driven it quite a bit, it feels very like a mk4 clio to drive, looks like a parts bin special between a mk3 and mk4 too.

The sandero RS uses an F4R and in typical Renault fashion, all the engines run the same/similar mounts so its a fairly easy project!

 

[PP200t]

Do it!!! It would make a brilliant sleeper or head turner. I bet as said above it wouldn’t be a hard project to fit the f4r into it.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

we have a DCI one at work and ive driven it quite a bit, it feels very like a mk4 clio to drive, looks like a parts bin special between a mk3 and mk4 too.

The sandero RS uses an F4R and in typical Renault fashion, all the engines run the same/similar mounts so its a fairly easy project!

I thought it was based on the MK2 platform? Is it on the MK3? From what I've seen online, I thought the engine bay looked similar to a MK2 Clio.

I'm sure the engine and gearbox would be easy enough, but it's the suspension that is probably more important in a way.

 

[Darren61]

I’m pretty sure it’s based on the MK3...

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

I’m pretty sure it’s based on the MK3...

You may well be right. I just assumed MK2 to be honest, as it would have been cheap and simple.

 

[loggyboy]

Sandero is based on LWB version the nissan B - the Clio (3 and 4) is on the SWB version

Renault-Nissan B platform - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Martin_172]

I'm sure the engine and gearbox would be easy enough, but it's the suspension that is probably more important in a way.

From memory the sandero uses a similar ARB setup to the mk2 Clio non RS where it goes onto the underside of the lower arm with a rubber bush, i would bet though that there is a combo you can use in typical Renault fashion that lets you run a sportier setup from somthing else.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

From memory the sandero uses a similar ARB setup to the mk2 Clio non RS where it goes onto the underside of the lower arm with a rubber bush, i would bet though that there is a combo you can use in typical Renault fashion that lets you run a sportier setup from somthing else.

Yeah that's what I wondered. Seems to be the case with most Renaults of that era.

 

[White16valver]

Black-plastic bumper sleeper on steel wheels and terrible hubcaps would be awesome

 

[loggyboy]

Black-plastic bumper sleeper on steel wheels and terrible hubcaps would be awesome

Add some dents and primer and it was always my fave look.

 

[ilovewilly]

Never knew Suggs had a Nova.

 

[loggyboy]

Never knew Suggs had a Nova.

Some one ive never been compared to! lol

 

[P-Co]

View attachment 1504931

Why have Dacia not made more cars like this, I now they were made as cheap run arounds but that would break them into a new market, it's got a kind of 90's vibe to it

 

[Brigsy]

Prob be able to get a f4r in quite easy. Id bet its a cross between mk2 meg/twingo/mk3 clio, exactly the same as this Kangoo im building.

Looking at the subframe id be aiming at mk2 twingo for suspension, should be able to cross over clio rs mk2 parts.

From my findings most of the modern Renaults share a very similar platform regarding engine mounts and its a piece of piss to chop them about. Main issue will be wiring, id imagine you might have half a fighting chance of getting it running on later mk3 rs200 ecu etc.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Why have Dacia not made more cars like this, I now they were made as cheap run arounds but that would break them into a new market, it's got a kind of 90's vibe to it

It's definitely a shame. I guess they wouldn't get the 2.0-litre through the latest emissions rules, but they could create something very similar with one of the little turbo lumps.

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Prob be able to get a f4r in quite easy. Id bet its a cross between mk2 meg/twingo/mk3 clio, exactly the same as this Kangoo im building.

Looking at the subframe id be aiming at mk2 twingo for suspension, should be able to cross over clio rs mk2 parts.

From my findings most of the modern Renaults share a very similar platform regarding engine mounts and its a piece of piss to chop them about. Main issue will be wiring, id imagine you might have half a fighting chance of getting it running on later mk3 rs200 ecu etc.

Yeah there does seem to be a lot of cross over of parts. Would be interesting to have a good poke about underneath one and see what's what.

 

[Jack1998]

On a slight tangent but sticking with the Dacia theme I do recall the very first Dacia duster having MK2 Clio dials, indicator stalks and steering wheel

 

[Coops Mk1]

On a slight tangent but sticking with the Dacia theme I do recall the very first Dacia duster having MK2 Clio dials, indicator stalks and steering wheel

yarp

 

[Jack1998]

yarp

View attachment 1506186

Never seen one with that phase 1-ish steering wheel!

Sent from my J8110 using Tapatalk

 

[The Boosh!]

They run on different architecture but the engine put into the Sandero in the Americas was the old F4R engine which can't be sold anymore this side of the world because of emissions restrictions. So in theory you should be able to fit a 1*2 engine into one of those with a bit of bodging.

 

[lemonnobby]

I've always wanted to do this too one. Its very clio 2 underneath i think the suspension would bolt straight on engine bay is big enough for f4rt

 

[Martin_172]

4wd duster with Mégane engine.... Fast way to die

 

[White16valver]

4wd duster with Mégane engine.... Fast way to die

Also a most amusing way to waste Rude Boyz in rented BMW X5s off the lights

 

[lee131]

Why has no-one done this

 

[Martin_172]

I keep bidding on the sandero access with the black bumpers and steels when they come up on eBay but they keep going for way too much!

 

[R3k1355]

I keep bidding on the sandero access with the black bumpers and steels when they come up on eBay but they keep going for way too much!

Popular 'budget' cars.

So popular people are willing to pay a bunch extra to own one, which makes them not so cheap anymore 🤦‍♂️