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I’m thinking about buying a 172





Im looking to buy an x plater 172 and I wondered is there anything I should be looking for design flaws, common problems, recalls etc.

Any Help would be appreciated

Biggy
 


nice to see quik responses eh!!! lol

Anyway, generally, design faults are limited to water in the spare wheel well, so just lift up the boot carpet to have a look.

Knocking noises under hard acceleration, any warning lights on the dash are a dead give away, although the airbag warning light goes come on in alot of cars. Its not fault, just the wire under either the driver/passenger seat has a poor connection or is broke.

Generally, if its tidy its wont give you much problem. They dont really have any probs in general.

I have not had any problems at all on my MK2 172 and i have been driving it hard for over a yr & 1/2.

Good choice mate and happy hunting!
 


Thanks BenR ill keep my eyes peeled. Got stung on my last Reno (19 16v) so this time I want to get it right.

Biggy
 


well dont think about it, just do it, and depending on your attitude you will either love or hate!!! Some people seem to buy one and then spend their lives bitching about them, most just luv them from day one - I wouldnt change mine for nothing! well maybe an sl55AMG!!!

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
 

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  MK2 FRS


I agree there isnt much to think about. Set yourself a budget and try and find a better car. I get mine next Mon and there was nothing else that could match it for spec or performance. I got mine a June 02 plate (UK car) for 11400- dealer demo with 5k on the clock and a decent px price, 400 better than anywere else. Options I looked at:

CTR- above my budget of 12k and dearer to ins. Arguabley better performance.

206GTi- nowere near the performace. similar aged car for the money spec was poorer.

MG ZR160+ More expensive and less performance. Handling poor.

VTS- Cheaper to buy, could have a brand new car. Really wanted the performance. Nice car though was better than I expected.

Spend ages looking, especially if your gonna buy form a main dealer. I got mine after looking at a 51reg for 12.5k and 13.5k. Also looked at number of Mk1s. Noticed in the Autotrader this week there were 2 Mk1 172 Wreg for 8k!!

Hope this is useful, just what I though of before buying mine.

Adam
 


Just some points that may come in useful. Despite all the problems I still love the car.

If your looking at an X plate, check the date of registration. After 16/10/2000 they came with a 3 year warranty, before that 1 year. I bought an extended one and its come in V£RY useful.

Have a good listen to the engine for rumbling from the cambelt, this was an issue with some early cars, i.e. mine was replaced for this. Check the air con comes in, clunk from engine when engaged, no cluck and its probably lost its gas (as mine did) repaired under warranty.

If it has a shift light it will illuminate when the ignition is switched on.

If it is an early car it might have an alloy bonnet which is noticably lighter. Might also have a spare alloy.

Check for water in the wheel well (as already noted) and lift the offside rear seat too.

Check the rear bumper for warping (see link), will be 1 or more dimples in it, lots do this, some worse than others. I got mine repalced under warranty.

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/file.php?image=cs_bumper2.jpghttp://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/file.php?image=cs_bumper2.jpg

Good luck !
 


Hi all,

went to the dealer armed and ready with all problems to look out for, but visually the car was a bomb deep scratches everywhere - anywhere from 1 to 4 inches long. bonnet looked like it had seen a few stones and very bad attemps at touch ups. so I walked away, on paper the car was great FRSH low milage (which I would question) etc but it could of done with £800 worth of paint work.

Going to look at another tomorrow.

Biggy
 
  CTR EK9 turbo


The stone chips are hard to avoid. Mines got shed loads at 27,000 miles.....

The paint is ultra thin.

Watch out for knackered mid exhaust box, idle sensor, and most importantly - gear box! mine second one crunches now. First one was replaced under warranty - they replaced it, but didnt fit it properly, had an oil leak on my driveway (gearbox) and took it back, shortly after this it started crunching again.

Dont get me wrong, i love the car, but make sure youve got an extended warranty!
 


Quote: Originally posted by SHORTY on 30 March 2003

Dont Bother they are crap
U need to sell yours then dont you, but since you have repeatedly told everybody what crap it is I dont suppose you will be able to sell it through the forum will you! :(
 


i like my clio, worked for renault for a long time and remember when the clio 172 was £15.250, know i can afford one, so iam chuffed
so take a chill pill



U need to sell yours then dont you, but since you have repeatedly told everybody what crap it is I dont suppose you will be able to sell it through the forum will you! :(

check this guy out
 


We got a cup and have never looked back i even use it more than the scooby, so much fun and very quick, every car has its good and bad points who cares.
 


Quote: Originally posted by Biggy on 30 March 2003


Hi all,

went to the dealer armed and ready with all problems to look out for, but visually the car was a bomb deep scratches everywhere - anywhere from 1 to 4 inches long. bonnet looked like it had seen a few stones and very bad attemps at touch ups. so I walked away, on paper the car was great FRSH low milage (which I would question) etc but it could of done with £800 worth of paint work.

Going to look at another tomorrow.

Biggy
Where did you see this 172??? My local dealer had one with exactly the same probs...deep scratches and stone chips...had done about 30000k and was about 10+grand. They had it for ages but its gone now...maybe moved to a different dealer??
 


Where did you see this 172??? My local dealer had one with exactly the same probs...deep scratches and stone chips...had done about 30000k and was about 10+grand. They had it for ages but its gone now...maybe moved to a different dealer??



It was at a garage called Park Lane in Leicester, seemed ok but there were 2 guys working on a Escort Convertible one said to the other the exhaust is smoking a bit youd better give it some and then proceeded to rev the hell out of it. I wasnt to impressed guess they knew what they were doing but it didnt fill me with confidence.
 


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