London Calling

[Bl1ng]

A big hello to Clio owners here.

I am currently contemplating picking up a Renaultsport Clio and wanted to do some research first.

My understanding is that it is a phenomenal car with great fun and handling. At the moment I am a little confused by the different variations eg 172, 182 etc !

Interested to know:
- What is the difference between the models
- What the typical running costs are
- Common problems, I have heard gearboxes are a weak point :S
- What to look out for
- Any Renaultsport Clio servicing specialists around North London or Hertfordshire

One of the reasons for looking at the Clio is to pick up a car that is cheaper to buy and run but with lots of fun and can fit the kids in the back.

To give you an idea of my car background I have owned cars such as:
- Mazda MX5 Mk1
- Focus RS
- E46 M3 SMG Cab
- Audi A3 2.0 TSI DSG Cab
- Porsche 924
- Porsche 996 Turbo

 

[Brian]

Welcome to the club, Bl1ng!

 

[couzens]

Interested to know:

- What is the difference between the models -Phase 1 172 (The first and best IMO) Phase 2 172 facelifted version, different headlights, interior, wheels etc. 182, slightly more power, twin exhuast system. 172 and 182 cups, tweaked chassis, different spoiler, lack of AC and half leather.

- What the typical running costs are - Not much really 35-40 MPG depending on how you drive of course. Servicing ranges from £100 odd to £500 depending where you go.

- Common problems, I have heard gearboxes are a weak point :S - Gear box synchros go IIRC but under abuse mainly. Make sure cambelts have been done. have a tendandcy to snap if to old or over due on mileage.

- What to look out for - Belts, decent history etc most will be on a few owners now so dont let that put you off.

- Any Renaultsport Clio servicing specialists around North London or Hertfordshire - 519 automotive are in bedford I believe and JMS are in Surrey.


If it's a scratch you need to itch, do it. You wont regret it.

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

buying a megane and a clio!???!!!

 

[Bl1ng]

Thanks for the quick eek and initial feedback guys :cheers:

I am not, unfortunately, looking to by both a Clio and Megane

I am looking to buy one or the other and trying to work out which one is the best for me.

I have heard the Clio is much more fun and I like the idea of having a smaller car to drive around town in. The R26 Megane seems like a little bit of a more sensible choice but I am not sure if it will be any more reliable or suffer from fewer issues eg gearbox

Ultimately, I would prefer to spend as little as money as possible ie up to say £3k which may put the R26 out of my reach.

For that money, I ultimately want a car that is as new as possible, I guess that means a 182, with as low a mileage as possible but has been looked after. A good spec, eg Full Fat (dual Cup pack 182) would be nice.

Any people here owned both ?

 

[Bl1ng]

Interested to know:

- What is the difference between the models -Phase 1 172 (The first and best IMO) Phase 2 172 facelifted version, different headlights, interior, wheels etc. 182, slightly more power, twin exhuast system. 172 and 182 cups, tweaked chassis, different spoiler, lack of AC and half leather.

- What the typical running costs are - Not much really 35-40 MPG depending on how you drive of course. Servicing ranges from £100 odd to £500 depending where you go.

- Common problems, I have heard gearboxes are a weak point :S - Gear box synchros go IIRC but under abuse mainly. Make sure cambelts have been done. have a tendandcy to snap if to old or over due on mileage.

- What to look out for - Belts, decent history etc most will be on a few owners now so dont let that put you off.

- Any Renaultsport Clio servicing specialists around North London or Hertfordshire - 519 automotive are in bedford I believe and JMS are in Surrey.


If it's a scratch you need to itch, do it. You wont regret it.

Thanks for the feedback. I don't suppose there are any reputable specialists nearer North London ?

If I get one, I want to be able to use a garage that knows what they are doing, won't rip me off and has a good rep with other owners.

 

[Harbinger]

There is a fair amount of people out there that know them, some people will try and scare you saying ONLY a specialist can look after your engine, which really only applies to timing and belt related jobs just purely for the fact of having the right tools, but to be honest changing clutches and boxes can be done by any competent mechanic and most other bits are the same as any other Clio and let's face it they are hardly uncommon.

To be Honest 3K will get you a decent'ish 182 but a true minter with all the jobs done will need more I'm sorry to say, but if you keep looking eventually a few good ones will pop up, if you pay up on here you can check the sale section and there are sometimes some good ones, or contact the guy on here R-Sport Cars he likes a clean car, there are others too DTM I think they called, worth making contact as I'm sure they'll know of or be able to source some good ones.

Whereabouts in London are you? I'm near Heathrow and ended up taking mine to Portsmouth ( Rentech ) for the belts and pulley, but the guy in Staines which isn't THAT far from N London is meant to be quite good, easy reach from M25 it's only a few mins from Jct13 it's easy.