MK3 Test Drive

[TELFORDS_LURK]

Just took a Mk3 Clio, albeit a diesel out for a test drive. Have to say I was quite impressed with the, suspension, steering and brakes on it compared to my experiences with my current Mk2 Ph3 and previous to that Ph2.
The one I drove was a 1.5, 106bhp diesel that had a 6 speed gearbox, which was different.

The suspension seemed to have less roll when I was coming of round abouts and going round a 180 degree looped sliproad onto the local dual carriageway.
The brakes seemed to be an improvement which I always thought on the Mk2's non sport models, was an area that needed some attention, seems to have done the trick.
The steering did'nt have a big difference like the other 2, just seemed more responsive, could have been down to the improved suspension though. Also one other little personal preference was the grip on the steering wheel, much more ergonomic than mine at the mo, which was nice

All in all I was quite pleased with the ride the new clio gave and although some people may disagree in regards to the look of it, I have to say I quite like it. Just got to wait till end of may, june time now to try out the new 197.

Chris

 

[Rich]

Did it feel much bigger inside Chris?

 

[TELFORDS_LURK]

As the driver, no the car didnt feel bigger than my mk2, although I think the size of the new clio is nearer that of the megane.
The sales man sat in the front and my mom who is thinking of getting one in the back. She is used to the back of my car as when I take my parents out its her that get demoted to the back, she was quite impressed as the front seats were nearly right back and there was still ample leg room which cannot be said for my current mk2.

The quality of the cabin seems to have improved too, which i know sounds abit odd for a Renault but it just seems more up to date, as the interior of the mk2 does seem abit dated now and lets face it, the base of it is getting on for 7 years old.

Chris

 

[Jay]

My sis is having the mk3 1.5 dci dynamique s 106bhp in a couple of weeks.

 

[rcp]

Reading comments from Jeremy on the Rensultsport forum - the 197 handles nothing like the standard Clio apparently.

 

[KyleB]

The more i see the new clios on the road, the more the look grows on me.

Might have to see about getting a test drive in one, but i would probably wait till i could afford a sport version before buying one to be honest.

 

[fungusman]

Yeah the suspension on the 197 is totally different, so it says on the website..

 

[Lee]

Did it feel much bigger inside Chris?

You notice how much bigger they are when you look over your shoulded when you change lane, the rear side window seems miles away compared to mine.

 

[Swervin_Mervin]

I don't understand how the brakes are better. Could you elaborate? I always found them far too over-servoed on my ph2 dCi. Sneeze and you were kissing windscreen.

 

[MikeDX]

I wonder actually how much more performance a 106 gets over my 86. I do have to say though that the MK3 seems incredibly solid (so far). i've done about 1500 miles in mine to date (about 5 weeks) and not had any problems whatsoever.. still waiting for the engine to run in a little tough so I can really push her to the limits.