newbie -mk1 or mk2 172?

[poweller]

Hi Guys
I have just sold my gti-6 as I fancied a change, even though it was one hell of a car!
anyway after driving peugeot gtis all my life I have decided to get involved with some renault action!!

anyway, I have got approx 5k to spend and am after a clio 172. Done lots of reading but cant decide whether to go for a mk1 or mk2..Been trawling through my old evo mags and they actually seem the rate the mk1 over the mk2..plus its quite a bit cheaper! However, I reckon the mk2 looks better, altho I am sure some will disagree with me!! what do you guys reckon?
Is there a buying guide for the 172 anywhere on this site? is the mk1 fairly well built and reliable? had my fair share of poorly build french cars (mainly 106gti!) so could do with something reliable and fairly well built!!

cheers

 

[fee]

havent got a clue but hi and welcome

 

[poweller]

whats all this about the aux belt snapping causes the cambelt to snap?

 

[edde]

Mk personally as there less problem ther electrics are much simpler and personally the throttle and handling is better IMO (and some others).
I personaly prefere the Mk2 looks.

As for the AUX belt yep if it breaks its knows to take out the cabmelt at the same time as the Cam belt cover isn't very good. This is why the AUX belt is chaned ever 3k.

Common issues are here (well soem are it needs extending a bit more)
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108607

Servicing guide from Renault is here
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=107873

 

[GarethM]

personally id have a mk1 172 but hten im biased

i think they look better and arent as common as the mk2.

welcome to the club fella
where you from??

 

[Lagerlout]

For your budget, a phase 1. You'll struggle to find a decent ph2 for £5k whereas that money would buy you a mint ph1.

ph1 are lighter but have less 'toys' (no xenon, climate etc). In fact think ph1 Gti-6 v's ph2 GTi-6. Both cracking cars in there own right.
.

 

[Lagerlout]

Bargain - http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=146768

 

[rory182]

mk1 all the way and in tme colour code it, stick phase 2 rear bumper on too.

 

[poweller]

For your budget, a phase 1. You'll struggle to find a decent ph2 for £5k whereas that money would buy you a mint ph1.

ph1 are lighter but have less 'toys' (no xenon, climate etc). In fact think ph1 Gti-6 v's ph2 GTi-6. Both cracking cars in there own right.
.

I dunno I seen a few mk2s about for that price, there was a Y reg at a dealer for 5k, went pretty quickly tho!

 

[poweller]

personally id have a mk1 172 but hten im biased

i think they look better and arent as common as the mk2.

welcome to the club fella
where you from??

cheers guys, I live in Birmingham. Time to start hunting for a mk1 then

 

[Big Iain]

mk2 flame red cant beat it

 

[the.bear]

mk2 looks so much better i think mk1 is looking a bit dated now sorry mk1 owners

 

[Bluebeard]

mk1 drives better, seating position is better, throttle response is sharper (due to a cable throttle linkage) i work at Renault and could have bought either, but i went for a mk1 172 because of its reputation on here.
PM Fred, he'll tell you exactly the same.

 

[blink172]

Buy a Ph1, Get the Ph2 dash as the ph1 is nasty and ph2 rear lights.

At a push, there was a cup the guy was thinking of selling at £5.5k, if he'll sell at that, thats the car to own. Best of both worlds and one of the 4 Best clios made.

 

[Fred@BTM]

mk1 drives better, seating position is better, throttle response is sharper (due to a cable throttle linkage) i work at Renault and could have bought either, but i went for a mk1 172 because of its reputation on here.
PM Fred, he'll tell you exactly the same.

what he said^^^

most fun R-sport car they've made so far

 

[Steve2004]

mk2 looks so much better i think mk1 is looking a bit dated now sorry mk1 owners

So is the phase 2 (thanks to the 197).


IMO of course.

 

[Lagerlout]

I dunno I seen a few mk2s about for that price, there was a Y reg at a dealer for 5k, went pretty quickly tho!

That's one of the first ph 2's.... there were only a handful on a Y plate. As I said, it's not impossible, but you'll struggle. There are lots of ph1's for that money and less and you have a much wider market to aim at.