Should I buy a Clio sport for a daily ?

[Dug1992]

New to this forum stuff....

I’ve Wanted to buy a Clio sport now for some time , currently have a SEAT Ibiza FR (sh*te) have been looking at the newest models (220 trophy ) however no manual option and slightly over budget , how costly can they become repair wise, if the box goes as I’ve seen a lot online for example or other problems ,I know mpg isn’t the best but who buys one to worry about fuel also any advise on upgrade parts to help with faults ?
what sort of millage figures is ideal for reliability

The attached image is an example of what I’m looking for spec wise .

 

[White16valver]

Renaults (and most french cars) are good for lots of miles, 200k+ without issue if serviced and maintained properly - everything you don't need falls off or breaks but the important bits keep on working

 

[frayz]

Yes

 

[Kev@KAM]

Mk3 is not great on fuel so depends on your commute distance

 

[montana]

Mk3 is not great on fuel so depends on your commute distance

Mine averaged 30 mpg combined which was very close to the book figure. 1*2 tend to hover around 34 mpg in my experience. I wouldn’t say that’s terrible at all.


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[McGherkin]

I got my 172 up to 52mpg once. But a more reasonable figure was in the 40s driving it normally.

The Mk2s are WAY better on fuel than the Mk3.

 

[Archtronics]

yeah 38 average in my 182 spirited driving.

 

[Daniel]

My current 182 engine does 40mpg commuting.

My old 200 used to do 24/25

 

[Usr117063]

My fuel map needs to be looked at I wont ever get more than 35 no matter if I drive slow

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

OP:

who buys one to worry about fuel

CS:
5 replies about MPG.


Edit: 6.

 

[Usr117063]

OP:


CS:
5 replies about MPG.


Edit: 6.

Also various OPs when asking a question

OP:
Should I do 'insert stupid idea'

The whole of CS:
No, heres why...

OP does it anyway and ends up breaking the car for parts

 

[Kev@KAM]

Mine averaged 30 mpg combined which was very close to the book figure. 1*2 tend to hover around 34 mpg in my experience. I wouldn’t say that’s terrible at all.


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No its not terrible but over a certain mileage a day its worth considering as its not briliant.

 

[Jack!]

I got sick of commuting in mine, which is why I sold it.

Using a clutch in traffic is just annoying, and the driving position used to ruin my back.

 

[OssPoop]

Yes buy one. But which one are you wanting? A Mk4 or mk3? Very different cars.

 

[Dug1992]

OP:


CS:
5 replies about MPG.


Edit: 6.

Haha , mpg doesn’t bother me Im cool with that

 

[Dug1992]

Mk3 is not great on fuel so depends on your commute distance

Works 10 mins away Do quite a few long trips throughout the year to watch the f1 & BTCC and also couple trips to scotland a year which is normally taking people aswell so petrol is always split so that wouldn’t kill me

 

[Dug1992]

I got sick of commuting in mine, which is why I sold it.

Using a clutch in traffic is just annoying, and the driving position used to ruin my back.

Have that now in my current , works only 10 mins away but the traffic in the morning is garbage

 

[197.]

You want a MK4 220 but have attached an image for a MK3 200, both of which are totally different cars in terms of drivetrain.

MK3 - Plenty of common issues which you'll come across during a search.

MK4 - Seem to be much more reliable and don't require as much upkeep.

 

[Dug1992]

i was Looking into a 220 trophy but as stated it’s out of budget hence the mk3 pic

 

[MatthewR]

Confused, you say you are looking at mk4 (auto only) and post a picture of mk3? Which one do you want will help?

 

[Dug1992]

Any major things that can be checked during an overall viewing/test drive , I’ve seen k-tech have one that’s been fully looked over additional upgrades and the gearbox has had a good look over

 

[MatthewR]

Any major things that can be checked during an overall viewing/test drive , I’ve seen k-tech have one that’s been fully looked over additional upgrades and the gearbox has had a good look over

Just so your aware that is an mk3 and therefore manual drive

 

[Dug1992]

Just so your aware that is an mk3 and therefore manual drive

Yes aware now got mixed up with the MK with looking through that many models in one day

 

[Dug1992]

Yes aware now got mixed up with the MK with looking through that many models in one day

But ye that’s the ideal MK I’m looking into apologise for the confusion heads in the clouds

 

[MatthewR]

Yes aware now got mixed up with the MK with looking through that many models in one day

So which one do you want?

 

[Usr117063]

i was Looking into a 220 trophy but as stated it’s out of budget hence the mk3 pic

So which one do you want?

 

[Dug1992]

Mk3 as Matthew R stated

 

[197.]

For that money you should be able to get a very good 200 or an absolutely mint 197 in liquid yellow.

In terms of reliability upgrades, I’m going to assume you’ve done your research on common faults (if not, get a blank cheque ready).

Replacing the faulty parts with OEM replacements is the best way to go as there are very few upgraded replacement parts. I believe Renault have upgraded certain replacement parts that needed doing (blower/heater wiring and gearbox synchros [iirc]) and someone on the other forum does uprated balljoints etc.

Mileage wise, there are cars running 130,000+ therefore there’s not really any issues there if the car has been cared for. There are so many clios out there that you shouldn’t have to settle for one.

 

[Craigy69k]

Cleanest 1*2 you can find then the remainder of your budget making it mint, plenty parts and for a daily reasonable mpg, I'm getting 36mpg without trying. Great wee cars imo and wish I had hot one sooner

 

[Coops Mk1]

Mk2 late model make great commute cars where I live, quiet a roads and b road options for spirited detours. Hence I've run mine for 7 years now every day.

Mk3 I have no real experience of but to me it's just a more expensive way of achieving same thing.

 

[Coops Mk1]

@Dug1992

This is my daily 182, 212k on her now, all original running gear, engine, gearbox, driveshafts etc etc.

Everything still works pretty much, so cruise, traction, abs, climate control all fine. Auto xenon headlights. All the daily creature comforts you need.

Cheap to run and great fun in the twisties. Even use it on track from time to time when the track car isn't available

 

[Martin_172]

maybe I'm just getting old but I cant think of anything worse than daily driving a mk2 Clio. I daily drove a mk3 for a year at the time about 40 miles a day and it was spot on, night and day over my mk2's

MK4 was the best daily I've had but over budget and no manual as you say

 

[RossGT]

Ran my 172 for 50k+ Miles without much bother (on 169k now) as a daily commuter...120 B road miles a day
I moved the drivers seat position lower with a bucket seat and lower sub frame and extended the gear stick to improve ergonomics.
So long as you change the oil every 10k and don’t rush the gearbox it should last.
Brakes, tyres and shocks have been my only consumables really.
Misfires are pretty much always a faulty / blocked injector.
You can’t beat them for cheap smiles per mile.

 

[Coops Mk1]

maybe I'm just getting old but I cant think of anything worse than daily driving a mk2 Clio. I daily drove a mk3 for a year at the time about 40 miles a day and it was spot on, night and day over my mk2's

MK4 was the best daily I've had but over budget and no manual as you say

I'm about to turn 37, tried a comfy boosty saab for a more age appropriate approach to a daily more befitting my vintage..... Hated it, f**k comfort, straight back into the 182

 

[montana]

I have an FN2 civic (coming from 3.5 years of volvos was a shock) although the clios in standard form are comfier for a hot hatch so you are probably ok. Although personal preference [emoji846]


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[Not a Diesel!!!]

Coming from a fr which i assume is boosted. Beware the relative lack of low down torque. The 182 hides this better because of lower weight.

The 197 or 200 you will need to be top of rev range to keep up with relatively modest looking modern turbo petrol or diesel cars.

Ok on a back road or track but can be tiresome.

Mpg as said is noticeable. In reality much more powerful and heavier Meganes are comparable to 200 if not better under light load. Whereas 182 on regular unleaded gets close to some diesels for cost per mile.

 

[Martin_172]

I'm about to turn 37, tried a comfy boosty saab for a more age appropriate approach to a daily more befitting my vintage..... Hated it, f**k comfort, straight back into the 182

I love my 182 I just feel any time I daily drive it for an extended period of time it gets very tiresome. On the right road, on the right day, a few times a month it's fantastic but sitting in traffic it's loud, uncomfortable, unrefined, heavy clutch, heavy steering, needs revved to make progress.

Life would be boring if we all liked the same tho

 

[White16valver]

I'm about to turn 37, tried a comfy boosty saab for a more age appropriate approach to a daily more befitting my vintage..... Hated it, f**k comfort, straight back into the 182

Driving is only ever going to get slower, more restricted (because 'safe') and more boring, so 100% enjoy it while you can.

 

[Coops Mk1]

I love my 182 I just feel any time I daily drive it for an extended period of time it gets very tiresome. On the right road, on the right day, a few times a month it's fantastic but sitting in traffic it's loud, uncomfortable, unrefined, heavy clutch, heavy steering, needs revved to make progress.

Life would be boring if we all liked the same tho

Yeah definitely, different strokes for different folks I guess. Regularly commute 130 miles to Welwyn Garden from Derbyshire in mine, no issues. Spent a lot of time and effort though sorting the right mods to make it relatively quiet, refined and comfortable for daily use.