"Typical French car"

[User101]

Been the owner of a clio sport 182 ph2 for about 4 weeks now. I had troubles with my mk4 golf which was a 1.4 so I didn't want to throw anymore cash at it when I could get something with a bit more poke.

Had a little look around and for my price range this looked like the best all round car for me, had no idea Renault did a 2.0L clio so you can imagine my surprise when I took it for a spin first time round.

A lot of my mates were skeptical about it, being French and all & it being my first French car I didn't know what to expect. But for the first 3 and a half weeks it ran sweet.

Previously I've owned mostly jap and a couple German cars, nothing too new and the only expensive car bar this a 2000 2.0L turbo scoob (UK model)
So when warning lights started coming up on the dash when I was indicating I thought nothing of it, I was only 5 minutes away from work and the lights were going off when the indicator flipped off anyway.

Silly idea to carry on, smoke started to emerge from the bonnet and yes I sh#t myself. Pulled over, killed the engine, whipped the bonnet up and the alternator was on fire ran to the boot to grab some water because I thought the whole car was going to go up but by the time I got round it put itself out. Great start to a Monday.

I've got RAC cover so first thing I thought call them up, usually I'd get them just to tow me home and sort out any breakdowns with a couple mates or end up taking it to the garage not too far from me for a cheap shoddy job, but because it's a new car with tons of receipts I decided to agree with what the fella from the RAC said "I'll take you to work with the car mate, then tow it to a recommended garage, be done by the time you finish"
Alright sound, first thing find out how much the alternator would cost; £192
Bit steep but understable for the car, no bother. I got towed to work car got towed to garage happydays.

Got a call from the garage about half 3 "yeah, we're almost done gunna cost around £395" couldn't believe it felt robbed, 3 hours labour. Understandably it's awkward to get at but £200 labour is a bit much for an alternator ?
Also anyone know what could of caused this? garage didn't seem to have a clue. Wouldn't give me the alternator back either.

Did think it might be to do with the battery on its way out so the alternator was working at 100% but they assured me the battery was fine.

What should I look out for as common problems with my clio/ things worth replacing ?
Aware of the steering wheel falling apart and the exhaust going but they were replaced not long ago by the previous owner.
Rather prevent a problem than pick up the pieces again lol

TL;DR
- had clio for a month
- banter for French car
- alternator sets on fire
- big garage bill
- common faults?

 

[Daniel]

I'd suggest that first things first, you need to find yourself a specialist mechanic on here that's local-ish to you.

£395 to supply and fit an alternator is robbery.

 

[User101]

I'd suggest that first things first, you need to find yourself a specialist mechanic on here that's local-ish to you.

£395 to supply and fit an alternator is robbery.

I couldn't believe it, poor workmanship too. Left the grill loose and took it for a rig, mpg & fuel were down.
How do I go about that mate? Had a look through the receipts on the car and noticed the last service was done at SJM in Glastonbury which is about 30 mins from me

 

[Daniel]

SJM is Dan Potter.

Very nice man and a great mechanic.

@Dan@SJM

 

[RS Charlie]

Unlucky if you ask me. Clio 1*2s are not the sturdiest of things but they are not horrific by a long shot. Mine has been fine *touchwood*, and 2 other mates have been OK, albeit with minor issues over 5 years of owning them (I am talking fitting pattern balljoints and exhausts, ABS rings and airbag lights, what you could expect with most cars.

If it makes you feel any better the worst car I have ever owned has to be a 2006 VW Passat TDi. Do not even get me started on what went wrong on that heap of s**t! It would take alot for me to buy a B6 and on Passat despite the people who seem to love them. Your Clio looks remarkably reliable in comparison.

However, I am quite picky about where the car is sent ; BTM were great on my car, and it was nice not to fix 5 new faults with the car.

The one thing I will say is that I was very picky about the car I bought, probably alot pickier than many people are buying a secondhand car. With a classic to look after however I really did want something reliable and cheap(ish) to run, and a bit of fun if I could help it, yet look tidy. Not many cars came close out of my list compared to the Clio for the money (Audi TT 225 (most were faulty and tired), Volvo T5 (same), Mercedes W124 300TD (rare and tired), Alfa 156 2.4 JTD (rare) ; I probably should have chosen a 147 1.9 JTD 8v; the last one I had was a great thing, but again, it was the budget).

 

[joytodrive25]

I couldn't believe it, poor workmanship too. Left the grill loose and took it for a rig, mpg & fuel were down.
How do I go about that mate? Had a look through the receipts on the car and noticed the last service was done at SJM in Glastonbury which is about 30 mins from me

Definitely seems expensive, get quotes from their garages for an alternator change then get back to them about it. Also, the old alternator was yours so if you want it back they have to give it back surely??

 

[RS Charlie]

Most new alternators require the old item to be given back in exchange. If the OP's car had an alternator damaged beyond repair it may possibly explain the higher price.

 

[User101]

He said he'd get charged for it or something, I couldn't be bothered to argue with him just wanted to leave. But yeah that's the damage, inside was completely fried