What to do.. What to do...

[c.benton22]

Just bought myself an amazing little flying machine (04' ClioSport 172)

However, I've just taken it into my mates garage and he immediately said get rid because it will cost me a fortune as they are always breaking?!?!
Whilst I was there he had a look over it and said it needs 'both discs and pads doing, full new exhaust system, possible wheel bearing, ABS playing up a bit (sticking/grinding noise on and off when breaking) is this the fortune he was warning me about before he even looked at it?!

But it drives amazingly!!!! So what to do... Do I invest and get all this fixed or sell on and find another car or maybe another 172 or 182 even though he reckons they always break and will cost me a fortune?!

Argh... Please help guys?

Cheers x

 

[Adam D]

I'm looking forward to seeing the replies to this!

They're a car that's around 10 years old they're going to have problems for their age such as the exhaust going rusty (although the exhaust on these are known to be pretty poor for this), possible wheel bearings going. Breaks are just a thing you can't count that towards them 'always breaking'. I'd stick to it, there is nothing on your list that is anything major to be honest.

 

[c.benton22]

I'm looking forward to seeing the replies to this!

They're a car that's around 10 years old they're going to have problems for their age such as the exhaust going rusty (although the exhaust on these are known to be pretty poor for this), possible wheel bearings going. Breaks are just a thing you can't count that towards them 'always breaking'. I'd stick to it, there is nothing on your list that is anything major to be honest.

Cheers mate (Y) I was gutted when he just said get rid!!
It's a flipping beauty!!! <3
I understand it may sound stupid this post but thought I'd put it up...

 

[R3k1355]

What does your mates garage do - wash cars all day??

A ten year old car needs brakes and an exhaust replacing - such a massive shock.

 

[JackD]

Brakes (front discs and pads) can be had for about £80 off George in the traders section.

Exhausts are prone to falling apart, get a nice 2nd hand stainless system for £200 or so through the classifieds.

They're no more prone to falling apart than any other car or similar age but they provide decent all round performance/comfort for the price.

 

[DaveL485]

Argh... Please help guys?

Cheers x

Do what you want to do. If you invest in one and maintain it, it'll reward you. I bought my 172 in Oct 2011 with 129k on the clock and a failed PS pump.
I changed the pump, and while I was there I did a full belt & dephaser service. I also changed the rear shocks because one was goosed.
I abused it, lots.
Then some more.
Then it needed tyres and brakes, but then these are consumables right? So I did tyres, and front brakes.
Then it got abused some more. I broke the gearbox on track so I changed it, and lobbed a clutch in while I was there.
And some more.
And then I abused it a bit more.
That brings us up to March 2015 with 147,000 miles on the clock.
It needed brakes, again, it was (over)due an aux belt @ 3 years, it was loosing coolant and I thought about getting rid...but it's been an epic little beast and never let me down so i took a deep breath and prepared for the pain.
Rad leaking
Water pump shot
Front brakes worn out, cracked discs
Rear brakes worn out
Aux Belt due
Oil leak from cam cover
Exhaust rattling
Tyres again

Half the value of the car later, it's all done including a Cambelt service 2 years early cos I didnt realise you have to remove the pulleys to reseal the fecking cam cover. I also got oil on the old cambelt as one of the cam seals didnt seat properly and spewed oil on the old belt, that I initially re-used (3 years, 16k old, I know i know, flame away). To be fair, a full belt service, front and rear brakes, rear bearings, cam seals and radiator for under £500 was reasonable I thought.

What i'm trying to say, I guess, it that it will give as good as it gets.

 

[R3k1355]

Rear discs have an integral bearing in them as well don't they?
So if it's that one thats noisy don't worry about it.

If you refused every used car that required some maintenance you'd be cycling around everywhere.
It's a car, it's 11 years old - stuff wears out.

 

[c.benton22]

Do what you want to do. If you invest in one and maintain it, it'll reward you. I bought my 172 in Oct 2011 with 129k on the clock and a failed PS pump.
I changed the pump, and while I was there I did a full belt & dephaser service. I also changed the rear shocks because one was goosed.
I abused it, lots.
Then some more.
Then it needed tyres and brakes, but then these are consumables right? So I did tyres, and front brakes.
Then it got abused some more. I broke the gearbox on track so I changed it, and lobbed a clutch in while I was there.
And some more.
And then I abused it a bit more.
That brings us up to March 2015 with 147,000 miles on the clock.
It needed brakes, again, it was (over)due an aux belt @ 3 years, it was loosing coolant and I thought about getting rid...but it's been an epic little beast and never let me down so i took a deep breath and prepared for the pain.
Rad leaking
Water pump shot
Front brakes worn out, cracked discs
Rear brakes worn out
Aux Belt due
Oil leak from cam cover
Exhaust rattling
Tyres again

Half the value of the car later, it's all done including a Cambelt service 2 years early cos I didnt realise you have to remove the pulleys to reseal the fecking cam cover. I also got oil on the old cambelt as one of the cam seals didnt seat properly and spewed oil on the old belt, that I initially re-used (3 years, 16k old, I know i know, flame away). To be fair, a full belt service, front and rear brakes, rear bearings, cam seals and radiator for under £500 was reasonable I thought.

What i'm trying to say, I guess, it that it will give as good as it gets.

Brilliant reply thanks! Loved reading it.
Need to just sigh and get it done. I feel already just after a couple of weeks of ownership it's worth every penny!
Cheers mate (Y)

 

[cat171]

You don't say where you are, but find a good specialist (there are tons listed on here) & you'll be fine. They know them inside out, and better than your mate does. That's for sure.

 

[dann2707]

I'll be the first to say it but I think your mate is a bit of a royal first class anus.

 

[The Russian.]

I wonder if the 'mate' is a 'mate' and just not short on work?

Would he w**k you off if you lost your hands?

I'm guessing no.

 

[smac4494]

Hahaha did he say "there's no money in cars these days"???

Best thing about clips are there's always someone breaking one or selling used parts within 40miles of where you are. A decent amateur could fix that in a day or two. I can name several German and jap makes that have deeper money pits

 

[DaveL485]

Brilliant reply thanks! Loved reading it.
Need to just sigh and get it done. I feel already just after a couple of weeks of ownership it's worth every penny!
Cheers mate (Y)

As everyone else has said, get a specialist to do the work unless you are very confident yourself. They're funny, quirky things sometimes. Even as a 20-year veteran sufferer of a Renault habit, and doing all my own work on various sheds (9 Turbo, 21 Quadra, ClioSport etc) I still tripped over the cam cover thing. Myself, I just sigh, shrug my shoulders and get on with it. Thats fine, it doesn't cost me any more money, just a bit of time and mental anguish. A garage however, will charge you more labour, more parts and if something goes awry afterwards most will do their utmost to wriggle out of liability and hand you yet another enormous bill.

 

[iyrix]

I wonder if the 'mate' is a 'mate' and just not short on work?

Would he w**k you off if you lost your hands?

I'm guessing no.

lolling at my desk!