Cheap MK4 Clio 200T EDC
Discussion
So, seen a few of these going cheap. Most are Cat S cars, which I'm not hugely comfortable with. There is, however, a 2013 model which isn't a cat car (apparently, haven't checked yet) with 93k on it going for 6k (price is negotiable too). Seems like an awful lot of car for the money. Would make a perfect daily for me.
The reason why it's so cheap and the catch is the service history has been completely lost. Not been to view yet but, when I asked if it has any issues or work required, he said the anti roll bar bushes make a squeak when going over speed humps. Allegedly, this is a common fault. Did try to search this but couldn't see much.
Thoughts?
The reason why it's so cheap and the catch is the service history has been completely lost. Not been to view yet but, when I asked if it has any issues or work required, he said the anti roll bar bushes make a squeak when going over speed humps. Allegedly, this is a common fault. Did try to search this but couldn't see much.
Thoughts?
I had one for 2 years, I put nearly 20k on it during the first year communing to Bristol and then moved to a closer job and put around 6k on the 2nd year.
All in all, it was a very decent car. It replaced my 250 Cup. Handling was excellent, interior was good, seats were lovely (I had the 220 Trophy). I had an issue with a vibration in the dash which was finally sorted by replacing a part that was vibrating on the windscreen! It drove me nuts for a while, but fair play the garage found it pretty quickly.
First minor gripe is the brakes, they're quite a step down from the Brembos in the old Clio and my previous Megane. They've made up for the lack of 4 pots by fitting a bigger servo, but honestly they always felt very grabby.
Suspension is very very hard. It's great when you're on the right road (it seems to smooth out at speed), but around town it's hard. Much harder than the 250 Cup, and harder than my current 280 Cup. Not quite as hard as the Mountuned Fiesta ST I had a few years prior though.
Main gripe though, is the gearbox. I'd never had an auto before, this was my first (and only), and I just don't think I'm an auto sort of person. In full manual, the 220T was brilliant, super fast changes. But the two auto modes, normal and sport are not well calibrated. Normal was very lazy and could get confused easily as it didn't hold onto the gears long enough. Sport was the opposite, it held on too long. The car really just needed a single mode that sat somewhere between the two.
All that said however, on a motorway commute, the auto made the drive very pleasant, and being able to just pull a paddle and quickly dip out to overtake does have its perks. Economy wise it wasn't great, I never saw 40MPG and I can actually get higher in the Megane.
Gearbox gripes aside, I've found myself looking for another one, I think I'd just need to accept the box for what it is!
All in all, it was a very decent car. It replaced my 250 Cup. Handling was excellent, interior was good, seats were lovely (I had the 220 Trophy). I had an issue with a vibration in the dash which was finally sorted by replacing a part that was vibrating on the windscreen! It drove me nuts for a while, but fair play the garage found it pretty quickly.
First minor gripe is the brakes, they're quite a step down from the Brembos in the old Clio and my previous Megane. They've made up for the lack of 4 pots by fitting a bigger servo, but honestly they always felt very grabby.
Suspension is very very hard. It's great when you're on the right road (it seems to smooth out at speed), but around town it's hard. Much harder than the 250 Cup, and harder than my current 280 Cup. Not quite as hard as the Mountuned Fiesta ST I had a few years prior though.
Main gripe though, is the gearbox. I'd never had an auto before, this was my first (and only), and I just don't think I'm an auto sort of person. In full manual, the 220T was brilliant, super fast changes. But the two auto modes, normal and sport are not well calibrated. Normal was very lazy and could get confused easily as it didn't hold onto the gears long enough. Sport was the opposite, it held on too long. The car really just needed a single mode that sat somewhere between the two.
All that said however, on a motorway commute, the auto made the drive very pleasant, and being able to just pull a paddle and quickly dip out to overtake does have its perks. Economy wise it wasn't great, I never saw 40MPG and I can actually get higher in the Megane.
Gearbox gripes aside, I've found myself looking for another one, I think I'd just need to accept the box for what it is!
It's a decent auto/DCT that I want and it's actually my preference. Did test drive one of these years ago but it was literally up and down the road from the dealership, which was very frustrating. Couldn't really get a feel for the car but it seemed decent enough. I've come from a string of DSG's; 6-speed ad 7-speed and I know they will generally be better but I don't see many horror stories in general with these. I'm coming from a 2009 FN2 Type R, so this is newer, comfier, quicker, better specced, etc.
My question is, is this example or something similar worth a punt?
My question is, is this example or something similar worth a punt?
I've owned mine for 3 years now, bought on 27K miles for £12k. They are holding their value well, I'm quite sure mine would probably sell for around £11k even now.
Mine is a 2017 non-Trophy and being honest it's probably the best car I have owned (but then again, I've owned 3 Clio RSs and an EP3). The auto box is lovely and makes cruising very easy, and flicking into sport/race/manual makes for a lot of fun round the quiet B roads. You can use sport in auto but it's completely pointless really.
Mine has some upgrades, I've done a couple of track sessions this year so namely upgraded discs/pads, springs, Scorpion exhaust, ITG etc. It's on Cooksport springs and it's really not firm at all, obviously it is lowered so I do take care on the bumpy stuff and speed bumps etc but that's just an automatic reaction, it's lovely and smooth most of the time.
The example you're looking at, I'm not sure I'd shy away from it. These have a common 'creak' that comes from the rear especially when reversing over bumps etc, not sure if that's what the sellers are referring to in terms of the squeak, but still something to consider.
Servicing - the 'big' one is 6 years or 75k which is the accessory belt and rollers, alongside spark plugs and the other usual suspects. I had mine done this year and the specialist didn't even replace the belt as it was in perfect condition, moreso because Renault don't even stock it themselves due to this reason alone. I've checked my service schedule for the next 4 years and it's pretty much standard Renault service, oil filter, cabin filter and engine oil.
The model is 2013 so pre-facelift, I'm aware the early models had some gearbox issues that were corrected in the post-facelift models. I can't be sure on the details but maybe a bit of research online (there's a huge FB group on these) might provide some more insight.
£6k is VERY CHEAP, so I'd do my research and if you were to buy, download the MyRenault app and check the maintenance schedule, I'd get it into a garage straight away (ideally a specialist) and have everything service related looked at/covered just for peace of mind, plus a checkover!
Hope that helps!
Mine is a 2017 non-Trophy and being honest it's probably the best car I have owned (but then again, I've owned 3 Clio RSs and an EP3). The auto box is lovely and makes cruising very easy, and flicking into sport/race/manual makes for a lot of fun round the quiet B roads. You can use sport in auto but it's completely pointless really.
Mine has some upgrades, I've done a couple of track sessions this year so namely upgraded discs/pads, springs, Scorpion exhaust, ITG etc. It's on Cooksport springs and it's really not firm at all, obviously it is lowered so I do take care on the bumpy stuff and speed bumps etc but that's just an automatic reaction, it's lovely and smooth most of the time.
The example you're looking at, I'm not sure I'd shy away from it. These have a common 'creak' that comes from the rear especially when reversing over bumps etc, not sure if that's what the sellers are referring to in terms of the squeak, but still something to consider.
Servicing - the 'big' one is 6 years or 75k which is the accessory belt and rollers, alongside spark plugs and the other usual suspects. I had mine done this year and the specialist didn't even replace the belt as it was in perfect condition, moreso because Renault don't even stock it themselves due to this reason alone. I've checked my service schedule for the next 4 years and it's pretty much standard Renault service, oil filter, cabin filter and engine oil.
The model is 2013 so pre-facelift, I'm aware the early models had some gearbox issues that were corrected in the post-facelift models. I can't be sure on the details but maybe a bit of research online (there's a huge FB group on these) might provide some more insight.
£6k is VERY CHEAP, so I'd do my research and if you were to buy, download the MyRenault app and check the maintenance schedule, I'd get it into a garage straight away (ideally a specialist) and have everything service related looked at/covered just for peace of mind, plus a checkover!
Hope that helps!
Thanks both, very insightful and informative. They don't really seem to have that many weak points these. I know they aren't massively popular (which is another part of the appeal actually) but seem pretty strong. I'm going to have a look and hopefully a drive of it too some point soon. Do need to do some usual HPI checks and the like. MOT history is clean, as I suspected. But yeah, if a deal was to be made, I would get it in at a specialist for a full service and a check over. Pretty sure I can get a bit more off the 6k asking price factoring this in. Very good shout on the Renault app too, didn't think of that!
Same appeal for me really, I like the fact that they are not as common. I think they are understated and would surprise people with their capability, I think initially frowned upon due to the switch over to the EDC box from manual like the MK3s.
Keep us updated on this, will be interesting to see how you get on. Definitely not many week points, mine has been 100% issue free (touch wood) since buying.
Keep us updated on this, will be interesting to see how you get on. Definitely not many week points, mine has been 100% issue free (touch wood) since buying.
Will do! I've wanted one since they came out really. I did have a farce of a test drive of one years ago. As a cheap used purchase now, they seem like a pretty good bet. I'd still need to sell my Civic and put a bit extra in for this but, but if it checks out, it could be perfect. I am after a more modern and newer car with some nicer luxuries/tech but with some performance still and a good auto/DCT 'box, so this really does tick all the boxes. I'm also a lifelong Renault Sport fan too!
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