RE: PH buying guide: Clio 172/182
Discussion
This is a shame. I had the cambelt done at my local garage of 30 years. They have done my Fiat Coupe and my brother's Alfa GTV cambelts with no problems over the past 10 years. They have the correct locking tools as have my brother and I. It was a matter of either me doing it or the garage, and I didn't have the time. My local Renault garage has a horrendous reputation too, so for me it was a no-brainier. Have I facked up? 
Just what I really didn't need!
Just what I really didn't need!
I'm afraid if I was buying one now, I'd need to see the cambelt had been done at a specialist too. Mine wasn't, they cut corners, and I ended up paying the price. Never again.
Good luck with the sale though fella, I'm sure it won't matter to some people (like me, before I knew about all this hoohaa).
Good luck with the sale though fella, I'm sure it won't matter to some people (like me, before I knew about all this hoohaa).
normal bloke said:
This is a shame. I had the cambelt done at my local garage of 30 years. They have done my Fiat Coupe and my brother's Alfa GTV cambelts with no problems over the past 10 years. They have the correct locking tools as have my brother and I. It was a matter of either me doing it or the garage, and I didn't have the time. My local Renault garage has a horrendous reputation too, so for me it was a no-brainier. Have I facked up?
Just what I really didn't need!
If they have the correct locking tools there should be no issue.Just what I really didn't need!
I kind of see what sir dave means, but I think that's a typical cliosport.net response (where the specialists are worshipped) that actually isn't as bad as it sounds. With proof of it being done and if the engine pulls well, I would be okay with buying it. However a specialist stamp is worth a bit more money. Not a disaster by any stretch in my opinion, but expect some money knocked off for it.
TameRacingDriver said:
I'm afraid if I was buying one now, I'd need to see the cambelt had been done at a specialist too. Mine wasn't, they cut corners, and I ended up paying the price. Never again.
Absolutely this, mine has been done twice now and I made sure that I got it done by a Renault Technician using Renault parts and Renault tools. Probably going to sell mine in the next few months though.RenOHH said:
I kind of see what sir dave means, but I think that's a typical cliosport.net response (where the specialists are worshipped) that actually isn't as bad as it sounds. With proof of it being done and if the engine pulls well, I would be okay with buying it. However a specialist stamp is worth a bit more money. Not a disaster by any stretch in my opinion, but expect some money knocked off for it.
Yeah, I agree with this, as I said below I'd be reluctant to take one not done from a specialist, but that's just knowing how temperamental these cars can be when corners are cut, but the fact they make such a song and dance about it on CS.net just adds fuel to the fire, whether rational or not. Though to be fair, I've always felt they also talked down the value of their own cars, at times.RenOHH said:
I kind of see what sir dave means, but I think that's a typical cliosport.net response (where the specialists are worshipped) that actually isn't as bad as it sounds. With proof of it being done and if the engine pulls well, I would be okay with buying it. However a specialist stamp is worth a bit more money. Not a disaster by any stretch in my opinion, but expect some money knocked off for it.
Yes, it is the typical CS response, mainly as well its 99% true ...I bought a Trophy recently for a trackday, fresh engine rebuild from a 'specialist' on cliosport, who actually come recommended from one of the largest NE based Renault breakers. I then had it rolling roaded at SRR just to see everything was ok prior to tracking it. It produced 163bhp, well below what you would expect, but it drove ok, no worse than any of the other 10 1*2's ive had in fact.
After the trackday i sold it to another chap to build into a trackcar and he took it to Fred @ BTM for a healthcheck (widely known as the best chap, no bulls
t, etc):Fred said:
Cam timing is out and whichever monkey worked on it previously has f**ked the inlet cam by hammering the horseshoe in
Car now needs a new cam, & another cambelt/aux belt change. If the so called specialists can bugger it up, imagine what normal garages can do, especially if they are following the autodata info - which incidently is still partly incorrect iirc.
Edited by Sir_Dave on Tuesday 16th April 12:43
TameRacingDriver said:
Yeah, I agree with this, as I said below I'd be reluctant to take one not done from a specialist, but that's just knowing how temperamental these cars can be when corners are cut, but the fact they make such a song and dance about it on CS.net just adds fuel to the fire, whether rational or not. Though to be fair, I've always felt they also talked down the value of their own cars, at times.
Indeed. The cs.net prices are quite a bit lower than ph/autotrader because people expect very well looked after cars due to the calibre of some of the minters that come up from time to time. To any non cs member the above cambelt 'issue' is not really an issue.Sir_Dave said:
Yes, it is the typical CS response, mainly as well its 99% true ...
I bought a Trophy recently for a trackday, fresh engine rebuild from a 'specialist' on cliosport, who actually come recommended from one of the largest NE based Renault breakers. I then had it rolling roaded at SRR just to see everything was ok prior to tracking it. It produced 163bhp, well below what you would expect, but it drove ok, no worse than any of the other 10 1*2's ive had in fact.
After the trackday i sold it to another chap to build into a trackcar and he took it to Fred @ BTM for a healthcheck (widely known as the best chap, no bullst, etc):
Cam timing is out and whichever monkey worked on it previously has f**ked the inlet cam by hammering the horseshoe in.
Car now needs a new cam, & another cambelt/aux belt change.
If the so called specialists can bugger it up, imagine what normal garages can do, especially if they are following the autodata info - which incidently is still partly incorrect iirc.
I'm well aware of who the 'best' are. I use cs.net a lot. I am only being devils advocate. All you've proven is that anyone can fI bought a Trophy recently for a trackday, fresh engine rebuild from a 'specialist' on cliosport, who actually come recommended from one of the largest NE based Renault breakers. I then had it rolling roaded at SRR just to see everything was ok prior to tracking it. It produced 163bhp, well below what you would expect, but it drove ok, no worse than any of the other 10 1*2's ive had in fact.
After the trackday i sold it to another chap to build into a trackcar and he took it to Fred @ BTM for a healthcheck (widely known as the best chap, no bulls
t, etc):Cam timing is out and whichever monkey worked on it previously has f**ked the inlet cam by hammering the horseshoe in.
Car now needs a new cam, & another cambelt/aux belt change.
If the so called specialists can bugger it up, imagine what normal garages can do, especially if they are following the autodata info - which incidently is still partly incorrect iirc.
k up one of these engines, you said it yourself - a specialist messed up your engine.ETA: I only use Fred or Mick for my car, all Im saying is that a cambelt from a non-specialist who has the right locking tools is not a disaster, not always.
Edited by RenOHH on Tuesday 16th April 12:51
RenOHH said:
I'm well aware of who the so called 'best' are. I use cs.net a lot. I am only being devils advocate. All you've proven is that anyone can fk up one of these engines, you said it yourself - a specialist messed up your engine.
lol. I wouldnt be so daft as to let anyone touch my engine that wasnt a friend with the correct knowledge k up one of these engines, you said it yourself - a specialist messed up your engine.
Was the northener that i bought it from that got diddled by DaddyDayCare in Doncaster ... you know whats what as you use BTM and Mick youself lol.Appreciate you being Devil's advocate though. You are indeed correct, anyone can f*ck up an F4R, i used to love it when NW Performance were around, loads of cambelt snappers to break
Sir_Dave said:
lol. I wouldnt be so daft as to let anyone touch my engine that wasnt a friend with the correct knowledge Was the northener that i bought it from that got diddled by DaddyDayCare in Doncaster ... you know whats what as you use BTM and Mick youself lol.
Appreciate you being Devil's advocate though. You are indeed correct, anyone can f*ck up an F4R, i used to love it when NW Performance were around, loads of cambelt snappers to break
Hmm would 'daddydaycare' be a specialist too? Was the northener that i bought it from that got diddled by DaddyDayCare in Doncaster ... you know whats what as you use BTM and Mick youself lol.Appreciate you being Devil's advocate though. You are indeed correct, anyone can f*ck up an F4R, i used to love it when NW Performance were around, loads of cambelt snappers to break
You're right, I won't go anywhere else but a specialist with mine. But its not always going to end badly. A bad garage is a bad garage, no one should be taking a hammer to a cam!
Is there any way I can get my local garage's work checked by a 172 guru? Also, would a written guarantee from him be of any value? Thinking about that, I suppose no one can guarantee not to over rev on a track day, so I suppose I'm grasping at straws here.
Short of going over there and grilling the technician on his own work, I'm not sure what I can do?
Short of going over there and grilling the technician on his own work, I'm not sure what I can do?
normal bloke said:
Is there any way I can get my local garage's work checked by a 172 guru? Also, would a written guarantee from him be of any value? Thinking about that, I suppose no one can guarantee not to over rev on a track day, so I suppose I'm grasping at straws here.
Short of going over there and grilling the technician on his own work, I'm not sure what I can do?
To be perfectly honest, as has been said, 99% of the buying public wont know any better anyway! The fact that the work has been done recently, with receipts/invoices will be enough for most Short of going over there and grilling the technician on his own work, I'm not sure what I can do?
Although being in Bedford, Danny at 519 Automotive would be able to check the timing for you at least. Is a timing check relatively simple SD? Cam cover off and whack the horse shoe in? If it is, I would definitely get it checked and see if 519 will do a little note on some headed paper for the price of a 1/2 hrs labour. Having said that, guaranteeing someone elses work may be a problem for any mechanic...
If my responses earlier seemed abrupt it was because I was on my phone.
If my responses earlier seemed abrupt it was because I was on my phone.
RenOHH said:
Is a timing check relatively simple SD? Cam cover off and whack the horse shoe in? If it is, I would definitely get it checked and see if 519 will do a little note on some headed paper for the price of a 1/2 hrs labour. Having said that, guaranteeing someone elses work may be a problem for any mechanic...
If my responses earlier seemed abrupt it was because I was on my phone.
Yeah, its pretty simple as far as im aware, most specialists will do it for a small fee If my responses earlier seemed abrupt it was because I was on my phone.
I remember when James Stone (when at JMS) checked my 1st Trophy's, was wrong from the factory!!
Nice one Renault
One thing to mind is that despite its size it's not a great car for driving around the city. The steering circle is way bigger than one might expect. Suppose it's due to a big engine and wheels.
The clutch is rather heavy and the steering is too, at least the hydraulically power-assisted one in my 172, not sure about electric on 182.
For motorway it would benefit from a 6th gear as at 70mph its revving at 3500rpm. It's not overly thirsty but a 6th would definitely help.
Otherwise it's a great car.
The clutch is rather heavy and the steering is too, at least the hydraulically power-assisted one in my 172, not sure about electric on 182.
For motorway it would benefit from a 6th gear as at 70mph its revving at 3500rpm. It's not overly thirsty but a 6th would definitely help.
Otherwise it's a great car.
Bump again. Been looking on and off for one for about 18 months, when by accident I found this black gold 2005 FF very cheaply, the previous owner had started to turn it into a track car.
It came with new discs and pads all round, Eibach springs ( very hard ) on its original shocks ( will replace the shocks ) a full de cat, inc headers, plus a recent service. It's had wheel spacers too and seems to be running quite a bit of rear negative camber.
Front tyres are Kumho with a pair of near new obscure unmatched budgets on the rear. ( planning on trying some Uniroyal Rain Sports on it )
A lot of the interior trim had been removed and binned, but I've managed to source most of this and am now re fitting it.
It handles superbly and is deffo a " Superb Drivers Car " ( like my 3 early 911s were )
It feels slow verses the R1, Griff and E46 M3 etc, but down my fave lanes, few other cars could get away from it, I reckon.
It came with new discs and pads all round, Eibach springs ( very hard ) on its original shocks ( will replace the shocks ) a full de cat, inc headers, plus a recent service. It's had wheel spacers too and seems to be running quite a bit of rear negative camber.
Front tyres are Kumho with a pair of near new obscure unmatched budgets on the rear. ( planning on trying some Uniroyal Rain Sports on it )
A lot of the interior trim had been removed and binned, but I've managed to source most of this and am now re fitting it.
It handles superbly and is deffo a " Superb Drivers Car " ( like my 3 early 911s were )
It feels slow verses the R1, Griff and E46 M3 etc, but down my fave lanes, few other cars could get away from it, I reckon.
Edited by neutral 3 on Tuesday 22 October 13:05
Edited by neutral 3 on Wednesday 23 October 01:45
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