RE: Clio Renaultsport: Market Watch
Discussion
TheJimi said:
I'd love a Renultsport Clio, I really would.
I just can't be arsed with the unreliablity aspect and I don't believe the aspect is internet hysteria either.
Shame really.
Please explain. Had my 172 Cup for almost 5yrs, it's never broken down & the only fault it's had is a mis-fire due to a leaking cam cover which is a common fault (on other cars too!). Well, the diff blew but I was hillclimbing it at the time & the exhausts are made of chocolate as are the lower gearbox mounts. The rear shocks will leak eventually but hardly a biggy, essentially they can be very reliable (& economical) little cars that are great fun.I just can't be arsed with the unreliablity aspect and I don't believe the aspect is internet hysteria either.
Shame really.
I run it alongside my 996 & it's one of the best cars I've ever owned (wouldn't want it as an only car mind).
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Tuesday 20th January 12:55
Had loads of them, 172, Trophy (x2), 200, V6. Brilliant cars, all different but certainly get under your skin.
Never had any reliability problems, the clutch went on the V6 which was a hefty £1k bill, but all the rest was juts regular servicing and consumables. Obviously if you don't look after them they can start going wrong, what a surprise...
My favourite? Hard to say. The V6 (phase 2) was such an occasion to drive and pootle around in, but the Trophy is such a great hoon to aim at a b road. The 200 was a bit more grown up, but not by much. Probably a slightly better all rounder and less raw.
Next up is a Phase 1 V6 to go alongside my Trophy. I think the Phase 1 looks better than the phase 2, and though it may not drive as well, you probably won't notice that much unless nearing the limits (this is a guess, not driven a phase 1).
Never had any reliability problems, the clutch went on the V6 which was a hefty £1k bill, but all the rest was juts regular servicing and consumables. Obviously if you don't look after them they can start going wrong, what a surprise...
My favourite? Hard to say. The V6 (phase 2) was such an occasion to drive and pootle around in, but the Trophy is such a great hoon to aim at a b road. The 200 was a bit more grown up, but not by much. Probably a slightly better all rounder and less raw.
Next up is a Phase 1 V6 to go alongside my Trophy. I think the Phase 1 looks better than the phase 2, and though it may not drive as well, you probably won't notice that much unless nearing the limits (this is a guess, not driven a phase 1).
My wife's got a peach of a low miles R27, yes it's had it's typical French niggles but it's such a wicked little fun car to drive. Just don't take it on the motorway, or at least wear earplugs if you're doing over 75-80mph.
It's fine pottering around town, although very bumpy on a crap surface. We actually changed our suspension to H&R's so it's even worse than standard. Keep it on the boil on some decent twisties though and that's where the whole car makes sense.
Couple of pics:
It's fine pottering around town, although very bumpy on a crap surface. We actually changed our suspension to H&R's so it's even worse than standard. Keep it on the boil on some decent twisties though and that's where the whole car makes sense.
Couple of pics:
LordHaveMurci said:
Please explain. Had my 172 Cup for almost 5yrs, it's never broken down & the only fault it's had is a mis-fire due to a leaking cam cover which is a common fault (on other cars too!).
Run it alongside my 996 & it's one of the best cars I've ever owned (wouldn't want it as an only car mind).
Mine's the only car that's caused me to use my RAC membership ever.Run it alongside my 996 & it's one of the best cars I've ever owned (wouldn't want it as an only car mind).
Since March:
Clutch explosion (25k miles on it)
Brake pad fell out
Rear bearing failed spontaneously
Speed sensor failed
Dodgy wiring for airbag throwing warning light
Failing to start at random intervals
Key losing ability to lock/unlock, 160 miles from home
Cam cover leak developed
Grumpy idle that seemingly can't be cured
Alarm deciding to sound whilst driving along (as well as randomly going off after unlocking car)
Half of HRW deciding to give up
And this was on a car on 67k, with a massive stack of history from reputable places, and a lot of recent work. However, nothing's really broken for the last month, so hopefully that's all the niggles sorted. But it's skewed my like. I loved it on the test drive, and love it when it works, I just hate how infrequently that appears to be. When lots of small things happen one after another it tarnishes your opinion.
I think a lot of the posts on here along the lines of 'they have niggles, but they get under your skin' are very telling - they read as 'To be honest they're a bit unreliable, and often slightly s
t, but I love the way they drive, so I can forgive that'. I know this because it's exactly how I talk about RX7 ownership...Edited by FD3Si on Tuesday 20th January 13:01
FD3Si said:
Mine's the only car that's caused me to use my RAC membership ever.
Funny isn't it, my 996 is only the 2nd car in almost 20yrs to trouble my breakdown membership (twice)!Edited by FD3Si on Tuesday 20th January 13:01
To be fair, it sounds like you have a friday afternoon car there, they are not all that bad, honest!
Loudy McFatass said:
Chaps, how does the performance aspect and mpg compare with these cars to an EP3 Civic type r? Which seemingly now appear to be quite cheap as well now.
Interesting article on that very question herehttp://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Had my 'Full Fat' 182 for nearly a year now.
The car has cost almost the purchase price to put right and get to where it is now. Things done in my ownership include:
Required:
-Gearbox rebuild
-New clutch
-Aux Belt / Dephaser change (I knew this had to be done)
-Rear shocks
Mods:
-New discs
-New Pads
-New Exhaust
It is an awesome little car, I love it to bits. I keep thinking about getting shot of it and moving on to a Mitsubishi Evo of Impreza but I've put too much into it to let it go and I am not sure I would get the same levels of fun out of another car as I only really use it at the weekends...
My advice: buy from an enthusiast site or someone that has looked after the car and buy a car that's had all the work done with receipts to prove. The belts are a £600 job, and the gearboxes are made of chocolate. If you can get you head around that, don't be put off - since doing the above work on mine it really has turned into a belter of a car. Everyone should experience one!
The car has cost almost the purchase price to put right and get to where it is now. Things done in my ownership include:
Required:
-Gearbox rebuild
-New clutch
-Aux Belt / Dephaser change (I knew this had to be done)
-Rear shocks
Mods:
-New discs
-New Pads
-New Exhaust
It is an awesome little car, I love it to bits. I keep thinking about getting shot of it and moving on to a Mitsubishi Evo of Impreza but I've put too much into it to let it go and I am not sure I would get the same levels of fun out of another car as I only really use it at the weekends...
My advice: buy from an enthusiast site or someone that has looked after the car and buy a car that's had all the work done with receipts to prove. The belts are a £600 job, and the gearboxes are made of chocolate. If you can get you head around that, don't be put off - since doing the above work on mine it really has turned into a belter of a car. Everyone should experience one!
My (almost) full service history 172 cup just died an early death.
Hit something on the road which split the AUX belt, wrecking the engine.... currently sitting on my drive awaiting a new engine.
Bad design not necessarily reliability though I guess.
Can't fault the way the car drives though. The 172 cups are much faster in the real world than the numbers suggest!
Edit: Just to add, I think I'm beginning to become a Renault fan-boy though. Already want to buy my third!
Hit something on the road which split the AUX belt, wrecking the engine.... currently sitting on my drive awaiting a new engine.
Bad design not necessarily reliability though I guess.
Can't fault the way the car drives though. The 172 cups are much faster in the real world than the numbers suggest!
Edit: Just to add, I think I'm beginning to become a Renault fan-boy though. Already want to buy my third!
I'm thinking of selling my 2003 Renault Clio 172 Cup. It's blue, 80k miles, a little tatty with a scuff on the front and back bumpers and a few issues here and there, but with the original Speedline wheels just refurbished and new tyres fitted and just serviced. I'm wondering what it's worth.... much more than £1,000?
Love reading all the usual bullst "oh the trim falls off".... "they're unreliable" bla bla... The F4R unit is one very tough engine if looked after properly. Granted the Clio's are not the best built cars in their class but they've got so much character about them. You need to keep the revs above 4.5k to get the best from the engine but that's the point of a hot hatch isn't it ? changing gear at the point where the valves are dancing on the bonnet.
They're not for everyone but anyone who says they understeer are clearly a full blown retard or just can't drive. The agility these cars have in the bends is quite amazing.
Had my 197 Cup since April '14 and wanted a RenaultSport Clio since the launch of the 172. Can't ever see me getting bored of it, not that quick in comparison so the new turbo era of hot hatches with their tuning potential but so much fun on a B Road. Wouldn't mind a 172 Cup at some point to go alongside the 197.
t "oh the trim falls off".... "they're unreliable" bla bla... The F4R unit is one very tough engine if looked after properly. Granted the Clio's are not the best built cars in their class but they've got so much character about them. You need to keep the revs above 4.5k to get the best from the engine but that's the point of a hot hatch isn't it ? changing gear at the point where the valves are dancing on the bonnet. They're not for everyone but anyone who says they understeer are clearly a full blown retard or just can't drive. The agility these cars have in the bends is quite amazing.
Had my 197 Cup since April '14 and wanted a RenaultSport Clio since the launch of the 172. Can't ever see me getting bored of it, not that quick in comparison so the new turbo era of hot hatches with their tuning potential but so much fun on a B Road. Wouldn't mind a 172 Cup at some point to go alongside the 197.
wasswole said:
Loudy McFatass said:
Which are generally deemed more reliable? The 172 or 182?
The double exhaust on the 182 rusts, and I think cam/aux belt changes are slightly more expensive.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff