Renaultsport Clio 200 Silverstone GP

[ben lee]

Bought a couple of weeks ago from a friend who has previously mentioned the car on here. It's a limited edition Renaultsport Clio, No.13 of 50. As the title suggests it's a Silverstone GP edition and gets all the bells and whistles fitted to it including the all important Recaro seats!

I bought this car for 2 reasons. Firstly I'd been looking at changing my old car (Toyota Aygo) for some time and wanted some sort of hot hatch. I looked at and test drove a few different cars including the very impressive Fiesta ST, which I liked a lot but couldn't quite stretch to finance one. I'd been looking at RS Clios before and very much liked what was my friends car at the time so when I heard he was selling it I was straight around to discuss buying it from him. My second reason for buying this particular car is that I have spent a lot of time in the passenger seat of it and knew that it had been kept in excellent condition and had been well looked after. Long story short I bought it from him at what I thought was a very good price and have not looked back since!

Anyway enough of my ramblings, pictures!









Thanks for reading

Edited by ben lee on Saturday 19th April 20:31

[Tree200]

Lovely example mate, great little cars! Got any plan for it?

[ben lee]

Tree200 said:

Lovely example mate, great little cars! Got any plan for it?

Cheers, I'm very happy with it!

At some point I'd like to get the Recaros retrimmed as the side bolsters are starting to wear, especially the drivers side. I'm thinking about doing a track day with it too, but apart from that I'm just enjoying driving it. It's everything I wanted and more so its definitely going to be a long term keeper.

[Tree200]

If it's still in warranty I would give Renault UK a call about the Recaros as it's a common occurance in these. Also pop over to clio197.net for some more info if you havnt done already

[ben lee]

I'm currently dealing with Renault UK over a issue of condensation build up in one of the headlights. They seem very helpful and I have mentioned the seat to them to see what they can do. Unfortunately the Renault garages near me are less than useful and don't seem to want to help out, so I'm a bit stuck unless I start going to dealers further a field.

I''ve signed up to 197.net, found some useful info already, cheers!

[Layacable]

Love these, i'd put £20 on these being an appreciating classic in 10 to 15 years time, just like the 5 turbo.

Esspecially as yours is one of 50.

Cherish it OP!

[Polarbert]

Looks lovely.

Isn't the manufacturers warranty valid until September 2014? A 61 plate car would be Sept '11 wouldn't it? Or are the bds trying to claim 'wear and tear' ?

[ben lee]

Polarbert said:

Looks lovely.

Isn't the manufacturers warranty valid until September 2014? A 61 plate car would be Sept '11 wouldn't it? Or are the bds trying to claim 'wear and tear' ?

Cheer! Warranty is valid until December 2014. Car wasn't registered until December '11. Yes they are trying to put it down as wear and tear even though they have had numerous complaints about the exact same thing and know its a common fault.

[Polarbert]

Thought as much. Its absolutely disgusting they can get away with that. They did the same thing with my Clio 182 steering wheel. They used some sort of fake plastic rubbery leather for the wheel and it melted. Widely known fault. Oh wear and tear sir. You can pay to have a new wheel and then submit a warranty claim, but there is no chance it will be approved. Ended up getting the steering wheel retrimmed for less than half the cost.

[ben lee]

Polarbert said:

Thought as much. Its absolutely disgusting they can get away with that. They did the same thing with my Clio 182 steering wheel. They used some sort of fake plastic rubbery leather for the wheel and it melted. Widely known fault. Oh wear and tear sir. You can pay to have a new wheel and then submit a warranty claim, but there is no chance it will be approved. Ended up getting the steering wheel retrimmed for less than half the cost.

I'm currently looking at getting them retrimmed, though they're not that far gone yet to warrant that kind of expense. More than annoyed with Renault not owning up to it being a common fault and replacing them though. I've got a similar issue which I've raised with them regarding condensation build up on a headlight and they're coming out with every excuse in the book as to why they can't/won't replace it under warranty.

[MuZiZZle]

wow, that dash!

I love these, in stock form they are very quick on track, but wow, that's some serious dashboard going on.

I know it's all about the driving, but still!

[Lubermans]

Really nice car OP; great colour and love those recaro seats. We almost bought a 200 Silverstone GP last year from a main dealer shortly before buying a standard 200 with cup chassis but unfortunately they were asking almost as much as a brand new model!

[TB Rich]

ben lee said:

Polarbert said:

Thought as much. Its absolutely disgusting they can get away with that. They did the same thing with my Clio 182 steering wheel. They used some sort of fake plastic rubbery leather for the wheel and it melted. Widely known fault. Oh wear and tear sir. You can pay to have a new wheel and then submit a warranty claim, but there is no chance it will be approved. Ended up getting the steering wheel retrimmed for less than half the cost.

I'm currently looking at getting them retrimmed, though they're not that far gone yet to warrant that kind of expense. More than annoyed with Renault not owning up to it being a common fault and replacing them though. I've got a similar issue which I've raised with them regarding condensation build up on a headlight and they're coming out with every excuse in the book as to why they can't/won't replace it under warranty.

I feel your pain dealing with Renault, it's an all too familair story I'm afraid. Regarding the condensation issue not heard of it being a common one specific to 200's, however it's an issue that is common on GT86's and Toyota replace with no quibble - why Renault should be any different is beyond me.

Good choice of car none the less, just be prepared to invest to keep it running well

[Tickle]

Nice car OP, Im coming up to two years in my 200 cup, still loving it and its been faultless. I've not had any wear on my Recaros, I do use a capital-seating cover on my drivers seat most of the time though.
Not sure if it helps but I have always slid my seats fully back when getting in and out in any car I've owned with high seat bolsters; including the passenger seat. It seems to stop any rubbing on the high spots when getting in/out.
My headlights sometime get a little misty when washing with warm water in the colder months, but it disperses pretty quick. Never heard of permanent condensation. My headlights are different though to yours though as mine is the cup spec 200.

Look after it and it will see you right, great cars.

[melvster]

Lovely looking 200, they are such a hoot on the right road.

[ben lee]

TB Rich said:

I feel your pain dealing with Renault, it's an all too familiar story I'm afraid. Regarding the condensation issue not heard of it being a common one specific to 200's, however it's an issue that is common on GT86's and Toyota replace with no quibble - why Renault should be any different is beyond me.

Good choice of car none the less, just be prepared to invest to keep it running well

Had similar problems with my old car which was a Toyota and they replaced the lights with no hesitation at all. I've had the same thought about Renault.

Cheers, yes definitely in at the deep end with this one, especially as it seems to enjoy its go juice far too much!

[ben lee]

Tickle said:

Nice car OP, Im coming up to two years in my 200 cup, still loving it and its been faultless. I've not had any wear on my Recaros, I do use a capital-seating cover on my drivers seat most of the time though.
Not sure if it helps but I have always slid my seats fully back when getting in and out in any car I've owned with high seat bolsters; including the passenger seat. It seems to stop any rubbing on the high spots when getting in/out.
My headlights sometime get a little misty when washing with warm water in the colder months, but it disperses pretty quick. Never heard of permanent condensation. My headlights are different though to yours though as mine is the cup spec 200.

Look after it and it will see you right, great cars.

melvster said:

Lovely looking 200, they are such a hoot on the right road.

Cheers Guys! My daily commute is a boring town drive so no where to really give it the beans, but it makes all the more enjoyable when I get out on the open road and can give it some. Such a weapon on the British B road. Wouldn't mind seeing what it's like on track.