Clio 197, what to watch for?

[finmac]

Thinking of a Hot Hatch run around for winter and someone recommended one of these.

What to watch for when buying/owner experiences?

[David87]

Have a look over on renaultsport.co.uk - the forum is pretty good. I'd avoid the early cars (anything pre-R27) as these had a different gearbox ratio and no option of the Cup chassis. The R27 special editions are nice, but cost a little more than a 'normal' 197 and the Cup version is cheaper but less well specced. Seem pretty reliable on the whole, although they are well known to be lumpy and generally lethargic when cold. I liked mine, but if you can afford it the 200 is a big step forward in almost every area, while a 172/182 is more fun.

[bigfatnick]

my mate had one that i used to use a lot.

The post above says about the gear ratio and cup chassis, well this one had neither and yes, it was a bit revvy on the motorway but it is honestly one of my all time fave cars. Everything about it was brilliant, especially the fact that at 6.3 and 20 stone i could get the driving position just right, and even get in it with a helmet. (none recaros)

I dont even feel it needed the cup suspension, not on uk roads, maybe on track or nice smooth foreign roads but i found that thing to be as near as possible to perfect on uk B roads.

I liked it so much that its on my lottery wishlist as shopping car/every day car, albeit with maybe a slightly frutier exhaust.

Edited by bigfatnick on Saturday 25th September 09:05

[jackal]

if its anything like the 172 then worn driveshafts and loose exhaust hangars/clips which make the centre box bang against the subframe on hard acceleration (easy to fix)

[John D.]

10yr old 172 in your rear view mirror

[MrGman]

John D. said:

10yr old 172 in your rear view mirror

[David87]

The 200 is a fast car on a track; much faster than a 172 or 182, but the old ones are every bit as quick in a straight line and are possibly more fun on the whole I'd say.

[CatherineJ]

If buying one with recaro seats, make sure the foam in the bolsters is in the right place. The recaros are prone to wearing on the seat edge. However ours in 16,000 miles never wore through, but the foam had certainly shifted/broken away under the seat cover and you could feel the frame.

[Defcon5]

CatherineJ said:

If buying one with recaro seats, make sure the foam in the bolsters is in the right place. The recaros are prone to wearing on the seat edge. However ours in 16,000 miles never wore through, but the foam had certainly shifted/broken away under the seat cover and you could feel the frame.

The foam had broken up in 16000 miles? Shocking quality

[irish boy]

blame recaro not renault. tho they will replace them if they do wear badly in the first 3 years.

[CatherineJ]

Defcon5 said:

CatherineJ said:

If buying one with recaro seats, make sure the foam in the bolsters is in the right place. The recaros are prone to wearing on the seat edge. However ours in 16,000 miles never wore through, but the foam had certainly shifted/broken away under the seat cover and you could feel the frame.

The foam had broken up in 16000 miles? Shocking quality

We felt lucky, there were people on the renaultsport website having new seats replaced at 4,000 miles.

[CatherineJ]

Also don't forget that the cars had changes mid production run to their gearbox. We had a 2007 euro import with the original box and a 2008 UK car with the longer 6th ratio.

The 2nd car just wasn't as quick and I have to say there was no change to the fuel economy nor really the noise at motorway speeds.

Have to say though they are a very good car.

[finmac]

irish boy said:

blame recaro not renault. tho they will replace them if they do wear badly in the first 3 years.

Whats doing in Belfast today then Si?!

Thanks for the Renault Sport link, will check it out.

Do they take mileage OK?

Edited by finmac on Saturday 25th September 12:05

[irish boy]

finmac said:

irish boy said:

blame recaro not renault. tho they will replace them if they do wear badly in the first 3 years.

Whats doing in Belfast today then Si?!

Thanks for the Renault Sport link, will check it out.

Do they take mileage OK?

Edited by finmac on Saturday 25th September 12:05

all good!!

yeah i've had a couple of higher miles 182's which are much the same engine and they have all been great!

[jackal]

again, if its like the 172 then they eat engine mounts at a staggering rate

[MondeoMan1981]

What are the 172 / 182's like at higher miles ?

There are a few coming along with 75k> on the clock and at very good prices.

The main thing being the belts, if they have been done every 36k then all should be good ?

Had a Y plate Clio 1.2 brand new 9 years ago and for something small and slow it was a nice drive. Arguably better fun than the 2002 206 I drive at the moment!

[David87]

The engines seem very reliable. I'm aware of a few 182s that are approaching the 200k mark and haven't had any major faults...

[Slagathore]

Fuel economy isn't very good, but that's just about it!

Other than that, they're great!!

[John D.]

David87 said:

The engines seem very reliable. I'm aware of a few 182s that are approaching the 200k mark and haven't had any major faults...

Engine fine. Gearboxes bit iffy. Mine broke around 70k. Friend of mine had a similar failure with his on around 100k iirc. Both 172s were used properly Apart from that mine soaked up anything I threw at it. Great car.

[CatherineJ]

John D. said:

David87 said:

The engines seem very reliable. I'm aware of a few 182s that are approaching the 200k mark and haven't had any major faults...

Engine fine. Gearboxes bit iffy. Mine broke around 70k. Friend of mine had a similar failure with his on around 100k iirc. Both 172s were used properly Apart from that mine soaked up anything I threw at it. Great car.

Now you say that, I remember a chap from Bristol who had a car like us from Motorpoint. His gearbox packed up in the first year and it was replaced with a box that had the longer 6th ratio.