2010 Renault Clio sport 2.0 vvt 197bhp
Discussion
Reliability wise they are pretty solid really, the main issues to look out for are:
Bottom ball joint wear, listen for nasty screeching noises if steering when stationary. The cars are particularly prone to failure on these due to the Perfohub system, a dealer will charge ~£600 to replace both sides but specialists can do it for much less if they change just the joints and not the full hub assembly.
Manifold flexi sections are a common failure and can lead to blowing from this area, due to too much engine movement. A cheap and easy preventative measure is to fit Powerflex engine mount inserts to stiffen it up, but this will increase vibrations in the cabin slightly. New manifolds will be dear as they are a pig to fit.
Drain points under the scuttle panel are well known for blocking up with crap and need to be cleaned out occasionally, not a big job but a bit of a faff. If these aren't done then the water can't drain and you'll get soggy carpets plus it can kill the wiper motors.
Cars fitted with the optional Recaro front seats will likely have wear on the drivers bolster, these can be retrimmed by an upholsterer but it isn't particularly cheap.
If buying one that's been modified even slightly on the breathing side then look for a flatspot when driving particularly at lower revs. The only way to get rid of this is either a remap or put it back to standard.
The steering wheels faux leather coating is woeful. They will all peel over time and go nasty, best course of action is to replace with a refurbished one from the likes of Royal Steering Wheels, fitting a new OEM item will just cost you more and the problem will come up again after a few years.
Bottom ball joint wear, listen for nasty screeching noises if steering when stationary. The cars are particularly prone to failure on these due to the Perfohub system, a dealer will charge ~£600 to replace both sides but specialists can do it for much less if they change just the joints and not the full hub assembly.
Manifold flexi sections are a common failure and can lead to blowing from this area, due to too much engine movement. A cheap and easy preventative measure is to fit Powerflex engine mount inserts to stiffen it up, but this will increase vibrations in the cabin slightly. New manifolds will be dear as they are a pig to fit.
Drain points under the scuttle panel are well known for blocking up with crap and need to be cleaned out occasionally, not a big job but a bit of a faff. If these aren't done then the water can't drain and you'll get soggy carpets plus it can kill the wiper motors.
Cars fitted with the optional Recaro front seats will likely have wear on the drivers bolster, these can be retrimmed by an upholsterer but it isn't particularly cheap.
If buying one that's been modified even slightly on the breathing side then look for a flatspot when driving particularly at lower revs. The only way to get rid of this is either a remap or put it back to standard.
The steering wheels faux leather coating is woeful. They will all peel over time and go nasty, best course of action is to replace with a refurbished one from the likes of Royal Steering Wheels, fitting a new OEM item will just cost you more and the problem will come up again after a few years.
Edited by ezi on Saturday 24th December 18:03
It really depends what you're looking for out of a car.
If you buy a full fat car then it comes with Cruise Control, Climate Control, auto lights and auto wipers so they aren't exactly intolerable interiors by French hatchback standards and are pretty well screwed together - mine's a 2010 200 Cup and has no interior rattles after 45k miles.
They aren't the fastest in a straight line but do accelerate very well for what they are as the gearing is spot on. If you get one with the Cup pack then you'll be buying what is probably the best handling FWD hatchback ever made but don't expect to be winning many drag races.
If you can, stretch your money to a 200 with the Cup pack as this is the best one to have. The main changes over the 197 are that they have a slightly different gear ratios and a quicker steering rack. It also comes with a better looking rear diffuser and a revised front but this is a love it or hate it change. They are also more desirable due to being the last manual N/A Clio.
Forgot to add a major thing to look out for on my previous post which is the gearbox. Look for crunching when changing gears are higher revs particularly from 3rd-4th as the synchro's are made out of the finest French cheese.
If you buy a full fat car then it comes with Cruise Control, Climate Control, auto lights and auto wipers so they aren't exactly intolerable interiors by French hatchback standards and are pretty well screwed together - mine's a 2010 200 Cup and has no interior rattles after 45k miles.
They aren't the fastest in a straight line but do accelerate very well for what they are as the gearing is spot on. If you get one with the Cup pack then you'll be buying what is probably the best handling FWD hatchback ever made but don't expect to be winning many drag races.
If you can, stretch your money to a 200 with the Cup pack as this is the best one to have. The main changes over the 197 are that they have a slightly different gear ratios and a quicker steering rack. It also comes with a better looking rear diffuser and a revised front but this is a love it or hate it change. They are also more desirable due to being the last manual N/A Clio.
Forgot to add a major thing to look out for on my previous post which is the gearbox. Look for crunching when changing gears are higher revs particularly from 3rd-4th as the synchro's are made out of the finest French cheese.
Of course there are better cars (to drive) for the money. Depends whether you can live with a sports car or not.
The 197 was not the most highly regarded RenaultSport Clio model around. Usually, they introduce a model, then refine it until they end up with the "finished" product - in this case, the Clio 200.
£5K might (haven't checked) get you into a 182 Trophy which would be a much better drive. If not you might find a Clio 172 Cup for less and that's still a great car and just under a ton in weight too.
Civic Type-R is well do-able. You might even just about stretch to a DC2.
Or there's the MR2, MX5 etc. Depends whether you need the practicality.
The 197 was not the most highly regarded RenaultSport Clio model around. Usually, they introduce a model, then refine it until they end up with the "finished" product - in this case, the Clio 200.
£5K might (haven't checked) get you into a 182 Trophy which would be a much better drive. If not you might find a Clio 172 Cup for less and that's still a great car and just under a ton in weight too.
Civic Type-R is well do-able. You might even just about stretch to a DC2.
Or there's the MR2, MX5 etc. Depends whether you need the practicality.
I checked out 197s a few months ago. Im 22 they where wanting £440 in insurance, which really isn't to bad. I ended up going for the 'other' one (Pug 207 GTi) simply because my budget was a wee bit less than yours and I hated the look of the 182/172. Its pretty much the same in insurance.
Good luck with the car, small affordable hot hatches are what the french do best
Good luck with the car, small affordable hot hatches are what the french do best
DS197 said:
EV1owner said:
Ahhh cheers I'm 20 so hopefully isn't too different
Depends on where you live mate, at 20 I paid north of £2000The cambelt service is due at 6 years on the 200 and is a big job - I think ours was about £700 at a specialist. So if looking at 2010/11 cars make sure you have proof of this being done. Clio RSs have always had a bad rep for disintegrating belts which will kill the engine.
The only problem we had with ours was the kangarooing engine which they all seem to do when cold - it just makes you look like a learner driver when pulling away, but nothing to worry about, just dodgy french engine management.
The only problem we had with ours was the kangarooing engine which they all seem to do when cold - it just makes you look like a learner driver when pulling away, but nothing to worry about, just dodgy french engine management.
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