RE: Renaultsport Twingo 133 | Shed of the Week

[fel71]

mikeyr said:

flashbang said:

Renault modus on steroids. Avoid at all costs unless you want to see parts dropping off the cheap wretched thing.

Will say that not had single issue with mine and everything 'feels' well screwed together (there's not much inside to go wrong!). Not seen much about them having many issues. I loved my previous clio 182 but it did feel more fragile and had lots of annoying electrical niggles. Be interested whether other actual owners have had many issues.

No issues here also, nothing falling off, cambelt was an expensive job, but not compared to a broken one.
At 'Shed' money now it's the bargain of the century, the chassis could handle about 10% more power without any more expensive mods.
I personally feel the chassis is almost as good as 197 cup and a much more of a modern drive than a 182.
Not sure why anyone would say it's not a proper RS Renault, it's a modern day Peugeot 205 GTI IMHO.

[poing]

I had no idea these were now this cheap. My Twingo is in the top 3 cars I most regret selling.

[anonymous-user]

mikeyr said:

Will say that not had single issue with mine and everything 'feels' well screwed together (there's not much inside to go wrong!). Not seen much about them having many issues. I loved my previous clio 182 but it did feel more fragile and had lots of annoying electrical niggles. Be interested whether other actual owners have had many issues.

My sister had one, I spent many a weekend trying to put it back together. The best bit was changing the headlamp bulb, had to take the front bumper off which was held on with self tappers. The same as the headlamp, self tapped into plastic. I was amused when her other half jammed a piece of cardboard under the unit to stop it moving around. The glove box strap fell off and the drivers window regulator died so you had to pull it up. And that's just off the top of my head.

[anonymous-user]

Birky_41 said:

Oh how funny...It definitely wasn't

I had a Modus expression company car - bloody horrible thing

I feel your pain sir.

[Feirny]

flashbang said:

mikeyr said:

Will say that not had single issue with mine and everything 'feels' well screwed together (there's not much inside to go wrong!). Not seen much about them having many issues. I loved my previous clio 182 but it did feel more fragile and had lots of annoying electrical niggles. Be interested whether other actual owners have had many issues.

My sister had one, I spent many a weekend trying to put it back together. The best bit was changing the headlamp bulb, had to take the front bumper off which was held on with self tappers. The same as the headlamp, self tapped into plastic. I was amused when her other half jammed a piece of cardboard under the unit to stop it moving around. The glove box strap fell off and the drivers window regulator died so you had to pull it up. And that's just off the top of my head.

If you had to take the bumper off a Twingo to fit a headlight bulb then you're mental. There's so much space there's no need to remove anything except the cover on the back of the headlight.

Edited by Feirny on Friday 13th September 19:58

[Noesph]

You don't need to take the bumper off to change the bulb (you don't need any tools at all). The headlights and bumper are all held on by torx screws, the headlights are bolted to the steel inner wings....

Edited by Noesph on Friday 13th September 19:53

[poppopbangbang]

We've had a Silverstone edition Twingo 133 since new. It's not on 60K miles having been mainly used as a run around, sighting car and general track day fun car. It's been totally reliable and has never failed to proceed when required.

I think it's brilliant. It's one of the last wheel in each corner, low ratios, small high revving NA motor hot hatches there is and it's brilliant for teaching momentum conservation in!

[mikeyr]

Sure it was the headlights Flashbang? I changed mine to better bulbs recently and it was an easy, fine minute open bonnet job?

Sounds like to one you knew had issues but general consensus so far is that they are fairly reliable. I could just have been lucky though!

[Sa Calobra]

Always wanted one of these.

Great ethos, small, light and nippy.

[anonymous-user]

My apologies guys, I was talking about a mk1 Modus. Horrible thing.

[soad]

SR said:

Prefer the original, shame they never came over here.

Twingo II, phase one? The original was ugly as sin, but at least the steering wheel looked better.

[Noesph]

I think he means these, MK1 1993 to 2007...

[mikeyr]

flashbang said:

My apologies guys, I was talking about a mk1 Modus. Horrible thing.

Ah, that makes more sense!

[B'stard Child]

Noesph said:

I think he means these, MK1 1993 to 2007...

I still think they were great looking little car ^ like a hot wash Espace

but then I thought the same about the s-car-go

[PorkFan]

I've just checked the weights....and a twingo 133 comes back as 1050kg, where as the first clio 182's come in at 1090kg.....makes the Twingo seem a bit heavy really for its size.

If i wanted a small cheap fast supermini I'd be looking at a Mitsubishi Colt CZT or Ralliart. 1045 kg, and a 150bhp turbo lump that can be taken to 200 and more fairly easily.

[Neilio1978]

I've had a fair few hot hatches over the years, had a fairly quick stage 3 Focus ST (5 pot beaST) until recently which was an awesome experince.
I have to say that although my new Twinge is nowhere near as quick in a straight line it would probably outmanoeuvre the Focus and other similar cars on tight twisty B roads by a mile and is just so much fun to drive.
Mines a cup, came with the KTEC decat straight pipe (very loud) and stripped out but I also I ditched the 17s, got some 15s with good tyres, fitted a rear ARB to help the lift off over steer and the car just goes so well and is only on standard power map.
It doesn't need it but I'll be getting some decent coilovers and putting it on track and I reckon it will be at the heels of 172's /182's easily!
The best bang for buck I've had, revs forever and even gives a little pop between gears. Love it!

Edited by Neilio1978 on Saturday 14th September 03:39

[Bagzie88]

PorkFan said:

I've just checked the weights....and a twingo 133 comes back as 1050kg, where as the first clio 182's come in at 1090kg.....makes the Twingo seem a bit heavy really for its size.

If i wanted a small cheap fast supermini I'd be looking at a Mitsubishi Colt CZT or Ralliart. 1045 kg, and a 150bhp turbo lump that can be taken to 200 and more fairly easily.

Didn't the colt get murdered by this and the swift sport in reviews?

Getting a 33% bump in power with stock internals sounds like a problem in the making.

[Bagzie88]

PorkFan said:

I've just checked the weights....and a twingo 133 comes back as 1050kg, where as the first clio 182's come in at 1090kg.....makes the Twingo seem a bit heavy really for its size.

If i wanted a small cheap fast supermini I'd be looking at a Mitsubishi Colt CZT or Ralliart. 1045 kg, and a 150bhp turbo lump that can be taken to 200 and more fairly easily.

Didn't the colt get murdered by this and the swift sport in reviews?

Getting a 33% bump in power with stock internals sounds like a problem in the making.

If you want something with 200hp you can buy a fiesta ST rather than a colt.

Edited by Bagzie88 on Saturday 14th September 16:55

[EpsomJames]

I ran one (133 with Cup pack) as a daily commuter for just over 2 years.

I enjoyed this peppy little car that was suited to country back roads. It liked to be revved, was more practical than it looked with the sliding and folding rear seats. Short motorway journeys were okay.

A couple of reason I sold, both to do with my back. I was starting to drop off and collect my son to nursery and lifting him into the rear of the car was difficult, coupled with the extremely harsh ride. I was on first name terms with my chiropractor.

[Roncee]

Had one for 6 months and was absolutely cracking experience.
Took it to some of the same routes that i take some of my other cars and probably had one of the best drives of my life.
Stiff chassis, small, nimble, na and most of all momentum conservation driver reward!
Absolutely right power to weight for british b road blasts

Only sold as I could not run 4 cars economically on my fleet