Back into a mad one: Renault Clio V6

Back into a mad one: Renault Clio V6

Author
Discussion

ITP

2,017 posts

198 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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Great buy, modern cars, even very capable ones, are so boing compared to mad stuff like this. Not very fast, dodgy handling, and on paper makes no sense. But who cares! Much more fun to own. Is it your only car/daily driver though?

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Saturday 22nd July 2017
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ITP said:
Great buy, modern cars, even very capable ones, are so boing compared to mad stuff like this. Not very fast, dodgy handling, and on paper makes no sense. But who cares! Much more fun to own. Is it your only car/daily driver though?
It isn't, no.

I have a Smart for running about in and crappy weather use.

MikeGoodwin

3,341 posts

118 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Love the car. How come the M3 bored you to death? I ask as Ive had an itch to replace my Megane 275 with an E92 M3, but in my early 20s I sold a coilover'd Clio GT (best driving memories come from this car) for an E92 320d and hated the thing after a year, not because of the engine but because of the size and more laid back approach to driving it at any speed. Sold for a Mk3 Focus ST which was a step in the right direction, then a Megane 275 which on tyres that arent worn and kept setup properly is a riot. I would hate myself if I sold the Megane and found the M3 wasnt right for me.

RacingPete

8,884 posts

205 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Love it, bonkers car! I always thought the turning circle was about the size of the M25 - had any issues?

MikeGoodwin said:
Love the car. How come the M3 bored you to death? I ask as Ive had an itch to replace my Megane 275 with an E92 M3, but in my early 20s I sold a coilover'd Clio GT (best driving memories come from this car) for an E92 320d and hated the thing after a year, not because of the engine but because of the size and more laid back approach to driving it at any speed. Sold for a Mk3 Focus ST which was a step in the right direction, then a Megane 275 which on tyres that arent worn and kept setup properly is a riot. I would hate myself if I sold the Megane and found the M3 wasnt right for me.
Having driven or owned that collection of cars I would say you would be disappointed in the M3 - great V8, but you have chosen cars based on chassis dynamics with great turn in. The M3 is fun when pushed, and you have to have the M button turned on with everything off to keep it fun. But it is a different world to the Megane.

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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MikeGoodwin said:
Love the car. How come the M3 bored you to death? I ask as Ive had an itch to replace my Megane 275 with an E92 M3, but in my early 20s I sold a coilover'd Clio GT (best driving memories come from this car) for an E92 320d and hated the thing after a year, not because of the engine but because of the size and more laid back approach to driving it at any speed. Sold for a Mk3 Focus ST which was a step in the right direction, then a Megane 275 which on tyres that arent worn and kept setup properly is a riot. I would hate myself if I sold the Megane and found the M3 wasnt right for me.
I couldn't fault the M3, it was a 13 plate Comp Pack and it did everything asked of it. As already answered, unless you push the M button and put everything in loon mode it's like you've already mentioned, a very laid back car which, in effect, was boring me. Only had it in M mode once in the 4 months I had it and that was for 2 runs around the Evo triangle. Then it's a different beast!

Used to have a madcap R53 that had been modified to within an inch of its life and was a hoot to drive, that got changed for an E46 CSL, again a hoot to drive. Neither of then knew what "laid back" meant!

The E92 only gave that feeling when, as said, the M button was used. I don't regret having one by any means, it stops me wondering what they're like.

The V6 provides a wide, childish grin just opening the garage door and looking at it sat there.

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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RacingPete said:
Having driven or owned that collection of cars I would say you would be disappointed in the M3 - great V8, but you have chosen cars based on chassis dynamics with great turn in. The M3 is fun when pushed, and you have to have the M button turned on with everything off to keep it fun. But it is a different world to the Megane.
Agree with this.

jsims1

291 posts

119 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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What a cracking little car! We had one for sale at work maybe 5 years ago for around 13k. Oh how my boss wishes he would have kept hold of it for a few years looking at the values now! Hope you enjoy it!

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Monday 24th July 2017
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Bit of spending planned in today.

Have the habit of "bottoming" my cars with the intention of getting them both looking and performing the best I can.

Early August it's booked in with the detailing guy who did my 2 previous cars that ended up looking outstanding. It'll be having a 2 stage m/c polish, a coat of gTech Crystal Serum Light followed by one of gTech EXO3, C5 on the wheels and whatever it is he uses on the interior.

End of August it's off down to SG Motorsport for a new cam belt and water pump (belt not needed for 12 months in theory) and also new coil packs. It'll be having a good once over and if anything needs doing then it'll get done whilst it's down there.

Chasing the possibility of an Orbisoud exhaust but not holding out too much hope on this score!

Originally planned on changing the seats however, they're in excellent condition and suit the car. Fear that changing them might spoil the car.

It's also booked in for some decent security upgrades as I feel it's a bit on the pinchable side.

UberMeister

302 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Looks fantastic!

I fitted Recaro Trendline from a Clio Trophy to my Phase 1 V6. Excellent seats but I never thought the black/grey seats worked with the blue/light grey interior. Much better suited to the Phase 2s.

Recaro Pole Positions were the dream but just too expensive at the time.

Edited to add with the exhaust you can get good results from polishing it with various drill attachments if it's not too far gone. I actually swapped mine for a backbox from a Phase 2, they sound the same but was a bit easier to polish up. Can't remember if that's because it was S/S or just newer!



Edited by UberMeister on Tuesday 25th July 02:40

Don1

15,951 posts

209 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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I still really miss mine. Sold for £11k a few years ago.... weeping

GhostWKD

499 posts

214 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Don1 said:
I still really miss mine. Sold for £11k a few years ago.... weeping
I'd wager you already know this but don't look at the classifieds!

I remember the £5-10k PH competition ages ago, I entered wanting to buy / daily drive a Clio V6 biggrin

Don1

15,951 posts

209 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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I know - even worse I swapped my Escort Cosworth for it!

WreckedGecko

1,191 posts

202 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Wasn't there some story about these...

Something like, Renault heard that VW were bringing out a 3 litre car, so threw a ton of money at it and produced this absolute gem.

Only to find out that the 3 litre car VW were producing was the Polo Bluemotion (or something), that did 3 litres per 100km.

Anyone know if that's apocryphal? I suspect it is, but its quite funny.


Martin_Hx

3,955 posts

199 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Saw one exactly like this on Sunday parked up in Ripponden, wasn't you was it nerd

Great cars btw! biggrin

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Martin_Hx said:
Saw one exactly like this on Sunday parked up in Ripponden, wasn't you was it nerd

Great cars btw! biggrin
Afraid not.

edo

16,699 posts

266 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Did I remember correctly these have a terrible turning circle?! Cant remember the reason why, esp given no engine up front!

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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Yup, it definitely ain't the best however, minor detail biglaugh

edo

16,699 posts

266 months

Tuesday 25th July 2017
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moktabe said:
Yup, it definitely ain't the best however, minor detail biglaugh
Thats what handbrakes and RWD are there to help smile

moktabe

Original Poster:

914 posts

106 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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Well, the loon disappeared off on the back of a trailer this morning ( If you haven't read the rest it wouldn't select reverse ) and, strangely enough, I was quite sad to see it go.

Have to say that this is the only car I've had that makes me like that and I've only had it a week!

The good news is that it appears it was only some sort of locating pin that had decided to pop out, new one ordered and they'll have it in the morning and I'll have it back by the afternoon woohoo

Yipper

5,964 posts

91 months

Wednesday 26th July 2017
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One of the most beautiful "everyday" cars ever made. A bit unruly, but fantastic things. Know someone with a black one and it looks superb.