pinstonheaders buying advice needed? clio 182?
Discussion
After spending 18 months with a little 1.25 finesse the time has come to upgrade. Due my next pay packet in january so am just setting groundwork just now. Setting a budget of £3000 dont really want to spend much more. Really tempted by a Renaultsport Clio 182. Insurance on one of them with a years no claims on anohter policy and now being 19 is around £900 which seems a tad cheap. Any other suggestions or thoughts on the clio? Not too fussed about size of the car as im just a student. Cheers guys
stumilne said:
reliability could be an issue with the clio. looked at 3 series e46 would be tempting but only high mileage ones for that money and insurance is a bit dearer than the clio
I got my E46 328i for £1800 on 110k miles, plenty with considerably less than that. Mileage isn't really an issue on these cars at all anyway, mine is now on 120k and another PHer has one on 140k and both are running perfectly with no squeaks or rattles. If you get a good one witha decent history and ideally a bit of work to the cooling system then you can't really go wrong with them.
£3k will get you a very nice E36 328i Sport with low mileage and a good history. Will get you a fairly decent 330i E46, or an immaculate E46 328i (older engine).
BorkFactor said:
stumilne said:
reliability could be an issue with the clio. looked at 3 series e46 would be tempting but only high mileage ones for that money and insurance is a bit dearer than the clio
I got my E46 328i for £1800 on 110k miles, plenty with considerably less than that. Mileage isn't really an issue on these cars at all anyway, mine is now on 120k and another PHer has one on 140k and both are running perfectly with no squeaks or rattles. If you get a good one witha decent history and ideally a bit of work to the cooling system then you can't really go wrong with them.
£3k will get you a very nice E36 328i Sport with low mileage and a good history. Will get you a fairly decent 330i E46, or an immaculate E46 328i (older engine).
DaveEssex said:
Just remember to keep an empty boot for all the bits that fall off.
This exactly. An ex had one a few years back. When it went it did so very well.... sadly i lost most of my weekends sourcing parts and putting back together everything that went wrong/fell off during the week.Usual stuff from the French haters...
I've had a few fast renaultsports, 172 Cup (practically what you're looking at) Megane F1 and a 197 Cup.. No reliability problems with any.
I'd not be bothered by one even on high miles. Get onto Cliosport and buy a well maintained example. Bear in mind if cambelt needs doing its a £500 job not to be skipped.
I've had a few fast renaultsports, 172 Cup (practically what you're looking at) Megane F1 and a 197 Cup.. No reliability problems with any.
I'd not be bothered by one even on high miles. Get onto Cliosport and buy a well maintained example. Bear in mind if cambelt needs doing its a £500 job not to be skipped.
Hmm far too many Renault haters tend to post on threads like this, when they'd be better advised just keeping quiet unless they have had personal experience of owning one. Anyway, I had a 172 Cup and absolutely loved it. It was a stop gap car and I had no idea that I would enjoy it so much. Reliability was fine, no worse than any other performance car of that price. I'd have another one in a heartbeat!
Not exactly Renault Hater but from experience of BG57 CXP (my company Laguna of old) and my exs clio 172 cup both were very eventfull when it came to unreliability, poor build quality and generally falling apart. Sure some will jump on the band wagon and bash Renault but Ive had 2 poor dealings with them and wont have another!
Clio 182 owner here.
Don't worry about reliability, parts are fairly cheap anyway for common problems, but buy the best one you can afford.
The major things to look out for:
The cambelt service is the one thing you must look out for. You need to check it has been either done (72k or 5years), or budget anywhere around £400-£700 depending what work you have done. This must be done using specific tools. Tippex timing marks will not cut it. It must be taken to a specialist.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly and doesn't make a 'diesel taxi' like noise on idle. If it does that is usually the dephaser pulley. This isn't necessarily a stay away point but you will have to budget around £6-700. That is because the cambelt has to come off to fix this so may aswell replace that while you are there.
Other than that just general wear and tear stuff, plus the car doesn't come with a spare wheel so well worth investing in one or breakdown cover. Tyres are fairly expensive for decent rubber so always good to make sure there is plenty of life left in the one you buy.
Don't worry about reliability, parts are fairly cheap anyway for common problems, but buy the best one you can afford.
The major things to look out for:
The cambelt service is the one thing you must look out for. You need to check it has been either done (72k or 5years), or budget anywhere around £400-£700 depending what work you have done. This must be done using specific tools. Tippex timing marks will not cut it. It must be taken to a specialist.
Make sure the car is warmed up properly and doesn't make a 'diesel taxi' like noise on idle. If it does that is usually the dephaser pulley. This isn't necessarily a stay away point but you will have to budget around £6-700. That is because the cambelt has to come off to fix this so may aswell replace that while you are there.
Other than that just general wear and tear stuff, plus the car doesn't come with a spare wheel so well worth investing in one or breakdown cover. Tyres are fairly expensive for decent rubber so always good to make sure there is plenty of life left in the one you buy.
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