Well I'm jist shy of 9k on the clock and the exhaust is sweet all the time, from a gentle rumble to a full blown roar. I agree the cup suspension does let it down over poor roads and driving in town is best avoided. Apart from a squeeky seats and a new gearbox the car has been a riot to drive...
well done cliophil every year the number of drivers who show total lack of respect for the conditions is staggering. my 2 cents worth. like you said 2nd gear is a must when pulling away as the car is to high reving to use normally.
I found going up in 2's is a good trick in the snow i.e...
I cannot rememeber where I read about this but it is due to the clio vvt system, which regulates air flow into the engine when you are popping the bolts out the engine but it is a perfectly normal noise. Also the air pump can suck in vast amounts of air when pushing on it sounds like a turbo...
I had mine filled a few months back, the bloke who did it said all cars with the auto light/wipers have 4mm glass, which according to him is like cheese and even afet filling it in you will still see it badly.