Buying 200 - questions

[robby71]

Well i've done a deal online for a 59 plate 200 in white, cup pack, sat-nav, 25k
The car has 1 stamp in the book from a dealer, the 2nd service was done by previous owner who was a mechanic so no stamp and the garage is going to service it before i collect it so it'll get another stamp (so 3 services in 3 years but only 2 stamps) - i know the warranty has just expired (2 months ago) but i'm guessing if the gearbox, etc went then Renuk wouldn't contribute towards a replacement?
At this mileage/ age what should i be wary of and what should i check on collection?
What should be done on the 3rd service?

Changing from a Corsa VXR which i've had 4 weeks but just can't get to like - hope the 200 will be better?

 

[Paddy_R]

The 200 service schedule is 2 years or 12,000 miles. Providing it was serviced at 12,000 miles when it was stamped and it wasn't more that 2 years ago (give or take a week or two) you should be OK. If your buying from a garage they may sell you an extended warrenty as Renault will not help with anything outside of the warrenty they offer.

When you test drive it look for the tell tail crunch going into 4 (sign of the gearbox issue) there are also reports of a knocking from the steering at very slow speed on full lock so check for that. Personally on cars such as the 200 I always check the quality of the tyres as cheap tyres are, I believe, an indication as to how the car was treated.

 

[robby71]

Thanks Paddy - I thought the servicing was every 12 months or 12k which is why i was worried, so this 2nd stamped service is on time

Does the gearbox crunce happen going up to 4th or going down (or both)? does it happen when cold/ warm/ both?

Thanks

 

[Paddy_R]

Its 1yr/12,000 miles on the 197 but 2 yr/12,000 on the 200. No idea why the difference though.

The crunch is on both up and down, hot and cold. Its due to the wear of part of the synchro. The boxes are a bit notchy when cold anyway but the crunching should be very noticeable. Be warned the 200/197 has a tendency to do kangaroo impressions when cold but this clears once warmed up. Cheap poor quality petrol also adds to this so 97 Ron fuel is basically a must as is a good panel filter (is recommend ITG) which helps with this problem.

 

[robby71]

Be warned the 200/197 has a tendency to do kangaroo impressions when cold but this clears once warmed up. Cheap poor quality petrol also adds to this so 97 Ron fuel is basically a must as is a good panel filter (is recommend ITG) which helps with this problem.

I've read about the kangarooing and flat spot - does this mean it's not the easiest car to drive in a traffic jam?
I've also read a remap cures the flat spot - anyone tried superchips bluefin?

 

[Rogue]

Kangarooing is only when it's cold. After 5 minutes its fine. But a remap will help with both of those things and I find using a higher octane fuel helps with the cold starts. It's fine in traffic...no problems there.

 

[robby71]

Well went for a look today and was dissapointed to see problems hadn't yet been sorted which should have been done before the weekend
2 kerbed alloys still to be refurbed
4 tyres need replacing (2 illegal and 2 with 1-1.5mm) - no advisory on MOT from last month??????
Drivers seat bolster creased
Service to be done on tuesday

They're going to refurb the wheels, do the service and i have to see if they'll do all 4 tyres or just the 2 illegal ones

Has anyone had a seat bolster repaired themselves? how much does it cost and is there anywhere in west yorkshire that could do it?

Is the previous owner of CE59 LUP a member on here for any more info on the car?

 

[Chrisgti6]

Are they Recaro's? If so your looking about £125 to repair a bolster (there is a trader on here that does it)

As for tyres, the legal limit is 1.6mm so if they are only 1-1.5mm they are illegal too. Get them to replace all 4, but not budgets (watch out coz this is what they will probably do!)

I'd be concerned about the mot not showing dodgy tyres too, did the garage have it done? If so maybe they have a 'friendly' tester?

 

[930Tech]

I thought the 200's were two years or 24.000 miles?

 

[Chrisgti6]

Nope, definately 12k or 2 years

 

[robby71]

The seats are the non Recaros but most of the other cars i've seen for sale with the same seem to have the same problem?
The MOT was done by the previous owner so it wasn't the garage that had a dodgy tester - don't know why the tyres weren't put down as advisories unless the previous owner had a different set of wheels/ tyres on before he traded the car in?
Just priced some Falken 914s up from Camskill at £66.60 a corner - mid range tyres that are a new design (replaced the 912s which i've had on several cars) so hopefully dealer will agree to fitting these?

I'll find out tommorow...........

 

[Iain 007]

Mine is 12k or 12 months, 61reg 200

 

[Paddy_R]

Mine is 12k or 12 months, 61reg 200

If its a 200 its deffo 12,000 miles or 2 years.

 

[nicknameless]

What was the sticker price?

I know there's a part ex but seems to be a few Qs over the car and I'd want 4 decent tyres on the car or for that to be reflected in the price and fit myself. Would not be putting falkens on it.

 

[robby71]

What was the sticker price?

I know there's a part ex but seems to be a few Qs over the car and I'd want 4 decent tyres on the car or for that to be reflected in the price and fit myself. Would not be putting falkens on it.

The car is up at £9k which seems cheaper than most i've seen

Falkens or Khumos which are priced the same are a good mid range tyre, better than a lot of premium tyres which cost twice as much.

 

[nicknameless]

The car is up at £9k which seems cheaper than most i've seen

Falkens or Khumos which are priced the same are a good mid range tyre, better than a lot of premium tyres which cost twice as much.

Seems reasonably priced if they fit tyres, but all about cost to change with part ex.

Have had 912s and 452s on a couple of cars, and personally wouldn't be sticking them on the clio. Went from sportcontacts to 912s on our diesel hack to save a few quid and wished I'd spent the money on the contis. Tyres all opinion related though.

 

[robby71]

Have had 912s and 452s on a couple of cars, and personally wouldn't be sticking them on the clio.

Had 452s on a Focus ST - ok in the dry but in the wet/ damp they were really bad - no grip
The 912s were good enough in the snow last year - never got stuck once, the 914s have now replaced these