Search results

The pull factor to go EV for me is the saving of over £100 a month just based on my commute to work during the week. That saving is taking into account having to add to my current loan to borrow more money as I don't own the Clio outright, well I do but I took a bank loan to buy it so owe on...

Haha yeah, my friend who has one is rather wooden shall we say. They are quite nippy off the line, 0-35/40 mph you do get boy racers getting annoyed they can't out blast a milk float lol. They top out at 89 mph but they do feel quicker than the figures would lead you to believe. Handle like a...

I think the big switch to EV will happen in the next 5-10 years, I can't see it going away. Once they get the range to ~200 miles and affordable I think there will be more people willing to make the switch. The next Leaf due out sometime in 2017 and is going to have a range of over 200 miles...

Yeah that's the other problem, I've always been a petrol head and for the most part had hot hatches pretty much since I started driving almost 10 year ago now. I value handling and how the car feels to drive over straight line speed, one of the reasons I got the Clio even though there are faster...

I have been looking at these lately, with an upcoming house purchase I’m going through all my spending and sadly the 197 does seem to suck up quite a bit of money in fuel, tax and insurance. I have worked out that by part exchanging or selling the Clio and getting a Leaf I will save round about...

I've changed the head unit in mine which also had the 'upgraded' cabasse system in. Despite the brains of the factory system being under the drivers seat the ISO connectors are still located in the usual area behind the dash and are simply extended down. So if you unplug the extension cables...

Have a look on Autotrader to what similar cars are going for in your area? For comparison I paid £4800 for my 197 last year with a similar sort of mileage on the clock. Extras from the factory on mine are climate control and the cabasse 6 disc in dash changer. Also came with a milltek exhaust...

Years ago I had a power flow system put on on my Zetec-S (first car). To be fair it was great, sounded spot on and the fit was perfect. That being said power flow and the like are a franchise so the quality can vary from place to place. So it's defiantly worth doing your homework and reading...

Overall they're cracking cars to drive the Clio 197 but there are quite a few issues to be aware of, some more expensive to put right than others. Service wise the cam belt service is VERY important on these so check there is proof of it being done, if not budget about £500-£600 for the job...

When was your oil/filter last changed and what oil did they use? - should stick with genuine wherever possible, the ELF 5w-40 stuff isn't that expensive nor is a genuine oil filter. Not sure I'd want to be adding anything to oil myself, it's already got cleaning additives, stabilizers and other...

Most high street garage won't entertain trying to change just the ball joint, it's easier for them to order the part (6) on the diagram and fit that. But that part costs ~£200 and that's just for one side! Arrons Autos in Derby is a good shout IF your in the area, according to their website...

Your not going to get any noticeable improvement over standard in either performance and/or longevity. The standard plugs are manufactured by NGK and are already classed as what you would call performance plugs, they are known as the NGK R - the part number is PFR7Z-TG which you can google to...

I believe some of the Alpine head units are capable of outputting to the Clio display but you need to buy adapters for both that and the stalk controls. The stalk control adapter is IIRC around the £40-£45 mark but I've no idea what's involved in getting the display to work. As I say I've read...

That torque figure is pretty impressive considering it's all N/A! Off the top of my head turbo cars like the Corsa VXR and Fiesta ST don't quite have that much unless they're mapped?! I'm impressed with that more than the bhp power figure in fairness and the way it holds power across the revs...

No worries, I know it's frustrating I have been in that position myself with a car in the past. Put a load of money in to it trying to get it mint for something else to go that's fairly expensive on top. If you plan on keeping the car long term I'd say it's worth doing, at least you know where...

Completely different side of the engine so can't see how a belt change has caused it, might just be coincidence/bad timing. Sadly changing the release bearing is a box off job, so you might as well then do the clutch at the same time. If it's not causing any driveability issues I'd be...

Funnily enough I saw a silver one of these hooning around some back roads near me the other day randomly. Definitely a rare beast and it was nice to see it being driven in anger rather than garaged up for someone just to look at! For cars of this stature though, for me it has to be the Escort...

There is a guide floating about on here somewhere that details how to remove them and take them to bits to clean the contacts, I'd try that first as they're not the cheapest of things to replace. I need to do both of mine really as the wiper stalk trip buttons sometimes don't work, the wipers...

I've also got a Milltek but mines the resonated version, I can't comment on the non-res version as I've never heard one in person but for me the Milltek is spot on. You won't be disappointed! It gives a nice deep burble round town and gives off a few cheeky pops and bangs to boot. Take it higher...

Doesn't sound normal, it'll either be an issue with the thermostat switch on the dash or maybe the flap in the coolant pipe sticking open? I'm not sure how the system works on the Clio but I'm guessing it's similar to most other cars. Also the damp smell might be blocked scuttle drains? I'm...