197/200 : Potential rust place under side sills?

[Antti O]

I am just wondering if there is common place for rust to hide?
Recently i took side sills off from one car and result is sandblasting and welding.
I dont know how good or bad design is in clio 197 and is there possibility that there is sand and dirt in hide causing corrosion.

Any opinions?

 

[_Ben_]

It's common on cars with side sill extension e.g. Escort Cosworth and was only thinking about this myself at the weekend. I tend to always vacuum out the debris that collects in the rear sill but I can see that much of it still collects.

Did you have much trouble unclipping the sills? If you have any tips on doing it I'd be very grateful to hear as I plan to have a look at mine soon.

Thanks,
Ben.

 

[Antti O]

I took side sills off from E46, it is 10 min job / side. Really easy.
Unfortunately clio 197 is much more difficult and some fixings are under renault sport stickers (130£/each) to replace...

 

[_Ben_]

So they are! Even Dialogys says to replace the decorative trim plate each time they are removed. Part number 8200467594, about £60 each in the UK.

I wonder if a heat gun and thin plastic scraper would get them off without damage...

Might be a job for another day at those prices

 

[Antti O]

Yep, i agree.. too difficult / expensive to remove and clean.
I just hope there is no rust hiding..