Buy a Clio 197 and know all about its history first! !

[shells2074]

Yeah thanks lads. I think in regards to the performance and manifold, think the previous was messed with and ran faster possibly. The dealer is giving me the money for that but as of now they are in breach of what they said, not got it yet. My holiday funds are diminishing. Agree it's good to go when get it back but it's put me on edge without doubt. Just need to shake it off.

Oh and Kazumz I've had a Renault specialist do the work not a dealer, saved me heaps of cash.

 

[Kazumz]

Yeah thanks lads. I think in regards to the performance and manifold, think the previous was messed with and ran faster possibly. The dealer is giving me the money for that but as of now they are in breach of what they said, not got it yet. My holiday funds are diminishing. Agree it's good to go when get it back but it's put me on edge without doubt. Just need to shake it off.

Oh and Kazumz I've had a Renault specialist do the work not a dealer, saved me heaps of cash.

That's not too bad. Still though, whats the name of this company? They could just be saying they're 'renault specialists'...

 

[shells2074]

I don't want to publically name anyone. They've done a good job so far, as far as I can tell. Previous posts mention them anyway albeit not derogatory. They're online in Accrington. That's all i'm saying haha. I'm not really doubting them as much as myself buying it!!

 

[Rogue]

Classic case of someone not knowing what to look out for and not doing your home work. You arent the first and won't be the last.

However, you've gone the wrong way about it. You shouldn't just given the car back and said it wasn't fit for purpose if it was knackered but now you've spent the money on it, you won't get back the same price you paid AND you'll lose out on the parts you've spent on it. I'm afraid you're stuck between and rock and a hard place.

Just suck it up, learn from it and enjoy the car.

With regards to the money owed, I would sent a formal letter outlining their verbal agreement with you and giving them 14 days to respond. (Send it first post and recorded). If not, I would call CA/TS and see what they say.

 

[shells2074]

That's precisely what I was going to do but she's responded ( dealers wife ), it's the school hols and she's only just sorting it out. Hopefully tomorrow it's there.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, my next purchase won't be as shoddy as this one!

 

[Rogue]

Don't worry about it. Just put it down to a learning experience.

Hopefully the car is now in a good place

 

[shells2074]

I'm trying and also trying not to cry about the huge loss in cash. Hard though. Not a lot can be done now except suck it up and move on.

 

[smoggy mark]

Sorry to hear you have had a bad experience shell but once all done enjoy the car, all dealers come with a 6 month warranty regardless of what they say they should sort you out with the manifold or tell them you will take them to the small claims court.

 

[shells2074]

It wasn't a Renault dealer and came with 3 month warranty that covers nothing I've endured. On the plus side having used the 'Sale of goods act' recorded letter on speaking with Trading standards from the start; I've been told the funds covering the manifold will be in my account tomorrow. Finally! ! Thanks Mark.
Oh and I'm hoping this post will aid anyone looking to buy, as I'm reading a few posts from others that could end up in a similar position.

 

[chris1888-197]

I bought mine and after 1 day checked and the mimanifold flexi were knackered, renault replaced under 2 month warranty. They also changed pads and discs all round 2 tyres drop link and cambelt before i picked the car up. I had 3 hub carriers replaced under auto care a gearbox and slave replaced under autocare and 2 wishbone arms replaced under autocare. I guess i was lucky that i took autocare out. I think your right, go through the car with a fine tooth comb before buying. There is alot of good clios out there. I know if anything goes with mine i change it right away with good parts. .

 

[smoggy mark]

It wasn't a Renault dealer and came with 3 month warranty that covers nothing I've endured. On the plus side having used the 'Sale of goods act' recorded letter on speaking with Trading standards from the start; I've been told the funds covering the manifold will be in my account tomorrow. Finally! ! Thanks Mark

Good news shell glad you are getting sorted it dose your head in trying to deal with people who try it on im in the same boat with a throttle actuator that i got refurbished.

All dealers come with a 6 month warranty something to do with the trading standards act.

 

[shells2074]

Chris if I'd have purchased via Renault I guess I'd have had this sorted but I didn't. Didn't have a leg to stand on other than trying my best to reason with the dealer. Considering their first offer was £100 them £150 then finally a letter got me almost the full amount. The cambelt is my fault for not checking. It was in my head too but I lost my thought with the numpty dealer. Fingers crossed I don't find much else for a while!!!
I do however have the Meg sport courtesy car again til tomorrow. [emoji106]

 

[montana]

Good news shell glad you are getting sorted it dose your head in trying to deal with people who try it on im in the same boat with a throttle actuator that i got refurbished.

All dealers come with a 6 month warranty something to do with the trading standards act.

Bit of a miselading statement, under the Sale of Goods Act you dont get 6 months warranty.

You are entitled to

-refund
-repair
-replacement

Given that the garage has offered a partial refund (which has been accepted) towards the cost of the manifold replacement i would say they have fulfilled this. In an ideal world you would reject the car but you only have a resonable time to do that (normally a few weeks).

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/c...-car-you-bought/the-car-you-bought-is-faulty/

 

[shells2074]

Yes and I didn't hear it blowing all that much, just got it checked. No flexis and a crap weld with a hole. I at least did my homework on salvaging the problem. Haha. Not so good at avoiding it!!;-)

 

[The ANT]

My car since I bought it has had: cambelt and dephaser, new rear brake caliper, a new clutch and clutch slave cylinder, 4 tyres, some lacquer peel on the roof sorted, wheels refurbished, a new splitter, and new front seats. But you must keep enthusiasm for it, or everything you have spent has been in vein, my car can be a pain but it's always making me smile.

 

[LindaA]

Don't beat yourself up too much Shells. People on here are enthusiasts and some are experts, but in general there are many people out there, men and women, who would have made more buying errors than you did. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I bet that a few people on these forums have made similar errors, but things have turned out fine and they never had to admit to them.


Hope things turn out ok and you get your money. As others have said, once you regain confidence in your car, you will at least know that all these things are now sorted properly. Look on it as one of life's lessons and resolve to be wiser next time.

 

[Ross]

I had similar problems with my 197, great car to drive on the right road, absolutely terrible car to own, hated it.
I sold it for a Clio V6 and a little run-a-bout clio and despite the age...both are flawless.
Proof Renault don't make bad cars as such...just you (like me) have bought a Friday afternoon job.
The money you mention isnt worth it for a 197/200, not even close considering what it is, get rid.

 

[ben_r1]

My old 197 was a right old lemon straight from the factory, forever going wrong and dealers were useless. In the 5 years of ownership they had it more than me.

I doubt I'd ever buy another Renault let alone a Clio, but then i stepped into a 265 and it all changed...

 

[ClioCoutts]

Ive owned my 200 for a year and its been the exact same,

Door realigned
Door Seal
Keyless entry handles
Front Hub + Track Rod Ends
1 Rear Caliper
4 Tyres
Rear Pads
Steering Rack Joint
Tracking + Wheel alignment
Headlight bulbs

Now ive got a slight blow underneath, near the manifold.

You have to literally throw your money at the car, it hurts but its mostly worthwhile.

 

[shells2074]

Getting mixed reviews. I'll keep it about a year I reckon. Possibly sell it with a fresh mot on it but after some time I might grow to love it. Time will tell but I am reluctant right now to get rid as have spent a fair bit.