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

[Pav]

not a lot I can add to this..lots of things have been covered/advised etc..think you were a bit unlucky though..there are things you can do/possibly try to spend as little as possible but at the end of the day it all comes down to whether you wanna keep it or not..if you fall in love with it like most of us have done,you will keep spending money on your baby no matter what..
i got mine from a private seller and ( touch wood) its been absolutelly spot on..had to do my cambelt/water pump,aux etc but still love driving mine..it actually breaks my heart when i have to go on a holiday not being able to drive it..
hope you will fall in love with your car again so you can come to meets etc..

 

[shells2074]

I'm only going to spend money on requirement not mods. I'm sure I'll love it again soon. I intend to still be there at the Leeds meet though. Thanks Pav.

 

[CallorFold]

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

Keyless entry handles

[MENTION=51347]ClioCoutts[/MENTION] - take a look at this thread - there's a few of us with Keyless entry issues/locking issues. If you've got any info on what the problem is/the fix/the cost it would be most useful! Link here: http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?49038-Passenger-door-doesn-t-lock

 

[Digger90]

Mine needed a new gearbox and steering rack when I bought it a year ago - but I knew that at the time.

It's since required a frt wheel hub and a side light bulb. That's all (jinxed it now haven't I?)

Whereas my previous car - a 3 Series BMW - supposedly German quality & reliability, needed in 2 years of ownership:
2 new wheel bearings
a new frt caliper
2 ABS pumps (yes - two)
a new LED rear light (over £150!)
several dash warning light problems fixing multiple times
the electrically-operated cabrio roof fixing, as stopped working

..and a few other bits. And that was from a 30k miles car bought from a dealer, who's supposed 'warranty' wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.

 

[chris mcm]

No car is without problems. Unless you buy a low bhp diesel Audi or Volvo and live on the motorway......in eternal boredom.

 

[shells2074]

Yeah I know but all at once has blown my head haha

 

[chris mcm]

I've spent 2.5k on my car in 2 months, some necessary, some not. I'm worried il get bored when I'm done spending haha!

 

[shells2074]

Haha I would actually like to go shopping sometime soon. So it can pack it right in now for me!!;-)

 

[Pav]

I'm worried il get bored when I'm done spending haha!

will never happen :thumbup:

 

[chris1888-197]

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]

Glad your getting it sorted. I looked at 2 197s when i bought the clio, 1 was from a independent sales unit and arnold clark. So glad i did go with arnold clark as if i had went with the independent place i would not have had a leg to stand on! In all i got £5000 odof parts put on the car.

 

[ben_r1]

If you do decide to sell up I'd seriously consider a 250. They do everything the Clio does but better. The build quality is on a new level and they appear mostly reliable

 

[shells2074]

Chris 188, you had £5k worth of parts on it? Jeez. Yeah Ben think I'll keep it for now, now it's sorted. I hope! ! Would like a Meg, just given the managers back and mine felt like a slug after! !:-(

 

[Trophymad]

For sure there are some **** ones out there as not Many people can really afford to keep them maintained properly but your right on the moral of the story thing take someone who knows about them as it will save a lot of problems in the end as I have seen some rubbish clios go for strong money

 

[TommyK]

Bought my 200 two months ago and it's already cost me fifteen hundred quid, then I'll be getting belts done in September. Sadly I got it privately and only realised the problems when I got it up on the ramp. It's been tough but I'm trying to see myself in it next year smiling. My mrs hates the thing and as we speak is probably on tinder because of what it's cost me. There's more important things than cash, hope it all turns out good for you Shells.

 

[shells2074]

Ah thanks Tommy, not good is it. Been well down about it. Almost ate my hol fund haha. Sadly my clothes shopping has been drastically reduced lol. Trying to think the same as you. However I drove a 320 bhp meg courtesy car for a day and now mine feels pretty shat haha. AND again you're right, I've told myself the exact same things, more to life than money ( not figured what yet; ') ).
Haha tinder! !!
Hope you enjoy your car soon too.

 

[Rogue]

That meg must be seriously modded if it's 320!

 

[shells2074]

It is. It sounds immense! !!
He's manager of a Renault specialists so nuff said;-)

 

[ClioCoutts]

It's been tough but I'm trying to see myself in it next year smiling. My mrs hates the thing and as we speak is probably on tinder because of what it's cost me.

[MENTION=51101]TommyK[/MENTION] Haha i love that, my girlfriend wont let me mention my 200 in her company because if the money the thing costs me, its tough love!