clio 200 questions

[lewisg95]

Hi Everyone

I have been looking at buying a clio 200 for a while now, but I have heard some horror stories about them. So I have a few questions that I need to clear up.

1st
The ball joints are ment to be a nightmare when they go wrong and cost a fortune. So I just want to know if you can actually change the ball joints with out changing a hub or its worth the money to change the whole unit.
And if you need any specialist tools to remove the ball joint as I have access to a garage.

2nd
Clutch changes I heard that you need to take the full sub frame out and that is an 9 hour job to do.

3rd
Is it worth going for the recaros?

4th
Cracked manifolds same applies for them a nightmare to change and if so if they do crack is it worth putting an after market performance one in.

5th
Mpg
Going from a 1.4tdci diesel capable of 50 mpg. What is a realistic mpg figure

6th
Generally working on them if something does go wrong

7th
Part costs is there any good aftermarket parts or if genuine is the only option.

That concludes it really but if any one has anything else I should consider before I go ahead and get one.

 

[Johnny 99]

Can't answer all your questions but for mpg I get around 25mpg in general driving and hooning, maybe 30-34 on a long motorway run. Recaros are generally sought after but do try them before buying, preferably for a reasonable time as they don't suit everyone. It often seems to be the wives/girlfriends who aren't keen. I love mine but my wife finds them uncomfortable after around an hour. She's no thunder-thighs, but it seems to be the tightness around her hips she has problems with. The standard seats are comfy and do hold you in place well anyway. I'd still go for the Recaros myself though. Lots of good aftermarket parts around particularly brakes, exhausts, shocks etc. Cracked manifolds can be an issue & some folks put sports ones on or bypas the problem with powerflex engine mounts. Plenty of posts on these if you browse the forums. Welcome along, take your time to find the right car for you & you will love it. They're kind of addictive.

 

[lewisg95]

Thanks for letting me know.

The mpg is that bad then considering I only get 40 in mine lol. As for the seats I think that when I come to sell it in the future the racaros will make it more desirable and it looks a lot better

 

[Foxspeed]

http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?19788-Clio-197-buyers-guide

 

[lewisg95]

Thanks for that any more information would be great

 

[Kazumz]

Ball joints can be done on their own. Cost me 150 in labour and 80 for the ball joint. Aftermarket ones are better quality.

To be fair, most fwd transverse cars are a ball ache to work on.

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[Steve Murr]

Dont buy any 200 unless it has the minimum entry level spec
Full Fat
Recaros
cup pack

( only caveat is buying a set of recaros to retro fit if you find a decent one without )

 

[Jimmy]

The ball joints are a common thing to wear, however an RS specialist can change just the joints rather than the full hub. This makes it cheaper overall to do. There is a seller on the forum who can supply the ball joints.

Any clutch/gearbox change is very labour intensive so yes they are dear to get done. Generally it seems clutches last fairly well though.

I love the Recaros in my R27 and looked for a car with them in - it was high on my list of priorities. The standard seats are very good though and just as good in terms of support imo. Cars with the Recaros are generally more desirable, but it's best to buy a car on overall condition rather than foregoing other points just so you can have the Recaros.

Same as with clutch, a manifold change is also labour-intensive, so costly. Aftermarket ones are available, or new flexis can be welded in to an original one. Upgraded poweflex mounts also help prolong the life of standard flexis.

MPG varies a lot from person to person depending on individual circumstances. It is not great in these cars though, low 30/high 20 is the norm.

There are a lot of How To guides on the forum for general maintenance/mods etc and quite a lot of the work can be done DIY if you are handy with a spanner etc. Apart from the above items, they aren't overly expensive to get worked on by a garage though.

As linked above, the Buyers' Guide is excellent and well worth your time to read through. Have a look at a few cars and decide which is your ideal spec. Any other questions, please feel free to ask. Hope this all helps! good luck.

 

[CallorFold]

Dont buy any 200 unless it has the minimum entry level spec
Full Fat
Recaros
cup pack

( only caveat is buying a set of recaros to retro fit if you find a decent one without )

I'd agree with this to be fair. Recaro's are very sought after (but as others have said try them yourself first for comfort) but holding out for a proper 200 with Cup Pack is a wise move in the long run.

I don't "regret" buying my 197, but I do wish I'd held out for the F1 edition as they're ultimately far more desirable and I really like the Recaros, Spoiler, Xenons - not so keen on the stickers though

 

[Kazumz]

I'd grab a 197.

I've got a Gordini 200 but I think I prefer the 197 looks and the fact that it's nearly half the price for essentially the same car?!

Apparently the 200 has a better map, but the second you put an exhaust on it, that's gone out the window regardless of whether its a 200 or 197!

 

[CallorFold]

I'd grab a 197.

I've got a Gordini 200 but I think I prefer the 197 looks and the fact that it's nearly half the price for essentially the same car?!

Apparently the 200 has a better map, but the second you put an exhaust on it, that's gone out the window regardless of whether its a 200 or 197!

F1 197 with an exhaust and a remap - that's not a bad shout best of both worlds with a big chunk of cash left in your pocket too. Feature's wise, the 200 offers nothing more than a full spec'd 197 does it?

 

[Kazumz]

F1 197 with an exhaust and a remap - that's not a bad shout best of both worlds with a big chunk of cash left in your pocket too. Feature's wise, the 200 offers nothing more than a full spec'd 197 does it?

I literally, to this day, just think it's a different front bumper.

I've not noticed any difference.

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[Jimmy]

F1 197 with an exhaust and a remap - that's not a bad shout best of both worlds with a big chunk of cash left in your pocket too. Feature's wise, the 200 offers nothing more than a full spec'd 197 does it?

I literally, to this day, just think it's a different front bumper.

I've not noticed any difference.

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Agree with you both, I think ultimately it comes down to whether you prefer the looks of either, or if you want a newer/younger car. There are small changes with the engine, box, suspension etc from the 197 to 200, but it isn't a night and day difference that would swing you towards one rather than the other.

 

[sevenfourate]

Agree with you both, I think ultimately it comes down to whether you prefer the looks of either, or if you want a newer/younger car. There are small changes with the engine, box, suspension etc from the 197 to 200, but it isn't a night and day difference that would swing you towards one rather than the other.

Having never driven a 197, im "ok" with the torque of the 200.....but wouldnt want alot less. Is the 197 a bit less sub 3k.....or is it much the same ?

 

[Jimmy]

Having never driven a 197, im "ok" with the torque of the 200.....but wouldnt want alot less. Is the 197 a bit less sub 3k.....or is it much the same ?

I'd say much the same to be honest Syer. There may be a small difference in favour of the 200, but I don't think it's a case of 'I'm going for a 200 because the torque is sooo much better' They made changes to the 200 for positive reasons of course, but from a buyers' perspective...I personally think it's down to budget/age of car/looks, rather than any performance gains/differences from one to the other.

Interestingly, when you read in mags (eg Evo) and they mention the mk3 RS Clio, they always refer to the 200 rather than the 197... I assume that's because it's the newer 'improved' version, but the perception seems to be that the 200 makes up for the 197's 'shortcomings'...

 

[sevenfourate]

I'd say much the same to be honest Syer. There may be a small difference in favour of the 200, but I don't think it's a case of 'I'm going for a 200 because the torque is sooo much better' They made changes to the 200 for positive reasons of course, but from a buyers' perspective...I personally think it's down to budget/age of car/looks, rather than any performance gains/differences from one to the other.

Interestingly, when you read in mags (eg Evo) and they mention the mk3 RS Clio, they always refer to the 200 rather than the 197... I assume that's because it's the newer 'improved' version, but the perception seems to be that the 200 makes up for the 197's 'shortcomings'...

Perfect sense.

If im a 100% honest - i initially wanted and much preferred the 197 front end.

I also however wanted as new and as low miles as i could afford with stretching myself. And in reality a low mile 197 a few years older would have made much more financial sense in terms of bang-for-your-buck...

 

[Jimmy]

Perfect sense.

If im a 100% honest - i initially wanted and much preferred the 197 front end.

I also however wanted as new and as low miles as i could afford with stretching myself. And in reality a low mile 197 a few years older would have made much more financial sense in terms of bang-for-your-buck...

I think you sum it up perfectly there - it does come down to budget and getting the best car you can afford. I'm biased when I say I prefer the front end of the 197, however the R27 I got was bought based on budget, spec, location and condition. And looks

 

[lewisg95]

Thanks for all the information I would agree aswell the 197 does look better but I just want a newer car so it is more reliable if that makes sence. As for getting one with recaros and 'full fat' that's what I want I want with all the bells and whistles. So why is the full fat models different to a cup model. When the one I'm looking at says it's a full fat and cup so just a bit confusing. Once again any more information would be great.

 

[Jimmy]

Full Fat with Cup means you have all the bells and whistles, such as air con, keyless entry and go etc, however it has the cup chassis as an option added.

Straight Cup is more basic - less bells and whistles, standard pedals, normal keys etc. More 'stripped out' if you like. FF with Cup is, for many, a good choice as you get the best of both worlds.

 

[lewisg95]

Thanks for that so that's it full fat with cup is what I'll go for