** Front Radiator Support AKA Front Subframe ** PLEASE READ !!

MarcB

Paid Member
** Front Radiator Support AKA Front Subframe **


I have just had mine replaced under warranty on a 11 year old Clio Mk3 197 (57 Plate)
To get this done book into your local dealer for a Anti Corrosion warranty inspection for the part above.
The dealer will take pictures & write a report and send this off to Renault UK Warranty as its NOT down to the dealership to dictate if you get this or not.

The Clio Mk3 Sport (197 & 200) Front Radiator Support AKA Front Subframe is different to the standard MK3 so make sure your dealer orders the correct part - (Pt No 8200803451)
I must stress that you will need to provide the service book with the inspection and that I must also add that "My Car" has not got full dealer history but it is stamped up to date by a Renault Sport Specialist.

Each warranty case / inspection is on a one to one basis and its an individual case so even if two mates got it done it does not mean you will and its down to renault UK to make that decision.
I would strongly advise getting this checked and done at your nearest local Renault dealership.

P.S - Make sure when you drop your car off at the dealership before the inspection and also before getting it booked in for the work that you walk round it with a fine tooth comb and check all panels and paintwork and ask for a copy of the damage report form.

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Nice to hear mate, what dealer did you use?

I might get mine booked in for an inspection, my service history has got four dealer stamps, four specialist and two oddballs so fingers crossed!

I've noticed that my radiator brackets is pretty rusty and both arches have got little blisters starting to pop through right in the corner...

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As I didn't wanna hijack @Barney626 thread...

http://www.clio197.net/threads/tailgate-rust-bubble-peeling-warranty-covered.59974/

I can confirm this too, I've just had my car into Renault and they've approved a replacement under the 12 year anti-corrosion warranty. :smiley:

Just waiting for parts to arrive now...

Sadly they haven't approved anything on my rear arches as its had paintwork done in a past life. I had a feeling "something" had been done to the O/S arch but it seems they also painted the rear bumper and blended into the N/S arch...

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130 micron is what they quoted as "normal".

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Pretty chuffed about the subframe, tbh I wasn't expecting much on the arches but at least it confirms my suspicions...

The body shop seem to think that the rear bumper rubbing on the back of the arch has caused the rust to get in, I thought these were galvanised bodies but obviously not. Looking at £600+VAT to get both arches and the bumper redone. :disrelieved:

I also got a cringeworthy YouTube video for a "health check", I feel pretty sorry for the poor guy that had to wander around with a body cam telling me that my brand new tyres were 5% worn, oh noooooooo. s0905.gif
 
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Just a heads up on this.

Its almost been exactly 1 year since I got a new radiator support bracket. Mine was changed in May 2018 by renault under warranty at a main dealership.

Well as I done something silly tonight and dropped a screwdriver down the engine bay I decided it would be quicker and easier to take off the under tray and front bumper and just have a look and what I found was rather surprising.

11 months old and there is rust already on the radiator support bracket.

I will let the pictures do the talking and the only advice I can give is not to get it replaced under warranty as they dont last but to get these things off, sand blasted and powder coated.

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I asked the very same question a while back, which was if it was worth powder coating the radiator subframe. Guess the answer is clear now although a little too late as I had mine done two weeks back. May be worth using something like ACF-50 on there once a year.
 
Thanks for the article here. I was advised at time of car service that the sub frame/ rad support is severely corroded on my 2008 clio 197. Only had the car since April 2019, anyway found this article and t6ool the car to renault in southampton for an inspection and they have agreed to replace the part picking up all expenses including labour.
12 year warranty was due to expire March 2019...
Car has full service history all indepenrs from 4 year onwards, every invoice for repairs too and original sales invoice sure that helped aswell as low mileage.
 
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Thanks for the heads up on this. Was quoted £650 from a local garage to replace this. Phoned Renault dealer in Aldershot who weren't too helpful. Wrote to Renault UK who phoned me back and suggested I go to Renault Croydon who have done the inspection, discussed it with Renault and done the replacement under the 12 year warranty. Well chuffed.
The inspection was done on the 12th anniversary of the car and the work done just after. I think because the letter and the booking for the inspection fell before the 12th year mark it worked in my favour.
 
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