Renault Clio buying advice...
 

I'm thinking about getting a 1.5dCi 100bhp Clio. Its a 54 plate with 13K on the clock. I'm torn, I like the look of the car, test driving it tonight and have read that its quite fast but equally I have heard stories about dodgy electrics and bad dealer service.

Anyone had any experience of Renault build quality etc?

Any advice appreciated

Dude... they're FRENCH. Should explain it all. :lol:

;)

Edit: seriously though, I've never heard anyone say anything good about french cars.

Lift up the rear boot carpets and check that there is no ripples in the body work floor.

Recently bought a 52 plate Megane for the wife, only had 18000 miles but had been the demonstrator for the dealership before its last owner so its got all the toys 8)
I must say the past experiences of French cars I've had made me very wary of this car but she was adamant she wanted it so I agreed. The only problems we've had were the radio wouldn't pick up anything (repaired under warranty) and the stupid on board computer system. The tyres have (expensive) pressure sensors in the valves which are linked to the seperate corners, so swapping tyres around means that the whole thing loses the plot and doesn't then seem to know its a*se from its elbow :roll: That said, we've only been swapping tyres because shes managed to get 2 flipping punctures in the past 3 weeks.
Other than that the build quality is much, much better than I thought it was going to be - almost on a par with my 06 Toyota Avensis - and its really comfortable for a hatchback and the majotiry of the front end is plastic so will never rust.

Can't really comment on the Clio, but a friend of ours has a petrol sporty looking 53 plate and she hasn't had any problems with it.

Looking for accident damage or is there something else?

Small cars are very easy to damage the floor at the rear with even slow shunts from the rear.

Re: Renault Clio buying advice...
 

imho i have no more problems with french cars than any other,

my brand new 1.5dci megane broke at 56 miles that's not 56k that's 056, but dealers were good and sorted it eventually.

just remember, don't pay a alot or it will be worth nothing in a couple of years, unless you get a popular model, plus the new Clio is out too.

economical though.... i have the weedy 85bhp it does good mpg

I thought that you were trying to sell a Renault.
Not doing it many favours with statements like that! :wink:

Why do you think I'm trying to sell it? :lol:

It's comfy and seems to be reliable (never heard mum complaining about it) but it's GUTLESS and NO FUN TO DRIVE. :P I know there are people who prefer cars like that but I'm not one of 'em.

:lol:

I've had Citroens and Peugeots in the past (diesel and petrol) and they have been fine, decent, comfortable cars with no sign of gremlins.

I had a 1.9 litre Clio back in 1994 and that was a great little car; went like stink and was totally reliable.

However, Mrs Jabba's Megane Scenic 1.6 RXE is the most unreliable pile of motoring crap we've ever owned. Electrical gremlins have been expensive to rectify this year and have caused the car to break down twice. Its 4 years old and only done 27k miles.

Advice? Steer clear of Renaults as their electrics are worse than those of Italian motorbikes. Don't think that the diesels will be better than petrol ones because they won't; modern diesels are as complicated as modern petrol cars which wasn't the case when I owned my diesel Clio.

Want a French diesel? Buy Peugeot.