Clio 200 Options + Buying advice

[dajones]

Im looking at getting a Clio 200, a low mileage 2010 model. I havent found one yet but im looking at giving my dealership a preference and hope they can source one for when i get back in the country in January.
Ill be looking at the regular 200 with the cup pack with recaros. Now are the speedline wheels and option or standard on the "FF"
Does anyone have a picture of the different Headlights, Am i right in thinking there was no xenon option for the 200 so what where the dark headlights?.

Boring questions.
What are the service intervals like? (+ average cost of service from main dealer)
Any recalls i need to worry about ( I seem to remember something about the gearbox needing updating on the 197?)
Is Bluetooth standard on all models or do i need to add that to my list if i want it? (same with cruise control)

Still undecided on the colour, Atm i am looking at Alien green, Liquid yellow and Racing blue, All with black wheels.
The kia is getting dropped off at the body shop on the 17th to get repairs done so going to sort out the new car then.

 

[VXR killer]

speedlines were an option, yes no xenon option available, the dark headlights were non xenon projectors with cornering lights, pretty sure you can get cornering lights on the normal silver headlights aswell.

service interval is 12,000 miles or two years, but i would get it done yearly. cost depends on dealership and type of service, and can differ very largely. no recalls as im aware.
bluetooth is again an option. cruise control is standard on FF.

 

[Gorms]

Black insert headlights were just what came on the FF model. Cornering lights were an option but also have the black insert.

 

[Jordi17]

Not really an FF though is it, either a 200 Cup or standard 200. Seeing as there is no 'cup packs' available for the 200, just options such as the cup chassis, recaros, speedlines etc.

 

[rs 1an]

I would get a later 2011/2012 like mine as they changed the suspension, pm GW200 he has a lovely white 200 with seats like mine he wants to sell

 

[dajones]

What difference is the suspension between the 2 years?

 

[VXR killer]

They changed the size/layout of the top mount, so the shocks are different, they changed them mid to late 2010

 

[Knuckles]

Get on pistonheads and 197.net

they'll have we'll specced cars with mostly tasteful mods

is the change in top mount beneficial in any way?

 

[Knuckles]

Not really an FF though is it, either a 200 Cup or standard 200. Seeing as there is no 'cup packs' available for the 200, just options such as the cup chassis, recaros, speedlines etc.

This

 

[VXR killer]

No maybe not, but a normal 200 as commonly become know as ff.

 

[Matt W]

If buying one out of warranty, keep several thousand pounds aside for a new gearbox.

 

[dajones]

Get on pistonheads and 197.net

they'll have we'll specced cars with mostly tasteful mods

is the change in top mount beneficial in any way?

​This?

 

[boffey]

If buying one out of warranty, keep several thousand pounds aside for a new gearbox.

​This

 

[gez 172]

If buying one out of warranty, keep several thousand pounds aside for a new gearbox.

Bit of an exaggeration there? Lol

 

[Christopher]

Buy as late a car as you can. Essentials for me were Speedlines, Cup Chassis and Recaros.

In the end I bought a new one and ordered every option. Holla.

Buy mine next year.

 

[dajones]

Funnily enough i saw a thread of yours over at detailing world, and yours is pretty much spot on.
​

 

[Matt W]

Bit of an exaggeration there? Lol

I wouldn't buy one with no warranty!

 

[gez 172]

Will you be getting rid of yours come warranty ending then?

i don't see what the fuss is about? It's about £400 for a gearbox rebuild? Making it sound like an expensive fault on 4 wheels

 

[MonkeyKnifeFight]

I suggest looking at a 200 Cup! Preferably in Storm grey with black speed lines and Recaro's.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...rey-Clio-200-Cup-Recaros-Speedlines-%A310-500

 

[dajones]

What is the cup missing over the normal 200. Id want all the toys like cruise control, air con etc

 

[marshall878]

Then you wont want the cup...

 

[Ed.200]

Cup lacks the toys, some have AC some don't, no keyless entry no cruise etc.

Standard 200 (usualy identified by silver brake callipers as standard) - Depends on the spec, but most will have the keyless entry, cruise, ac,

200 FF (identified with red brake callipers) - has the cup chassis and suspension, so a slightly firmer ride + standard 200 spec of keyless entry, cruise, ac etc etc.

More info here, (borrowed from the 192.net forum)
http://www.clio197.net/forum/showthread.php?19788-Clio-197-buyers-guide

 

[dajones]

Then no cup for me!
how does the keyless entry work? say my car is parked roughly 7-8ft from my window ground floor will the car be locked?

 

[Ed.200]

Just a card that emits a signal, car accepts that signal and unlocks the doors / boot. As long as its in your pocket you can also start it.
Should be ok, usually have to be pretty close to it. Failing that put the keys further away

 

[VXR killer]

Note that the car doesnt lock itself when you walk away. I heard of many people thinking this.

 

[Chapppers11]

Note that the car doesnt lock itself when you walk away. I heard of many people thinking this.

Pretty sure mine does?

I was leaving mine with the windows open, unlocked and the alarm kept going off!

OP, Buy the highest spec you can because it will hold value better and won't be a huge effort to sell on.

 

[Imurray15]

Just make sure when you test drive the car that there are no weird things going on with the gearbox like crunching etc as Clio 197/200's are well known for this. Also check that the steering is ok as well and there are no knocking noises coming from it as racks are known to fail on high mileage cars. Other than that they are great cars and are pretty reliable if looked after properly.

 

[VXR killer]

Pretty sure the car doesnt, hence it called keyless entry.

 

[Chapppers11]

Pretty sure the car doesnt, hence it called keyless entry.

I'm not sure how keyless entry implies that it doesn't auto lock, but if I leave mine with windows open and unlocked, then ten minutes later the alarm goes off, I would have thought the alarm has automatically come on.

 

[Mentalpen]

You have to lock the doors or they will not lock when you walk away.

HOWEVER Renault may have fitted the odd one with a megane alarm that does lock when walking away. Around the time of the earthquake in Japan they were throwing things on cars they wouldn't usually, some RS meganes for instance had different alarms. Some had the 200 alarm (my 265 trophy alarm is the same as my 200 alarm) yet other megs have the walk away alarm.

I would have thought the car would beep to say it can't lock/set the alarm if a window was open tho.

 

[CJ_RR]

Strange theory! My 200 'ff' auto locks after a few minutes.

 

[Knuckles]

I think mine auto locks after a while.

but for the keyless entry, you need to be within around 4 feet of the door/boot. And the key needs to be in the car for it to start

 

[dajones]

Thats better for the mind then. my car is parked literally 4 foot away from my window.

 

[dajones]

Bump this with another question.
Do all 200s have means of listening to music off my phone through aux or would I be better hunting down one with Bluetooth.
Just under 2 months to go until I get back to the uk and away from the shittest driving ford galaxy I've ever seen.

 

[Knuckles]

Afaik, they all have the ipod connector, but I'd be hunting for one with the Bluetooth head unit

 

[dajones]

The time has come, arrive back home in approx 3 weeks to collect this after placing a deposit.

 

[Christopher]

Nice work.

Anthracite works on GW. It's the only colour that it does.

 

[Gaz_]

i'm a fan of anthricite on black!

 

[Jordi17]

Im a fan of anthracite on RB!

 

[Matt W]

Awesome! Another 200 in South Wales