Clio 172 test drive... A few questions...

[w44ne g]

Hi guys,

Ive been a lurker of this forum for a while. Recently though, I've been looking for a fun weekend toy and a few days ago, a 172 came up at a non-Renault mainstream dealership. It was taken in part-ex and I've just driven it.

The car has covered just over 70k, it's a phase 2 172 and seemed like a very sound car. No major creaks or rattles, and it seems very responsive.

The only thing I did notice was a lot of wind noise at approx 70mph+, to the point where it was whistling. Is this normal or something I'd need to address?

The auto wipers worked perfectly but I'm guessing there's no auto lights on this car? I couldn't see any option for it at least.

The Tyres are a bit of a mish mash so I'd probably get 4 new ones fitted for peace of mind. Are there any recommendations of good Tyres for these cars that won't cost the earth? Tbh, the wheels are Kerbed a bit so I may just buy a new set of wheels and Tyres off eBay (or from the sales corner here) anyway.

Any tips or recommendations I should be aware of when buying a ten year old Clio?

Finally (as I only want a cheap toy!), the car is £2000 for a 2002 02 reg, with just over 70k on the clock, full service history (mixed between main and non main dealer), Cambelt replaced two years ago, MOT etc... Does this sound about the right money?

 

[lambpie]

Mines also quite noisy at speed but I wouldn't describe it as whistling..

Perhaps the door seals need replacing..

 

[w44ne g]

Mines also quite noisy at speed but I wouldn't describe it as whistling..

Perhaps the door seals need replacing..

To be honest, I was thinking its a seal but I've had cars that whistle in the past from new so wasn't sure if it's just a 172/Clio trait :S Seemed to be coming from the top of the front windscreen.

 

[Tunst]

Auto lights can be turned on by flicking the side lights on and off twice iirc

 

[mjf93]

Mine doesn't 'whistle' at any speed, abit of tire roar at above 70, but that's about it. £2000 sounds like top money for a non cup 172 to me. Loads of imaculate ones without kurbed wheels etc for that on eBay/ Pistonheads

 

[w44ne g]

Auto lights can be turned on by flicking the side lights on and off twice iirc

Ah that'd be great if that's all it needs. I find it really handy on my main car.

Mine doesn't 'whistle' at any speed, abit of tire roar at above 70, but that's about it. £2000 sounds like top money for a non cup 172 to me. Loads of imaculate ones without kurbed wheels etc for that on eBay/ Pistonheads

Prim amazed £2000 is at the high end... Seems such a lot of car for the money! The main thing I want is peace of mind though and if I buy private, it could be a problematic car.

This car will get a "health check". I know this means sod all but I can also purchase a two year warranty for £500 which includes a comprehensive warranty + the top tier of AA cover from home/away from home etc. So the car would probably owe me more like £2500 in the end?

 

[Chip-mk1]

I bet that warranty has all sorts of ceiling to the costs in it and insistance on where does the work, most of them end up largely worthless

Better to buy private for 1500, save 500 on the car, 500 on the warranty, and then if anything goes wrong you have a grand to get a new engine fitted or whatever anyway!

 

[imprezaworks]

The warranty will prob be crap tbh

 

[w44ne g]

I bet that warranty has all sorts of ceiling to the costs in it and insistance on where does the work, most of them end up largely worthless

Well to be honest, normally these garages throw all sorts of paperwork at you showing how "good" the warranty is but in this case, he nothing to show me... at all! I was pretty amazed to be honest as normally you can't walk out without them trying to sell it you, but I was actually asking all the questions.

I wouldn't buy it unless I had all the information supplied in writing.

 

[Chip-mk1]

As per my edit above, I still say buy private and the grand you save will be your emergency money

 

[w44ne g]

As per my edit above, I still say buy private and the grand you save will be your emergency money

Something like this perhaps?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-C...omobiles_UK&hash=item3cca5d6ff2#ht_500wt_1414

I'd like something as standard as possible for insurance reasons etc.

 

[Chip-mk1]

something just like that mate, assuming it is as described.

 

[Thrust-Rated]

Buy private mate. You can grab yourself a bargain nowadays. Just check receipts for Campbell change etc.

 

[w44ne g]

Buy private mate. You can grab yourself a bargain nowadays. Just check receipts for Campbell change etc.

Thanks. I was nearly going ahead with the original one but the responses here have hopefully saved me some money. I've messaged the eBay advert seller.

Out of interest, what's the interval for cambelts in years\miles?

Thanks

 

[Ol’ Tarby]

5 years or 72k miles mate

 

[Chip-mk1]

TBH unless there is good documented history on the cambelt change, ie you actually confirm it with the specialist that the receipt is from, I would just budget for getting it done ideally.
Its the biggest killer of these cars, in terms of lack of performance if its not quite timed in right, and in terms of writing the engine off if not done.

 

[gaz44]

The whistle noise is perfectly normal btw. IIRC, it's the hole under the wing mirror that has the temp guage in it.

 

[w44ne g]

The whistle noise is perfectly normal btw. IIRC, it's the hole under the wing mirror that has the temp guage in it.

Thats good to know... Well, at least it's not a fault on the car but the noise could get annoying after a few hours on the motorway.

 

[gaz44]

It didn't really bother me because of all the other rattles that were going on in the Clio.

 

[Cookson]

Bit of gaffer tape = sorted

 

[Martin_172]

they whistle a bit when going usually over 120 odd from the wing mirror but ive found that a proper whistle under 100mph is usually the windscreen or door window seals.

 

[Martin.]

Mine whistles under the wing mirror at low ish speeds, but I can only hear it with the window open. Mine also whistles at 110mph from the top of the windscreen. Yet to get that sorted.

 

[thenorth]

Whistling will be a badly fitted windscreen. A bit of sealer will will solve the problem. At 70 if you push up on the interior light the pitch of the whistle will change

 

[Pulsator]

Just make sure if you buy one private and off ebay you take it for a proper test drive ie. national speed limit road/motorway, i made the mistake a few weeks ago when buying mine i just took it for a spin round the block, then once on the motorway on way home was it only then that i realised the tracking was out and also in need of rear shocks as stepping out over every little bump , and also the radiatior cooling had aleak somewhere !! I figured the guy sold it because he couldnt be ars*d fixing the issue, but luckily a £1.20 brass flange sorted the radiator and rear shocks are cheap enough !!

Sorry to blab on lol but guess im just trying to say becareful, as mine was very clean and very good condition which can be quite deceiving in thinking the car itself will be the same !!

 

[w44ne g]

Thanks for all the info. It did sound like the top of the front screen so that'd make sense.

Just make sure if you buy one private and off ebay you take it for a proper test drive ie. national speed limit road/motorway, i made the mistake a few weeks ago when buying mine i just took it for a spin round the block, then once on the motorway on way home was it only then that i realised the tracking was out and also in need of rear shocks as stepping out over every little bump , and also the radiatior cooling had aleak somewhere !! I figured the guy sold it because he couldnt be ars*d fixing the issue, but luckily a £1.20 brass flange sorted the radiator and rear shocks are cheap enough !!

Sorry to blab on lol but guess im just trying to say becareful, as mine was very clean and very good condition which can be quite deceiving in thinking the car itself will be the same !!

Blab on a much as you like... It all helps mate. I don't want to end up as the same position as you, especially as its a bit of fun for the weekend and nothing more.

 

[dannyh172]

Sounds daft mate, but with the whistling try turning the climate control on. Mine makes a whistling noise when at speed and its turned off!