2000 Renault Clio Si 1.4 16v

Summary:

Want a fun little do-it-all? Buy this. You want superb comfort, buy something else

Faults:

In the first week I got it, the drive belt of the alternator and servo-pump broke. Not exactly sure what caused it, but it was an easy fix.

A couple of months later the horn stopped functioning. I don't know the cause, as I haven't really looked into it.

The build quality is certainly not great either. I've had to remove some interior parts (for fitting a new speaker cable) and I was underwhelmed by the fit and finish. My previous Nissan Micra was a 10 year old car, but was much sturdier. However, the Clio doesn't have one rattle (in fact it did, but this was easily cured by fitting a small piece of foam).

General Comments:

The engine is supposed to have 98 hp, but it doesn't feel it. However if you look at the tach, you can see it does indeed move quite quick. It is capable of 202 km/h on the tach (about 190 on GPS) so it does have the power, it just feels kind of 'flat'. For a reference: a friend of mine drives a Opel (Vauxhall) Astra 2.0 with 115 BHP, and it' equal in acceleration and loses by 2-3 km/h in top speed. It does however have a good motorway response. I was really amazed the first time I drove it. With only 1400cc, one doesn't expect a good response at 130km/h without changing down a gear, but it does go quite well.

The handling is what I think is the strong part of this car. In Belgium the car was sold with a firmer than standard suspension in its 16v-version. I wouldn't say it's a Lotus Elise killer in the corners, but is does go fast. Very neutral and fast steering, followed by oversteer when lifting the throttle. The trade off for its good handling is a firm ride. French cars have a reputation for being comfortable, but it doesn't hold true for this car. Especially little bumps that come through quite harsh. It does get much better when fully packed, but then the engine has to be worked hard.

The brakes are very powerful, and more importantly, they don't fade. I drive cars pretty hard sometimes, and most get out of shape quick, but this little Clio doesn't. It remains very composed all the time.

The car is cheap to drive, is easy on tires, and easy on the gas; 6.5 liters/100 km if driven carefully, 7.2 when driven quick.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th February, 2006

1999 Renault Clio RT 1.9 diesel

Summary:

I'll keep driving it until it drops, maybe two more years

Faults:

The fuel injection pump died. On a diesel, this is an expensive replacement and I was out just over $1,000.00. Of course this was only 9,000 KM after the warranty expired. Renault did pay part of the replacement. At about 145,000 KM the transmission quit. I replaced it with a second hand unit. This was another $650.00. The biggest fault was Renault didn't have a turbo diesel in this car when it was launched in 1998. There had been a turbo version of the 1.9 engine out since 1992 when it was introduced in the R19, so there was no excuse not to have it in the new Clio.

General Comments:

Overall it's not a bad car. I'm still on the original shocks and struts, rear brakes, exhaust, and battery. The front brakes lasted to 135,000 KM. The seats are rather harder that I expected from Renault, so lower marks for comfort. I put a set of Continental Premium Contact tires on mine and they made a fantastic difference in how the car handled. I used 185/60 R 14 on the optional Stella wheels. The styling is not a strong point with this car and the Clio 2.5 is even worse. Still, not bad considering the beating I give it of over 33,000 KM each year.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 6th May, 2002

18th Dec 2003, 16:24

I wrote this review originally. The car now has 252 513 Km. I've had to replace quite a few things recently such as the entire exhaust (nearly €1 000/$1200, too much!), the brakes, ball joints, wheel bearings,... Given the Km's I do, this was not unexpected. Incidently, I do about 55 000 Km's each year, the 33 000 figure in my original report is for miles. Sorry for the error.

I have always used a full synthetic motor oil since the first oil change. I change every 15 000 Km as Renault recommends. I've been using Mobil 1 0W-30 for the past two years with excellent results, it's better than the 5W-30 even though Renault does not recommend this grade for its diesels of that year. I have to add about one half liter of oil between changes. The engine purrs like a kitten and starts easily, even in minus 12 C temperatures, but that's at the cost of a new set of glow plugs each year. The car has always been maintained by Renault. I give it a minute or two to idle in cold temperatures before driving and go gently until the temperature needle is in the normal range.

From time to time the car gets overloaded. The worst incident of this was when our supermarket put 18 kilo sacks of dog food on half price sale. I got all they had--24 sacks--and managed to get them all in the car and had enough space left over for myself. I had to drive it like that for about two hours before it could be unloaded. It was no worse for wear afterwards. I'm still on the original shock absorbers/struts, drive shafts, starter, and alternator.

The car is a good driver. Oddly enough, one of its best features is the 50 liter fuel tank, largest in class. You may think that's strange, but the larger the tank, the fewer times you have to stop and fill it. When you do over 50 000 Km's every year, the savings in time add up.

I'm now running on Continental EcoContact 3 tires. For an entry level tire, they are fantastic, better than the Semperit Speed Comforts they replaced.

Given the Km's I've done up to now, I see no reason not to get at least 300 000 Km's and hopefully a little more as I don't expect to buy another new car until mid-2005. Unless something much better comes along, that new car will be a Ford C-Max.

16th Sep 2005, 08:37

OK, I'm back again. I sold the car a while ago with over 324000 Km/201000 miles on it. She still had the four original shocks, both driveshafts, starter, and alternator. It took me 10 days short of six years to roll up that distance, so a lot of hours on that hard driver's seat. It still fired right up at the first turn of the key and there was no oil consumption to speak of. I can't say I didn't get my money's worth out of it. My new car is a 2005 Fiat Idea 1.9 JTD Emotion as the C-Max was too expensive. I'm glad I took the topline RT version rather than any of the others. If you're going to spend that much time in a car, it needs to be as nice as possible.

1993 Renault Clio RSi 1.8

Summary:

Superb car, best in curved streets

Faults:

Leaking oil started at 112000 kilometres.

The button of the day-counter broke off at 122000 kilometres.

The roller of the distribution-belt makes a very nasty sound at 123000 kilometres.

But before, I've never had problems.

General Comments:

It's a very reliable car that handles great in curves.

The shifting works great.

You can easily leave the most cars behind you.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2002

1993 Renault Clio 16V 1.8 16v

Summary:

A race car wannabe

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Good car to drive. I fitted a Sebring high tech line exhaust on it. I also added a chip from Renault Sport France and I lowered the car a few cm. I put 16 inch alloy wheels (205/45/16) on the car and you can feel that you have better grip. The only thing I miss is the turbo feeling.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th August, 2000