Faults:

In first few months, steering rack had to be replaced.

Heated rear window elements had a break - hence rear window had to be replaced.

Brake lights stuck on permanent module had to be replaced.

General Comments:

Car drives like a dream, much fun to be had round corners and isn't too bad on the straights, tho runs out of puff on hills.

Has quite a few rattles tho', specially the sunroof.

There is a knocking sound from the front of the car, but I suspect it is the steering column again, am waiting for it to get worse before she goes back to the dealer.

Comfortable and good looking inside, if basic.

Not worried about initial problems or any subsequent, as 3 year warranty will cover them.

Faults:

Severe pull to the left.

Two front struts leaking and needed replaced (from new)!

Headlight washer jets keep flying off.

General Comments:

On our second 172 now, first one was a Cup which had the usual suspension problems and interior rattles - sadly it was written off.

Now have 172 Sport - bad move!

From day one car pulled to left. Told that the tyre pressures were wrong, camber of road, feature of the car - all the usual excuses. We finally persuaded the less than helpful dealer to check it and discovered that the two front struts were leaking and needed to be replaced. Car still pulls to the left now. Told to go to another dealer (70 mile round trip) who has equipment to test geometry of the car, when we arrived treated like something they had stepped in, told there was nothing wrong with the car (without having done any tests on the car) and they refused to do any work on it!

Awaiting response to our complaint lodged with Renault UK. Don't hold out much hope though.

Faults:

The car had a few scratches, a damaged wheel and a dent in the boot lid when I picked it up. However Renault sorted these out without any problems.

The indicators stopped working after about 20 miles and the heater controls also stopped working at the same time. Renault again sorted out the problems quickly without any questions.

General Comments:

The Clio Cup 172 is a real drivers car and needs to be revved to get the best performance out of it. My Cup is just about run in now and when you open it up, especially in 3rd and 4th around country lanes it is awesome. The power delivery is smooth up to about 5k and then goes crazy after that and you have to hold on to the wheel tightly.

The handling of the Cup us very precise, but it can be a bit twitchy on uneven surfaces. However out on the open road it is very sure footed and backed up by powerful brakes it stops very well.

The only downside to the Cup is that on long journeys the very stiff suspension does get a bit annoying and the lack of ABS during the recent snow made driving a bit exciting!!!

But who cares I love the car and once you get in and start the Cup up all that is forgotten and it is time to hunt down Civic Type R's!!!