2004 Renault Clio Dynamique review from UK and Ireland

3 ignition coil failures all around 30,000 miles.

Blocked evaporator drain hose.

I have had 3 recent ignition coil failures. The first 2 were replaced by the AA, but the last one failed just after the warranty expired. I picked up 2 more coils from the local Renault dealer and fitted them myself (after carefully watching what the AA man did the second time). I have enquired about whether there could be an underlying problem causing the coils to fail – but the Renault dealership would have to put the car on some sort of test bed to find out (at my expense). They were also quite defensive when I questioned them. The coils that I have from the Renault dealership seem to be manufactured by a different OEM – so I expect that their design may have been changed. Just before each coil failed – I experienced unstable idling where the engine would drop down to about 300 rpm. Now that I have replaced the coils – all the problems seem to have gone away – and it is behaving itself.

The rear tyres are wearing quicker than the front ones and nobody I have asked about this can explain it. Any ideas?

I quite like the car and will hold onto it for a while.

I haven't managed to unblock my evaporator drain hose yet.