2000 Renault Clio S review from UK and Ireland
"Potentially a super package - Let down by faults and poor dealer treatment"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Dents on the body not picked up by the dealer upon its delivery (and not picked up by me until I got home)... one had already been 'touched' up. The dealer rectified after a short negotiation.
Driver's door had no colour on the bottom inner section (just primer). Dealership unhelpful said they sometimes come like that and that the primer would give sufficient protection! Eventually re-painted under the warranty.
After 3000 miles, the engine on start up sounded like diesel for first 10-15 seconds. 3 trips to the dealership failed to secure agreement that the engine was faulty. Renault HQ (UK) were contacted and after 4 months after my first complaint, they replaced the engine claiming piston slap to be the problem.
The clutch now judders sometimes when pulling away, but only slightly and I can't face further arguments with the garage!
'New' engine has done approx 4000 miles and is noisy on start up and rattly on tick-over, but they tell me that's normal!
Sun roof fixings rattle almost constantly, but can't be heard when the stereo is up loud...
General comments?
Good fun little car, but I have been very disappointed by the resistance I have received for problems which have been major and very obvious, giving me no confidence in the Renault company as a whole.
Like the economy.
Like the performance and handling.
Like the low insurance group.
Don't like the noises the engine makes on start-up/tick-over.
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Recommended Reviews:
  | Fast, good looking, well featured, cheap...what, you want more?! |
| An excellent all round car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.4 8v petrol Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 4/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 7200 miles |
| Date of Entry | 19th August, 2001 |