1995 Renault Clio 16V 1.8 16v

Summary:

One of the best hot hatches ever made!

Faults:

The switch stopped working for the passenger window.

The cambelt went at 81000 (5000 over the change interval though), heavy valve damage incurred.

The lumbar support in driver's seat broke.

Failed its MOT on anti-roll bar bushes (outer).

The offside rear caliper seized at 90000 miles, causing the handbrake cables to snap.

General Comments:

In general this car is brilliant!, it gets used and abused daily and through it all has been extremely reliable.

The car has ample power, but sometimes the lack of torque just before the main power hit occurs is evident.

Handling is very nice indeed, measured the understeer if overstretched, is very controllable.

The car is also good on fuel if driven with respect, getting over 30mpg. Tires last well also, although the fronts wear at about twice the rate of the rears.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2001

1995 Renault Clio Williams 3 2.0

Summary:

'A Special Edition Pocket Rocket' which can see off many of the big boys with its power and handling

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car so far, thankfully.

General Comments:

Extremely quick hot hatch.

Handling is very impressive, voted one of the best drivers cars ever made.

The look of the car sets it aside from all other Clio's. Its much meaner and meatier looking and the flared arches allow 18" alloys without problems.

Recently replaced the standard exhaust system from the cat back, with a Powerflow custom built stainless steel exhaust. The car now looks much more aggresive and powerful, and the sound is incredible, more like a GTi-R or a Cosworth.

The interior is superb. Blue carpets fully line the floor and the Williams embroidered seats are incredibly comfortable and wrap you in tightly. Even the blue seat-belts follow the colour code of the car.

I would say the only problem I've encountered so far is the fact that the car red-lines so quickly! While overtaking, the rev limiter can kick in and it should have been time to change gear! The car is really quick in the first few gears due to the ratio's, but opens up in 4th and 5th so the car could be pushed to the limits without the rev limiter needing to be used.

The Williams 3 is also the last model of the Williams range, and comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard. Handy.

It would have been so much nicer if Dimma kits came as standard too!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th July, 2001

31st Aug 2001, 12:29

I've recently cured the red-lining problem by having the Williams chip upgraded. The Superchip allows the car to rev right round to 8k and with the recently added K&N Induction kit the car sounds superb as it sucks air in, much like a turbo sound. It even has the K&N accompanied whistle note of a turbo!

Amazingly, the petrol consumption seems better too, maybe the original chip wasn't set up properly or something, but the car is running superbly now. Next service in 1000 miles.

Overall, the Powerflow stainless exhaust with 4" pipe, Superchip and K&N 57i Induction kit highly recommended.

19th Apr 2007, 04:08

What bhp are these little monsters, and how fast do they get to 60?

8th Nov 2007, 09:53

I'm thinking of buying a williams 3, the one that I have my eye on has done aronud 85 thousand miles. Is it worth looking into?

1995 Renault Clio RT 1.4

Summary:

The best small car ever made!

Faults:

The car felt a little sluggish in the rain one time. It only happened once though.

I had to replace the rear exhaust box.

The rear window wiper would not work in the morning if the car was left out in the rain all night. It always fixed worked after I had driven a few miles though.

General Comments:

This car is great.

It's quick, good on fuel (doesn't use much), is well made, and goes round bends better than any other car I have been in.

I have driven: Vauxhall Nova & Corsa, Audi 100 & A4, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Hi-Lux, Fiat Panda, Hyundai Lantra, Nissan Bluebird, Ford Sierra, Chevy Cavalier and a Ford Escort. So you know I know what I'm talking about.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th July, 2001