2003 Renault Clio Reviews - Page 8 of 18

The sunroof Rattles.

Ignition Coils fail regularly.

Brake Pad friction material separated from the backing plate.

Seats have started to wear badly.

I've changed the wheels and suspension to aid the handling of the car.

I've also made my own electronic control unit to make it more powerful and economical over standard.

The cabin space is a bit of a weired one... Whats with the cup holder infront of the gear stick??? If you dare put a drink in it you will get drink everywhere when going for third gear!

Lamp Control Module within ECU went 'screwy' which caused the Right Hand indicator to come on by itself randomly. Renault Replaced ECU under warranty which meant reprogramming all the keys.

Offside Wheel bearing went at 42,000 miles, Renault refused to do under warranty as my car is an 'import'. (Aren't they all???) ;) Cost £99 to put right.

Seems a little heavy on tires, but I do a lot of twisty roads on my commute to work.

Most economical car I've owned. I'm doing easily 63mpg, with getting at least 600miles to each tank of Diesel (my record being 640 miles before I filled it up and the fuel light wasn't even on!)

Service intervals are 18,000 miles or 2 years, but Renault will 'rape' you for servicing costs. Other dealers will do 'Renault' services with Renault parts for a lot cheaper costs.

Road Tax only costs £85 a year!!! Insurance is pretty cheap too.

Performance of the line won't set you a light, but once it's going Overtaking performance is pretty good. The dCi120 version I drove as a loan car was like a bloody rocket!

The Variable Electric Power Steering takes a while to get used, but does give the car a very solid and direct feel into corners which is helped by the rather wide 185 tires that are fitted.

CD Player/Stereo is pretty good.

Interior trim is OK, nothing to shout about.

Cut my finger on the seatbelt feeder (if that's a fault!!)

The 172 Cup Sport is the next best thing to the V6 Clio. I've beaten Civic Type-R's, Focus RS' (in a straight line) and easily beaten by Subaru W R X's, (RS Turbo, GT Turbo's are a breeze!)

First time I drove the car I laughed the whole time as it's so quick, (it was in the wet too!)

I have to say it gets a bit bumpy with 4 people in the car, but on the motorway it comes into it's own.

Very reliable, 220 miles to the tank. 156mph top speed and I reckon it does more!

No mechanical problems - not a sign of a blown head gasket either!