Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

I am really into cars, and I have a BMW Z4M on the drive - it is my no. 1 dream car, and I feel privileged to own one, BUT I didn't want to use it for work every day, and that's where the Clio 182 came in - I wanted a reasonably priced fun car that would return a good mpg, and that I wouldn't be frightened of parking in a multi-storey!!

I think the Clio 182 is a fantastic car - It pulls very cleanly up to 4,000 rpm, and then lets loose after that almost like a turbo where the cam really kicks in!

Mine is a 2004 with 26k genuine miles (so very low) in Trophy Blue with the Anthacite wheels - it looks gorgeous!

This Clio 182 is great fun to drive; 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, although I have seen an Autocar review that says 6.3 seconds (and I can believe that!)

I think the build quality is superb, with the exception of the boot lining and the parcel shelf - it is a bit tissue paper like!

Having said that, this is great to drive, and the handling is fantastic! I get about 34 mpg, which is 10 mpg better than my BM, and I have a pretty heavy foot with it!

I love the figure hugging seats, and the equipment you get with this car as standard such as the climate control, cruise control and the remote stereo - Love it! The silver seat belts look nice as well.

The double exhausts certainly hint at the sporting credentials!

This sounds really sad, but I honestly enjoy driving it as much as my BM, and I think on the twisty bits, the Clio would keep up with it!

Great car!

Faults:

Just thought I would add this as the "black box at the back of the engine" that many have had problems with rubbing wiring came unattached on my car after only 20,000 miles. I was unable to put it back on, so just threw it in back of car.

Previous to this, I had poor idle problems from new that were fixed after 1500 miles when the car started running on 3 cylinders and Renault fixed under warranty.. Dodgy spark plug. When I took it in before this, Renault told me it was supposed to idle rough because it was a lean burn engine "What bull".

Just before I sold it, the coil light came on occasionally and the car would go in limp mode, not revving over 3,000 and reaching a max of 25 mph, sold it with this problem..

Overall, a nice car spoiled by Renault's poor after sales care.

General Comments:

Nice handling when you got it up to speed.

Faults:

Steering wheel wiring fault recall - not actually noticed any fault on this car.

Failed distributor cable at 45000 kms, car running on 3 cylinders, distributor cap replaced.

Failed hazard lights switch, replaced it myself at 55000 kms.

Grinding starter motor noise from 73000 kms, not replaced it yet as the car works fine apart from the noise when starting it.

Minor trim rattles.

Headlight bulbs blow every 20000 kms or so.

General Comments:

This car is a supermini, small by late 2000s standards, but interior space is not a priority in my case, so no marks off for that.

The interior is nicely designed and of high quality for an early 2000s design as well.

It rides very comfortably.

The engine is very torquey for its size, and is pleasant around town, out of breath on the motorway, but again, adequate given its size. It also revs nicely and isn't too loud.

Handling is good, steering is floaty and feels unstable over 130 km/h.

The clutch is too stiff and the throttle response can be jerky, which is sometimes annoying.

Love the steering column stereo controls, the best of any I've tried.

There have been some reliability issues. However, they weren't expensive, and the only one worth noting is the failed distributor cable, a common Renault problem, as I had to have the car towed. Were it not for this, I'd give it a 9/10 for reliability as everything else is minor. Even so, I'd buy it again as the cheap servicing, low price and good driving offset the occasional problems. Build quality is surprisingly good for a French car - nothing has broken or fallen off, and it only gives out minor creaks when it's cold.

Overall mark is 7/10 and "would buy again". At its price, I believe it was the best buy at the time.