1999 Renault Clio RT review from Belgium

The fuel injection pump died. On a diesel, this is an expensive replacement and I was out just over $1,000.00. Of course this was only 9,000 KM after the warranty expired. Renault did pay part of the replacement. At about 145,000 KM the transmission quit. I replaced it with a second hand unit. This was another $650.00. The biggest fault was Renault didn't have a turbo diesel in this car when it was launched in 1998. There had been a turbo version of the 1.9 engine out since 1992 when it was introduced in the R19, so there was no excuse not to have it in the new Clio.

Overall it's not a bad car. I'm still on the original shocks and struts, rear brakes, exhaust, and battery. The front brakes lasted to 135,000 KM. The seats are rather harder that I expected from Renault, so lower marks for comfort. I put a set of Continental Premium Contact tires on mine and they made a fantastic difference in how the car handled. I used 185/60 R 14 on the optional Stella wheels. The styling is not a strong point with this car and the Clio 2.5 is even worse. Still, not bad considering the beating I give it of over 33,000 KM each year.