2002 Renault Clio V6 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing!!

The MK1 Clio V6 2002. (Silver no.464 of 500)

Well, I have owned this car for 6 months now and knew that I would have to own one of these awesome V6 powered Clio's from the first moment I saw this creation reviewed in EVO magazine.

I took my time reading many reviews to find out if there were any 'bad' points about owning this car! I repeatedly read about the terrible 'fish tail' like handling, if pressed too hard into a sharp bend and its lack of power for a £26k 3LTR sports car. And the poor fuel consumption! (Which is true, if you intend on using the best fuel, Shell Optimax! But well worth every penny)

I read one review that said that it was a nightmare to check the oil level? And slated this on the Clio V6. But, he failed to realise that the oil level is electronically displayed on the dash if he bothered to read the user manual! (Along with the trip computer)

Well, apart from your chin hitting the floor when you first see this car in the metal, and not just from a magazine picture it will bring a whole knew experience to any sports car enthusiast! You will feel a tingle in your stomach just at the sight of it!

From the first moment I turned the key and heard the beautiful sound of this 3ltr V6 supercar I knew I had made the right choice! It made you feel like you were sitting in a much larger beast... and may even give you the Lambo or Porsche 911 super human feeling sitting behind the wheel! (Like it did for me!)

I carefully took the car out onto the public road, awaiting the unknown!! Asking myself, will it handle well? How fast will it accelerate away from the lights? Has it really got the power to match the looks and the awesome sound of the engine?

The plain and simple answer is YES to all the above!! I have previously owned an Escort Cosworth and Modified Turbo'd Racing Puma that will out-handle the Clio V6! (Just) BUT, what you get is great handling in the DRY! You will have to try extremely hard to lose this car around a bend under 60mph in the dry! It grips beautifully with those specially developed Michelins.

If you are Thrashing the living daylights out of this car around every 90 degree bend, then you will lose it! Like any other rear wheel drive Sports car. But, if you are a capable driver, and respect the rear wheel drive car you will have no problem, just lots of fun powering OUT of the bend and hearing the V6 sing from 4000 and past the 7000 rev mark and changing up through all 6 gears to a max 147 mph (on a track).

The most uncovered secret about this car, is that it love Shell Optimax!! It feel very slow using Super Unleaded once you have used Shell Optimax, and will rev much more freely! I was very taken back by the huge difference immediately after filling up with Optimax for the first time. I have raced many faster cars such as the WRX Imprezas and Lotus Elises, and they will not get past you from 30mph - 100mph. Off the line the will pinch a few meters, and that's all! But the Elise is totally a track car anyway and not practical at all! and the WRX Impreza is just not attractive, and never gathers any genuine admiration as far as looks are concerned. I have had so many 'Scooby' drivers tell me that the Clio V6 looks far better! And even after taking them for test drives, they have agreed that there just isn't much in it at all! and the V6 sounds far better than they ever imagined!

You may find that the attention you will get from this car, out weighs any performance figures! You will catch everyone's eye, from little kids.. to the elderly! They all stare in admiration and mostly smile at you in disbelief at this cars appearance and V6 purrs as you cruise past them. People you have never met will wave and smile at you!

This car will make you smile every time! Forget the bad reviews, this is a extremely rare opportunity of any enthusiast to experience! Buy One Now! (unless you can afford the very latest 2004 MK2 Clio V6!!) Listen to someone that actually owns this car, not from a office boy that wants to make his review standout with allot of nonsense.

Happy motoring!!

First may I say thank you for your honest and extremely helpful information.

I am 22 years old and have had a desire for this car ever since it escaped out of TWR 4 years back. Through a lot of hard work I am now able to afford the Mk1 3L v6.

My recent views on this car have been up and down more times than Branson in a hot air balloon. All the reviews that litter the new Top Gear and all other glossy mags have been very negative about most of the features on the monster Clio. I am going shopping for the 2002 version over the next few weeks. Once again I'd like to thank you for your review, Very helpful and honest.

My mined is at rest, and I'm looking forward to my 1st drive in my Clio v6.

Robert Russell, Buckinghamshire.

I also own this car, and I must say that I agree with everything the original post says. I purchased it in August 2003 when it had 6000 miles on the clock (1 yr old).

It gets an incredible amount of attention (all of it good -even though I was once stopped by a policeman because he wanted to see the car close up, including its interior!).

It is easily fast enough for any road use, and outpaces my friend's BMW 330 ci. (mainly due to power/weight - the beemer is heavier) Don't get too cocky in it though. It is still quite a heavy monster for a hatchback, and off the lights (if you are so inclined) you could be embarrassed by a lighter hatch. As mentioned above, the Michelin Pilot Sport tyres offer great grip. Don't punish this car on corners in the wet though, or you WILL lose it unless you have the track know-how and reaction speed of Schumacher.

I have had one or two problems with it though. It has an incredibly oversensitive alarm, which has just about been sorted out under warranty after many trips to the Renault garage. It developed the 'flashing emissions warning light syndrome' which has just been sorted out - turns out an engine coil had gone - and now it has ben replaced, it runs better and no more warning light.

The other slight annoyance with it is that the door key doesn't actually operate the central locking system, or immobilise the alarm. It does open the lock - but that is ALL it does. The 'zapper' fob is used for opening/closing the door locks and turning the alarm on/off - however if the zapper fails to work (it did once with me) - you can't drive home unless you have the spare on you. Well you CAN drive home, but your alarm will be going off, along with your indicator lights - Hello Mr Policeman...

Because it is so low slung (admittedly not a real problem -many cars these days have lowered suspension) - it has occasional trouble with speedbumps - so watch out for 'em! I've got a few small scuffs on the front skirt due to sometimes ridiculously high - almost mountainous bumps. Hence check the car you are buying underneath for this.

The other slight problem that developed, was that the brake lights stopped coming on unless the pedal was pressed quite hard - not good for letting others know you are slowing down - again this was rectified under the warranty.

Also, the metal screws and washers which attach the bodykit to the car (located on the inside of the car doors) are not alloy, and have rusted a little bit. - Same for the backbox - which looks a little untidy with rust spots, and also the metal clips under the bonnet (or boot -if you like - as the boot is in the front) holding the plastic frame in place have rusted a touch.

It does eat fuel like it's going out of fashion. - (but what d'ya expect). I too use Optimax in mine, and it runs smoother and is a bit more responsive than with ordinary unleaded.

There are tuning possibilities - although somewhat limited due to the space limitations on the engine. There is a company called k-tec racing (www.k-tecracing.com) which specialises in renault tuning- (including the Mk I V6) which can offer a few upgrade options. These include a new exhaust system (or just backbox and tail pipes) to replace the slightly inferior renault one. Also an engine management computer chip, and air induction kit. You can get a carbon fibre bonnet and side air intakes too if that's your style.

An American company (I forget which) has gotten hold of a Mk I, and as well as exhaust and chip upgrade, has fitted a nitrous kit (!!) giving a 2-stage 100 bhp boost. (But when the heck would you use that?!! (Drag-strip probably!) They also replaced the gear-box in order to slot in a Bilstein short-shift 6-speed kit - which in my opinion would be an improvement on the rather long-throw 6-speed 'box which is standard.

I in no way want to turn anyone off from this tremendous vehicle - heck - it features in Jeremy Clarkson's top 10 garage. Most problems with it have tended to be electrical in nature and have been sorted out under warranty.

Good luck and have fun!

I totally agree with the original comment, i too own a mk1 v6 have had it for the last 14 months, haven't had a minutes trouble with it, i agree its thirsty only if you push it, but compared to my old scooby its pretty good. All the comments about the handling are total nonsense unless the road is soaking wet and your driving like a lunatic, on a dry private road you will really have to push it for it to budge. All in all not very practical with 2 seats and limited space, but if you want film-star looks and people pointing this cars for you, only thing that lets it down limited tuning potential and not a lot in the way of aftermarket goodies and one minor gripe the gearbox ratios are built more for cruising than bruising.

I have read the previous comments and agree with them all, but I have a few more comments. I got my V6 April 2003 from new and still own it now, just to make you aware the rear pads will last approx 12000 miles and are £278 fitted. (OUCH) the rear tyres you will get 7 - 8K miles and are approx £356 a pair. I also have had my engine coil go on me and when it was replaced under warranty thank god the Miles Per Gallon increased as did the overall running of the V6.

Theres more I have crashed it as well the first month I got it - in the wet and a bit of inexperience too. I know of 2 other people that this has happened to as well. The weight in the back just turned me round like a whirlwind - so be careful.

However with the above aside and a few rattles and squeks to put up with this is like driving a space ship down any high st in the world.

I own a mk2 V6 and I have crashed mine due to inexperience in the wet and expecting the car to come back around, but the limited front wheels just won't let you point where you want to go. I have also had the coils fail on me which were replaced by warranty. Even though my insurance is now through the roof, I can honestly say that it is still worth it for this rare and beautiful car. Every time I start her up I feel a smile creeping across my face. What I would suggest to anyone who owns one is to go to a race track and find out the limits of the car and what to do if you get there. Would I suggest one to a potential buyer? There are two answers.

1) If you live near me no, they are terrible cars, stay well clear (I like being the driver of the only one I've ever seen!).

2) If you live somewhere in Scotland or further away it will be the best investment you have ever made!!!

Just seen a V6 Clio for only the 3rd time in my life, nearly fell out the window giving it the thumbs up as it passed me. Anyway I'm seriously considering getting one, even though I drive 18000 miles a year. If I crash and die the first time I take a corner, it would be worth it just to hear that V6 rev :-)

I remembered I had this site saved in my favourites! I was one of the original posters regarding my old Mark I clio V6, posted in June 04.

I finally sold it last year when it had about 36000 miles on the clock. Happy days...

Since I posted, I had all the remaining engine coils go on me, some outside of warranty. I soon found out that the bloke who wrote about the brake pads and discs was completely right - they cost a bomb. Then a couple of straws that broke the camels back: Number one was the alternator dying a death all of a sudden on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Towed to Renault to find out on Monday; "It's your alternator, that'll be a grand". Yep that's right: a THOUSAND quid. Interestingly, the alternators come from a company called "Valio" and cost about £100 or so. That's some mark up. All fixed up 8 weeks later by someone other than Renault for £500, and grin back in place.. Few months later, hit a tyre at 75 mph on motorway that had been "shed" by a lorry. Massive damage to front, tyre then passed under car, ripping off the whole rear body kit. Absolutely gutted. Another trip to body shop. Insurance job, and three and a half grand later all sorted.

8 weeks later, and lady "driver" with people carrier and kids reverses into side of Clio. In an EMPTY car park. She almost tried to drive away, but I heard the alarm going off from the shop I was in, and ran in front of her. Side and rear quarter body kit destroyed. She suggests she'll pay without involving insurance company. I tell her that isn't quite legal, and I doubt she'll be able to afford the repairs anyway. She says smugly "Well, It's only a clio". I actually laughed in her face. Turns out to be a £2000 insurance job. Gutted. Again. Clio however looks perfect! Practically had the whole body kit replaced. Decided couldn't take any more heartbreak, and reluctantly traded her in... Hope she's gone to a better home...

Anyway, just my 2p worth. Enjoyed the car, had some great drives in it. Still recommend it.

I am the proud owner of a Clio V6.

I have to agree with every point that was made in the initial review. It is an absolute pleasure to drive and pose in. Haha.

I love this car with a passion, the handling in the dry is impeccable but a little scary in the wet!!,

As for fuel consumption, if you drive everywhere like an idiot, the sheer performance stats howl out at you... What do you expect! But drive it normally and you could be pleasantly surprised!

All in all, I have no desire to sell or change my car, it meets every piece of motoring pleasure!

Great car, well done Renault!!!

I was seriously considering buying one of these, but thanks to the comments from the OP, especially his post sale comments, I won't be bothering. Pity :(