1999 Renault Clio RT from UK and Ireland - Comments

As soon as the 1 year warranty ran out my electric sunroof packed in.

The gear shift is appalling, I can't get into 1st gear everytime and second is always jerky.

My first Clio was the original and best. I had a 1.2RN for 9 years and very little went wrong, although towards the end of its life, the wheel bearing went and the electrics played up. I did 72,000 miles in that and was as pleased as punch.

The new Clio is a disaster. I don't think it'll last very long. I regret buying the car!

Had the same gear shift problems in my Clio 1.6 16V which I bought in 1999. I took it to Renault repair shop after 3 months for readjustment of the gear mechanism. After that the gear shift worked like a dream. The adjustment work was covered by the warranty.

Well I have a renault sport 1.6 16v and I have no complain on the gearbox.. except for the 2gear that on reductions sometimes dosen't seemes to enter... and the rear gear sometimes to.. but that it´s a familiar problem on various car's...but this is only sometimes.. so i´m very hapy with him.

I have owned many cars, I tend to keep them for life. The CLIO II has been the worst car I have ever had. Here is a list of problems you will encounter...

Recalls:-

Throttle quadrant

Fuel tank seal (Which I had already had to have repaired £50)

Problems:-

Sun roof broken stuck open one corner (I had to make a tool to drop the latch and have never operated it again) estimated repair £500

Both rear coil springs one after the other £70 each.

The timing belt at 50500 miles, inlet and exhaust valve bent.

(Renault sent a letter of advice dropping the mileage after this happened), the water pump had been leaking. (estimates between £350 and £1000) I eventually did it myself as it was getting near to the second-hand price of the car.

The inside rear door handle flew off (new one £28), on investigation the Renault dealer told me the securing screws were overtightened? (I can only think that the door fairy must have visited) all the handles were cracked, but I have glued and wired the other three (and slackened the screws)

The central locking has failed, water ingress through the aerial securing bolt drops directly onto the key receiver IR amplifier chip.

The front wheel bearing is making a noise.

The engine is starting to leak oil from the gearbox/clutch end (This has started recently and is getting worse).

The headlight covers are starting to go opaque.

The tracking needed attention.

Driving:-

It handles really well and has a nice solid feel about it

drives nicely.

It has now 56000 miles on the clock.

Consumables to date:-

Exhaust

Battery

Front pads and discs.

I have had my Clio 2 for 6 months. It has 58000 now and I also have gearbox problems; 1st gear is very stiff and 2nd is getting that way as well.

My electric windows are playing up too. I can't put the passenger side down from my side, but apart from that it is not bad and cheap to run.