mickeyRS Posted 4, June 2014 Report Share Posted 4, June 2014 Hi everyone, New here, so be gentle I am looking to buy a Clio 197, and there are two on Carsales which fit the budget. One is a 2008, but low km's (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... =7&sdmvc=1), the other a 2010 with a few more km's (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/deta ... =6&sdmvc=1). The 2008 also has the Premium pack (6 stacker CD, panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights). Two questions: First, are there any differences from 2008 to 2010 which should sway me to one or the other. Secondly, what should I be looking out for on either of these cars (what might be wrong with them)? Thanks in advance for any help. Hopefully this is the first of many posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted 4, June 2014 Report Share Posted 4, June 2014 Both very nice cars. They both look very well maintained. I'd be as simple as, are you up for maintaining the paint on the black car? If not, go the red. The sunroof is a nice addition with the xenons; quite a rare combo on the black car though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkie86 Posted 4, June 2014 Report Share Posted 4, June 2014 Hey mate - no difference between the 2008 and 2010. Just a later registration date. Check out the Clio III section for common faults/things to look for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 4, June 2014 Report Share Posted 4, June 2014 Both sound good! You have to look at them in the flesh to see true condition. Check if the timing belt has been done. It's due at 4 years or 100,000 klm. That is an approx $1000 job. Find a Renault specialist mechanic and do a thorough check on the one you choose. Other than that, it's personal preference which one to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyRS Posted 5, June 2014 Author Report Share Posted 5, June 2014 Thanks guys. I had figured they were probably both the same but wasn't sure if there were some subtle changes by Renault between 2008 & 2010. Check out the Clio III section for common faults/things to look for. As well as the timing belt (thanks apple3337), I have read on the forums about gearbox issues (worn syncros). Is that something that might be showing on cars with this low mileage? Also problems with cracked window rubbers. I'll keep on looking. sunroof is a nice addition with the xenons; quite a rare combo on the black car though. I think the black has xenon lights as I believe that's what the Premium pack included, but the ad doesn't say so. My preference is for red, color wise. I plan to check out both. Thanks again for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbnut Posted 5, June 2014 Report Share Posted 5, June 2014 The window rubbers along the B pillar do crack over time but even cracked they do not let water in. You would still want to replace them if cracked though. The prematurely wearing synchros were an issue pre 2008 I believe. I have an 08 197 and the gear change is lovely at 50 000 kms now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosey Posted 9, June 2014 Report Share Posted 9, June 2014 Check the build plate on the '2010' car. I'm pretty sure that all 197's received here were built well before 2010. The 197 R27 was 2009 and after that the Clio 200's started to arrive (2010). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treza360 Posted 9, June 2014 Report Share Posted 9, June 2014 Is the 2008 the one that's for sale on here? Cheers, Trent Tnes Morf Klatapat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyRS Posted 21, June 2014 Author Report Share Posted 21, June 2014 Hi guys, I've had a look at both cars. They are both in great condition, eac with some imperfections, so overall value between the two are the same. I've made an offer one, but it's dragging on a bit so we'll see what happens. I plan on getting it checked out at Auto Paris, although I don't think there's anything wrong with them. Neither owner were sure if the belts were done, but with such low kms maybe not such a risk just yet. Moosey, you're right. The one advertised as a 2010 is in fact a 2008 build, complianced in 2010. Not sure if it should have been advertised as a 2008 Clio, but there it is! Not sure if the 2008 is the one advertised here, I'll have a look. Thanks for all your help. I'll keep you posted how I go. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommo Posted 21, June 2014 Report Share Posted 21, June 2014 Watch out, if the 2008 hasn't had the timing belt done it is definitely a ticking time bomb. 6 years is very risky on the belt - they let go and make a mess of the engine too. The plastic belts and guides fray and crack with time - not necessarily kilometers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 21, June 2014 Report Share Posted 21, June 2014 Hey mickeyrs. I've been watching those two on carsales. Let us know which one you got (or not). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyRS Posted 22, July 2014 Author Report Share Posted 22, July 2014 Hi all, Thought that I would provide an update on what car I bought. As it turned out, I go the blue one !! Yep, didn't go for either of the two I originally wrote about. I did make an offer for the red one (the "2010"), but the seller needed to get some repairs done by Renault which he wasn't sure of the timing, and it just got too hard. I heard from him last week that it's all done and the car is ready to sell, but it was too late by then. In the meantime I had a another look at the Black one (2008); was going to make an offer, but the seller informed me it had been sold. That was three weeks ago, it's still on Carsales During all this, I had a look at a blue 197 also advertised on Carsales. It had almost double the K's than the other two, but it looked ok. It also had the belts done, and on a longer rego than the other two. An inspection by Auto Paris showed a few things to do (engine mounts, tie rod ends). A bit of negotiation and got it down to a reasonable price (cheaper than the other two by a good margin). So I am now the proud owner of a Monaco Blue 2008 Clio 197 Thanks again for all the help. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 22, July 2014 Report Share Posted 22, July 2014 Congrats on the purchase! The black one was bought by a member here...rye172. It should come off carsales. I nearly bought it too but he got in first. We Melbourne Clio 3 owners have got to form some sort of group I reckon. We need a pic of all the Clio 3's on here at one time. Nice colour that blue. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyRS Posted 22, July 2014 Author Report Share Posted 22, July 2014 Thanks Andrew, Do you know if the black one checked out ok? I was a little worried the owner and his mates were not the gentlest drivers around. Surprised no one has got the red 197. Be more than happy to get all the Melbourne Clio 3 together. The track day would be a good place, but I'm not sure I'll get leave from the "boss". Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 22, July 2014 Report Share Posted 22, July 2014 I think it's fine from what rye172 says except the timing belt is overdue so he's getting it done. I hate to tell you but these cars are meant to be driven hard. It's probably a matter of how hard. Only a good specialist Clio mechanic can tell you that. Make sure any car you make an offer on has been checked by the local experts like Paris Auto or Alpine Affaire. There are others but they don't come to mind right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbnut Posted 22, July 2014 Report Share Posted 22, July 2014 These cars are meant to be driven hard. It's probably a matter of how hard. ^^this. As long as it's well maintained you're good to go. These engines free up and put out more power if they are regularly thrashed. Go for a good drive and you'll notice the engine will respond better over the next few days. Congrats! Don't mind a blue 197 myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evolved65 Posted 11, August 2014 Report Share Posted 11, August 2014 I'm picking up the red one this week hopefully! Have budgeted for the belts to be done straight away. And yes he was still trying to pass it as a 2010 which was never going to happen. Once I have a major service done then I'm putting in some H&R springs, fixing the loose map sensor, getting an Rstuner and then going to enjoy it! I'll be up for a 197 meet and greet with a cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 11, August 2014 Report Share Posted 11, August 2014 I'm picking up the red one this week hopefully! Have budgeted for the belts to be done straight away. And yes he was still trying to pass it as a 2010 which was never going to happen. Once I have a major service done then I'm putting in some H&R springs, fixing the loose map sensor, getting an Rstuner and then going to enjoy it! I'll be up for a 197 meet and greet with a cruise. I'd like to get a Clio 3 Melbourne group up and running. I'm happy to organise it. Mods/admin - is that OK or do we have to do it through you guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alesi Posted 11, August 2014 Report Share Posted 11, August 2014 I'm picking up the red one this week hopefully! Have budgeted for the belts to be done straight away. And yes he was still trying to pass it as a 2010 which was never going to happen. Once I have a major service done then I'm putting in some H&R springs, fixing the loose map sensor, getting an Rstuner and then going to enjoy it! I'll be up for a 197 meet and greet with a cruise. Congrats evolved [emoji106] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosey Posted 12, August 2014 Report Share Posted 12, August 2014 I'm picking up the red one this week hopefully! Have budgeted for the belts to be done straight away. And yes he was still trying to pass it as a 2010 which was never going to happen. Once I have a major service done then I'm putting in some H&R springs, fixing the loose map sensor, getting an Rstuner and then going to enjoy it! I'll be up for a 197 meet and greet with a cruise. I'd like to get a Clio 3 Melbourne group up and running. I'm happy to organise it. Mods/admin - is that OK or do we have to do it through you guys? No issue from here if you want to do that. Personally though I would prefer to get more people to MEL events in general, without going model specific. We're way less social than the Sydney crew.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apple3337 Posted 12, August 2014 Report Share Posted 12, August 2014 Yeah Moosey I noticed Sydney have well attended drive days and nothing seems to happen in Melb. Is it because no-one turns up when something is organised? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosey Posted 24, August 2014 Report Share Posted 24, August 2014 I think the Sydney events are better organised with longer lead times. Maybe us Melbournians are also busy with other non-RS things. The roads are definitely better down here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyRS Posted 29, August 2014 Author Report Share Posted 29, August 2014 I think the Sydney events are better organised with longer lead times. Maybe us Melbournians are also busy with other non-RS things. The roads are definitely better down here.I'd be in to meeting up, But, yeh a good lead time is always appreciated. Can't say at this stage that any time is better than another. What has been done in the past? Any specific drives worth doing again? Congrats evolved65. The red's a nice colour too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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