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Looking to buy Clio RS


Firebolt

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Hello,

My partner and I are looking at buying a 2014ish or newer Clio RS. Just wondering if anyone could give tips on what to look out for, and if they have any problems, also a general idea on the upkeep costs, My main concern is the dual clutch pack, has anyone had theirs replaced, how long do they last? The dealerships tell me they last forever, but that just dosent sound right. My car is a 06 WRX and I don't have any experience with European cars, any information is greatly appreciated. 

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welcome to the forums!

we're close to 40K kms in a 2015 Sport - no issues with the gearbox. 

in terms of things we've had to have looked at (and all warranty) - recall for gearbox software update and rear spoiler checked (someone on here had the attachment fail) - ours was fine.

MediaNav unit in the base line Sport model (not sure off the top of my head which other models) - some people had problems streaming music via Bluetooth (occasional micro-drop-outs). Our unit was replaced by Renault Australia with the MediaNav Evolution unit (as were a number of other forum members' units). Problem solved.

other issue we have (and ongoing but no big deal) - a slight occasional 'groan' noise turning at low speed from stand still. Numerous threads - most likely explanation is it's the hill-assist. I've never been able to replicate it in race-mode (this mode turns a bunch of electronics off and the hill assist doesn't operate either). 
 

I'm sure other people will add their experiences too.

Bear in mind there was a point where Renault Australia moved from 3 year to 5 year warranty so check that out.

 

Good luck with your search - and check the for sale are of the forum - a lot of very fastidious forum members - you might find just what you're after there.

 

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Welcome to the forum.  Good to see another Brissy member looking to enter RS ownership.

If you are looking at 2014 or later, you should be OK with the 5 year warranty but that's worth checking.  I'm guessing you have searched the model variants and features of them?  Black wheels = Cup chassis, which is a bit stiffer ans sits lower than the Sport chassis versions and has larger diameter wheels (18s instead of 17s I think) and red calipers instead of silver.  Leather interior means Trophy (or Premium in later variants), which gives a better sound system as well as the R Link 2 plus a host of other niceties like seat warmers etc.. which makes it generally an improvement over the standard variant.  The price hike from a standard to a Trophy was significant in the new car, so with depreciation to the near-new that you are looking at means they are great value to get a fully-loaded one for not much more $$ than the lesser variant.

We have had one (LY Cup Trophy) from new (purchased August 2014) which has had a bit of bad luck with two issues with these cars which I wouldn't necessarily call common, but are also not isolated.  We have had the transmission control unit replaced twice, which I think would have to be very unusual, and fingers crossed is all sorted now.  No issues with the clutch pack themselves, which seem fine.  Are planning to tune it up?  If so, might have issues down the track, but again there are potential fixes for that as well.  Plenty of tuners putting big power through them without a litany of failed Clio gearboxes lining the highways.

The other issue that is a "known" is the turbo inlet housing which is a common failure.  There's a thread on the forum about this.  easy fix, but a real PITA when it happens.  Part is expensive if going OEM and not under warranty.  Again, get one with warranty and no dramas.

Servicing is pretty normal for a small hatchback, with the usual dealer network issues (more threads on that on the forum too).  Sadly Brisbane doesn't seem to have many specialist independents like they do in Sydney and Melbourne, but some folks mention two that seem pretty good.  If you get one that still has warranty, the services are capped price for the duration of the warranty, so generally pretty reasonable.

That all said, a pretty good thing overall, and much nicer than lots of other small hatches, and better than pretty much anything you get for the same money - and that's a typical RenaultSport trait - great things to buy used, not so much as new.  Great handling, and always a striking looking vehicle, especially in the bright colours.

Have you looked at many and driven a few?  I suggest at least drive both a Cup and Sport to see if there is a bent either way for you.  And of course, if you like leather seats etc, then a Trophy/Premium it is...

Good luck with your search.  If you can't find a fully loaded one to drive, PM me and you can check ours out.

Edited by No152
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To the OP I case you didn’t see the for sale thread post. Dealer in Bris. Doesn’t seem to know what it is. Could be a good one to check out...

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/OAG-AD-15976015?id=OAG-AD-15976015

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I've got my 2013 for sale with factory warranty until 2019

I'd just post up ads that you like and we can throw in our 2c

I've had no mechanical issues with mine at all. Cosmetically the previous owner let it go. Depends if you're up for that or not! It's pretty darned cheap IMHO though

Bear in mind it's the Nissan turbo you'll find in the SSS and the Juke turbo, great engine. Gear box, as mentioned, is great with the update.

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Thanks heaps guys!

We've test driven two so far and just the sport model is stiff enough for our liking, With the premium, is it just leather seats, rims & speakers thats different? If the car is out of warranty period is that a huge issue? We weren't planning to do many modifications aside from cosmetic and audio, this is the fuel efficent car, haha. We were looking to spend around 12-14 and there's two on caesales ATM in that price range.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5020083?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5020083

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5389616?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5389616

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47 minutes ago, Firebolt said:

Thanks heaps guys!

We've test driven two so far and just the sport model is stiff enough for our liking, With the premium, is it just leather seats, rims & speakers thats different? If the car is out of warranty period is that a huge issue? We weren't planning to do many modifications aside from cosmetic and audio, this is the fuel efficent car, haha. We were looking to spend around 12-14 and there's two on caesales ATM in that price range.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5020083?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5020083

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5389616?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5389616

Premium/Trophy adds climate control aircon as well I think that’s not in the standard and satnav as part of the upgraded R Link.

Definitely an improved cabin feel with the seats and trim bits in leather. The better infotainment and control panel for aircon just better looking imo as well as the obvious functionality.

I suggest driving that one I posted a link to above as that is great value at that price (cheapest Cip Trophy on Carsales at present in Aus) has low kms with books and it appears the dealer doesn’t know what it is which happens more than you might think. You may pick it up for close to your budget. I don’t think the suspension stiffness increase will be hugely noticeable. Handling is improved for sure over the Sport. Worth a drive.

Warranty is a nice to have but maybe not a deal breaker at that price.

Good luck!

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54 minutes ago, Firebolt said:

With the premium, is it just leather seats, rims & speakers thats different?

Hi mate, I have the Sport Premium. Other changes are you get climate control vs just a/c and RS Monitor (which is a menu in the infotainment which shows g-forces, configurable engine stats, lap timer, power meter, gearbox temps etc). Premium gives you a leather steering wheel, but wheel rims are unchanged (being either sport or cup designs).

You're looking at the right colours too :) LY is just the biz (am biased...).

The usual story with performance cars - make sure its a good service history, and maybe try get hold of the VIN to check with Renault what it has had done to it under its warranty.

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Thanks heaps guys!
We've test driven two so far and just the sport model is stiff enough for our liking, With the premium, is it just leather seats, rims & speakers thats different? If the car is out of warranty period is that a huge issue? We weren't planning to do many modifications aside from cosmetic and audio, this is the fuel efficent car, haha. We were looking to spend around 12-14 and there's two on caesales ATM in that price range.
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5020083?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5020083
https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5389616?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5389616
The one from NSW (Huskisson) is kind of close to me. I don't really want to recommend a competitor, but might be able to check it out for you. I'm not sure where they'd get it serviced. Wollongong is the closest service centre but they are the kind of dealer that isn't likely to have even changed the oil. I wish I was exaggerating. So you should find out who did it for them.

Yes LY is the best, but if you change your mind and want to try a red one let me know [emoji6]
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I have a 2015 Sport and  love the cloth seats.I thought I would really  miss Climate Control AC  but don't.I have to sell my white car and it has 27 months new car warranty.Would I recommend one to a  friend,absolutely,only issue I have had was the Bluetooth dropping out but that seems to have been fixed by the dealer.In my opinon a wonderful little car that gives you the best of both (sport and everyday,auto or paddle shift) worlds.Go for it!!

 

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13 hours ago, Firebolt said:

Thanks heaps guys!

We've test driven two so far and just the sport model is stiff enough for our liking, With the premium, is it just leather seats, rims & speakers thats different? If the car is out of warranty period is that a huge issue? We weren't planning to do many modifications aside from cosmetic and audio, this is the fuel efficent car, haha. We were looking to spend around 12-14 and there's two on caesales ATM in that price range.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5020083?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5020083

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-Renault-Clio-RS-200-Sport-Auto/SSE-AD-5389616?DistFromLoc=4509&id=SSE-AD-5389616

one other thing - the launch control functionality is limited to 1600 cycles (mechanical protection).

I can't remember if there's a thread about resetting that or not.

If you're buying from a Renault dealer I believe they can provide you the stats on that. You might be able to ask private vendor to get the stats for you too?

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one other thing - the launch control functionality is limited to 1600 cycles (mechanical protection).
I can't remember if there's a thread about resetting that or not.
If you're buying from a Renault dealer I believe they can provide you the stats on that. You might be able to ask private vendor to get the stats for you too?
That's 1 launch everyday for four years[emoji16]

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

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11 minutes ago, chuckovski said:

I've heard it's the new "belts" issue

After turbo inlet pipe. At least the inlet pipe was a simple fix.

If you decide you want to try the Cup (ours is LY and in Brisbane) for comparison feel free. Ours has never used launch so can’t say how that is. Before we bought ours the test drive of the dealer demo (was a Sport) included a couple of test launches. Tbh I can’t see the rave about it.

Didnt even ever use it in the dishwashR - and if ever there was a launch wagon, that would be it! 😁

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After turbo inlet pipe. At least the inlet pipe was a simple fix.
If you decide you want to try the Cup (ours is LY and in Brisbane) for comparison feel free. Ours has never used launch so can’t say how that is. Before we bought ours the test drive of the dealer demo (was a Sport) included a couple of test launches. Tbh I can’t see the rave about it.
Didnt even ever use it in the dishwashR - and if ever there was a launch wagon, that would be it! [emoji16]
Yeah I agree. I've done it once in mine. Enjoyed it but not enough to repeat!
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  • 2 weeks later...

pm sent Firebolt...🙂

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