Clio RS - 197 or 200? Cup or non? or Megane 230 R26

[douglasgdmw]

Scott,

Unfortunately working in the office on a live upgrade, such a nice day as well and would rather be outside

I would be tempted to go for the newer/lower mileage car purely due to resale later on. Always easier to sell a car which has less mileage on it and the 2008 is under the norm.

You will have to spend some money on the car but I reckon you should be able to get even more off as a bargaining tool. Thinking:
- cam belt is £300 (may be out on price)
- front pads £200 (for decent pads)
- MOT £50
Tyres £350 (all round) - may not be able to bargain on that as the seller will not see this as minus point due to them being new

Would show them this advert from a dealer: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/ ... es/1234674 and let them know that their car is over priced.

George

[cla5h]

George, I believe a cambelt change on these cars is quite pricey - more like 600-800 (indy/dealer.) Adding everything up, I doubt I'd be able to talk him down that much. Although I'd prefer the newer car for the reasons you mentioned I feel the higher mileage example could work out better value.

Actually waiting to hear back from the dealer on the one you highlighted. Also contacted the 2 dealer cars advertised in Scotland - both sold.

[Doc883]

Sticking cheap tyres on the R26 is a cardinal sin and can completely undo all the chassis and handling magic that Renaultsport sprinkle on these cars. I had a Golf GTi with Marigold or something similar and they ruined the handling. With the white car needing brakes, cambelt, MOT (decent rubber) etc on the face of it looks like the current owner can no longer afford to run the thing. That little lot will set you back £1k at least. The Black one looks to be in mint condition and that's likely where my money would go.

[pete]

George, I believe a cambelt change on these cars is quite pricey - more like 600-800 (indy/dealer.) .

Have you spoken to a dealer about that? I looked before Christmas and it was well North of that at Renault. They had an offer of any car cambelt for 250 but it didn't extend to RS cars (TBH they didn't know if it did or didn't include Renaultpsort and couldn't phone me back to confirm because it was too hard).
1200 plus VAT rings a bell and my local mechanic wouldn't touch it! Lovely cars though, great to drive.

[StiflerMR2]

Belt change on my 197 was £400 at an indie.

[cla5h]

Heard back from the owner of the black car I linked above, and it's also on non-standard tyres - Avons which at least I've heard of and some other budget make. Why don't folk use the proper tyres, or at least a well regarded substitute. Not a deal- breaker in itself but it does make you wonder what else has or hasn't been done to the car.

Also got info from the dealer with the silver car. He skipped my question about what brand of tyres and whether cam-belt had been done so I suspect I don't want to hear the answer, although his ad says "MAINTAINED REGADLESS OF COST " (sic). Also has no tax even though the ad says it has.

[Doc883]

I think owners get a huge shock come the time to fit new rubber so the temptation to go the budget route must be quite high especially if your looking to sell in the short term. Let's face it most dealers don't really bother to check the tyre manufacturer when accepting a part ex apart from the savvy ones.

[cla5h]

Still on the hunt. I've been to see a R26 that is on good new tyres, new pads and discs all round and the belts have been done. It's 6+ yr old with 60k mls and 6 owners.

I've had it inspected:

The window regulators need done (common problem) and it has only one key. The gear change is a bit tight so may need new cables. That lot would come to £1k. And it will need its next service and tax next month, so another £500.

At some stage there has been a repair to one side and possibly bonnet. However, not thought to be a major accident as chassis is OK. Bumpers have been resprayed recently and wheels refurbed.

Engine, turbo, etc. seem fine.

One the one hand I think I should try and find a better example. However, it's priced low relative to everything else advertised, and I could end up buying another that seems better but has hidden problems (I won't be able to arrange an inspection on every car I might view due to location.)

So, if I can get the price down more, better the devil I know? Or should I walk away given it may have had a hard life.

[Dominic]

Good new tyres is a bonus... I'd be keen to find out if the pads and discs are also decent. I doubt many people would spend the coin on these if they were planning to move the car on soon. It sounds positive to have all that info to hand, however, it may still have some hidden problems. If the price reflects the imminent expenditure, then why not?

[Dominic]

Oh, and chances are, any car like this will have had a hard life - especially if more than one previous owner. That's when the service history backed up by a folder of receipts becomes more relevant.

[j2 lot]

Your inspection gives you an excellent negotiation tool, an uninspected car might have the same problems but you don't /won't know until its bought.

[cla5h]

Pads and discs are good make. Service history - it should have had 5 (6th now due) but has had only 4 spaced out.

He's had the car a few months, spent a bit on it (mods/upgrades) and I don't think has fallen in love with it - going back to something German for their reliability, which doesn't say much for the car I'm thinking of buying!

I was wary at the low price, hence getting it inspected by a specialist, but even factoring what I need to spend on it, it's not taking it above the price of other cars, which themselves may need money spent on them.

[Doc883]

Still on the hunt. I've been to see a R26 that is on good new tyres, new pads and discs all round and the belts have been done. It's 6+ yr old with 60k mls and 6 owners.
I've had it inspected: The window regulators need done (common problem)

Now I'm no motor mechanic but when the regulator went on my 2002 A4 I priced it up at a Specialist and it was £230 the majority of which is labour. The part itself from Audi was about £100.
I decided to replace it myself so ordered said part (replica) of Ebay for £35 and 2+ hours later job done so you have potential to save money there.
The part of that R26 history that would worry me is the 6 owners in 6 years For me personally I'd be looking for a 1 or 2 owner car in great condition and FRSH and prepared to pay more to find the right car. You may struggle to shift that R26 when it has 7 owners unless you have plans to keep it long term ?

When I went to look at an S3 (2003 model) in Glasgow it looked in decent enough shape. I got a note of the number from the V5 and checked it's MOT History via the official Gov site. That proved very interesting with many years of some quite serious issues resulting in failures and a list of advisories longer than my arm. The majority of the issues related to brakes, suspension and tyres worn through to the fabric so clearly showed a history of abuse despite the claimed FSH. Needless to say I never went back for a 2nd viewing.

[cla5h]

Well, for better or for worse, I went ahead with R26 mentioned above. I'll get it booked in for a service and a few other jobs on it, and look forward to many years of trouble-free motoring!

Thanks for all the advice.

[Doc883]

The R26 really is a good car so enjoy