Rebault Clio V6
- Thread starter MonsterZ4
- Start date
I just read your thread about selling the Z4 to renovate the kitchen and bathroom (good move IMHO), and was going to suggest the Clio V6. I had one a while back (MK2 255) and loved it. Easy to live with and a very individual and special piece of kit.
MK1 examples can be had for well under £10k and in some ways they are the nicer car – the original, smaller, more iconic. Most of the mechanical parts are from the Renault parts bin so inexpensive to buy. Some of the engine work can be a pain as the access is so tight. Things like a cambelt (you won't be used to those on the BMW!) are hard to get to so expensive but I think there are a couple of specialists doing them for about £600 and they are only every 5 years. Just check it has been done or is not due. Clutches can be expensive too for the same reason (part is only just over £100!), there have been some cases of gearboxes failing (mine was one and it was off the road 13 weeks waiting for a replacement to come from Dieppe!) although I think it is quite rare in general. Engine is the 3.0 V6 found in an Espace so it is quite unstressed and reliable in a little plastic car.
They are surprisingly practical despite having next to no boot (area in the front bonnet like a 911 but it is small). The engine bay is where I used to carry most things but just don't put your frozen or chilled groceries on there! They are not actually all that fast, I think I had 157 out of mine but it took some doing and acceleration wise it was not far off something like a BMW 330 in the real world. But it was rewarding. There are a lot of people with ordinary shopping Clios like the 182 etc who think their cars are just as fast but it is far from the case – a lot of crashed Clio V6s (actually, be careful when buying!) at the launch led to what I think was much hype about the handling being deadly when it is actually incredibly good – massive amounts of grip. The problem is when you push them too far which is something that is quite hard to do on a public road, there is little warning that the back is going to bite you and when it does it does not matter how good a driver you are as your fate will be partly down to luck!
Used mine as a daily driver, did track days in it, went to the Alps in it. Loved it. Often found myself talking to people about it who were just interested in what it was.
MK1 examples can be had for well under £10k and in some ways they are the nicer car – the original, smaller, more iconic. Most of the mechanical parts are from the Renault parts bin so inexpensive to buy. Some of the engine work can be a pain as the access is so tight. Things like a cambelt (you won't be used to those on the BMW!) are hard to get to so expensive but I think there are a couple of specialists doing them for about £600 and they are only every 5 years. Just check it has been done or is not due. Clutches can be expensive too for the same reason (part is only just over £100!), there have been some cases of gearboxes failing (mine was one and it was off the road 13 weeks waiting for a replacement to come from Dieppe!) although I think it is quite rare in general. Engine is the 3.0 V6 found in an Espace so it is quite unstressed and reliable in a little plastic car.
They are surprisingly practical despite having next to no boot (area in the front bonnet like a 911 but it is small). The engine bay is where I used to carry most things but just don't put your frozen or chilled groceries on there! They are not actually all that fast, I think I had 157 out of mine but it took some doing and acceleration wise it was not far off something like a BMW 330 in the real world. But it was rewarding. There are a lot of people with ordinary shopping Clios like the 182 etc who think their cars are just as fast but it is far from the case – a lot of crashed Clio V6s (actually, be careful when buying!) at the launch led to what I think was much hype about the handling being deadly when it is actually incredibly good – massive amounts of grip. The problem is when you push them too far which is something that is quite hard to do on a public road, there is little warning that the back is going to bite you and when it does it does not matter how good a driver you are as your fate will be partly down to luck!
Used mine as a daily driver, did track days in it, went to the Alps in it. Loved it. Often found myself talking to people about it who were just interested in what it was.
Cheers 'PetKiller' (great name). I have been toying with the idea of a TVR Cerbera, but don't want the heartache and financial ruin when it goes wrong. The Clio on the other hand seems to get pretty good write ups for what is a very small volume production car. I would view one as i viewed my VX220. Yes, it has a good badge on the bonnet, but it will not have had as much research and developement as a normal Clio, hence i would forgive it the odd issue, much the same as i did with my VX220.PetKiller said:
Thanks for the posting.
...oh, just remembered your comment on the other thread about insurance. They are expensive to insure because they are fibreglass, and the body panels are expensive.
Also have had a VX220 and an Elise. The Clio is a lot easier to live with – one of the reasons I got it was due to being given a courtesy car at Bell and Colvill (Corsa) and never wanting to had it back as it was so much easier to live with, the Clio was like a mating of the two. Driving the Clio V6 across Europe (especially France) was great fun – it got so much attention!
Also have had a VX220 and an Elise. The Clio is a lot easier to live with – one of the reasons I got it was due to being given a courtesy car at Bell and Colvill (Corsa) and never wanting to had it back as it was so much easier to live with, the Clio was like a mating of the two. Driving the Clio V6 across Europe (especially France) was great fun – it got so much attention!
Insurance wasn't too scary actually, an extra £200 for the remaining 11 months. Its down to two cars now:
1. Vauxhall Monaro in red. Tuned to 400bhp with loud exhaust etc etc. Insurance is quite a bit more. 24,000 on the clock, very tempted.
2. Mk1 Clio V6 in silver. Less to insure, not as much performance.
Both should be fairly depreciation proof for a few years yet.....
1. Vauxhall Monaro in red. Tuned to 400bhp with loud exhaust etc etc. Insurance is quite a bit more. 24,000 on the clock, very tempted.
2. Mk1 Clio V6 in silver. Less to insure, not as much performance.
Both should be fairly depreciation proof for a few years yet.....
You need to speak to Ali on here: Z4MC as his daily driver but a mk2 Clio V6 as his toy. Loves them both.
I too considered a mk2 Vee before buying the Z4, but needed a bit more practicality. Would still consider one in future. I've got a soft spot for Renaultsports having owned a Clio 172 for several years, and am still involved with Clio owner's club...
EDIT: Ali is "Aliv6" on here if you want to PM him.
I too considered a mk2 Vee before buying the Z4, but needed a bit more practicality. Would still consider one in future. I've got a soft spot for Renaultsports having owned a Clio 172 for several years, and am still involved with Clio owner's club...
EDIT: Ali is "Aliv6" on here if you want to PM him.
Certainly not a sensible daily driver compare to the /M LOL!Andy said:
Aye, RWD and mid-engined, 2 seats only, 255ps in approx 1400kgs, shortish wheelbase. Got a reputation for twitchy rear end (worse on the mk1 230ps than the mk2 255ps). Makes the most amazing noise inside and out. Not the most dynamically accomplished car but still bloody good, but it's more about the overall driving experience than outright dynamics like an Elise etc. Still on my list of cars to own
In fairness, the Clio V6 is a completely different beast to a Clio Williams - which is essentially a very good 90's hot hatch based on a shopping trolley. The V6 may look like a Clio but is really just a mimic of its looks based on a mid-engined frame. Interior is just the same as the Clio of its era though (albeit only half of it as the engine sits where the rear seats would go).
Engine bay of the MK1:
Interior of the MK1:
Interior of the MK2:
Interior of the 4 seater Clio Williams (I can see why you didn't like it!):
...although I do like the steering wheel still:
I need to get out of this thread now as I am starting to look in the classifieds. Where's the number of the help line...
Engine bay of the MK1:
Interior of the MK1:
Interior of the MK2:
Interior of the 4 seater Clio Williams (I can see why you didn't like it!):
...although I do like the steering wheel still:
I need to get out of this thread now as I am starting to look in the classifieds. Where's the number of the help line...
but i have to say the v6 is a nice little car, looks like a clio on steroids but in a good way!hello!
As ally said i've got a mk2 vee. had it for over 2yrs. Was my 21st present to myself, although i got it when i was 20...Insurance was a little dear in first instance.
It's an awesome car and i've had so much fun with it. Now on 41k miles and i bought it on 21k! I've been around europe in it and it's caused me NO grief what so ever. I've made a number of mechanical upgrades and it's been resprayed a number of times to keep it lookin showroom.
I'll let the pics do the talking, however if you want to know anything specific just ask. Please for the love of god however, drive one and don't listen to all the journalists who quite frankly have tarnished the reputation of the V6. it's a great handling wee car and nippy too! Not in the same league as the M in Performance but imo, i feel safer in the seat and on track.
Ali
As ally said i've got a mk2 vee. had it for over 2yrs. Was my 21st present to myself, although i got it when i was 20...Insurance was a little dear in first instance.
It's an awesome car and i've had so much fun with it. Now on 41k miles and i bought it on 21k! I've been around europe in it and it's caused me NO grief what so ever. I've made a number of mechanical upgrades and it's been resprayed a number of times to keep it lookin showroom.
I'll let the pics do the talking, however if you want to know anything specific just ask. Please for the love of god however, drive one and don't listen to all the journalists who quite frankly have tarnished the reputation of the V6. it's a great handling wee car and nippy too! Not in the same league as the M in Performance but imo, i feel safer in the seat and on track.
Ali