At 27, I've bought my first car!

DB_SamX said:
Why is it so expensive on this car to replace the cambelt?
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It's the same on all generations of RenaultSport Clio. Cams need locking, and it's a tight engine bay etc. Slightly less bad on the 172s without aircon.
But as it's so well known, any RenaultSport Clio that needs a cam belt will be miles cheaper to buy. Same with the oil - 172/182/197/200s need new oil every 12K/12months otherwise the VVT dephaser will die, and any used one that's had its servicing skimped will have its value impacted. Lots of people seem to be buying them these days without realising what the maintenance is going to cost.
 
My dad went to his mechanic he used when he was a taxi drive and he claims to have replaced a few of the Clio Sport cambelts and has the Renault cam locking tool. He's much more affordable too at around £50 an hour labour, and claims it will be a 3 - 4 hour job. Now to source a cambelt kit and water pump for a decent price and get him to fit it. Should be looking at around £380 to £450 all in.

Is it worth paying for genuine Renault items, or would this be just as good for a lot less money?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TIMING-CA...=Model:Clio&hash=item565e03625a#ht_3178wt_906
 
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I take the view that you can skimp, or go with pattern parts on some consumables, but when it comes to water pumps and cambelt kits, always go OEM.
 
Darryl_1983 said:
As said before sign up to Cliosport.net and order the parts through the traders on there if that is the way you want to go. This will be the cheapest option for genuine parts.

Only use Genuine parts is normally what is recommended.

For comparison prices for the Garage i use are here: http://www.diamondmotors.net/pricing/fixed-price-servicing-timing-belts
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Bingo. And then you'll find that the specialists aren't actually ludicrously priced, as they do it quicker because they actually know what they're doing!
 
Nice car, when I was looking at these this time last year I got quotes from Renault at £867 inc. vat for a cambelt change incl. of all parts that need to be done so it doesn't seem miles out.
 
I ended up buying a Gates Powergrip+ kit with water pump and had it fitted along with a new aux belt, anti freeze top up, general check over and road test by the mechanic my dad recommended - all in for £461.47

He said the car is in great condition mechanically and the only thing that will need changing in the near future, 4 - 5 months time, is the brake pads. I'm comfortable now to start really driving the car, it's only 194bhp but it's fast enough for me on our small roads! :D

Next job at the end of May is to get the tyres off, wheels blasted and powder coated, my partners dad knows a guy who's agreed to do it for £120, happy days!
 
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