Clio DCI

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 09:39

Hi all,

Does anyone have one of these? I'm after something dirt cheap to run but that still looks nice. I'm very tempted by one.

Any feedback on these would be appreciated.

Also can you pick one up for around £2.5k?

Thanks

BigToe · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:01

I've got the van version, identical to the car but has cargo space instead of back seats and no rear passenger windows. I got the sport pack with it and think it looks pretty tasty:-

The engine is smooth and quiet, lacks a bit of power in my case but plenty of torque for the size and picks up well in any gear. Turbo lag isn't prominent like on older TD engines. Motorway cruising is as you would expect from a diesel. Quite frugal too, 650 miles to one tank is quite easy when mixing in motorway driving.

I'm not sure on the current prices, but I'd go for the dCi85 if you can afford.

I was quite surprised with the handling actually; seems well balanced, inspires confidence and makes country roads quite good fun when you fancy driving spirited. The brakes are excellent, very strong and sharp for the power and comes with a series of electronic assist programs such as EBD etc.

thedazman67 · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:07

they did a van clio who knew first time ive seen one

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:10

My absolute maximum budget would be £3k. That's a stretch.

chrislusty · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:19

there are three versions all using the same 1.5 there is a 65bhp an 85bhp and 100bhp all should give very good mpg? but why deisel, do you do lots of miles in a year?

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:23

chrislusty said:
there are three versions all using the same 1.5 there is a 65bhp an 85bhp and 100bhp all should give very good mpg? but why deisel, do you do lots of miles in a year?

No i don't really do a lot, probably average miles a year. But I currently own a 2.0l 16v 150bhp megane coupe and i'm spending far too much money on tax, insurance and fuel.

thecremeegg · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:23

I wish i'd have bought a DCI now tbh - if your buying a small car, whether its petrol or diesel you arent looking for power, so you may as well get good MPG

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:25

thecremeegg said:
I wish i'd have bought a DCI now tbh - if your buying a small car, whether its petrol or diesel you arent looking for power, so you may as well get good MPG

Exactely. Yes i'll miss having my 2.0l but I won't miss the cost of running it. I want a cheap to run, small car that'll give me extra beer tokens each month.

Tesla · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:31

Steameh said:
No i don't really do a lot, probably average miles a year. But I currently own a 2.0l 16v 150bhp megane coupe and i'm spending far too much money on tax, insurance and fuel.

Have you worked out any sums to see if changing to this car would really save you any money?

chrislusty · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:42

Well we have a 1.2 petrol clio, will be same performance as the 65bhp dci, but we get 47mpg average at moment, although she drives it more than me.

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 11:54

Tesla said:
Have you worked out any sums to see if changing to this car would really save you any money?

Yes - I do on average 250 miles a week (god knows where)

Current Car

Insurance = £790
Tax = £180
Petrol = £140 / Month (average) * 12 = £1680

Total = £2650

Clio DCI

Insurance = £410
Tax = £35
Petrol = £80 / Month* x 12 = £960

Total = £1405

*Based on 600+ miles to a tank at £40 to fill the tank., should easily last me 1 month.

TOTAL SAVING = £1245

On average I'd be saving £100 a month. That is £100 extra beer tokens or £100 extra savings. Providing my sums are correct it seems the way to go.

Tesla · 21 Sep 2007 at 12:07

I don't doubt your sums but have you factored other running costs into the equation?

What are the service intervals on the Clio compared to the Megane? And also the cost to service the car?

chrislusty · 21 Sep 2007 at 12:15

Dont get one with a sunroof!

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 13:07

Tesla said:
I don't doubt your sums but have you factored other running costs into the equation?

What are the service intervals on the Clio compared to the Megane? And also the cost to service the car?

No I havn't actually. Servicing a 1.5 diesel surely can't be much more expensive than a 2.0l 16v petrol? and surely it isn't going to be £1245 extra to service the DCI?

The savings on insurance, tax and fuel is enough to buy me.

And yes, i'm sure it's £35 tax a year

Trojan · 21 Sep 2007 at 13:30

Tesla said:
I don't doubt your sums but have you factored other running costs into the equation?

What are the service intervals on the Clio compared to the Megane? And also the cost to service the car?

Regarding service intervals, for the Petrol Megane this is the servicing schedule:

12,000 - Minor
24,000 - Minor
36,000 - Major
& repeat every 12k

The Diesel Clio servicing schedule is as follows:

10,000 - Minor
20,000 - Minor
30,000 - Minor
40,000 - Major
& repeat every 10k

So yes the Clio needs servicing a touch more often, but needs a major service less often, therefore working out at around the same cost I would assume.

moss · 21 Sep 2007 at 13:44

chrislusty said:
Dont get one with a sunroof!

Had leaky roof syndrome?
Or rattely roof syndrome?

Tesla · 21 Sep 2007 at 14:41

Finally, what can you sell your Megane for?

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 14:54

Tesla said:
Finally, what can you sell your Megane for?

£700

Tesla · 21 Sep 2007 at 15:01

So it will take about 18months before you actually start to save any money.

Assuming you like the Clio and are happy with the huge drop in performance and intend to keep it for many years then I think it's a good decision.

Shikkaka · 21 Sep 2007 at 15:02

Tesla said:
So it will take about 18months before you actually start to save any money.

Explain?

EDIT: Ah I see you logic. I have a financial plan though which obviously I don't wish to give details of, but the savings will be instant if I do go ahead with it. It's a lot more involving than just swapping cars to save money.