Buying guide Renault Clio IV – pay attention to this if you want to buy a used Renault Clio

From the start in 1990, the Clio has been a strikingly designed hatchback in the B segment and Renault knows how to maintain that right up to the current, now fifth generation. From the third model there is also a station wagon, which is given the un-French name Estate in our country; in neighboring countries this is called Clio Grandtour. Much more romantic right? By the way, it is being built in three different places, the Estate/Grandtour: in Turkey, Algeria and France. Generation four also has an Estate, but with number five Renault pulls the plug. The Estate is a popular variant in the Netherlands and that is why we asked Renault dealer Bochane in Deventer to prepare one for a test drive and an inspection on the bridge.

A Renault Clio Estate on the bridge. There is no Estate of the current generation Clio.

Also in 2013 few compact station wagons

The station wagon buyer who shops in the B segment does not have much choice in 2013. He has to choose from a Seat Ibiza ST, its cousin, the practical Skoda Fabia, and the much more practical Dacia Logan. And the Renault Clio Estate of course.

The Renault stands out because of its design, design chief Laurens van den Acker apparently thought that was more important than pure utility. For example, the Clio scores a maximum of 1,380 liters when the sofa is folded down and a maximum of 443 liters in normal condition. If you attach less value to design, then just buy a Logan MCV, he must have thought. After all, also from the same house and perhaps even more trouble-free than this Clio.

The Renault Clio Estate has a very nice design for a small station wagon. Maybe that was more important than a lot of space…

Design plays a major role in this generation of Clio. Literally everything has a special shape. Frivolity, cheerfulness and lifestyle were high on the list of priorities. Those who do not like black could play with colors when composing a new Clio. For example, our test car, which is finished in Dynamique trim, has the exterior color Rouge Flamme, with matching red accents on the dashboard, seats and door panels.

Phew, you’ll want a used Renault Clio but don’t like a red interior.

Something different from the black mass of plastic of the present time. The design is sometimes at the expense of ergonomics. For example, the start button is located at the bottom of the center console and the cruise control button is inconveniently placed for the handbrake. The piano lacquer and the logo on the steering wheel also reflect in bright sunlight. We also recommend that you carefully check the interior. You can tell from the hard, fragile plastic of the door panels, for example, whether the previous owner has been a little careful with his or her car. A station wagon usually has a somewhat harder life than a car with a different body style. This is an ideal car for a young family, bringing at least one Maxi-Cosi and a pushchair on board. It therefore does not hurt to take a look in the luggage compartment, because the upholstery is not of the highest quality.

If the parents want to accommodate a bit, it is best to have two teenagers in the back.

Lots of wind noise

It strikes us (and many review writers) that the Clio IV suffers from a lot of wind noise at the A-pillars, despite all streamline-promoting design tricks. Could it be the colossal wing mirrors placed on the doors? The Clio is by definition not very quiet and certainly not as an Estate. Tire noise – the rubber under our Clio is almost new – is unfortunately also quite emphatic.

The first owner chose a sunroof, air conditioning, cruise control, radio control from the steering column, Bluetooth and parking aid as options for this version. Keyless entry with the well-known Renault card is also part of this.

Three-cylinder petrol, four-cylinder as petrol and diesel

There is little to choose from with the Clio. In addition to the tiny (900 cc) three-cylinder petrol engine with turbo of 90 hp, there is a 120 hp four-cylinder petrol engine and a 90 hp dCi diesel. The facelift (or Phase II, recognizable by the LED headlights and the aggressive bumper grille) added a variant with 110 hp. Anyone who wants to drive an automatic transmission is stuck with the four-cylinder petrol engine or the dCi, which could be linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with a double clutch. There is a pleasant five-speed gearbox as standard, which everyone can use. Unfortunately, the Clio RS with a sloppy 220 hp is reserved for the hatchback, as is the super-de-luxe Initiale Paris version. That would also give a station wagon extra cachet, no matter how small the market is.

As every manufacturer says: pay attention to maintenance schedule

Anyone who thinks that such a modern Renault will be a problematic car is wrong. The manufacturer has learned a lot over the years in terms of reliability, but it does have one important condition: stick to the maintenance schedule to fully enjoy your Clio (and all other models). But that’s what every manufacturer does, right?

The list of possible defects is relatively short. Nevertheless, our colleagues from AutoBild were clearly less enthusiastic about their Clio Estate during the 100,000-kilometer endurance test and therefore cracked a hard nut. That can be explained, because in Germany they usually drive faster on a less well-maintained road network, while we barely exceed 120 km/h on perfectly maintained roads, just apart from the threshold-rich residential areas. But we’ll bring it to your attention.

Timely oil change

Back to the Dutch market. Timely oil changes (just the right oil!) make an important contribution to the life of the Clio’s engine. And by timely we mean: sooner than the prescribed date or mileage (30,000!) than later. As with many recently built cars, the distribution is the Achilles heel of the engine. The Renault three-cylinder has a chain, so watch out for noise when you start the engine. Overall, this power source with its characteristic three-cylinder barrel is reliable. The 1.2 four-cylinder is known as an oil consumer. A regular look at the oil level gauge can prevent engine damage.

Alternator may show wear

If the car is older, the alternator can show wear, so that the battery no longer recharges. But all accessories on the engine wear out: so don’t be surprised if the water pump and the air conditioning pump also go, just like the ignition coils. Yet these components are not mentioned in any review. Furthermore, clutch cylinders sometimes leak. In diesels that drive a lot of short distances, the EGR valve gets clogged. Nothing new under the sun. On Clio forums there are several reports of bearing damage in the gearboxes. Broken pressure groups also occur. AutoBild colleagues experienced box damage during their endurance test, so this is an extra point of attention during the test drive. The phenomenon manifests itself as a whining sound and is also noticeable through a poorly engaged reverse or first gear.

The clutch cylinders of the Renault Clio sometimes leak. The pedal rubber of this copy may also be replaced.

Penalty suspension for a Renault

Those who expect French comfort should look for a classic Renault. The Clio has never been a rolling mattress and over the years it has been adapted to contemporary requirements: the chassis has strong suspension. It is also noticeable that he is a bit restless at the front on the highway. The front suspension reacts to every bump, no matter how small it is. Not very disturbing, but it is noticeable in this French car. The chassis components are well and firmly put together. We know of no reports of worn steering and/or ball joints, although they must have been renewed at some point.

Now and then a spring breaks, but the Clio is not unique in that. However, the stabilizer bar can get space in the rubbers and you can hear that during the test drive. This complaint has been resolved with the facelift because Renault has vulcanized the rubbers with the rod itself. The balls of the rods that connect the stabilizer to the wheel suspension wear out. That is also audible. The Clio has durable brake lines, no complaints about that. The brake cylinders of the drum brakes sometimes want to start leaking, which comes to light during a service and during the MOT.

Much and major electronic malheur is omitted in this Clio series. Roadside assistance sometimes has to deal with a refusing automatic steering lock and a faltering alternator on the way. Some drivers are surprised when the message ‘starting can cause engine damage’ lights up and the engine won’t start. The voltage sensor on the battery is responsible for this. Dirty ABS and tire pressure sensors are also of this time. There are also complaints about the R-Link multimedia system. Users report that it cuts out or the Bluetooth connection is not working. That also happened to AutoBild’s Clio; updating solves most complaints. Also pay attention to whether the fuel gauge is working correctly. It sometimes gives wrong values. If so, a software update will solve the problem.

There have been recalls due to worn brake lines due to incorrectly fitted wheel arch plastic.

Find the best with this buying guide on your phone or tablet

The Renault Clio Estate is a very successful combi and sought after in our country as an occasion. But with a nice contemporary design – despite its wild shapes, it hardly ages – and a frivolous interior alone you are not there. Although the list of shortcomings is certainly not too long, you would do well to check all the points mentioned during the test drive with this Buying Guide in hand. Also check for yourself whether you travel a lot abroad. You will not be shortchanged with the three-cylinder, but with four people including luggage on board, this engine has to work and you can hear and feel that. If that is often the case, then you better consider the four-cylinder.

Mmv Renault dealer Bochane, Deventer