Renault Clio Mk1 (1991 – 1998) Review

Renault Clio Mk1 (1991 – 1998) At A Glance

Comfortable ride and refined around town. Clio Williams is a real firecracker.

The rear arches can rot from the inside out. Reports of auto transmission failures.

Driving Renault Clio Mk1 (1991 – 1998)

Twenty-five years after it was first launched, the Mk1 Renault Clio is still a timeless design. Even back in 1991, it was a cut above the other superminis on the market. It was more than a match for the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Nova, and Rover Metro – but today, this first generation of Clio feels like it has all but disappeared from Britain’s roads.

With a 1.2-litre fuel-injected single overhead cam engine under the bonnet, its 60bhp power output might feel horribly outdated now – but thanks to a kerbweight of just 857kg, the peppy short-stroke can just about keep up with modern traffic… even if it does take 14 seconds to reach 60mph. Like the good old days though, you’ll have to do a bit of forward planning if you’re four-up with luggage and there’s a hill on the horizon.

What really impresses, though, is how quiet the engine is. Once you’re up to speed, you barely know that it’s running. And, although there’s no rev counter, it’ll happily make its way up to the electronically-imposed redline – handy as the power band is 3500-6000rpm. Running one every day won’t hurt you too much at the pump, either – we averaged 39mpg in our time with the car.

These cars had a good reputation for ride quality when they were new, but don’t let that fool you into thinking handling is sacrificed. Sure, there’s plenty of body lean and the unassisted steering is a bit woolly, but this is a car that really talks to you. It’s no surprise that it got its own one-make racing championship.

Away from the sporty stuff, we were also impressed by the amount of interior space available in the cabin – and also how light and airy it is. There’s plenty of room for a six-footer behind the wheel, even if the seats are designed for someone who is five-foot tall.

And there are just enough creature comforts to make you feel at home. There’s a radio, a heater, rear screen demister, two-speed wipers. Perhaps that’s because the car occupies that space in time where handling and reliability had been improved, but before styling dictated that the driver had to feel cocooned by being surrounded by moulded black plastic.

Renault Clio Mk1 (1991 – 1998) Buying Guide

Good

Very, very cheap now.

Bad

Average performance in NCAP crash tests.

Watch out for kerbing damage, especially on power-steered Clios.

Some automatics have been prone to surging - cured by replacing faulty inlet manifold gaskets.

June 2001 Renault was rated by Motor Warranty Direct as Britain's joint 4th worst out of 22 marques for used car warranty claims.

18th from bottom for reliabilty in Auto Express 2002 reader survey of 100 models.

Renault had above average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 114.24 v/s lowest 31.93) www.reliabilityindex.co.uk

Watch

4-speed autobox cooling system (oil cooler within the water radiator) can cause problems. High incidence of automatic transmission failures.

Kerbing damage to front suspension.

1998: (June '97-Nov '97 build): possibility of inadvertent deployment of airbags.

2000: may lose brake servo assistance.

On 1,149cc D7F engines it is essential to change the timing belt, tensioners and the water pump every 3 years of 36,000 miles (whichever comes first). Look for rust in rear arches where they rust from inside out.

Look for rust in rear arches where they rust from inside out.

Recalls

27-09-2001: News from The Backroom of a recall of R reg Clio because the throttle cable can snap.

2-12-2002: 1,861 Clio and Twingo recalled because of risk of loss of brake servo assistance due to incorrect positioning of air pressure sensor in inlet manifold. Position to be checked and corrected where necessary.