reliable clio williams

[cliowilliams1986]

can any body help me ?
i are buying a willams 3 but are they any good reliable powerful
cheers

[robi1000]

Fun... Yes, very

Reliable... Mostly no (as a daily driver).

Powerful... Depends on what you previously owned, but it's not slow

[Clio-Girl]

^^^ excellent post!

[Coops]

agree apart from reliability, perfectly fine if un modified and looked after well :D

[MAXIBOY]

yeah agree reliability is down to being well looked after maintained even when modded to sensible levels..

after that though gearboxs are an issue..

[robi1000]

Hmmm, that's why I said mostly... I think it's hard to find a good looked after example. Also, how long will it take until it's modified (like most of them)? It's the same story with all such cars (who could for example resist to the temptation to take out turbo air restrictors on Lancia Delta S4 Stradale and almost double the power to 400hp?).

With cars like Clio Williams, Lancia Delta Integrale or S4 (or any other group B homologation special), 205 GTI (or T16 :twisted:), etc. you have to be prepared to use your spanner from time to time. That's part of the experiance. If you want to just sit in it, turn the key and drive, these cars are not for you. If that's the case, I would suggest something a bit newer and possibly from VAG group. :lol:

[Daz.]

mine was totally reliable, the only time it conked out was when I once ran it out of petrol.

These unreliable ones are either moded badly or not looked after.

[Tommo]

Mine's cherished and there's always stuff to do :cry:

[richy]

in terms of reliability ive had one from both ends of the stick, my old 3 was a nightmare despite how much money i put into it!

the valver has been perfect so far in 4years and its had more then its fair share of abuse lol,

but id def say routine maintenance is something you will need to do to try and keep them in top mechanical condition, never mind bodywork lol

[Tommo]

Well mine's only really used at the weekends and fully serviced every 5k, use quality fluids, warm it up properly, not ragged all the time and there always seems to be stuff going wrong. Not serious things, just little niggly things all the time. Suppose it's a 15 year old french car at the end of the day, but would love to have a totally reliable one!

[bill.]

mine was totally reliable, the only time it conked out was when I once ran it out of petrol.

These unreliable ones are either moded badly or not looked after.

mine only let me down with a gearbox :shock: and i thrashed it on a daily basis :roll:

[vkosho]

Drive mine most days and its never broken mechanicaly. It does require more maintenance than the average car though.

Worth it for the fun and origionality factors alone. Still lovin it. 8)

[glyn211269]

LOL! A reliable Williams? I didn't know they ever did such a model....

[Coops]

dammit dammit, i take it back, mine wouldn't start this morning! :evil: :lol:

[walters300]

when looking at cars try getting one with low owners and milage, and ensure the mot's etc stack up. look for renault service as that would indicate someone has taken care of it, your better off paying 3k for a good car with tracable history rather than 1500 for an unknown, you will be suprised how quick you can spend a lot of money on one with gearbox/ cambelt/ steering rack/ clutch/ being the expensive ones to look out for, also heater matrix/ bearings/ suspension/ sunroof leaks/ badly repaired (hidden rust) on rear arches/ under doors and drivers sill, most importantly dont rush into it as you can guarantee a good one will come up and it will be worth the wait :wink:

[dunlop]

Ive recently picked up whats known on here as the DUF for a half decent sump of money. needs a few bits oding but i'm sorting that in due course!

[Wobba]

Ahh yea, DUF :)

Sat in a field for a year right? Mostly sorted now I hope? Pics plx!

[dunlop]

aye. sat there for a year then mot'd then sat for another 6 months! then freebone had it for 5 months on loan then i picked it up monday :D

It'd be rude not to fit the ledgendary tractor decat system tucks made for it. so i did that. no pics unfortunatly.

But onto the pics.
Unfortunatly it does have some rust:
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/0fd46dd6.jpg
lol thats being sorted.

Both sills look like this:
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/8dfeec8b.jpg

:D

Prowler manifold!!!!
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/f4385900.jpg

After polish
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/ee148d53.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/c61327aa.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/5de5be89.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/e6d2cabd.jpg
With my mates 206 gti

http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/bb38b9f5.jpg
http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq49/dunlop172/e099b964.jpg

Snag List:
Rev counter has a mind of its own on over run or idle. fine when on throttle.
Oil pressure guage doesnt work 1st thing in the morn.
Wheel refurb
Bonnet needs a few dents dorting
Rust on arch
passenger window switch doesnt work.

[Jamie.]

That's really low.

[vkosho]

Tis in great nick for a 3 though that! Good luck with it.

[dunlop]

its a 2 lol. yeh is in great conditon considering! being restored slowly but surely. have already ordered a new header tank and 2 sets of door pins.

[dunlop]

Saying that. Gearbox mount broke today. :lol: