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Wobba
15-02-2014, 03:20
Today was a bad day for my BMW. I hit a river of water coming down the M3 motorway and the DSC/ABS failed due to either sensor or ABS module failure. The result was the back end just aquaplaned the car 360 degrees. You may predict this is hammering it around a bend in the wet, but not driving normally in a straight line with nearly new tyres all round!!! It was like hitting sheet ice. I was at the back of a line of traffic so no one else involved but the M5 is totally written off.

So, mild concussion and quite a lot of aching is the result, and a return of duty for the Williams as daily car until I get anther support vehicle!

I am looking at Clio 197's as they are apparently good value and a lot less thirsty than the V8 for my new 80 mile commute to work and back. I would go for a Clio 200 but after being off work for several months, I am still recapping my losses from no income!

I know there was criticism of the 197's power delivery, but this can be tweaked if I want to mod it.

Other option is a Mk2 Megane...even a RS DCi 175 is on the list. Anyone have any feedback?

16v_paddy
15-02-2014, 04:19
:shock: Bloody hell mate!

Glad to hear you made it out of that alive. If you're looking at mk3 clios, my advice would be to just skip them altogether & go straight to the megane. They just don't have enough grunt to cope with all the weight they're dragging around with them. Have you ever seen 1 next to a mk1? They're so fcukin massive I find it offensive it's even called a clio.
But - assuming there are any for sale - a megane 225 engined 197/200 would be pretty good, everything I've read/heard about the conversion has been very positive.

However, if I was in your position - minus the crash of course, as that sort of stuff doesn't happen to driving gods :razz: - I'd stick with german but of the derv variety, 330/335d or 530/535d of whatever shape your budget can stretch to. You've still got something lairy as fcuk to play with in the williams, so some sort of german luxury barge with plenty of toys, diseasel economy and still enough bollocks to stop you from getting too bored is pretty sensible I'd say

16v_paddy
15-02-2014, 05:48
Some suggestions based on how much Clio 197/200 & Megane's are fetching

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e60-5-series-04-10/bmw-5-series-525d-m-sport-4dr/2038452?isexperiment=true
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e60-5-series-04-10/bmw-5-series-e60-e61-530d-sport-2005/2003988?isexperiment=true
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e60-5-series-04-10/bmw-5-series-530d-sport-4dr-nav-leather-cruise-f-s-h/2017225?isexperiment=true

Jamie.
15-02-2014, 11:35
Glad you're ok mate.

whats the budget? Bit more on spec wanted: 3/5 doors etc... Coming from an m5 nothing is going to really compare :(

Wobba
15-02-2014, 12:12
Budget depends on payout but I imagine it will be around 6k or 7k. If I wait a while I will be able to muster a fair lot more but as I've lost the NCD, insurance quotes are much higher!

Thanks for the links Lee. Those are all nice cars and quick enough too for diesels.

I was going to go up to see the M5's remains today, but ****ing well typically the Clio won't start. I think it has gotten wet somewhere with all this rain...

I don't care about number of doors. I did think maybe just a jolly old Volvo 850 with a tow bar for the Clio in case I get a trailer. Them 850's have heated seats, a major selling point as I am getting on a bit!

Daz.
15-02-2014, 14:42
225/R26.

Wobba
15-02-2014, 17:23
225 or R26 is a nice option to go for. You can pick up a regular 225 quite cheap and if you want you can stick the R26 diff in or get a quaife easily enough.

The trouble is I would probably burn more fuel than I would want. However, as a compromise between fun and outright power like the M5, the Meg is a nice choice. Defo need comfort and some toys I think...

16v_paddy
15-02-2014, 20:04
I don't care about number of doors. I did think maybe just a jolly old Volvo 850 with a tow bar for the Clio in case I get a trailer. Them 850's have heated seats, a major selling point as I am getting on a bit!

Volvo ftw 8-) But I'd suggest a 2004 onwards V70 D5 for that sort of thing as there are some piss takingly good ones about for next to fcuk all money & being a heavy duty workhorse there's sod all that comes close to matching nevermind beating. With the added bonus of the comfy old man toys you seem keen on

Jamie.
15-02-2014, 22:39
R26 is "okay" - wouldn't recommend them myself. Better cars out there IMO. Build quality is poor, peformance is alright, handaling is quite good, size is better than the Clio mind.

Coops
17-02-2014, 10:40
ah that's what happened to the m5, glad your okay matey

imo I'd go with what paddy's on about, D5 Volvo big enough to drag the clio about if needed, tick all the boxes and shift okay as well. :)

Chris197F1
17-02-2014, 11:52
Clio 197 with Meg engine - Close thread.

I had a Liquid Yellow 197 and loved it, yeah you have to push it to get the benefits as life begins at 4k but thats part of the fun!

B00ST
17-02-2014, 13:19
Sorry to hear, main thing is that you survived without any serious damage though, metal can be replaced...

Having spent an age looking at Megane's for our daily, we wanted a 5 door, which means no R26. We did look at those, but the diff wasn't an issue for everyday use and the Recaro seats I found pretty awful tbh. Not heated and not very comfortable.

They are an okay car, but as previously said, build quality isn't the best, performance is 'okay' at best and that's with a stage 1 RSTuning remap at 260/280 (standard it feels under powered and a really really dull flat power delivery). Handles well enough, but I find it pretty dull to drive as well as thirsty. Work commute is 6 miles of town driving and 6 miles of dual carriageway, which returned 23-24mpg, with the remap its a little better at 27mpg.

I wouldn't even entertain a 197/200 for the performance and fuel useage. They are slightly less dull than a Megane to drive, but there's not much in it.

I think Paddy's options are spot on and the 535d is easily the best value car on the list. Late facelift 2007 model has the revised 286bhp twin turbo diseasel engine and they remap to 360+bhp (more with DPF delete) with over 500lbs/ft and 45mpg combined. That would be quicker than your E39, easier on fuel with even more toys and cheaper insurance.

... or be sensible and get something that will make the Clio feel special and quick when you get in it, like an Audi 1.9/2.0 TDI and save yourself a load on running costs.

Chris197F1
17-02-2014, 13:26
If you get an Audi I believe they come with a tw@ts license too where you no longer need to indicate, queue or drive sensibly :D

B00ST
17-02-2014, 13:36
That's any German car in fairness lol.

Indicators are also an optional extra.

Wobba
21-02-2014, 14:17
Hehe, ye!

I always indicate!!

Thanks for all the info :D I am also thinking of looking at the Skoda Fabia VRS, older model with the 1.9 turbo diesel or the SEAT diesel with 160 bhp.

the Clio is doing well at the commute though. I will bring it to work on occasion to make life more amusing!

16v_paddy
21-02-2014, 20:52
Mate of mine has got a diesel octavia VRS, they're very nice motors so can't imagine the fabia being any different apart from being a bit more chuckable into corners for a bit of hooliganism

ollie16v
23-02-2014, 00:46
I have had two 197s. Loved them both. Things I liked were the looks and handling, really sets it apart from the other hot hatches out there. Quality wise it's not going to be a patch on a BMW in a lot of areas. For a motorway car I would get one with the revised final drive ratio (08 onwards) and probably the silver colour simply because its less likely to show stone chips. The black one had only done 4500 miles and was covered in them.

Fuel wise I got 36mpg at best but mine was the pre revised gearbox. They need to have there neck rung to get the best out of them but on the other hand you don't need to go silly fast to enjoy the handling and that's the main reason I bought mine. Other things to avoid imo, the canbasse 6 disc changer. All the radio gear is under the drivers seat as is the wiring so you cant change the head unit for an iPod compatible one easily. Xenon lights, I had no end of problems with the rear axle weight failing. Rear speakers didn't come as standard on the lower spec ones but the wiring is in place.

I would have another one.

Wobba
23-02-2014, 12:32
Cheers guys. 36mpg isn't bad from a hothatch.

I think ultimately it all depends on my insurance payout, which they will try and fleece me on no doubt.

Running the Williams as a daily again has it's perks, people coming over asking me about it and such awesome chuckability. MPG isn't great though lol, as it is cold out and the ECU map is compensating with extra fuel.

Looking at the SEAT Leon TDI as well with 160 bhp, but not many about.