PDA

View Full Version : NDD



Dom9
05-08-2014, 18:27
Evening everyone!

I purchased a well known Williams 3 from Pistonheads for good money and all was not quite as it seemed...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1070914&mid=73213&nmt=My+Clio+Williams+3

I think my car may well have appeared on this site as well.

Anyway - Joining as a member here as I'll no doubt need a lot of advice and help!

If anyone knows a good specialist in SE England, I'd appreciate the recommendation!

Looking forward to joining in on here.

Cheers, Dom

ianbirch
05-08-2014, 23:44
Welcome on board.

Mmm..... makes for a tough read that, just goes to show a lot of tarting up does not a good car make.

It is not uncommon for these cars to rattle for a while on start up, after standing for a period of time. Both of mine have done this.

Squeaking interiors are also common...

As for the rest...:-(

Cheers Ian

Dom9
06-08-2014, 08:21
Welcome on board.

Mmm..... makes for a tough read that, just goes to show a lot of tarting up does not a good car make.

It is not uncommon for these cars to rattle for a while on start up, after standing for a period of time. Both of mine have done this.

Squeaking interiors are also common...

As for the rest...:-(

Cheers Ian

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the welcome!

Yeah - it's a tough pill to swallow but it is what it is... It's where I go from here that's the question!

The start up rattle is definitely a 'fault' as you can see that a belt isn't fitted properly and the worst of the squeaks and rattles are coming from outside the car, which is a shame. The interior definitely has some 90s, French squeaky charm, which was expected and can be lived with but I think the underside rust, bodywork and suspension need some attention ASAP.

I can see on the sale board here that there are a fair few cars in similar condition for half the money... Perhaps I shouldn't have joined!

I am tempted just to hand it over to a specialist and ask them to do a 'full' strip, re-paint and rebuild but I don't know anyone down here, having lived out of the country for the past 4+ years. I'd like to do a lot of it myself but it depends on whether I get a house with the space/ garage/ facilities!

I'll read through some posts here and make a decision over the next few weeks, once I have started my new job and sorted somewhere to live.

Cheers,

Dom

northy
06-08-2014, 10:42
wow - now ive followed P4cks progress on here http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?40518-Clio-Williams-3-Back-from-the-brink but i had no idea that the updates were more plentyful on PH.

I feel really sorry for you Dom if im honest.... ive not read all of it but the pictures tell me enough!

which belt isnt fitted right? I take it you mean the alternator belt??

northy
06-08-2014, 11:55
do you have the link on PH to the other car p4cks sold that 'andymc' talks about?

Dom9
06-08-2014, 15:25
wow - now ive followed P4cks progress on here http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?40518-Clio-Williams-3-Back-from-the-brink but i had no idea that the updates were more plentyful on PH.

I feel really sorry for you Dom if im honest.... ive not read all of it but the pictures tell me enough!

which belt isnt fitted right? I take it you mean the alternator belt??

I don't have access to that link, sadly, Northy! The PH thread got pretty long in the end!

I have 'lost' a fair bit of money, if I was to sell immediately, but I guess I have an 'ok' starting point for a rebuild!?

I haven't seen another priced as high as I paid but most other cars seem a lot cheaper and just as good/ bad.

Anyway... We move on...

It is the alternator belt (and it is charging fine) that doesn't seem to be running 'true'... I can live with it until I pull the engine for the rebuild!


do you have the link on PH to the other car p4cks sold that 'andymc' talks about?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1223564&mid=77328

Think that may be the one!

northy
07-08-2014, 13:04
the alternator belt is fairly easy to loosen off and reposition if you have the right tools.

Dom9
08-08-2014, 08:37
the alternator belt is fairly easy to loosen off and reposition if you have the right tools.

I think I am going to rent a car lift at a Pit Start garage in London, for a day, next week.

That'll allow me time to get under the car, strip back the rusty parts, prime and repaint.

I should have time to go over the suspension and take a look at this alternator belt as well.

There are some paint 'runs' on the doors etc but I am not sure I can deal with them but I may get some fine sand paper and see what can be done.

Are there any Renault/ model specific tools that are needed for the alternator belt? I'll have a comprehensive tool kit at my disposal :)

northy
08-08-2014, 09:01
http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?13320-Alternator-replacement&highlight=alternator

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?42564-How-to-remove-the-Alternator-Idler-pulley-bracket&highlight=alternator

use some of these guides to help you.

Hoppo1979
10-08-2014, 20:15
Dom9 welcome. I'm stunned to read your story. But equally I'm not getting involved, it's between you and Packs to sort. I bought a a Williams 3 off EBay for £1500, bearing in mind I spent 15 years in the motor industry at senior management level I thought it was a bit of a pup but nothing serious. £3,000 plus later in a year I'm getting there with mine. I was ripped off too, my car had been filled with fibreglass, newspaper, and had what can only described as a dodgy MOT.

Ive vey welded, painted, rebuilt suspension, replaced so many bits it's called triggers broom in our house. All I would say is keep the faith, you've bought one of 40 Williams 3 cars currently taxed and on the road. View it as an investment, chuck some money at it and love it. I guarantee in 10 years time it will be worth 5 figures. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hoppo1979
10-08-2014, 20:29
Oh, Dom. Have a look through my woes to see if it helps.

http://williamsclio.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?43201-HGP/page2

Dom9
11-08-2014, 12:02
Thanks guys - Seems nice in here!

I'm not even involving P4cks - I am taking it on the chin and getting on with it... By the time a court case is heard, I'll have most of it done, I am sure!

I'll get the alternator belt sorted and take a look at the suspension and brakes this week. In addition, I am going to rent a day on a car lift at Pit Start in London.

That means I can get all the rust dealt with (ordered wire brushes, primer, paint etc) with it in the air. I think the front bumper will have to come off.

Once I am happy the car will survive as is for a while, I'll use it and then get the whole lot done properly when the first major issue surfaces.

That may not be too long, judging by the puffs of smoke at high rpm!

The faith is kept, although it refused to start the other day (stop start traffic for 2hrs and the starter seized due to heat/ expansion) I have done around 750 miles and we're bonding :)

It'll need to be well into 5-figures for me to recoup the losses after a rebuild ;)

northy
12-08-2014, 12:47
Love a good court case.

just spray the underneath in old engine oil for now and concentrate on the mechanicals when your at your rent a ramp place.

Dom9
13-08-2014, 08:59
Cheers Northy - Will have a good rummage underneath and that may well become the plan!

Dom9
27-11-2014, 16:42
Well, if anyone has the time or patience (maybe just read the last few pages) this car turned out to be far, far worse than what it seems at first glance!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1070914&mid=73213&i=440&nmt=My+Clio+Williams+3&mid=73213

The whole thing is a complete mess. I just wasn't prepared for what I found when we had a good look...

theweekendhaslanded
27-11-2014, 20:23
I feel for you pal. You need to think with you head not your heart!! Knowing the williams 3 there's probably more you will uncover in doing a full rebuild/strip down. The previous owner imo is a total dodge pot and you should taken it further. A guy that boasts of driving exotic cars and doing this and that...... Guess what? He sells refurb gear knob inserts on ebay probably making £5 on each sale! Hardly rock and roll!

walters300
27-11-2014, 22:55
I had a similar situation and its a bitter pill to swallow when you've spent a lot of money for a cowboy rebuild. First thing you need to do is swallow your pride and accept you've been conned and that's that.. It happens to the best of us when your heart rules your head in a purchase.
Next job is to get the car evaluated by a renault mechanic and reputable body shop. Then get a nice excel list of all jobs that need doing and estimate the total cost.
If the figure comes up over 5k cut your losses and break the car and buy another as you have no long term bond with the
your still grieving the fact you've been shafted and you need to nip that in the bud today..
The best and most satisfying way forward is to repair and restore that car 100% DIY which can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

walters300
27-11-2014, 23:42
Just read the ph thread and if the chassis is that bad it shouldn't have passed the mot meaning you have been sold a dangerous vehicle, certainly a different set of circumstances, at worst you could end up getting £20 a week for many years for your trouble in court.
I would engage a solicitor and try And settle out of court and return the car.

Smokey McPot
12-10-2015, 11:39
Saw this the other day on Instagram. Still alive and kicking.

Red_Dash
18-04-2016, 21:01
This car has just turned up again:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-CLIO-WILLIAMS-3-APPRECIATING-CLASSIC-HOT-HATCH-/282009096301?hash=item41a90d506d:g:Zc8AAOSwVghXFLb X

northy
19-04-2016, 08:59
by the looks its had another restoration.

simundo
19-04-2016, 13:46
You'd want to see some serious photo evidence of the work done.

ianbirch
19-04-2016, 20:09
Barge and pole spring to mind...

Regards Ian

Ayli Carper
20-04-2016, 21:16
I think I'd want a full MRI scan done.

simundo
21-04-2016, 07:20
I've messaged him to ask what level of work was done and heard nothing. You wander whether its had nothing done other than a good polish.

northy
21-04-2016, 08:36
judging by the headlight screws its looking alot better now than when P4cks had it

Ayli Carper
21-04-2016, 16:20
judging by the headlight screws its looking alot better now than when P4cks had it

Let's hope so, it would be really good if a new owner was happy with the car and reported it on here so everyone could see what had changed.

Cattanachc12
19-09-2017, 21:47
Okay guys you may be interested to know I purchased this car at the weekend.
Lets say it ain't a happy clio anymore!
Burning lots of oil, barely any power, won't idle, rotten arches, rotten sills, scary brake pipes and a lot more.
Anyway I bought it cheap for spares.
Thiught I would update everyone that may be interested!

ianbirch
20-09-2017, 20:23
Mmm...shame it's come to this, but it has had a bit of a chequered past...:roll:

Regards Ian

Cattanachc12
20-09-2017, 20:48
Mmm...shame it's come to this, but it has had a bit of a chequered past...:roll:

Regards Ian

Yes it seems like it. Did think about fixing but it will be better use going into my mk1

theweekendhaslanded
20-09-2017, 23:21
I'm pleased that it's the end for this car. 2 people have had their pants pulled over this W3 just for some selfish Chunt wanting to make a few quid. Glad it's being put to good use chap!

northy
21-09-2017, 11:12
would appreciate some up to date pictures of it once you start getting into it pal.

Cattanachc12
21-09-2017, 20:56
Ye of course. Will get some tomorrow!