My daughter is thinking of buying a diesel Clio 1.9 (P Reg.) with 46K on the clock. Full main dealer history, but no indication whether the timing belt has been replaced. Does anyone know when Renault advise this to be done?
Many thanks,
P.
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The official mileage advised is 72,000. Personally, I would (and did) change it at 50,000.
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Also, timing belts in general generally need changing after 5 years, regardless of mileage. If there is no indication of this having been done, assume it hasn't been. 46k is low mileage for a 6 year old diesel anyway, but getting it done as a regular thing with the car is a good idea.
It's probably worth getting them to change the tensioners at the same time; if they go, though it's less likely than losing a belt, the result is the same.
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I changed mine on the Espace at 1/2 distance (36k). Relieved that I did as the roots of the teeth were already beginning to crack.
Andrew
Happiness is a T70 at full chat!
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Thanks everyone for your help. Will be test driving the Clio tomorrow - if it's satisfactory I'll try and knock the price down £200 to allow for belt replacement.
Regards,
P.
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Yes, best knock him down and then have the belt and tensioners done yourself by someone you trust. At least you'll know they are done. If you let the dealer do it 'in the price' you may just get an old belt bunged in the boot as 'proof' that it was done. Unless you can really trust him of course.
I suppose it's sad that I'm so cynical. I think it stems from the day when I was looking at MK2 Escort on a forecourt many years ago. Having just dismissed it as I'd spotted badly repaired accident damage, the jack-the-lad running the place said that I had 'a good eye for a motor' and that 'of all the cars I've got here, that's the one I'd sell to my own brother'.
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Then again, you hadn't met his brother.
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An update on the Clio. My daughter and I took a test drive this afternoon (7 miles mixed motorway and city) - we were very impressed with the car, my daughter decided to go for it and the salesman agreed to knock £150 off the price of the car towards the cost of timing belt replacement.
Many thanks for all advice.
P.
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