Brugttest: Better than you think

Renault Clio all years lived far from salgslisternes top ten and stood in the shadow of the more popular French mini-cars as the Citroën C3 and Peugeot 207. It is a little unfair, for the Clio III has always been a car with lots of good virtues. But it has been weighed down by the past reputation for poor quality, a little too high a price and an importer, which at the time lacked commitment in the French brand, and more devoted himself to the Volvo, which is also imported. Since got Renault a self-employed importer, in Denmark, who put a little more time in sales thanks to strong prices and better compensation schemes.

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Clio III was introduced in 2005 and is now running into its last year of life, in a brand new Clio stands ready at the Paris Motor Show this October. After a period of avant-garde design representing the Clio III by the introduction in 2005 of a more streamlined and ordinary design – also in comparison with the 2CV - inspired Citroën C3 and the voluptuous forms in a Peugeot 207.

Spacious and solid
the Inside keeps the Clio is also a sober style without the design experiments, the French were otherwise notorious in order to be able to expose you to.

the Dashboard is simple and uncluttered décor, but depending on the height you need to get used to a little too high and soft the driver's seat and a steering wheel is only height adjustable. To turn, works Clio solidly built, and depending on color choices and udstyrstrin, the interior is more welcoming than in so many other mini-cars from 2005.

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Clio is also more spacious than most, with its 258 cm had the class's longest wheelbase. The boot of 288 litres is also larger than many of its competitors, but the Clio III to be the ideal family car, can the velskabte station wagon-version – introduced in 2007 – with 439 litres of cargo area is highly recommended.

Safe and comfortable
Clio could at its introduction in 2005 is available with a wide range of engine variants. The little 1.2-liter petrol engine is no firework display, but it is strong and willing enough to, that you do not feel that you have bought a pig in a poke.

it Must be diesel, excels 85 hp version with a solid, powerful and an impressive, cultured and quiet running. Regardless of which engine variants you choose, can gearskiftene seem a little loose and bony.

Clio III live in high degree, up to the image of French cars as being comfortable, the glide elegantly on the most imperfections and are generally impressive quiet.

Clio III is also one of the most secure cars in the class and scored five stars in Euro NCAP's kollisionstests. It is a car with many virtues, and you don't hesitate to jump on one, for it also stands as a solid proof that Renault has learned the lesson and put the past ills behind them.

Checklist

Engine/transmission
Benzinmotorerne is not the big problems, and you just need to be aware that the timing belt should be changed at 120,000 km, and it recommended several places to get changed the water pump in the same boat. Spark plugs and air filter be changed every 60,000 miles.

Undercarriage
the Underbody is typical for cars in this class, simple and solidly built, but there have been instances of broken springs on forhjulsophængene. Is the spring broken at the bottom, it can get the car to brake unevenly. Tugs at the brakes, it may be a sign that the discs are rusty and not used hard enough. The veil in the styrekugler and tandstænger can also occur and can result in the 'klonk'-sounds while driving.

Interior

the Interior in the Clio is generally solid. The only appeal is it is a little too soft and the high driver's seat and a steering wheel is only height adjustable. The more expensive versions of the Clio will be available with the key card, which can cause a lot of problems. Check the other electrical functions such as air conditioning, power-operated side windows and power rear window.

Bodywork
Clio is one of the best rustbeskyttede cars in the class. The floor has been sprayed with a thick layer of rubber, the exhaust system is made of stainless steel, the front fenders are plastic and the hood aluminum. Moreover, the doors and the tailgate are glued and hulrumsbehandlet with wax. Class!