Renault Clio Dynamique 1.6 16v Review

Overall Rating

I have had my 06 new shape Renault clio for 6 months now and although I love the car I am slightly disappointed with the problems i have had with my brakes. The problem didn't start till a couple of months after buying the car then i got this awful squealing sound not just when i was breaking but when i was setting off in first gear and slowing down to junctions. The car was still under warranty so i took it back to ian shiptons where i purchased it. They said my discs and pads were fine and ironically it wasn't doing it while they had it. So i then tried taking it to a renault dealer hoping i would get it sorted from someone reputable. How wrong i was. They said exactly the same thing as shiptons and suggested i booked it in to have the brakes cleaned but this would cost as it wasn't included in the warranty. Being quite fed up at this point I had a family friend look at it who isn't a qualified mechanic but knows alot about cars through having a keen interest in them from a young age and he said neither of the garages had even taken the wheels off to check the discs and pads. He took all the wheels off dusted the pads and used copper grease. He also said the pads and discs were wearing a bit but should be fine for a while yet. This solved the problem for a couple of months but it has now started again. After being disappointed with the service from renault and shiptons i am undecided on what to do now the problem has resurfaced as i know the pads and discs will probably need replacing. But being a young woman who doesnt know anything about cars i dont want to be fobbed off again but this time be charged on top for the privilege.

The good points about the car are for a small car it has more room inside than you would expect judging from the outside. It is smooth to drive, nippy enough for a girl of 20 and its nice to know you can have that extra umph to get ahead out of trouble if you need to whilst driving. The new shape and features make it look more up to date and sportier. I also have the tinted back windows on mine which is a nice effect.
I still very much enjoy driving the car despite the brakes putting me off but buying an 06 which is quite a new car for me i was hoping i would avoid these type of problems and it has made me wonder if i had gone for a non french make would i have been better off.