Renault Clio 1.5 dCi - 4 Cylinders Are Better Than 3

[@TRASHoftheTITANS]

I really appreciate this video. The 1.5 dCi is a fantastic engine that I think really doesn't get the appreciation it deserves. I have a 2012 MK3 Clio in 88bhp Eco2 flavour and it's a great car to drive. The engine is smooth and refined, torquey low down, pulls in every gear. I've seen 68mpg on a long run, but even around the city it never seems to drop below 55mpg. The engine barely uses any oil, and has wanted for nothing more than the most basic maintenance (filters and fluids). Admittedly, the rest of the car is slowly crumbling, but every time I think I want to get rid of it, I can't find another car on the market that so perfectly suits my needs. I need a diesel with the mileage I do, but the other diesel options in the supermini section seem to either be dog slow or riddled with common problems. The only other option then is to go up to something Focus or Golf sized, but I'd be paying more for insurance and maintenance, and probably wouldn't see the same fuel economy. The diesel Clio is the perfect car for someone like me who needs an inexpensive commuter hack that's super cheap to run, yet not completely dismal to drive. Although it annoys me with stereotypical French car "quirks" such as many squeaks and rattles, electrical gremlins, interior trim falling off, and some silly design choices, I've really developed a soft spot for the thing. A new(er) Clio dCi is definitely high on my list for when I do eventually decide to upgrade!

[@Pit-Stop]

I have to say I chuckled at how the car is slowly crumbling. :) It's true, the new Clio is fun and nice to drive, the 1.5 dCi is excellent and, like you've said, the gremlins and squeaks are still there. And now, with many more computers and software in cars, there's bound to be many more problems still (not just Renault is guilty of this, so are the German brands, for example). I do have to say I'm not just amused but also surprised that a 2012 car is falling apart. I have a 2004 Mondeo that has maybe one tiny spot of rust at one of the fenders where the salt and dirt is kicked up on. Is your Clio parked outside in the rain or do you run it a lot on salted roads?

[@TRASHoftheTITANS]

@@Pit-Stop Haha, well maybe "crumbling" was a little strongly worded! The bodywork is still pretty ok, luckily. I've yet to spot any rust, save for a little surface corrosion underneath, which you'd expect. It's more the little annoyances that are starting to build up, which I wouldn't really expect from a car of its age and mileage: -the seat height adjustment handle fell off -the glovebox handle broke -the clutch pedal squeaks -the hydraulic struts on the boot lid are failing -it eats front springs (both replaced twice within 30k miles) -it eats bulbs (my god, does it like bulbs) -the plastic lining in one of the front wheel arches randomly broke and collapsed onto the wheel -the aircon has never worked, despite numerous recharges -there's a loud knock from the rear when it's windy (no idea what that is, and I'm scared to find out) -the windscreen wiper linkage was replaced after it snapped in half last year, and already there's play in the new one - the driver's door is sagging badly -there's a shaking through the steering wheel above 65mph. No mechanic has been able to find the root of this Now considering the car hasn't even done 70k miles, has only had 2 careful owners, and has never had kids or pets in it, a lot of these issues seem to be happening prematurely. Yet pretty much every week there seems to be a new noise, something else broken, something else has stopped working... You know what, though? I still can't bring myself to hate it. At least it has character! But if I do start to spot any engine issues or bodywork corrosion, that'll be the final nail I'm afraid

[@7eis]

My friend recently bought a ~15 megane because of the cheap road tax and get very impressive fuel economy. I've been looking for someone who swapped the drivetrain into something smaller/older but it seems like it gets no love. Still looking for a good candidate for a dci swap. Something very light like a 90ied Suzuki Swift or starlet ep70 if it'll fit would cross Europe on a single tank😅

[@theocitrons9913]

It’s been a long, since I’ve come across such a great reviewer Very clear, sincere, with real and down to earth thoughts, about cars ! So refreshing compared to everything else. Thank you !

[@Pit-Stop]

Much appreciated!

[@jonm9501]

Another reason is the fact that the modern diesels tend to a really have lower co2 numbers than petrols, meaning less tax etc. Diesels get a really unfair rap.

[@dummyxl]

I want a new diesel... 😄 Dutch government: no.👿🤬

They should offer 1.3 tce with manual. Here in Croatia is offered only with EDC. On the other hand Captur has manual as a option

[@Joe-born1986]

Had you also noticed that the turbo give a whistle at acceleration with the dci 115? 😉🇧🇪

[@ryantenhave8814]

Brilliant review! Not just facts and numbers like some one reading the brochure. My Nissan NP200 also has the 1.5dci engine and it really is a little gem. Good work!

[@Pit-Stop]

Thanks!

[@TheArathor]

Why don't you like 3 cyl petrols? I have a 2018 Peugeot 308 1.2 130hp. It feels quite responsive and is probably much faster than Clio diesel engines.

[@Pit-Stop]

I strongly dislike the downsizing idea where we're left with a 0.1-L 1-cylinder engine with 20 turbos and a claimed economy of 0.5-L/100km, which turns out to be either gutless or thirsty as all heck (or often both). Turbo lag gets more evident as you go down in capacity and higher in horsepower. There's also the question of how reliable these tiny, overclocked engines will be in the long run. Mazda has the right idea with the 'rightsizing', as they call it. It's also quite amusing that manufacturers are now going back to (slightly) bigger engines due to emissions.

[@ridehead8771]

Turbo petrols will be necessarily faster, but when it comes to mpg it Can't never match a diesel no matter what the paper might say on any petrol cars, petrol is naturally thirsty. The 1.5 DCI is not slow by any means if you push it as well. But if you are only doing less than 10k miles per year then the petrol will be the sensible option.

[@adilmabrouk9379]

Nice English car review 👍 I like this nice work

[@Pit-Stop]

Thank you!

[@marcelo7999]

Hi, nice video! 5:10 - 5:40 can you compare this points to the 1.5dci vs 1.3tce? Thanks you!

[@Pit-Stop]

It's very simple - the diesel is much more economical while the gas engine is more powerful and more fun. I've done a test with the 1.3 a little while ago as well.

[@marcelo7999]

@@Pit-Stop thank you, but what about the silent and rpm's? The 1.3 is way more loud? because i really want a quieter and smooth car :)

[@Joe-born1986]

Wath is the differens drive experience between de dc110, VS dci 115??

[@Joe-born1986]

Is this the dci 115? I order a Iron Bleu Rs line dci 115.

[@Herbertti3]

That engine looking mighty thiCC.

[@lmc4964]

love your drone footage, does someone else control it or is it programmed to follow the car?

[@Pit-Stop]

Yes, my colleague pilots the drone.

[@lmc4964]

@@Pit-Stop it improves your video, he knows his stuff.

[@PatrickBijvoet]

Hello, me again. Did you already test the 1.6 E-Tech Hybrid? Which one was the best? The Diesel of the Hybrid

[@Pit-Stop]

The E-tech test (of the Captur) is coming this Friday!

[@lmc4964]

looks nice, we are a one car family, my wife would have a micra if she could but I at least want something Golf sized. Looking around there are very few smaller cars that arent suited more to people in their 70's. My eye is drawn to cars like the older Astra 3-door GTX , it looks like a budget VW Scirocco but that market seems to be gone to all these crossovers which do nothing for me. Basically if im going to drive something small I want it to have some punch and look sharp. this just went on the list. I will be checking out some e-cars too but as we dont drive much its hard to justify €30K-€40K sitting in the drive rotting away

[@Pit-Stop]

I fully understand the frustration. Unfortunately SUVs appear to be taking over the market by force and more and more regular models are being abandoned in favor of yet another slightly-lifted-car-with-added-side-plastics-and-thus-called-an-SUV vehicle. I would have recommended the Suzuki Ignis, which has loads of character and is fun to drive, but that's not exactly Golf-sized. The Clio is good but definitely look at this 1.5 dCi or the 1.3 gas engine. Don't go for 3 cylinders, they're just sadness in most cars.

[@lmc4964]

@@Pit-Stop solid point with 4 over 3 cylinders! thanks

[@Sr.D]

We are really going backwards in the EU with all this politics against diesel and more and more expensive and complex, prone to fail, cars.

[@thealmightyz73]

Diesel cars these days are much cleaner than petrol cars. It's shit politics.

[@frankvandenbroeck8373]

0 to 60 ? noise ?

[@Ahmtahmt..]

hello i need paint code for this car

[@Joe-born1986]

Thanks!!!!

[@beyondthestars4299]

We have them here but they are 3 cylinders:(

[@Joe-born1986]

Witsch you préfère the dci 85 or dci 115?

[@Pit-Stop]

Definitely the 115. Much more drivable.

[@tselisomoshoeshe]

I like it ❤

[@minniesaab7255]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@prevost72]

Plava BOMBONICA>>>>

[@Joe-born1986]

It's very disepointed( not personal meaned😊) there is no accelerationvideo of the clio dci 115, only petrol. I asking always why? Do you no videos about accelerations of this clio 115 dci?

[@davidsanderson2960]

Baffles me why anyone would consider owning a diesel these days unless you plan on being a taxi driver, then you might aswell follow the herd and buy a Skoda instead.

[@jmw0368]

What an absolute load of twaddle!

[@runebdrim6733]

why? i was thinking in buying a diesel.

[@davidsanderson2960]

@runebdrim6733 do you do a lot of mileage on a daily basis? If so, then financially that would make sense, if not, then petrol is better, assuming you're not going down the EV route. Then there's the whole performance aspect if you like spirited driving, diesel just loses power at high end. They also require more frequent expensive maintenance too.

[@NicoBakkernes]

Renault clio RS..

[@FerbyArisaka]

Yess i dont like 3cyl engines its awful .. The 4cyl engines are way better 😄