Dynamique S 86 Dci

Supremely economical, well-built, few-fault, fun car.

Why is it that most reviews bang on about power and speed? No inspiration or feeling, that's why.... Diesel is the way, especially turbo. I get 65mpg from my 86 dci Clio. I am relatively light-footed when needs be, commuter traffic - why bother overtaking - two-three minutes saved is nothing compared to the warm glow of carbon footprint reduction and a heavier wallet, I can tell you.

Spirited performance from a fleet-foot supermini when desired is an absolute delight. BTW mpg went to 68/69 mpg with a Chip Express kit and plenty more torque to boot!!

Consider I should have got 5 doors as the ol' three door issue of reaching in t' back (for an oldish guy) is kinda too much, but the styling of three over five doors just won it outright tbh. Unless you long for a different type of car - saloon, estate, convertible etc, this is the motah wot makes its class.

Yes, I admit, there could be a tad more feedback from the steering-wheel and sometimes it gets a bit fazed y uneven road surfaces but trade this off against the ability to do a relatively un-fussed 80+ on the autoroutes of its home country for a driving holiday in Languedoc de Rousillon etc etc, come on!! And it’s less than 4m long to park – anywhere your saloon can’t go!!

No reliability problems, servicing, albeit through a lease company, is never any hassle (and I check the work done). Boot is big enuff for a 30 minute journey with our two medium dogs (no they don’t contact spirits, it’s their size).

Stereo is a bit of a let-down, although steering controls are pukka. Have replaced with a Kenwood, better bass and detail over the standard and USB/i-pod compatible (the Cabasse option was out of reach at the time). Uses about 250ml oil between servicing.

When the lease arrangement comes to an end I will buy this additionally climate and sun-roofed specified lusciously black car and pamper it beyond its current 50K miles. How I wish I hadn't driven its predecessor (another Clio 1.5dci 106 Dyn S) into a tree!!

BTW, I’m a 45 yo bloke, with a gorgeous missus and three super boys (eldest at Uni), wot just loves general tooling about. I am not French, nor Canadian, but what a spirited game that was 18.09.11! Too late to continue – you get the gist though I hope - a bargain new car for what it gives, excellent second-hand I would think, if reliability stays the same as I have experienced thus far!! Hope so as it will be mine-all-mine in Feb 2011…..

Strange thing is I don't have a photo of my car - I do of the crashed one. Anyway I found this photo of my dear departed Ducati 888, sold it, didn't trash it. Many tears, to this day - not particularly relevant I know, but some review readers may sympathise.!!!

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