REVIEWS: Renault Clio WILLIAMS I, to III.

Reviews: Renault Clio Williams I to III

In 1993, the Clio Williams was launched with a limited run of just 400 right hand drive cars in the UK. The car was made to celebrate Nigel Mansell’s Formula 1 World Championship win. Hence, it’s named after the then Renault-powered Formula One team WilliamsF1 but Williams had nothing to do with the design or engineering of this Clio; the modifications to the Clio 16v on which it was based were the work of Renault Sport - Renault's motorsport division.

QUESTION: Is it advisable if I buy 1 in The UK and “shipped” to Malaysia?
A: If you have the AP why not? But so far I’ve never seen a unit in Malaysia. Who knows, your Renault Clio Williams would be the 1st unit in Malaysia. But be warned, SPARE PARTS are EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to find. UNLESS you buy 2 units (the 2nd one for Spare parts) and shipped to Malaysia.

If you managed to import one into Malaysia, congratulations! You are the owner of “ONE OF THE BEST HOT HATCH OF ALL TIME” – Channel 4 & Performance car UK shared the same view.

Today’s value (as spotted in UK’s good classifieds). Averaged:

1993 Mint condition ORIGINAL CLIO Williams (Numbered): GBP2,000 (RM12,800) averaged.

Found one in auction in E-bay UK: GBP1500 starting price. Car No. 343/400.

1994: Clio Williams I: GBP2300 averaged. Williams II also GBP2300 averged.

(Found one Williams I for Auction in E-bay. GBP1450 starting price. NO RESERVE PRICE. Car no: 048/400 with 97,000 miles only, Almost STOCK. That’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen). BUT there’s a CATCH. Car not Driven for 8 mts, MOT Expired.

Found another one 1994 Clio Williams II for auction in E-bay: GBP3,000 (RM19000). 100% stock. Mint condition.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-RENAULT-CLIO-WILLIAMS-2-BLUE_W0QQitemZ330257480415QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330257480415&_trksid=p4069.m14.l1318

1995 Clio Williams II: GBP2500 (RM15700) averaged.
1996 Clio Williams III: GBP3200 (RM20600) averaged.

As there is NO Renault Clio Williams in Malaysia, I have no choice but to source articles and reviews elsewhere...

Without further ado: I dished out 1 article of Renault Clio Williams.

Article 1: Sourced: Renault Clio Williams Club says: "www.williamsclio.co.uk"
Article:

In 1993, the Clio Williams was launched with a limited run of just 400 right hand drive cars in the UK. The car was made to celebrate Nigel Mansell’s Formula 1 World Championship win. Hence, it’s named after the then Renault-powered Formula One team WilliamsF1 but Williams had nothing to do with the design or engineering of this Clio; the modifications to the Clio 16v on which it was based were the work of Renault Sport - Renault's motorsport division.


It had a 2.0 L 16-valve I4 engine rated at 110 kW (150 bhp DIN) and a top speed of 134 mph (215km/h), with performance-tuned ride and handling. Renault later released the Williams 2 and Williams 3 special editions, much to the chagrin of those owners who had been assured of the exclusivity of the "original" Williams.


The differences between the three versions of the Williams were largely a reflection of phase changes across the Clio range e.g. the gradual addition of enhanced safety features and cosmetic variations. Other than this, the Williams 1 and 2 had no sunroof and were painted in 449 Sports Blue. The final Williams 3 was painted in a slightly brighter shade of blue and finally gained a sunroof which had long been standard on virtually all previous Clios.


The original Williams was the lightest of the three, lacking the electrics necessary for the sunroof or the mirrors but was the only one to sport a metal plaque stating the build number (out of 400). However, the rarest model was actually the Willams 3 with official Renault figures in the UK putting it at well below the 400 original cars and therefore more 'limited edition'. The Williams 3 also had ABS as standard equipment.


Respected motoring journalists consistently rate the Williams as one of the very best 'hot hatches' ever made, regardless of era. Other differences between the Williams and the Clio 16v it is based on include a wider front track with some parts borrowed from the Renault 19. wider speedline alloys, uprated (jc5) gearbox, bespoke four-to-one manifold, firmer suspension and some cosmetic differences on the exterior and interior, though it does use the same body panels as the Clio 16v (including the plastic front arches).


Clio Williams Specification - (1993-1996)

ENGINE

Front engined, FWD
Induction capacity: 1998 cc
Bore x stroke: 82.7 x 93 mm
Cylinders: in-line 4
16 Valves
Multi-point Fuel injected

Compression ratio: 10:1

Maximum power: 108 Kw ISO 150 bhp DIN (at 6100 rpm)
Maximum torque: 175 Nm ISO 18.2 mkg DIN (at 4500 rpm)

WEIGHT

Kerb vehicle weight: 990 kgs

GEARBOX

Number of forward gears: 5

BRAKING SYSTEM

Servo-assisted, diagonally split braking system with disk brakes all round. ABS fitted on Clio Williams III.

SUSPENSION

Front: Mac Pherson struts with coil springs, telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.
Rear: Trailing arms, 4-transverse torsion bars, telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.

STEERING

Rack and pinion. Power assisted steering.
Turning cycle: between kerbs 37.4 ft / 11.4 m
Turning cycle: between walls 38.4 ft / 11.7 m

TYRES


SPEEDLINE Rims. Size and profile 185/55/R15V

CAPACITIES

Luggage capacity 9.4 to 37.3 cubic feet
Fuel tank 50 litres/11 gallons

Dimensions:
Wheelbase 2472 mm 97.3 in
Track front 1402 mm 55.2 in rear 1351 mm 53.2 in
Length 3712 mm 146.1 in
Width 1641 mm 64.6 in
Height 1365 mm 53.7 in

Length:wheelbase ratio 1.5

Kerb weight 1010 kg 2227 lb

Weight distribution
(Front) 64.40 %


PERFORMANCE:

0-100 kph / 0-62 mph 7.8 secs
Maximum speed 134 mph/215 kph
Drag coefficient 0.33 Cd

FUEL CONSUMPTION

at constant 56 mph 44.1 mpg - 6.4 litres/100km
at constant 75 mph 34.9 mpg - 8.1 litres/100km
Urban 25 mpg - 11.3 litres/100km

SERVICING INTERVALS

Minor service interval (whichever is the soonest) 6,000 miles or 1 year
Major service 36,000 miles

COLOUR OPTIONS


449 Sports Blue (Supergloss metallic) - Williams 1 & 2
432 Monaco Blue (Supergloss metallic) - Williams 3

WARRANTY

Williams clio's were sold with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty, an 8-year anti-corrosion warranty and one year RAC membership. 2-year extended warranties were available as an optional extra.

WILLIAMS 1, 2 & 3 DIFFERENCES
Standard For All Williams Models

- Oval Plate number for Williams is C57M. The 16v is C57D.
- 150bhp, 2.0 16v Engine.
- Wider Front Track than the 16v, Uprated Suspension front and rear than the 16v.
- Williams Badges on Rear Arches and Tailgate. Williams 1 says "Williams", Williams 2 says "Williams 2" and Williams 3 says "Williams 3"
- Williams sill plate in black
- Gold wheels with the silver rim - the same wheels across all Williams'.
- Williams Stitched interior with lumbar support and height adjustment
- Blue Seat Belts
- Carry Case attached to Parcel Shelf
- No Brake Coolers like found on the 16v

- Blue Dials (Speedo, Rev Counter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature, Oil Level, Coolant Temperature)
- Blue Gear Knob
- Blue Carpet in main cabin area
- Slightly larger than 16v, colour-coded rear tailgate spoiler
- Electric Windows, Power Steering, Central Locking
- Oil Cooler fitted, the 16v didn't have one
- Uprated front subframe than the clio 16v subframe

Clio Williams 1 - Produced 1993/94 (L) - 390 Manufactured for the UK

Based on the Mk1, Phase1 Clio's. (1991 - 1994)

- Small Bump Strips, 2.0 badge round side repeaters
- Flat looking rear lights with black plastic strip
- Badges (Renault and Clio) are on the boot strip.
- Slated Front Non Colour-coded Grill
- Phase1 16v Mirrors but manually controlled
- Phase1 Heater Controls
- Blue Carpet throughout including boot carpet!
- All were Sports Blue (449)- Colour
- Only 4" Dash Speakers in front (no rear speakers)

- Plaque to show number of car (as limited run of 400 units)
- Williams Badges are an Outline, and not filled.

Clio Williams 2 - Produced 1994/95 (M) - 482 Manufactured for the UK

Based on the Mk1, Phase2 Clio's. (1994 - 1996)

- Larger, more rounded bump strips - with 2.0 badges
- More Rounded Rear Lights and Boot Strip to match
- Badges (Renault and Clio) are on the tailgate now.
- Colour Coded, different style Grill
- Phase2 Electric/Heated Mirrors
- Phase2 Heater Controls
- Again, All Sports Blue 449 (Colour).
- Only 4" Dash Speakers in front (no rear speakers)
- Revised Williams Stickers

Clio Williams 3 - Produced 1995/96 (N) - 308 Manufactured for the UK

Based on the Williams 2 (Mk1, Phase2 Clio)

- Electric door mirrors
- Introduction of door speakers (5 1/4")
- Introduction of rear 4" speakers
- 4 channel, 4 sensor ABS fitted
- Change of colour to Monaco Blue






END OF A LONG REVIEW. Thanks for reading this.
References:
1) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1994-RENAULT-CLIO-WILLIAMS-2-BLUE_W0QQitemZ330257480415QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item330257480415&_trksid=p4069.m14.l1318
2) www.channel4.com/4car/gl/gallery/gallery/22/10

3) 1993 Renault Clio Williams technical specifications - Carfolio.com ...
1 Mar 2007 ... Renault Clio Williams detailed technical specifications and data.
www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=154891

4) Renault Clio Williams Club
This band is for owner and fans of the Renault Clio Williams. In 1993, the Clio Williams was launched with a limited run of just 400 right hand drive cars ...
www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5436801247

5) For photos. http://www.allvehicles.co.uk/l845vgh_used_renault_clio_williams_for_sale.htm

6) Used car listings at Msn Auto UK.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/msn/cars_search.jsp?modelexact=1&partner=msn&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=RENAULT&model=CLIO&variant=&keywords=williams&min_pr=500&max_pr=10000&mileage=&agerange=&photo=1&postcode=w1f9nb&miles=200&max_records=200&source=0&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=FIND+IT+NOW!