TRD's Phase 1 Clio 172
Discussion
Well tonight when I drove it home, it behaved perfectly, until I decided to give it a short blast on an empty dual carriageway up to some traffic lights. After that the revs would not dip below 1,500 no matter what I did and they were going up and down. It was so bad it was virtually undrivable around the slower streets. So the car is now parked up until Monday when it'll be going to the specialist and telling them just to do what they need to do to make it good (within reason).
I dare say the idling problem is nothing *too* serious, and I take the point that perhaps the dephaser isn't needed, but TBH I'd rather just have the car fixed properly, it is a daily driver and my toy that will be doing 15,000 miles this year, so it needs to work properly.
That said, I don't have endless amounts of money either, so I really do hope this is the last of the problems for at least a few months. On the plus side, a 172 with tidy bodywork, desirable OEM+ wheels, an immaculate interior, 4 new tyres, new OEMish exhaust and cambelt service done at a reputable dealer should be worth considerably more than one without these, so its not totally dead money (although it won't add as much value as its costing), unless the gearbox lunches itself, but then again, its the one part of the car that still feels as sweet as a nut.
I dare say the idling problem is nothing *too* serious, and I take the point that perhaps the dephaser isn't needed, but TBH I'd rather just have the car fixed properly, it is a daily driver and my toy that will be doing 15,000 miles this year, so it needs to work properly.
That said, I don't have endless amounts of money either, so I really do hope this is the last of the problems for at least a few months. On the plus side, a 172 with tidy bodywork, desirable OEM+ wheels, an immaculate interior, 4 new tyres, new OEMish exhaust and cambelt service done at a reputable dealer should be worth considerably more than one without these, so its not totally dead money (although it won't add as much value as its costing), unless the gearbox lunches itself, but then again, its the one part of the car that still feels as sweet as a nut.
Car is in getting surgery today.
Among the faults I already know about, its also got leaking dampers, a knackered windscreen wiper mech, knackered brake pipes.
How this car hasn't killed me by now, I'll never know. I will probably wish it had killed me once I get the bill.
I hope its worth it
Among the faults I already know about, its also got leaking dampers, a knackered windscreen wiper mech, knackered brake pipes.
How this car hasn't killed me by now, I'll never know. I will probably wish it had killed me once I get the bill.
I hope its worth it
Got car back today.
£1,560
Got the following done:-
Cambelt, dephaser pulley, water pump, aux belt
Full service
Front and rear brake pads
New wiper mechanism
Original springs fitted (handling is now MUCH better, and whats this we have? Ride quality!?)
2 rear dampers (leaking)
A few other miscellaneous bits and pieces...
AND the throttle cable and sort throttle body... only it hasn't been. It is really stiff and sticks like hell so it's going to have to go back.
Definitely getting there though.
My wallet is severely bruised though.
£1,560
Got the following done:-
Cambelt, dephaser pulley, water pump, aux belt
Full service
Front and rear brake pads
New wiper mechanism
Original springs fitted (handling is now MUCH better, and whats this we have? Ride quality!?)
2 rear dampers (leaking)
A few other miscellaneous bits and pieces...
AND the throttle cable and sort throttle body... only it hasn't been. It is really stiff and sticks like hell so it's going to have to go back.
Definitely getting there though.
My wallet is severely bruised though.
Not my finest hour buying this car.
To be fair though, its virtually a new car in almost all respects now though, even 4x brand new tyres, 4x refurbished wheels, brand new stainless exhaust, on top of all the other stuff... once I get the niggles out the way it should be a fairly sorted little car.
To be fair though, its virtually a new car in almost all respects now though, even 4x brand new tyres, 4x refurbished wheels, brand new stainless exhaust, on top of all the other stuff... once I get the niggles out the way it should be a fairly sorted little car.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 27th June 22:32
greggy50 said:
Certainly 
Another advantage is I could personally see a clean phase 1 car eventually becoming a future classic seeing how popular all the renaultsport clios have been since
I really wanted a Phase 1 so thats why I went for it, you'd be surprised how the values of these are firming up for look after ones. Mine was cheap(ish) but a 5 minute walk away from where I live. Hindsight I may have travelled further. Never mind done now, I'm probably saving a Phase 1 from a chavvy death!Another advantage is I could personally see a clean phase 1 car eventually becoming a future classic seeing how popular all the renaultsport clios have been since
Been looking at your Phase 2, looks a very nice car for the money that.
Cheers lads, I feel a little better about it, I fully realise I dropped a b
k with it but oh well.
Main problem now is a very sticky throttle, its going back on Saturday as it was one of the things I asked them to look at but its now worse.
On the plus side, the brakes are now fantastic as is the ride quality and handling. It looks a little "high" now but as far as I'm concerned looks < go
k with it but oh well.Main problem now is a very sticky throttle, its going back on Saturday as it was one of the things I asked them to look at but its now worse.
On the plus side, the brakes are now fantastic as is the ride quality and handling. It looks a little "high" now but as far as I'm concerned looks < go
OlberJ said:
Are these still the lovely French style cable and screw clamp throttle cables?
Mind my 306 one snapping on the motorway one day. In the outside lane. Try moving across 3 lanes of traffic with absolutely no go when everyone is in a daze and you are decelerating as they are accelerating. Scary stuff.
I believe so yes, the Phase 1 has a throttle cable (which is the reason I wanted one over a Phase 2), the phase 2 has drive by wire. It's had the throttle cable changed and the body cleaned so I think its catching or sticking.Mind my 306 one snapping on the motorway one day. In the outside lane. Try moving across 3 lanes of traffic with absolutely no go when everyone is in a daze and you are decelerating as they are accelerating. Scary stuff.
The garage has agreed to try and get to the bottom of it though so hopefully I'll have it sorted soon enough. It will be a nice car to drive with that sorted.
All problems sorted out (and sadly, its going to take me up to 2 months to pay for it). I suspect that will be it for quite some time, if not permanently, as although I do like it, I'm not sure how long I'll be keeping it now (kind of miss rear drive, and convertible), so for now a few pictures...
greggy50 said:
Thats bks these are normally pretty reliable and cheap to run he has just been very very unlucky
Oh btw bit more spending for you get some new interior mats the current ones look like carpet offcuts...
Looks good apart from that just keep hold of it now its all sorted
Noted on the mats! But then again mate, I tend to end up with crap all over my feet from walking etc so not sure I'd want to ruin decent mats!ks these are normally pretty reliable and cheap to run he has just been very very unlucky Oh btw bit more spending for you get some new interior mats the current ones look like carpet offcuts...
Looks good apart from that just keep hold of it now its all sorted
ETA actually they do look horrific in the photos. I've never actually looked that closely at them. Some blue ones would do the trick, and keep my feet clean
2nd edit: as for reliability, my first 182 had its "quirks". This one has less kit to go wrong. But if it does prove as unreliable as suggested by the other poster, it'll get sold on TBH.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 22 July 20:07
I'll get the mats sorted.
I dont mind the wheel although it is a bit tatty looking.
To be honest I doubt I can afford to spend much on it now. The mechanical stuff I had done has destroyed my car fund...
In the future if I hang onto it I was possibly thinking...
Standard wheel but with a retrim.
Recaros.
White line ARB
Remap (for driveability rather than outright figures).
However its all pipe dream now after what I spent making it semi normal again.
I dont mind the wheel although it is a bit tatty looking.
To be honest I doubt I can afford to spend much on it now. The mechanical stuff I had done has destroyed my car fund...
In the future if I hang onto it I was possibly thinking...
Standard wheel but with a retrim.
Recaros.
White line ARB
Remap (for driveability rather than outright figures).
However its all pipe dream now after what I spent making it semi normal again.
Right, so I've decided you're all right, the mats and steering wheel have to go.
BUT I don't know whether to go for a standard steering wheel or just a less tatty aftermarket one.
This was the aftermarket one I was thinking of going for (in leather not suede).
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/steering-...
And I reckon a fair bit cheaper than having to buy a whole new steering wheel and airbag?
Has anyone else got any ideas?
BUT I don't know whether to go for a standard steering wheel or just a less tatty aftermarket one.
This was the aftermarket one I was thinking of going for (in leather not suede).
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/steering-...
And I reckon a fair bit cheaper than having to buy a whole new steering wheel and airbag?
Has anyone else got any ideas?
I did look at the sabelt one which I completely ruled out once I seen it was suede. This is the reason the current one looks so awful so anything suede is out.
I wouldn't rule out the standard wheel but its the feeling that a standard wheel plus airbag will be expensive and let's face it if you're going to the trouble of putting a standard wheel back on you may as well sort the airbag out as well .
I wouldn't rule out the standard wheel but its the feeling that a standard wheel plus airbag will be expensive and let's face it if you're going to the trouble of putting a standard wheel back on you may as well sort the airbag out as well .
A new steering wheel should be winging its way to me as we speak.
Its a "leather style" one off a 172 complete with airbag and horn buttons (leather style as in it looks like leather but has actually been retrimmed in leather effect vinyl). It won't be as nice as the one above, but it looks a HELL of a lot better than practically any I've ever seen on a 172 as standard, even if it isn't melting.
£45.
Now, I assume that the process will be as follows:-
Disconnect battery, leave for 30 minutes.
Remove steering wheel with 6 allen screws
Slacken central nut and remove boss
Unclip airbag from steering wheel
Refit steering wheel with central nut.
Plug in airbag and horn
Clip the airbag unit back on.
Reconnect battery.
Any tips welcomed.
Its a "leather style" one off a 172 complete with airbag and horn buttons (leather style as in it looks like leather but has actually been retrimmed in leather effect vinyl). It won't be as nice as the one above, but it looks a HELL of a lot better than practically any I've ever seen on a 172 as standard, even if it isn't melting.
£45.
Now, I assume that the process will be as follows:-
Disconnect battery, leave for 30 minutes.
Remove steering wheel with 6 allen screws
Slacken central nut and remove boss
Unclip airbag from steering wheel
Refit steering wheel with central nut.
Plug in airbag and horn
Clip the airbag unit back on.
Reconnect battery.
Any tips welcomed.
Yeah it will look a lot better. Believe it or not, those mats are proper Renault Clio mats. But they do look hideous.
The wheel looks in good nick, and although not as nice as Mr Hat's above, it will at least suit the cars interior more (similar colour and style). And its not melted. Can't really afford a leather retrim at the mo, and not that bothered as long as it looks decent which I think it will.
Touch wood, since I forked out nearly £2K on mine 2 months ago, it has been reliable. However, I am well aware that these cars are always capable of throwing an unwanted bill or two your way. Touch wood, the gearbox and clutch seem OK on mine, and even the cold starting problem which was still present after spending all that money has actually gone away.
Hope you get yours sorted matey.
The wheel looks in good nick, and although not as nice as Mr Hat's above, it will at least suit the cars interior more (similar colour and style). And its not melted. Can't really afford a leather retrim at the mo, and not that bothered as long as it looks decent which I think it will.
Touch wood, since I forked out nearly £2K on mine 2 months ago, it has been reliable. However, I am well aware that these cars are always capable of throwing an unwanted bill or two your way. Touch wood, the gearbox and clutch seem OK on mine, and even the cold starting problem which was still present after spending all that money has actually gone away.
Hope you get yours sorted matey.
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