TRD's Phase 1 Clio 172
Discussion
Hoygo said:
Looks great now mate,very unchavy compared to what it was before,i thought you had enough spending money on it whats with the remap? 
Some people claim to get 200 bhp only with a remap (which imo its gains are ridiculous) and some internal engine job + exhaust.But seeing some vids around the net with these "200 bhp" 172s really get you to think how well they do keep up with much more powerful cars,so some right engine tweaking might give it impressive gains.
For dephaser/cambelt/aux belt maintenance works these cars can be a pita,especially when you own it in the end of these 3 years when these things should be changed.
Thanks mate.Some people claim to get 200 bhp only with a remap (which imo its gains are ridiculous) and some internal engine job + exhaust.But seeing some vids around the net with these "200 bhp" 172s really get you to think how well they do keep up with much more powerful cars,so some right engine tweaking might give it impressive gains.
For dephaser/cambelt/aux belt maintenance works these cars can be a pita,especially when you own it in the end of these 3 years when these things should be changed.
I know, once you start... but once I have the remaining items I want, I'll be leaving it alone and just enjoying it.
The remap I'm not expecting much more than 5-6 BHP increase, but what appeals to me about it is the promise of between 10 and 20% more torque at low revs, better smoothness and cold running and idling, and potentially another 500 rpm or so on the rev limit. Basically drivability improvements.
The cambelt etc, I checked the documentation and even though it had been done only about 15,000 miles previously, it was approaching the 4 year mark so it would have needed doing at some point. I was mistaken when I originally said 2 years ago.
I was half thinking of Eibachs, but some owners say that if you don't uprate the dampers, the uprated springs put more pressure on those and wear them out much faster, so if I was going to do that I'd get some Koni shocks too. As it, with the ARB it should eliminate body roll and reduce understeer at low speeds, but at the same time, actually ride well too; Once you add the shocks it becomes a relatively expensive upgrade.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Sunday 26th August 16:42
No further updates as yet but I have had a few thoughts.
Firstly, about the Whiteline ARB. These are very highly rated by most, so I have done some very detailed research. On the whole people praised the effect they had on handling, but suspecting it to be something of a flavour of the month, I did notice a few voices of dissent.
I think the suitability of these items really depends on what the car is used for. From what I gather, on track, the ARB makes a good difference, and in fact, it also appears to make a good difference on a good smooth dry road, making it feel more planted and grippy.
However, I had a conversation with one guy who had taken his off, stating that in actual fact although it did what it said on the tin, it made the car less approachable and more twitchy. He actually said a sudden surface change on a familiar corner taken at a lower speed than usual actually caused the car to spin. He also went on to say that he didn't quite have the confidence in the car with it on.
Even before this, having given it a lot of thought, I can potentially see the downsides, and for me, the car is already excellent in ALL conditions, even wet. A case of if it ain't broken don't fix it.
I still fancy the remap though. The promise of a more brawny, smoother power delivery with better low rev running, smoothness, better cold starts and a slightly higher rev limit all appeal.
So my thoughts now, is to pretty much just make it completely stock again eventually.
Currently the car has silver side-strips - the original are black, and having seen the original car, I prefer the black - it breaks up the silver, and makes it look a bit "tougher". The silver strips really just add refinement to the looks, which I'm not fond of.
And I'm in two minds about this, but I'm tempted to try and source the original 15" OZ wheels, although I am in no rush for these, as I do think the 16s look good, but the 15s look just as good, are lighter, so car will ride, handle and accelerate a teeny bit better. Cheaper tyres too.
All in all, I think OEM is the direction I want to take this car. Thinking longer term, this can only help its resale value too. Then again, if I get it running as I want, I'm not sure I'll want to get rid as it's a fantastic car and I have a shed load of fun in it (provided it doesn't lose me my license!!)
Firstly, about the Whiteline ARB. These are very highly rated by most, so I have done some very detailed research. On the whole people praised the effect they had on handling, but suspecting it to be something of a flavour of the month, I did notice a few voices of dissent.
I think the suitability of these items really depends on what the car is used for. From what I gather, on track, the ARB makes a good difference, and in fact, it also appears to make a good difference on a good smooth dry road, making it feel more planted and grippy.
However, I had a conversation with one guy who had taken his off, stating that in actual fact although it did what it said on the tin, it made the car less approachable and more twitchy. He actually said a sudden surface change on a familiar corner taken at a lower speed than usual actually caused the car to spin. He also went on to say that he didn't quite have the confidence in the car with it on.
Even before this, having given it a lot of thought, I can potentially see the downsides, and for me, the car is already excellent in ALL conditions, even wet. A case of if it ain't broken don't fix it.
I still fancy the remap though. The promise of a more brawny, smoother power delivery with better low rev running, smoothness, better cold starts and a slightly higher rev limit all appeal.
So my thoughts now, is to pretty much just make it completely stock again eventually.
Currently the car has silver side-strips - the original are black, and having seen the original car, I prefer the black - it breaks up the silver, and makes it look a bit "tougher". The silver strips really just add refinement to the looks, which I'm not fond of.
And I'm in two minds about this, but I'm tempted to try and source the original 15" OZ wheels, although I am in no rush for these, as I do think the 16s look good, but the 15s look just as good, are lighter, so car will ride, handle and accelerate a teeny bit better. Cheaper tyres too.
All in all, I think OEM is the direction I want to take this car. Thinking longer term, this can only help its resale value too. Then again, if I get it running as I want, I'm not sure I'll want to get rid as it's a fantastic car and I have a shed load of fun in it (provided it doesn't lose me my license!!)
Well this is going to sound utterly crazy I know, but I think I am going to sell up. I just fancy something more modern and special. I feel like I drive too much like a hooligan in it, same as when I had my 182 and my ITR. When I had stuff like the MR2 Turbo I didn't drive this way, and it just felt more special.
I've just put 12 months tax on it too.
So, a big waste of time and money I suppose, but I can afford it, and at least I've saved a Clio from becoming a chav toy.
Surprisingly, Mrs TRD is quite supportive!!
I've just put 12 months tax on it too.
So, a big waste of time and money I suppose, but I can afford it, and at least I've saved a Clio from becoming a chav toy.
Surprisingly, Mrs TRD is quite supportive!!
Well the main reason for my thinking is because on Saturday it dumped all its coolant on the A1 and I had to be recovered. Wasn't very happy. Now wondering whether just to fix and sell on.... It could be reliable but I've got to be honest I've a feeling it's not going to be cheap to run.
I've been told that even with all the work I've had done its still only worth what I paid (£1400)? Perhaps I paid too much (well no perhaps about it) but I have to say with the work this car has had I'm surprised I wouldn't scrape £2k for it.
With that being the case, I don't think I'll be selling up, yet...
Car booked in for Wednesday to have the coolant leak looked at.
After that, I'm going to see if I get another extension on my job contract before deciding whether to hang on to it, as I get the impression I'm always going to be thinking "what next?".
Should have learned after all the little niggles my first 182 had and that was brand new!
With that being the case, I don't think I'll be selling up, yet...
Car booked in for Wednesday to have the coolant leak looked at.
After that, I'm going to see if I get another extension on my job contract before deciding whether to hang on to it, as I get the impression I'm always going to be thinking "what next?".
Should have learned after all the little niggles my first 182 had and that was brand new!
Don't know haven't had it in yet, its leaking from the middle, there was steam / smoke coming out from near where the radiator fan is.
Dunno whether just to fix and sell. I can't have this thing raping my wallet every month. I haven't even recovered from the last raping I had. I do know now that I won't be spending any more on "modifications" or enhancements, not even the stuff I said in previous posts. I've completely fallen out of love with it.
Got to say this car has been a very poor buy. If I get rid, I may just get a C1 and forget about cars, never have any luck.
Come at a great time, it happened just 15 minutes after renewing my tax for 12 months
Dunno whether just to fix and sell. I can't have this thing raping my wallet every month. I haven't even recovered from the last raping I had. I do know now that I won't be spending any more on "modifications" or enhancements, not even the stuff I said in previous posts. I've completely fallen out of love with it.
Got to say this car has been a very poor buy. If I get rid, I may just get a C1 and forget about cars, never have any luck.
Come at a great time, it happened just 15 minutes after renewing my tax for 12 months
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Monday 3rd September 13:56
Looks like that's what I'll be doing.
I already started to dislike the car after the original £1.5k bill. After a couple of months of no bother I'd started to like it. Now I feel like I just hate the damn thing.
I can only blame myself for being utterly useless at buying cars, and then being naive enough to think spending the cars value on repairing it would be a worthwhile exercise.
So it'll be get fixed then flogged.
I already started to dislike the car after the original £1.5k bill. After a couple of months of no bother I'd started to like it. Now I feel like I just hate the damn thing.
I can only blame myself for being utterly useless at buying cars, and then being naive enough to think spending the cars value on repairing it would be a worthwhile exercise.
So it'll be get fixed then flogged.
mr hat said:
i can see why your p*ssed off with it, getting stung for £1500 just after you bought it must of been gutting. sounds like you have picked a wrong un though, shame as a good ph1 are cracking cars, just they are so cheap now they do get through lots of owners who cant afford to maintain them properly and somebody (in this case you) ends up paying for years of neglect.
Believe me, it certainly was gutting. I was pretty much in a foul mood for a week after that happened, problem is, I think it was always at the back of my mind; had the car given me a years worth of use, I'd have got over it, but it didn't, and here I am seemingly almost back at square one (financially).It is a pretty good car when it works I will say, but like my old 182 before it, it doesn't feel well built (and it isn't, clearly).
I'm probably going to end up with a sheddy puma or some econobox now sadly. I feel totally disheartened with cars as this has put me back months when I could have just bought something decent to start with.
It might have been boy racer, but, and I'm probably as surprised as you are, but it actually has a full service history, which makes this all the more frustrating.
After the niggles with my first one I won't be buying French again. Jap all the way or maybe Ford as at least it'll be cheap to repair.
After the niggles with my first one I won't be buying French again. Jap all the way or maybe Ford as at least it'll be cheap to repair.
Believe me I've wanted to scrap the thing at times. But then I'm that used to bad luck now I'm kind of not surprised.
Its booked in tomorrow to have the issue fixed. If it presents me with a huge bill in the process, that WILL be the end of that car as far as I'm concerned. I simply can't afford to absorb another huge bill. I wish I'd never clapped eyes on this car TBQH.
Its booked in tomorrow to have the issue fixed. If it presents me with a huge bill in the process, that WILL be the end of that car as far as I'm concerned. I simply can't afford to absorb another huge bill. I wish I'd never clapped eyes on this car TBQH.
So I'm basically bracing myself for a circa £200 bill...
I'm still contemplating whether to carry out the work, and then keep it, or just write it off as a bad job and just a shed. I've been looking and there are some sheds which cost 1/3 of what I just had to fork out on one repair several months ago. Doesn't seem like too much of a risk even if you only get 6 months out of it compared to this insufferable money pit??
I'm still contemplating whether to carry out the work, and then keep it, or just write it off as a bad job and just a shed. I've been looking and there are some sheds which cost 1/3 of what I just had to fork out on one repair several months ago. Doesn't seem like too much of a risk even if you only get 6 months out of it compared to this insufferable money pit??
BriC175 said:
It would be so easy to fit a new rad yourself... Why not use some of that £200+ bill, buy some tools, buy a haynes manual and have a go at it yourself? Do you not have any mechanically minded friends that could help?
I don't know if it is the radiator though. Most of the time when I DIY I make it worse. If I make it worse, more expense.^^ Noted.
I've been looking at alternatives, but deep down you are correct. I'll probably stick with it whatever.
I might still just get it seen to by the local Renault Specialist (they are supposed to be good and cheap so we'll see), as I really needed the car for the coming weekend, and I simply won't have time to do it by then.
All in all I'll probably stick with it, but ultimately, I doubt whether it'll be getting any further mods (although I still think I'd like to go back to black side strips and sell the silver ones on - free(ish) mod).
I've been looking at alternatives, but deep down you are correct. I'll probably stick with it whatever.
I might still just get it seen to by the local Renault Specialist (they are supposed to be good and cheap so we'll see), as I really needed the car for the coming weekend, and I simply won't have time to do it by then.
All in all I'll probably stick with it, but ultimately, I doubt whether it'll be getting any further mods (although I still think I'd like to go back to black side strips and sell the silver ones on - free(ish) mod).
Just been quoted £156 to supply and fit a new radiator. Not as bad as I thought it would be.
Would have done myself, but need the car and don't have time.
Just glad its nothing worse.
Dunno what to do now. Keep it or chop it in... was thinking of E36 M3... if I'm going to be royally buggered on maintenance it may as well be for something special?
Would have done myself, but need the car and don't have time.
Just glad its nothing worse.
Dunno what to do now. Keep it or chop it in... was thinking of E36 M3... if I'm going to be royally buggered on maintenance it may as well be for something special?
StoatInACoat said:
For £156 I'd let someone else do it instead of getting covered in crap and shouting at it.
Sell to buy an M3? Do you have unlimited funds or something?
Thats what I thought.Sell to buy an M3? Do you have unlimited funds or something?
And no, most definitely not, but if things are to carry on in this vain, I fail to see how an M3 could be more expensive?
This said, its another thing off the list of potential things to go wrong (although I am sure there is a huge list with these cars). For now, its got a stay of execution.
Semi interesting fact. Since I had it, this car has cost me £650 a month to run (including fuel @ £250), or 79p a mile. Not exactly the cheap motoring I had in mind. So that's £400 a month in maintenance / repairs.
Even a brand new GT86 on Hire Purchase would have cost me less!
Even a brand new GT86 on Hire Purchase would have cost me less!
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Wednesday 5th September 12:11
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