2005 Clio 182 FF - Occasional track car
Discussion
I've been after a 2nd car to run along side my Z4M for months, years probably. I've viewed a few over the last few months and none of them stood out. This one came up at a reasonable distance, price, mileage etc, so went for a viewing. An hour or so a deal was done and I am to collect in a few days time. Car to be serviced and MOT'd before collection, and I'm looking at local specialists to do the cambelt, dephaser & water pump.
The main point of this vehicle is to keep miles off the Z4, but I may as well throw it around a circuit every so often! The mileage on the Z is creeping up to 70k and I'd like to save it for more special drives, not to mention saving money on consumables! Z4M front disc (singular) £225, 182 £23. Z4M read tyre £210, 182 £50. You see what I'm getting at...
Anyway, once the car is collected and the cambelt service is done, I expect to get it on track ASAP for a bit of a shakedown and my first track run. As I'll be using this for generally pottering about and leaving at train stations etc, I don't want to throw money modding it, but that may all change when I get out on the track. Saying that, the first mod has been purchased already, a PH smiley sticker!
As with most of these, the steering wheel is worn out (and has a horrible cover on it), and the lights need a light sanding as they are cloudy. First items on the list. Anyway, some photos, and I'll be updating this thread with how it all goes. Lets hope I keep it on the black stuff!
The main point of this vehicle is to keep miles off the Z4, but I may as well throw it around a circuit every so often! The mileage on the Z is creeping up to 70k and I'd like to save it for more special drives, not to mention saving money on consumables! Z4M front disc (singular) £225, 182 £23. Z4M read tyre £210, 182 £50. You see what I'm getting at...
Anyway, once the car is collected and the cambelt service is done, I expect to get it on track ASAP for a bit of a shakedown and my first track run. As I'll be using this for generally pottering about and leaving at train stations etc, I don't want to throw money modding it, but that may all change when I get out on the track. Saying that, the first mod has been purchased already, a PH smiley sticker!
As with most of these, the steering wheel is worn out (and has a horrible cover on it), and the lights need a light sanding as they are cloudy. First items on the list. Anyway, some photos, and I'll be updating this thread with how it all goes. Lets hope I keep it on the black stuff!
T16OLE said:
If the wheel gets sticky and annoying, you can have it retrimmed for about £150.
I`m not sure that`s a "FF" it doesn`t seem to have the front spliter or cup boot spolier.
It has both. And the wheels. But of course all of these can be retrofitted, the only way to tell for sure is the ARB mount or something similar. I`m not sure that`s a "FF" it doesn`t seem to have the front spliter or cup boot spolier.
The non-cup spoiler looks like this:
Flew through the MOT with only light alignment being an issue. Collection on Sat.
Have joined some groups, will probably need some track wheels & tyres soon.
Edited by illmonkey on Thursday 26th January 09:21
1st track day booked at Oulton park this Saturday. I've probably done 200 miles in it already and hasn't missed a beat, even giving it some stick.
No prep, apart from the MOT & service it got when I bought it. I do need to swap the wheels over, axle to axle as there is loads of tread on the rears not a lot on the front. Apart from that, it's going on the track as is!
Never done one before, sharing the effort with a mate who's done a fair few, so should get some tips from him. I'll get photos and post them up.
No prep, apart from the MOT & service it got when I bought it. I do need to swap the wheels over, axle to axle as there is loads of tread on the rears not a lot on the front. Apart from that, it's going on the track as is!
Never done one before, sharing the effort with a mate who's done a fair few, so should get some tips from him. I'll get photos and post them up.
Without a doubt the best thing I've done for a while. We weren't the fastest, but have a brilliant time and didn't stop laughing.
Some amazing cars there yesterday on track too, I doff my cap to them. 911 CUP, GT3RS' etc. Our own resident ChemicalChaos was also about.
I didn't say hello, seemed a bit weird.
Car is a trooper, I've literally bought it, done nothing. We did swap wheels axle to axle. It's taken the 200 miles drive there, hammered around the track, and 200 miles back in 24 hours. Just about to tick over 100k today.
Some amazing cars there yesterday on track too, I doff my cap to them. 911 CUP, GT3RS' etc. Our own resident ChemicalChaos was also about.
I didn't say hello, seemed a bit weird.Car is a trooper, I've literally bought it, done nothing. We did swap wheels axle to axle. It's taken the 200 miles drive there, hammered around the track, and 200 miles back in 24 hours. Just about to tick over 100k today.
docter fox said:
Great combo! I have a black 182 and a grey Z4, sadly not an M but they're both great fun. I can't believe how great the 182 is on track, I've got a spare set of 15 inch wheels with R888R's, discs/pads and 4 wheel alignment. It's so much fun and keeps up with more much exotic things on track, enjoy it!
I had to get a contrasting colour, I didn't entertain black Clios. Thats the idea, get some wheels with something sticky!Honestly, after the track day, I was reflecting that maybe I just need a trophy and get it sorted properly and sell the Z. Then I went and drove the Z today, and I can confirm it's staying well put.
The modding continues...
Wheels picked up, looks really good and 4 good centre caps. Apparently worth a good amount, so might make some money back on the wheels.
Tyres; Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R's are what I'm looking at, £320 for a set, then probably £50-£60 to get them fitted. Would hope to get 4 driving days out of a set, so less then £100 a go.
Wheels picked up, looks really good and 4 good centre caps. Apparently worth a good amount, so might make some money back on the wheels.
Tyres; Yokohama Advan Neova AD08R's are what I'm looking at, £320 for a set, then probably £50-£60 to get them fitted. Would hope to get 4 driving days out of a set, so less then £100 a go.
Edited by illmonkey on Wednesday 15th February 09:51
Spent a bit of time today with the new parts. Some of the old stuff is shocking.
1 of the exhaust brackets was fine, just needed reseating, the other was a mess! One of the thumb grips was perfect under the tape too. The new ones are cheap rubbish, but it's so much better with this already.
Turns out there is also a leak from the handbrake(?) on the offside rear...
1 of the exhaust brackets was fine, just needed reseating, the other was a mess! One of the thumb grips was perfect under the tape too. The new ones are cheap rubbish, but it's so much better with this already.
Turns out there is also a leak from the handbrake(?) on the offside rear...
Connectors clean and fog light flashing has gone!
Car wouldn't start after the key change. It was actually an immobiliser issue, I swapped the key housing over and must have done something. The immobiliser light wasn't staying on though, so didn't think that was the problem. Anyway, held the unlock button with the key in the ignition for 10 seconds, locked, unlocked and it worked.
MJ85 said:
There is a gizmo you can buy to override the immobiliser, if you ever have long term issues with it. Plugs in the OBD socket and wiring block to the immobiliser ring.
Glad you are enjoying!
Interesting, but I think it was just because I was messing about. I've purchased a new battery as the remote only works a short distance from the car. May need a reset again...Glad you are enjoying!
I certainly am! I have a long list of people wanting a go on track, so I'll be doing a fair few trackdays this year! Can't complain.
I've also done 1250 miles in a month (well just over), the Z has also done 300 or so, so I'm now averaging over 1500 miles a month. Although that includes several long trips (to collect it, track day, and to collect wheels). But still..!
Edited by illmonkey on Wednesday 1st March 10:25
Over 2,500 miles done and not missed a beat. Really enjoy driving it, a bit of a shame that I've not got had any more track days. I plan on doing the brakes over Easter. braided hoses, discs, pads and replace that leaking caliper. Sticky tyres (Federal 595RSR's) are on back order too. Anyway, treated the Clio to all this today. Done the headlights as they were poor, but most focus was on the Z today. So you get pic's of both!
Weird one, but I cleaned the belts recently. they were filthy! Black obviously hides it well. Unravel and wedge some paper in, voila!
That water is from 1 of them.
Finally getting some upgrades sorted in the form of:
Front DS2500 pads
Rear Brembo oem pads
Front Brembo HC Brake Discs
ATE blue fluid / ATE type 200
Goodridge brake lines
That's a good £300 worth to be fitted this weekend. The tyres will be here early next week too. Just need to get them on the spare rims and we can go racing!
I'll also be giving it a clay and polish over the weekend, should give me at least 15BHP more
That water is from 1 of them.
Finally getting some upgrades sorted in the form of:
Front DS2500 pads
Rear Brembo oem pads
Front Brembo HC Brake Discs
ATE blue fluid / ATE type 200
Goodridge brake lines
That's a good £300 worth to be fitted this weekend. The tyres will be here early next week too. Just need to get them on the spare rims and we can go racing!
I'll also be giving it a clay and polish over the weekend, should give me at least 15BHP more
Edited by illmonkey on Thursday 13th April 16:36
si_xsi said:
Nice one Sam, can't best brembo disc and ds2500 pads, I have the same on the R32 and it such a great set up. See you on the run out on 23rd..
Glad for some positive feedback Simon! It's so mixed online, so I just went for uprated, but not sky high pricing. The stuff that came on the car is what I tracked it with, will be interesting to see what condition they come off in. A brake specialist for these and I both think they are ebay specials, i.e. crap!
See you then, maybe in the clio!
An other spirited drive has seen the exhaust pop out, then burn more of the plastic. Those exhaust surround trims are £30 a pop! So I need to get this right.
Before...
Makeshift spacers...
After for levels
Think I need a new bumper, luckily can be picked up for £60 delivered, the price of 2 of the exhaust trims.
Yodel playing silly buggers (surprise!) with my brakes, still not turned up, although marked as delivered on Sat and today.
Before...
Makeshift spacers...
After for levels
Think I need a new bumper, luckily can be picked up for £60 delivered, the price of 2 of the exhaust trims.
Yodel playing silly buggers (surprise!) with my brakes, still not turned up, although marked as delivered on Sat and today.
Following on from the last (but one) post, my exhaust keeps dropping, and making a racket! May have to shell out for good brackets, they run £60 each 
So Yodel did mess up, they arrived last Tuesday, so I had to get it all fitted this weekend. I probably spend 12 hours over 3 days doing the work. From sorting out the stones on my drive (for the load spreading wood) to having to drill out the disc retainer bolts. 3 trips to Halfords/diy shop to buy a grinder amongst other stuff. Unfortunately due to the amount of time and dirt on my hands I didn't do any photos for this bit...
I started off working on the offside front, purely as it was closest to my tools. Everything took a bit of grunt to get cracked, the long handled torque wrench helped. Fairly easy sailing on both the front, but ended up with discs I couldn't spin. Carried on regardless with the braided hoses (queue lots of brake fluid on my pebbled drive) a fairly easy job, on the fronts at least! Redone the caliper mounting, incase I'd screwed up and still nothing, so gave up and headed to the rear of the car.
At this point I realised how much better off I'd have been getting 2 more axle stands. When you bleed, it is done in NSR OSR NSF OSF order, so basically zagging across the car, meaning many jacks and moving axle stands!
The rear was easy enough, 1st one took a while as I'd never done one on the clio, 2nd flew by and both discs have movement. Rear hoses were a bit trickier as they are under the car, so on your back with 2 spanners and trying to stop brake fluid either getting in your face or on the floor, I failed at both (I honestly can't see why they are even there, it's 4 inches of hose in-between 2 metal hoses, on a non-moving part of the car!)
Stupidly on the rear, I had started on NSR then onto OSR, so had to swap the axle stands AGAIN to start the bleeding process. Move back to the fronts. A chat with a mate and either both had seized at the same time, or I wasn't getting the piston back enough. My 4th trip out saw me buying a G Clamp to get some welly behind pushing them back. I reassembled them for the 4th time and had free spinning disks! Turns out I'm not strong enough with a pair of small pliers to push the pistons all the way back in.
I then bled the fronts checked every bolt again, fitted the wheels and I was done. A quick forward/backwards to check the car wasn't going to fall over and it'd stop, and away I went. Obviously it wasn't going to be straight froward, and as I inspected my work, 1 of the fronts was quite warm from my little 30mph drive. So, it all came back off and I pushed the piston in more (somehow), but it seems to have worked. I've bedded them in on some quiet roads and since taken it out twice. No difference around town, but use the pedal with some force on the twisties and it'll give you whiplash!
In other news, I found a local chap who fitted my tyres to the spare wheels for £10/corner. So I'm ready to go trackin' again.
So Yodel did mess up, they arrived last Tuesday, so I had to get it all fitted this weekend. I probably spend 12 hours over 3 days doing the work. From sorting out the stones on my drive (for the load spreading wood) to having to drill out the disc retainer bolts. 3 trips to Halfords/diy shop to buy a grinder amongst other stuff. Unfortunately due to the amount of time and dirt on my hands I didn't do any photos for this bit...
I started off working on the offside front, purely as it was closest to my tools. Everything took a bit of grunt to get cracked, the long handled torque wrench helped. Fairly easy sailing on both the front, but ended up with discs I couldn't spin. Carried on regardless with the braided hoses (queue lots of brake fluid on my pebbled drive) a fairly easy job, on the fronts at least! Redone the caliper mounting, incase I'd screwed up and still nothing, so gave up and headed to the rear of the car.
At this point I realised how much better off I'd have been getting 2 more axle stands. When you bleed, it is done in NSR OSR NSF OSF order, so basically zagging across the car, meaning many jacks and moving axle stands!
The rear was easy enough, 1st one took a while as I'd never done one on the clio, 2nd flew by and both discs have movement. Rear hoses were a bit trickier as they are under the car, so on your back with 2 spanners and trying to stop brake fluid either getting in your face or on the floor, I failed at both (I honestly can't see why they are even there, it's 4 inches of hose in-between 2 metal hoses, on a non-moving part of the car!)
Stupidly on the rear, I had started on NSR then onto OSR, so had to swap the axle stands AGAIN to start the bleeding process. Move back to the fronts. A chat with a mate and either both had seized at the same time, or I wasn't getting the piston back enough. My 4th trip out saw me buying a G Clamp to get some welly behind pushing them back. I reassembled them for the 4th time and had free spinning disks! Turns out I'm not strong enough with a pair of small pliers to push the pistons all the way back in.
I then bled the fronts checked every bolt again, fitted the wheels and I was done. A quick forward/backwards to check the car wasn't going to fall over and it'd stop, and away I went. Obviously it wasn't going to be straight froward, and as I inspected my work, 1 of the fronts was quite warm from my little 30mph drive. So, it all came back off and I pushed the piston in more (somehow), but it seems to have worked. I've bedded them in on some quiet roads and since taken it out twice. No difference around town, but use the pedal with some force on the twisties and it'll give you whiplash!
In other news, I found a local chap who fitted my tyres to the spare wheels for £10/corner. So I'm ready to go trackin' again.
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