The good lady's Clio 172..

[320touring]

So,

After much to-ing and fro-ing between a Clio 172 Exclusive and an MGB GT, the burd has made her decision, and we've got a Clio 172.

She was after a Phase 1 Exclusive, one of the 172 made for the UK market.

This one is what we ended up with. 116k, Cambelt done at 70k. Pulls like a train

Could do with some paint at the bumpers, and I think its had a ding on the LH rear. Been repaired, but could do with tidying up.. I'm tempted to install some Eibach springs, but that's up to the boss.

I gave her a once over with some clay and wax

Anyways, what do we think?

[Mastodon2]

I like that, apart from the exhaust which looks like it was nicked off an Irmscher badged Vauxhall. In some ways, I think the earlier 172s look better than the facelifts that followed them.

[320touring]

Mastodon2 said:

I like that, apart from the exhaust which looks like it was nicked off an Irmscher badged Vauxhall. In some ways, I think the earlier 172s look better than the facelifts that followed them.

Cheers

Yes the exhaust is a touch "Chav" for our liking, but its not leaking, and fairly fruity, so we reckon it'll have to do until we can source a stock one.

Its a god looking car, looks better at the front end after I went over the lights with cutting compound (they had yellowed a fair bit)

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much fun it is to drive, and how frugal it is. Definitely a completely different animal from my 328

[markcurtains]

I prefer the original wheels

[320touring]

markcurtains said:

I prefer the original wheels

They are the original wheels for the model..

Do you mean standard 172 wheels?

[Brett748]

Can't beat a clean ph1 172. Great car.

[loftyrst]

Nice rare example of a Phase 1 172.

Looks great. BTB exhausts do a discrete performance back box, where the tailpipes are hidden under the rear bumper, that way you keep the fruitiness but lose the cannons out of the back.

Keep on with the updates

[Honestherbert]

Great cars for the money but the interior and exhaust really don't suit imo.

[320touring]

Brett748 said:

Can't beat a clean ph1 172. Great car.

Thanks very much, the pics flatter to deceive, but seems solid enough, nothing some paint on the bumpers wont solve.

loftyrst said:

Nice rare example of a Phase 1 172.
Looks great. BTB exhausts do a discrete performance back box, where the tailpipes are hidden under the rear bumper, that way you keep the fruitiness but lose the cannons out of the back.
Keep on with the updates

Thanks! BTB sounds decent, may be worth a research..

Honestherbert said:

Great cars for the money but the interior and exhaust really don't suit imo.

Yeah- quite the performance bargain, The exhaust is an easy swop, but the interior is odd- like sitting in a ½ scale Lexus. On the plus side, the seats are very comfortable!

The Missus likes it, so that’s the main thing!

[320touring]

First update:- Up at 6.19 am this morning as burd called to say that car was stuttering and losing power

RAC bloke says its likely to be coil pack or the leads (2 are wrapped in tape, only visible when top cover is off)

So now the hunt for leads, and possible temp repair solutions is underway..just grateful its nothing major

[MagicalTrevor]

Sorry for pissing on your chips but your car needs its belts doing again!

Should be every 5 years or 72k (whichever is soonest), your car is over 10 years old so should have been done twice by now regardless of mileage.

Sorry mate!

[Mastodon2]

Also, I'd definitely look into exhaust options other than the OEM item, as they are known to rust and fall off because they are made of cheapo mild steel, and you could get a proper stainless system for less.

[tinkertaylor]

what's with all the negativity on here - I think it looks great! (apart from the exhaust hehe)

Those wheels must be pretty rare...never have I seen those!

[BMWNICK]

The car looks especially stunning in the first picture.

[320touring]

MagicalTrevor said:

Sorry for pissing on your chips but your car needs its belts doing again!

Should be every 5 years or 72k (whichever is soonest), your car is over 10 years old so should have been done twice by now regardless of mileage.

Sorry mate!

No worries- We’re aware of the 5 year rule and we're planning on getting it done as a matter of course. At least its not running on the original

Mastodon2 said:

Also, I'd definitely look into exhaust options other than the OEM item, as they are known to rust and fall off because they are made of cheapo mild steel, and you could get a proper stainless system for less.

Will do! The BTB setup looks good

tinkertaylor said:

what's with all the negativity on here - I think it looks great! (apart from the exhaust hehe)
Those wheels must be pretty rare...never have I seen those!

Cheers! I believe the wheels are ones made for the 172 Exclusive by BBS- luckily have 5!

BMWNICK said:

The car looks especially stunning in the first picture.

Cheers- she’s a nice looking wee car- the colour is very odd-looks almost black, then bright green-hard to capture

[320touring]

Update as follows.

Found water in no3 cyl and cleared it, but the HT leads etc were looking sorry for themselves, so replacements are ordered.

In the meantime i've discovered that halfords sell replacement door mirror glass, but the price is the same as a complete mirror unit off ebay..

[DannyScene]

I absolutely adore the MK1 172, I havent seen one in that colour before so thats rather nice

I'm not overly keen on the interior on this though but as you say the Mrs' likes it and thats whats important seeing as its her car

[320touring]

DannyScene said:

I absolutely adore the MK1 172, I havent seen one in that colour before so thats rather nice

I'm not overly keen on the interior on this though but as you say the Mrs' likes it and thats whats important seeing as its her car

Cheers- yeah the Exclusive seems to be an odd one- not even that many on cliosport.net..

yeah she loves it, so I'm still in the good books, even after knackering it

bought another socket set at lunch (cant be bothered heading through for mine) so Its got its advantages..

[320touring]

The car lives again!

nothing a clean of the plugs wouldnt sort..

now to start sorting some of its foibles:

change the backbox

cambelt/dephaser - can anyone recommend a good specialist in Scotland or north of England?

Minor tidying of leather

Bumpers could do with a repaint

Adjust the handbrake

Clean and paint the front calipers

[Aused]

be sure to change the water pump and harmonic balancer at the same time as the timing belt. any specialist who knows the car should suggest this anyway. i adore my 172 phase 2.