8 replies to this topic

[Hallsy]

Well, I said there'd be some pics.......

Finsihed replacing the auxiliary belt & tensioner/idler Wednesday (2 hours of daylight a day is nice!), so gave her a quick clean.  Wanted to machine polish (paint is pretty good but does have a few minor swirls), but ran out of time.

Should have taken some pics yesterday when it was sunny, but oh no, I chose today which was damp & misty!! Oh well!  At least it's still fairly clean!!


RenaultSport Clio 182 interior by Hallsy01, on Flickr


RenaultSport Clio 182 interior by Hallsy01, on Flickr


2004 RenaultSport Clio 182 by Hallsy01, on Flickr


2004 RenaultSport Clio 182 by Hallsy01, on Flickr


2004 RenaultSport Clio 182 by Hallsy01, on Flickr


'RenaultSport' by Hallsy01, on Flickr


2004 RenaultSport Clio 182 by Hallsy01, on Flickr

So far I'm loving in it!!  I agree with Clarkson, depsite the few french issues it has, it's a car that puts a smile on your face!!  It's quick, comfy, great handling & turn in, well specced and looks good (imo).  Sure in places the build quality is a bit tinny, closing the tailgate makes me wince, and the central locking motors sound like bombs going off in the lightweight doors - but to be fair the interior is pretty good for a french car and the mechnicals appear to be pretty good.

Just nice to have a car that performs well without having to go crazy with mods, although this one has the Cup chassis which feels worth it over the non-Cup 172 I tried.

Comparable to my Eunos really, not quite as settled in the bends, but nowhere near as uncomfortable or skittish on rough roads - obviously has a lot more grunt though.

First mod - new boots!! The Michelin Pilot Exaltos are getting low and someone has fitted a (wrong) 195/45 P-Zero on the back.  The PE2's were supposedly designed for the 182 with Cup chassis, but have now been superseded by the PS3.  I've gone for a set of Hankook V12 Evo's, meant to be pretty good and around £200 cheaper than a set of PS3's.

[irf]

That looks chuffin lovely, proper hot hatch, if we ever do meet i'd love a little ride if possible.

[Engineer]

You cant knock the chassis handling mate as long as the trans and electrics hold up.... looks nice and comfy.....

[BlackBeast]

From the pics the paintwork looks absolutely immaculate, 5th pic the paintwork almost looks photoshopped its so immaculate!!!!

[Redbrick]

Clio  V  855R.  Can't get two poles apart further than that!  I went from my 855R to a 106 diesel, stuck new OEM shocks on it and it was a right laugh!  Lift off over steer galore, cocking its rear wheel.     Bloody thing killed my back so I sold traded the 855 in, sold the 106 and went D5.

[adam b]

The PS3s are fantastic tyres as are the PE2s. Those 182s are a proper drivers car, I've always wanted one, just too small for us. That's why I went 306 rallye instead.

Have fun!

[Hallsy]

irf, on 11 November 2011 - 20:10 , said:

That looks chuffin lovely, proper hot hatch, if we ever do meet i'd love a little ride if possible.

Definitely mate!! Cheers

Engineer, on 11 November 2011 - 20:23 , said:

You cant knock the chassis handling mate as long as the trans and electrics hold up.... looks nice and comfy.....

Not heard any horror stories with the transmission?  Mechanically the only real achillies heel seems to be cambelt failure (due to skipping intervals) or dephaser issues (VVT pulley).  There are a few electrical issues on some, but tbh I've dealt with the common ones on my sisters Clio 1.2 and they're no big deal really.  Plus Renault parts are nice & cheap!!  You're right though, the Cup chassis is very good

BlackBeast, on 11 November 2011 - 20:33 , said:

From the pics the paintwork looks absolutely immaculate, 5th pic the paintwork almost looks photoshopped its so immaculate!!!!

The paint is very good, hardly a mark on her.  Being picky there is a minor run from some paintwork it's had before and some stonechips.  A CPL (circular polariser) gives paintwork a glassy look by cutting out reflections (the lack of sunlight may have added to that), plus I love boosting the contrats on car shots!!

Redbrick, on 11 November 2011 - 20:56 , said:

Clio  V  855R.  Can't get two poles apart further than that!  I went from my 855R to a 106 diesel, stuck new OEM shocks on it and it was a right laugh!  Lift off over steer galore, cocking its rear wheel.     Bloody thing killed my back so I sold traded the 855 in, sold the 106 and went D5.

Indeed, my missus hates it versus the 855R and her 330ci, but for it being so different I like it.  Easy to get stuck in a rut.  They both have their pro's & con's, but it's nice to have a proper hot hatch

[Hallsy]

adam b, on 11 November 2011 - 21:06 , said:

The PS3s are fantastic tyres as are the PE2s. Those 182s are a proper drivers car, I've always wanted one, just too small for us. That's why I went 306 rallye instead.

Have fun!

I should hope they are as they're bloody expensive!!! I thought about it, but I doubt that they can be £200 better, still, I might be eating my words in a few weeks time, although I only have some pretty worn PE2's to compare with.  I nearly went down the GTi-6 route a while back, still really like them, but I think the only thing they really have over the 182 now is size and price.  Still great cars though

[adam b]

It's incredibly hard to find a good 306 these days. Yes the price is why I don't have them on my car now. Trying contis instead!