Ross' Clio 182

[hotrodjacko]

So after parting with my sorely missed Focus ST, I decided I needed a fun, good value hot hatch. Enter the 182. Picked it up for going rates, its a 2004 Black Gold 182 with Cup suspension (not got the Cup spoiler pack oddly, something I'd like to add). It's had a few modification done to it and been looked after by KTec in its past (well known in the Renault circles). I bought it having had a KTec induction kit, KTec Ultra Performance exhaust (non resonated) and lowered by 40mm on Apex springs. Here's a pic from the ad:


She drove well, but after a week or so I realised the ride was terrible and the exhaust too loud. So I bought some goodies: resonated centre section, Eibach Pro-Kit springs to raise it a bit and put a decent ride back on. Also bought some new number plates (a skinny one for the front too).



Got the exhaust fitted in no time:






Made it a fair bit better, is still a bit droney for me though.

Plates made a load of difference, I hate the GB ones. Whilst I was at it I put the newer style Renault Sport badge on the back to replace the original that Halfords copied.










I've got some more photo's of the springs somewhere, will upload those. Over Christmas she'll be getting a full detail, get all the paintwork looking better than new. Yellow fogs too, paint the grills etc.

[BashRacing]

Cracking cup,
get a whiteline rear anti roll bar on it, they make the car beautifully balanced as they are set up a bit understeery from the factory,
Get yourself on the pure motorsport website for awesome shiny bits if you haven't already

[hotrodjacko]

Cracking cup,
get a whiteline rear anti roll bar on it, they make the car beautifully balanced as they are set up a bit understeery from the factory,
Get yourself on the pure motorsport website for awesome shiny bits if you haven't already

Thanks, I'll have a look at Whiteline. Actually its a normal 182 with the Cup suspension so I've still got the creature comforts.

Springs. Wasn't impressed at all with the ride or manufacture of the Apex springs. They'd be great on track but this car is my daily so I'm keen to keep some comfort!








Polished the headlights up too:




I also de-bobbled the alcantara:






Gave her a quick wash too last weekend. Missed out on the tyre shine though. Need to get the grills sorted, look really old!

[MY95]

I love these! Sound really good with the ktec induction kit on and other bits, have a mate with a low boost turbod 182, and its decently quick. More photos needed!
Just a heads up but all of your photos aren't working other than the first one.

[hotrodjacko]

I love these! Sound really good with the ktec induction kit on and other bits, have a mate with a low boost turbod 182, and its decently quick. More photos needed!
Just a heads up but all of your photos aren't working other than the first one.

Yeah it's cracking fun. I've got a normal airbox to put on for now but I'm keeping hold of the KTec one!

Ahh arse, was hoping the photos would work. Look OK on my laptop. I'll have a play. Thanks for the warning!

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Photo's sorted!

[hotrodjacko]

Are they broken again??

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[vincent1]

yes only the first picture loading

[hotrodjacko]

Third time lucky...

[MY95]

Looks really clean mate, been reliable/ cost you much to keep her going? Always fancied one of these as a toy and still do!

[hotrodjacko]

Thanks, she's fairly clean but not shiny enough! I've had it since the beginning of October, so what 2 and a bit months, and haven't had to do anything. I probable average 30+MPG (fairly shit commute, 6 miles urban and plenty of traffic). On a run with a bootful of stuff I was seeing about 35MPG, that was from West Sussex to North Devon, last leg of that journey is very twisty back roads. Otherwise I'm not expecting much in the way of costs. It's all been things to just change it a bit rather than keep it on the road. Parts are fairly cheap too.

[MY95]

Nice one, sounds like youve bought/found a good one! Going to FCS this summer coming? Looking forward to more updates!

[hotrodjacko]

Yeah I'd like to get to a few shows and track days next year where I can

[Eeyore]

if you arent going with one of the clio clubs look forward to you joining us

[hotrodjacko]

Thanks, likely I'll come with you guys rather than the Clio lot tbh. Fitted some aero blades



Badly fitted the yellow fogs, I'll redo them but wanted to get a feel for the look. There's also a bit if a following for the Renaultsport stuff here at work, I think there's 6 or so 172/182 here and a few Megane 225/R26s (the Meg's were developed by us (Ricardo)).

[Matt-Rallye]

Looks a tidy one where did you get the plates done? Always fancied a smaller front plate for my meg dci175

[hotrodjacko]

Plates were from fancy plates, I just put in 512x90mm for the front plate size in their custom size bit (might have been 86mm)

[hotrodjacko]

So whilst I've got a week off I decided to give the car a full exterior detail (and interior if I have time). I'll let the pictures do the talking, not much to add.


















And then all washed, clayed etc:





Then got to work with the rotary. Teaser shot:



Will update when she's finished. Doing a full service too this week.

[hotrodjacko]

Finished photos as promised. Pretty happy with it. Car was finished with Zymol Glasur wax, and this morning a quick Auto Finesse Glisten coat to finish her off. Windows treated with Gtechniq G5.

[hotrodjacko]

So after driving back home yesterday I have a mysterious flashing engine check light. Misfire of sorts it seems. I've checked the coil leads in turn with it running and taking them off one by one makes it misfire badly, same with the injectors. There isn't one that seems to make little difference. It might be a lambda sensor, need to get it plugged in.

[hotrodjacko]

Light is the post cat sensor playing up. Odd as it's only since I've done the plugs. Might not have helped giving it a proper hard drive on the way home after Christmas. Gonna get it swapped out, hopefully it'll sort it.

[kyler000]

So much love for these. I bought one for the wife a couple of years back. Just a k&n panel filter and milltek system fitted but it was the best laugh I have driven since my nova gsi. They just keep pulling and pulling. Proper little hot hatch. All the best with it. Must pull out a few photos of mine!

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[hotrodjacko]

Thanks! Smart 182 you've got yourself. They're a right hoot to drive.

Lambda sensor light hasn't been coming on of late - got one coming though, guess it'll be good as a spare. Post cat sensor is more for diagnostics anyway. Also got a brake switch as I think the current one is causing my low speed ABS judder.

Got the induction kit swapped out for standard airbox setup - so much quieter. Not sure of its placebo but doesn't feel as responsive but it is as quick. Keeping the induction kit anyway for track work. As a daily driver it's much nicer now.

[kyler000]

Some believe the induction kit does no favours which is why I stayed with the standard system. Enjoy!

[hotrodjacko]

So the lambda issue has sorted itself now I've paid for and had a new sensor delivered obviously.

Loads happier with the car after fitting the induction kit. Much more enjoyable to be in.

Had a pair of new tyres fitted, Avon ZV7. Seem good so far! Haven't had chance yet to properly push them. They seem to complement the ZV5 up front.

Gave the car a wash yesterday too, first one since detailing it over Christmas. Fairly pleased with my efforts although I'm now more aware of age related marks. At some point I'll paint and flat them.

Future plans are to try and find an underseat sub, and I might trim the A pillars in alcantara. Keep looking at other cars though when I got bored at home but nothing out there will give the same sort of value for money, unless I get a '6...

[hotrodjacko]

So not much to update with other than the new tyres seem great value and I'm much happier with the car day to day with the standard airbox in place.

Managed to go out for a drive with some friends from north of Hove over to Beachy Head on the back roads. Was great fun.








Want to get the steering wheel retrimmed, and do something with the door handles as the soft touch coating stuff is all scratched up from use. Wondering about keeping it simple and putting pov spec items in, or painting them body colour.

[kyler000]

Yea the steering wheel melt is a real pain. Coming along well fella

[hotrodjacko]

So small update on this. Potentially sold on now for something a bit more German. Photos to follow!

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[hotrodjacko]

So here's the replacement. E46 330Cd MSport auto. Pulls beautifully, and only cost me £800 after selling the Clio. Might put a project thread up if I decide to do anything worthwhile to it.

[reese]

Nice car! What made you go for an auto?

[hotrodjacko]

It's smart enough yeah. Happy with it! Erm most of the time I don't need/want to change gear, but also manual 330Cd hard to come by, especially for my tight-wad budget. If I found a manual, it had either already sold or was a dog and needed work unfortunately

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