My Renault Clio 172 Phase 1

[Correy]

Hi,

I used to own a Honda Civic Type R EP3 that I loved, however in 2009 I let it go so I could put more money down on a deposit for a house for me and my family. Once we were settled in to our new home I started to look for a Clio Sport 172. As many do, I wanted a 172 with low mileage, a good service history, low owners and in good cosmetic and mechanical condition. In Feb this year I came across a phase 1 172 on ebay, it had 41k, some service history, 5 owners but looked fantastic. The car was completely standard and it was up for £1850, so i arranged to see it the next day. Luckily it was an hour away from where I working in Essex. After viewing the car I could see it needed a little work and it had hardly been driven during its life. After an HPI check confirmed the car was genuine, I got the car for £1600.

Once I got onto the motorway a few things came to my attention. There was a horrible vibration through the footwell and the exhaust was blowing. I knew these had to be addressed. The roof was also very faded and needed respaying.

The first thing I had done was all the tracking and balancing on the wheels. I then had all the tyres replaced as a local tyre changer thought my tyres were causing the problem. Unfortunately, this did not cure the problem, it was the drivers drive shaft. I replaced this with a genuine drivers drive shaft. The key for the locking wheel nuts was totally mullerd so I had to have all four drilled out to get my F1s off.


The back box was holding on by a thread, I purchased a K-tec Cat Back Supersports Stealth Exhaust System and had it fitted. The next day I was fined for £30 as the police officer told me it was far too loud. I then had Renault change the cam belt and auxilary belt. The Renault garage then carried out a full service on my car.

My car then began to stutter when going threw the motions in the gears, this turned out to be the lamba sensor also known as the upstream oxygen sensor. I then had Renault change this.

My car then failed the MOT because the rear centre seat belt didnt buckle and the hazard warning lights did not come on when the ignition was off. The seat belt buckle was easily replaced and luckily my friend quickly found a lose connection where my after market alarm system has been soldered. The car then flew through the MOT.

The car was running happily and I purchased the following modifications:

1. K-tec Cat Back Supersports Stealth Exhaust System
2. K-tec De Cat
3. K-tec Coilovers
4. K-tec Upper Engine Mount
5. HIDS (6000K)
6. JMS Matched Inlets
7. Blue Magnecor 8mm Ignition Leads
8. ITG Drop In Filter
9. AST Topmounts

I replaced the worn phase 1 drivers steering wheel with a nice unworn one (hard to find), replaced the gear cloth and passenger door card as some one had dropped cherry aid in it previously and it had stained and purchased a parcel shelf as mine didnt come with one. Apart from that, the interior is real clean and tidy.

I was then ban for 56 days for speeding as I was caught by a stealth camera whilst leaving a garage. The mechanic found a buckled wheel and thought that was the cause for the vibrating i told you about earlier on, so he swapped it for my spare and told me to take it for a spin. I had to get to 50mph for the vibrating to start and i was caught in a 30mph, yes i know I am an idiot, it was a by pass in a non residential area, still doesent justify my speed.

I have now served my ban however my car then wouldnt start, ticked over but wouldnt fire up. This was a relay for my fuel pump that had gone, so I replaced all three as advised on here.

I have now purchased an ally bonnet and 428 cat cams. The ally bonnet is not a perfect colour match so on the 20th of this month the rear bumper, roof, bonnet and front wings are being sprayed and blown in. My F1s are in really good condition so I may get them refurbed nearer my birthday in November. The Catcams will be fitted and mapped by Tour De Force along with a new timing belt (I know I had a new one in March). I am excited about this, I am wondering what power it will make. What do you guys think ?????????????

Once the car is set up and complete I will post pictures up. I was looking to get an RS2 but there is a problem with idle on the phase 1ns as phase 2s have an electric throttle pedel and I have a cable. ITB's look impressive however, reliability is an issue i am led to believe.

Is there anything else you guys can think will be worthwhile ?

This is my story lol Thanx for reading

Cheerz Correy

[clancy]

up till catcams your car sounded identical to mine haha. nice mate, does sound real nice

need pictures !

as for things to do, unless you want to spend some big money on things like ITBs like you said, then theres not much else to do really power wise

you could work on handling and braking? only really worth it if you track it though

[Correy]

Yes I agree, I am looking only for a fast road set up to be honest, the car looks pretty standard apart from the noise and height.

[clancy]

suspension will be fine then, possibly get a whiteline ARB? depends if you get much body roll or if it bothers you

could get it re-mapped? k-tec have a good deal on stage 1 re-map package atm

[Correy]

I may get a whiteline eventually, TDF are doing to remap for me which I'm looking forward too !

[clancy]

sounds good mate get some pictures up!

[Correy]

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/car01b.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/car02.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/car03r.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/car04g.jpg/

heres a couple of recent pics of my car

[Correy]

I have just purchased the following

Brembo HC front disks
Goodrich front and rear brake hoses

just need some ferrado pads to go with the front disks, going to leave the rears as standard

[Ricardos]

Looks a real clean example Correy, love the OE looking silver phase 1s

[Correy]

Cheerz buddy, Ive got so many parts to be fitted but im going to let TDF fit them before the re map, ive just spent £700 on spray work, had the roof, rear bumper, ally bonnet, both wings and passenger side car park dent removed sprayed and blown in, im really pleased with it. Just bought a tailord car cover for it off evo bits to try and help protect it against bird poo and cats !

[Correy]

your coileys you sold me are still going strong, they were like new when you sold them to me

[Correy]

I finally got a titanium cup spoiler and door mouldings complete with bullets and exterior door handles off a 182 cup for £180 delivered which I think was great, I'm just hoping they are in as good condition as they look ! I will take a couple of pictures once I get them ! Are the spoilers difficult to change on a phase 1 to the cup spoiler ?

Cheerz Correy

[Correy]

I'm looking to get my AST topmounts fitted and a full geometry done, I've been quoted £190 all in for all the work and set up !

[Correy]

Heres a few of the parts ive got waiting to be fitted before the remap on Nov 10th at TDF, take a look !

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/829/photovl.jpg/

I sold me k tec de cat pipe, however i am now looking to purchase another one

[Correy]

The only parts I have fitted currently are:

k tec satinless steel stealth cat back exhaust system
K tec coilovers
ITG drop in filter
HIDS (6000K)

so i am looking forward to when the products in the picture above gets fitted

[Correy]

On the for sale section there is a guy currently selling his mods and breaking his car afterwards, I have purchased his brand new and unused V-Max coilovers and I have just sold on my K-tec coilovers, my car is booked in at a SCA performance garage in Norwich to have the V Max coilovers fitted and set up, AST topmounts fitted and set-up and a full geometry. The total cost is going to be £180+VAT which i thought was very good. I was quoted £160+VAT just for the topmounts previously. I have never used this particular centre before but i am hoping they deliver a good end product.


I am still waiting on

my titanium cup spoiler
my titanium side mouldings and bullets
my titanium door handles
tailord car cover
and now my new coilovers which should be here Thursday as I personally arranged the courier.

On this coming Monday, the k tec coilvers will be on there way to there new home and owner, i really liked the k tec coilovers for fast road, but i dont drive hard so i never really tested them if you like. It was more the look to be honest !

[Correy]

UPDATE

Today

Fitted cup spoiler and door mouldings with bullets, I could have fitted the door handles too but it was getting a little dark and I dont want to rush.

Had new V Maxx coilovers fitted and a full geometry at a performance centre. Unfortunately my AST topmounts didnt fit so I was advised not to bother, hence why I am now selling them on in the for sale section.

Gave the car a good clean.

Take a look at my pictures to see todays events.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/87/photo5gr.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/269/photo2xg.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/photo7kq.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/830/photo4pbe.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/59/photo3zkk.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/photo6oi.jpg/

[Nickson]

Looking good!

Glad the spoiler and side strips were actually Titanium

[Correy]

I also purchased a code reader handset as I am thinking of getting a decat and will need to delete the engine managment light

[Correy]

Ah thanx Nickson, I actaully say your Phase 1 and copied as it gave me inspiration, thankyou for helping my with confirming the parts on that 182 for me, really appreciate it, cheerz