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My Clio 197 Daily Driver



  Clio 182 track car
Hello all, 1st post on here since joining the forum, so be kind please, ha.

I am a complete car nut, and have been very lucky to own some fantastic cars in all shapes and sizes over the last 15 years, mainly BMW or Subaru.

Ok well, after owning and modifying a clio 182 for track use that i sold not to long back, it appears i have caught the hot hatch bug, so when I was looking for a reasonably inexpensive fun car to use most days to get to work that could still hold its own on the track with a 2k max budget, the decision was easy, another 182. However after weeks of looking I couldn't find anything nice local with the right mileage and history, so when a really well priced 197 came up that ticked all the boxes (other than my budget !!!) and was literally 2 miles from my home, I couldn't say no, so am now the proud owner of an Albi blue 197, 64k, full detailed main dealer history with all belts done and even a Recent steering wheel replacement.

So here she was when I went to view her just a week ago...

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It wasn't prepared to my standards as I'm a bit of a clean freak, so that will be my 1st job along with some hopefully cheap but well thought out upgrades to transform both it's looks and performance.

The wheels where the 1st task, eventually these will be done in gunmetal but I just wanted to tidy them up for now as they all had minor scuffs, so a good soak, alloy treatment and touch in later, they where looking much better...

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Some more shots after a quick wash and polish ...

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Next job was the Renault badge, I not a fan of chrome badges, so this was quickly removed and treated to a lick of paint to match the wheels once they are powder coated...

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Then refitted, much better IMO...

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The next job was exhaust tips, as I don't want an aftermarket exhaust, just the look as the rear looks really bland currently. So after doing some homework, a set was sourced and fitted...

Before...
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And after....
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Some more shots...

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Thats how it stands after just under a week, next jobs are h&r springs, rear spoiler and the wheels powder coating gunmetal grey.
 
  Clio 197
Nice little touches so far .. The exhaust tips make a big difference - should have been like that from the factory :)
 

Tomh182

ClioSport Club Member
  S3 8P
Would love a 197, front end looks awesome. Exhaust tips look 10x better, good job!
 
  172/B8 Quattro
The very same! What you doing lurking on here? Ha
Lol how's it going fella, hope your good, you got rid of that unit? As I was working nearby and noticed its something else.
ah well you know we all downgrade at some point (kids n family life). Still need a toy/project ;)
 
  Clio 182 track car
Lol how's it going fella, hope your good, you got rid of that unit? As I was working nearby and noticed its something else.
ah well you know we all downgrade at some point (kids n family life). Still need a toy/project ;)

Good at m8, you? Closed the business yeah, didn't have the time with the family and the day job. Not down graded though, just having a break from Scoobies, bought the Clio to use every day for work as the other car ain't the most economical, plus fallen in love with these little hot hatches, great cheap (than scoobs) fun!

What you on with then these days?
 
  Clio 182 track car
Ok well on with the next mod, hopefully want to do some trackdays so a fire extinguisher is a must. So set about knocking up a wrc inspired bracket and trail fitted, needs some further refinements but is only a prototype to put me on for now...


BA2DF571-B55A-4152-87CB-C877F2E668EA-1429-000001C7D6B36710_zps099e5689.jpg


What you all think to it?
 

gez 172

ClioSport Club Member
  Defender 110
It'll be in the way if someone moves the seat forward/back?

Good idea though
 
  172/B8 Quattro
Good at m8, you? Closed the business yeah, didn't have the time with the family and the day job. Not down graded though, just having a break from Scoobies, bought the Clio to use every day for work as the other car ain't the most economical, plus fallen in love with these little hot hatches, great cheap (than scoobs) fun!

What you on with then these days?
Sorry drew missed this reply.
Yeah I agree cheap fun, I got mine cheap so I thought lets see what all the fuss is about (minus reliability, but will keep me busy tinkering. Fed up of the jap cars with nothing going wrong to fix lol)
I got a mx5 track/race car that I was having fun it for a bit (good fun and handle very well once set up) but I'm now breaking it as I can't have 2 toys, that's just greedy the wife says.
 
  Clio 182 track car
Sorry drew missed this reply.
Yeah I agree cheap fun, I got mine cheap so I thought lets see what all the fuss is about (minus reliability, but will keep me busy tinkering. Fed up of the jap cars with nothing going wrong to fix lol)
I got a mx5 track/race car that I was having fun it for a bit (good fun and handle very well once set up) but I'm now breaking it as I can't have 2 toys, that's just greedy the wife says.

Ha ha nothing wrong with 2 toys!, you gotta get her told mate, this is my other toy!...

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  172/B8 Quattro
Yeah lovely v8, is that the same one you took to Caldwell with terry and the lads? Or another m3

M3 drivers always change to a r35 gtr after lol
 


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