2003 Clio Billabong 1.2 16v

Alastair. · Nov 9, 2024

Another thread. This time its a little Clio billabong 1.2 16v thats been in the family since 2004.

Originally my mothers car which i learned to drive in way back in 2005. And then subsequently thrashed the life out of it when i passed until i got my own Clio.

My mum owned it up until 2018 until it was passed onto my sister to run to work and back in to keep the miles down on her 182. She used the car up until late 2021 and its been parked up at my grans house ever since.

With my daughter turning 17 next year i thought this would be perfect for her to learn in, just like i did all those years ago.

Last week week i decided to get the Clio back to my house for some tlc

Spec wise its pretty good being a billabong, has climate control and an electric sunroof which doesn’t leak.

Its currently on 74,931 miles so still pretty low.

I knew it had a couple of snapped springs so i ordered a set of AMAX 35mm lowering springs which were only £69 for all for brand new on ebay.

I will be updating this thread on works that i will be doing over the coming months.

Alastair. · Nov 9, 2024

First job was to sort the headlights, god knows how many Clio headlights Ive done over the years.

Alastair. · Nov 9, 2024

Onto replacing the springs, ended up finding 3 broken 😂

Probably should’ve replaced the shocks and top mounts but it will be fine for now, no play in the mounts and no leaks from the shocks.

Alastair. · Nov 9, 2024

Sitting nicely now!

Jaeclio · Nov 9, 2024

Looks clean @Alastair, headlights came out great.. mind me asking what process & steps you used to clean em up? Inspired me to do mine!

Crybert · Nov 9, 2024

Not expired March 2023. Looks in great condition, shouldn’t take much at all to get a ticket on it

imprezaworks · Nov 9, 2024

That's a great story.

Alastair. · Nov 9, 2024

Jaeclio said:
Looks clean @Alastair, headlights came out great.. mind me asking what process & steps you used to clean em up? Inspired me to do mine!

Wet sand 2500 then machine polish with compound 👍

Jaeclio · Nov 9, 2024

Alastair. said:
Wet sand 2500 then machine polish with compound 👍

Legend, thanks brother

vtec-e · Nov 10, 2024

Looks in excellent condition for its age, especially underneath. Nice one

Alastair. · Nov 11, 2024

Another little job done, wanted to clear out the centre drain under the scuttle panel so got that sorted.

Whilst i was there i noticed the wiper linkage was all floppy, circlip holding it together had almost disintegrated so i replaced it with a new one and greased everything up.

Before, under the scuttle.

After a clean and unblocking the centre drain.

Wiper linkage circlip and then the new one fitted.

Bluebeard · Nov 11, 2024

Love an Ali Bailey 88 resto thread. 👌🏽

Alastair. · Nov 12, 2024

Few more bits done today.

Clay bar then a blast over with the DA polisher, nothing intense, just wanted to remove a few marks and brighten it up.

Boot cleaned out inc spare wheel etc.

New gear knob insert.

Rob · Nov 12, 2024

Bluebeard said:
Love an Ali Bailey 88 resto thread. 👌🏽

I’m with this man, it’s taken me back 10 years. At least.

Martin_172 · Nov 12, 2024

as is usually the case with all the clean non RS threads, interested if it comes up for sale lol!

Good work mate, ive got those springs on my RSI, surprisingly good ride quality! i think its better than standard!

Brigsy · Nov 12, 2024

Looks clean. Most non sport are hanging these days!

Bluebeard · Nov 12, 2024

Billabong with a climate pack! (Climate control and electric sunroof) that’s probably one of the rarest Clios around. They were brand new for £179 deposit and £179pm. We weren’t allowed to discount them and only got paid £35 per deal as they literally flew out the door. Nobody paid extra for options. They all wanted the £179/179 that was advertised so they all took a standard car. I was signing off the orders back then and I remember thinking at the time “the market will be flooded with these. As long as they’re as good as/better than the ph1, these things will will be everywhere. It’s too cheap!” 😂 Oh how wrong I was. Now there’s probably only a handful left. And yours is obviously the nicest by a country mile. And it’s got a mega rare option.
This car excites me Alastair. Far more than it should.

Alastair. · Nov 12, 2024

Martin_172 said:
as is usually the case with all the clean non RS threads, interested if it comes up for sale lol!

Good work mate, ive got those springs on my RSI, surprisingly good ride quality! i think its better than standard!

Been in the family 20 years so i very much doubt it will ever get sold tbh 👍

BREMBO · Friday at 11:09 AM

Love this thread already.

My very first car was a 1.2 16v Billabong minus the climate control. Also brilliant it has been kept in the family for so long. Look forward to keeping up to date on this one.

charltjr · Friday at 11:43 AM

Nice to see this. We had one of these as my wife’s car for years. Cracking little thing, good fun to chuck about and tough as old boots.

PP200t · Friday at 4:21 PM

I had a billabong back in 03, it was that sick green colour with climate control and sunroof. Didn’t realise it was rare!
I got it 6 months old because someone who worked there wanted more economy than the 1.2 16v could offer!
This looks really clean and will be nice to see what you do with it!

Mavez · Friday at 4:31 PM

Fantastic! looks amazing great job. I'm still rolling around in my 03 plate 1.2 16v Dynamique I bought 18/19 years ago, seeing this thread makes me want to give it a massive refurbish.

Alastair. · Sunday at 2:13 PM

Another job sorted today, noticed the washer pump wasn’t working. Instead of buying another one which are about £70 genuine i thought i would strip it down.

Motor seized up, looks like the seal failed and let water in.

Went through my tool box and found a couple of Megane washer pumps with a different bottom outlet.

Stripped box down and transferred the motor and seal onto the Clio pump, all working again.

Nice £0 fix. I could've bought a Chinese one off eBay for £8 but from experience they usually last about a year.