My cheap(ish) 172 Cup

Driving to work and back yesterday it's noticeable the change in noise. The only thing I did was change the spring as it was the only thing I could see that I could do. A stronger spring may give a better result but it was a genuine Renault part I fitted, and this is the set up from the factory meaning that something else must be worn otherwise my car now would sound the same from new. I have not found anyone else having this issue so i'll say it's a combination of a worn part/s and me hearing every noise and wanting to solve it...not a good standpoint on a lightweight 22 year old French tin can! I was the same with my 205 GTi's though, always wanting them to be as tight as a Roller. I wonder what you guys hear from your gear changes/ pedal movements? Maybe similar but you don't notice it so much. I have to investigate this more but the gearbox was rebuilt recently and a new clutch pack fitted so i'm confident there is nothing terminal happening, just a Clio being Clioish.

Anyway, a new exhaust is to be fitted in the coming weeks, gearbox oil change to reduce the diff noise and my Mondial-Monaco bumper to be sorted. It never ends but it's all part of the fun!

Today was the turn of my spoiler brake light to face the music. The lens is very difficult to get hold of now without paying a lot of money and as mine was cracked on the top left side I decided it would be better to repair it than replace it. I used one of the kits from eBay that uses a resin that responds and sets when exposed to UV light to fix the broken piece and left it for a few weeks. I then sanded and polished the whole of the lens. The edges are very flimsy so I was very careful not to put too much pressure on it. I did this by holding it in my hand whilst I polished it and when I come to give the car another full polish, I’ll have another go at it and get it even better. I didn’t take a photo of the piece that was broken, but this is almost an invisible repair now, if you didn’t know it was broken before. It looks much better than the photos show and the repair kit cost a fiver versus buying an intact spoiler for £120+.

Currently fixing the original splitter, that I had repaired but then caught on the garden gate and snapped in two. The damage happened in the same place that I’d repaired before so I basically just have to redo everything I did a few months ago. This will be re-fitted when I do my second repair on the bumper. I’ve bought the paint and the colour match from Saint Helens Paints is really good. It will look way better than my Monaco effort a few weeks back. Hopefully the weather holds out when I do it.

James @JMRS do the brake light spoiler kits for under £27.99 - just ssen it's for the PCB only and not the outer light.- sorry

Cup Spoiler Brake Light

Colin-S said:

James @JMRS do the brake light spoiler kits for under £27.99

Cup Spoiler Brake Light

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That’s just the led pcb mate not the lens.

Yeah Just had a further look at it Matt...my bad.

Colin-S said:

James @JMRS do the brake light spoiler kits for under £27.99 - just ssen it's for the PCB only and not the outer light.- sorry

Cup Spoiler Brake Light

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Good to know as I'm sure the LED part will stop working now i've fixed the lens

ex-Chinese Dave said:

Good to know as I'm sure the LED part will stop working now i've fixed the lens

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Make sure you test it before putting it all back together.

Matt Cup said:

Make sure you test it before putting it all back together.

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It just clipped in as per usual. I'll test it tomorrow night. No doubt it is now dead. And making a clunking noise!

Totally forgot to check this....but I did last night in Asda's window and it's fine. Then my O/S headlight bulb went!

Car is booked in at Birchdown in a few weeks for a new Klarius exhaust to be fitted along with a new clamp and centre hanger. The rear hanger will get polybushed as it's totally gone after only a year. The handbrake will be checked as it bites at different positions of the lever when it should be the same every time. The gearbox oil will be changed as well.

In a few weeks i'm off work so i'll redo the front bumper and repair it (again!) but this time in Mondial Blue😊 I've also some fettling to do with the gear change linkage and a full machine polish. There is a little tidying up to do with the interior and also some underbody bits, but it's getting there.

ex-Chinese Dave said:

Totally forgot to check this....but I did last night in Asda's window and it's fine. Then my O/S headlight bulb went!

Car is booked in at Birchdown in a few weeks for a new Klarius exhaust to be fitted along with a new clamp and centre hanger. The rear hanger will get polybushed as it's totally gone after only a year. The handbrake will be checked as it bites at different positions of the lever when it should be the same every time. The gearbox oil will be changed as well.

In a few weeks i'm off work so i'll redo the front bumper and repair it (again!) but this time in Mondial Blue😊 I've also some fettling to do with the gear change linkage and a full machine polish. There is a little tidying up to do with the interior and also some underbody bits, but it's getting there.

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Please can you let me know some info about this exhaust? I've got a Phase 2 172 with pattern one on it and it's noisy, I want quieter like OE - I am considering Piper with both boxes but I'm interested in other options.

cat171 said:

Please can you let me know some info about this exhaust? I've got a Phase 2 172 with pattern one on it and it's noisy, I want quieter like OE - I am considering Piper with both boxes but I'm interested in other options.

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Ktec stealth with res is relatively quiet in my experience.

Matt Cup said:

Ktec stealth with res is relatively quiet in my experience.

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Thanks mate, I know of them, made by Janspeed iirc? But I think they're on back order or something?

cat171 said:

Thanks mate, I know of them, made by Janspeed iirc? But I think they're on back order or something?

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I bought mine second hand, no idea on new availability. But I wouldn’t be buying anything from Ktec with their current issues.

cat171 said:

Please can you let me know some info about this exhaust? I've got a Phase 2 172 with pattern one on it and it's noisy, I want quieter like OE - I am considering Piper with both boxes but I'm interested in other options.

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I’m at work now so I’ll send details later.
The one coming off will be for sale. Matt has heard it so you can ask his opinion. NorthloopCup said it was a bit loud. Chris at EFI said said it sounded OEM. A real mixed bag of opinions and I think it’s a little boomy on the Mway.

cat171 said:

Please can you let me know some info about this exhaust? I've got a Phase 2 172 with pattern one on it and it's noisy, I want quieter like OE - I am considering Piper with both boxes but I'm interested in other options.

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I ordered this from Arnold Clarke as they gave the best price and I couldn't find a link to order direct from Klarius. I got some info from this thread on here...


Here is the info from Klarius...

How visible is the back box from the rear of the car on the Klarius? I’d hate to see the box or tip dangling in view of the back bumper.

Matt Cup said:

How visible is the back box from the rear of the car on the Klarius? I’d hate to see the box or tip dangling in view of the back bumper.

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This is from the link I sent. I don't think you see much and I prefer OEM style rather than seeing any tailpipe at all.

Not the best angle tbf. Will be interesting to see what yours looks like fitted. Also is it stainless or mild steel?

But here’s my ktec, as the back box is oval it made it quite easy to get it tucked right up behind the bumper.

Not SS at that price, I'm sure.