“Charlotte” The 182 FF

[SharpyClio]

At last some pics and the start of my (probably slow) project thread.

Picked up with limited history but from a friend who’s spent £1400 on lots of new bits like brakes, calipers, clutch, exhaust etc etc only to get a mk3 and sell this one.

I got it at a fair price but it needs some love as you’ll see. My intention is to not modify it but maintain it as stock as possible with some minor mods that I think really benefit the overall car.

I’ve done this before and termed it Stock+.

To first part will be to get and fit the missing bits, like the 182 steering wheel and gear knob, then sort out some odds and sods that are broken as well and deep clean it, as it’s pretty grubby.

Having been over it with my paint depth gauge it’s all original it would seems which is good, there’s some age related marks on the Bodywork that I’ll fix and the interior is, in places disgusting, but more on that to follow.

Here’s some pics to start with,

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[SharpyClio]

To give an idea of what I’ve taken on heres a list of what I’ve got planned…

- [x] Grab handle - one missing osr
- [ ] Number plates - need refreshing
- [ ] Spare key - only got one
- [ ] Boot gas struts - stop me getting a dented
- [ ] Cabin filter - needs replacing
- [x] Parcel shelf - missing
- [ ] Wheel spacers - for the looks
- [ ] K&N panel filter - when needed
- [ ] Sun visors - been butchered?
- [ ] Drivers side door release - split
- [ ] Speakers - missing one!
- [ ] Stereo - want one with BT
- [ ] steering wheel remote harness - for the stereo
- [ ] Recover / new steering wheel - not a 182 wheel
- [ ] Gear shift gaiter - looks a bit aged
- [ ] Rattles - many, many rattles
- [ ] Bonnet respary - few stone chips
- [ ] Bumper respray - a decent scratch
- [ ] Wheel refurb - not too bad but some marks
- [ ] Aerial - paint flaking off the base
- [ ] Fix washers - only the front screen ones work
- [ ] Footwell LEDs - just like them
- [ ] Battery cover - like the look of them
- [ ] Rear view mirrors - has some separation just want it to look right
- [ ] Gear knob insert / new gear know - to match the car
- [ ] LED cabin conversion - just looks better
- [ ] Cold air pipes - missing
- [ ] Belts and déphaser
- [ ] Fix AC - not working

On top of this I’ll be doing a full detail at some point seats out deep clean. And I’m sure there’ll be more along the way.

So a bit to do but not terrible, I’ve already don’t the rear grab handle and the parcel shelf with OEM parts.

Some pics

Both visors are like this

Seat belts are a bit grim

Steering wheel

Door release

Front seat belt releases are faded

Most of its not too bad so looking forward to getting stuck in.


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[SharpyClio]

Not sure what happened to the seat belt photo… I’ll try again

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[Inequality Street]

Who’s Charlotte?

 

[SharpyClio]

Who’s Charlotte?

The name of the car… my daughter insists on naming them all, so be just gone with it.

 

[Clio_fool]

Have you looked at the suspension bushes? That usually where people start refreshing parts of they've not been done already.

 

[SharpyClio]

Have you looked at the suspension bushes? That usually where people start refreshing parts of they've not been done already.

Thanks, I’ll check them out.

 

[Clio_fool]

Thanks, I’ll check them out.

It makes a world of difference if the suspension hasn't been touched for a few years. Always good to see a black gold getting some tlc 👍.

 

[SharpyClio]

It makes a world of difference if the suspension hasn't been touched for a few years. Always good to see a black gold getting some tlc 👍.

Thanks! I didn’t even realise it was BG at first, it’s a lovely colour in the sun.

it feels pretty tight to be fair but I’ll add it to the (ever growing) list!!

 

[SharpyClio]

Little box of stuff arrived today for the car,

Washer pumps, some LEDs and holders, some alcohol and a razor… which I’ll explain in due course if people don’t know what it’s for.

The first of my replacement sun visors arrived, always find it interesting that they never bother cleaning them from the scrappers…

So have it quick spruce up, going to wait for then 2nd then fit them both at the same time.

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[SharpyClio]

Also had a bash at the steering wheel, which was grim, came up okay all told, did the stalks and door handles.

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[SharpyClio]

Few odds and sods today,

Swapped the washer pumps and cleaned the bottle out, was full of gunk so clearly it’s been on water for a while, wasn’t a terrible job but still a bit to do as I now have 3 of the 5 washers working.

Can’t upload anymore pics this month die to Tapatalk limits


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[SharpyClio]

Okay, so back with it now, started with the alcohol and the handles it’s slow going, might take them off tomorrow and carry on. Looks better without the rubber sticky coating though.

Also made a start on the bobbling on the Alcantara, which is what the razor is for. Steady away but again making progress, it’s been a bit of a bitty day started a few things but didn’t finish them

The arm test needs a good clean but it’s looking loads better,

Going to aim to finish some of these jobs tomorrow, it’s getting there… Albeit slowly and a little haphazardly!


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[Mr Underhill]

Have you looked at the suspension bushes? That usually where people start refreshing parts of they've not been done already.

I agree. I always start from underneath and then work my way up. But good to see another BG getting some TLC

 

[SharpyClio]

I agree. I always start from underneath and then work my way up. But good to see another BG getting some TLC

I've started to look at the options and will get under the car this week hopefully, the interior is so grim in places and its easy to do so just getting on with what I can at the moment.

 

[SharpyClio]

I did also get a new set of OEM front swing arms with the car, not that there's anything wrong with the ones on there just that the chap had them and wanted to get rid of them, what I think I will do is get Poly bushes for them and then just swap them out. This has moved up the list now I think, I'll also get rear poly bushes at the same time.

 

[Mr Underhill]

I did also get a new set of OEM front swing arms with the car, not that there's anything wrong with the ones on there just that the chap had them and wanted to get rid of them, what I think I will do is get Poly bushes for them and then just swap them out. This has moved up the list now I think, I'll also get rear poly bushes at the same time.

Can’t get drivers side wishbones anymore, so a nice bit of Clio treasure you’ve got there 😊 I’ve got Strongflex (cheaper than Powerflex but just as good) in the BG daily as well as inner/outer ARB bushes but am sticking with OEM bushes on the RB.

The steering on the BG is very sharp compared to the RB but I think I prefer the slightly heavier OEM feeling now. Unless I was doing track days in it, I’d leave it OEM. My two pence worth 😃

 

[SharpyClio]

Very much appreciate the input, might sell the wishbones then... £1200.. seems fair!

I use Strongflex as well, had them in pervious cars and like them, interesting what you say about the feel between the two, might reconsider, I'll give it some thought.

Main thing I need is a spare key as I live in constant fear of losing the one key I have, its not like ive lost many keys in my 39 years on the plant but its very stressful!

 

[SharpyClio]

Finished off the door handles, I can’t decide if I’m happy with them and having gone back to the car a minute ago I’ve noticed not all the colour has come off so I’ll need to do a bit more work. May have to paint them, but I’ll leave that sections for a while.

Also finished off the bobbling on the drivers seat and gave the bobbly bit a quick wipe down. Pretty pleased wit how it turned out.

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[SharpyClio]

Been looking at new steering wheels, does anyone know if the cruise control buttons can be taken off my current wheel and moved to a new one without buttons? I’ve seen a retrimmed one I like but it doesn’t have the cruise control buttons won’t it.


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[Clio_fool]

No I'm pretty sure they won't have the seating for the buttons. Just get your wheel retrimmed.

 

[SharpyClio]

No I'm pretty sure they won't have the seating for the buttons. Just get your wheel retrimmed.

Thanks, I have thought about it. Might just have to go that route as I don’t want to end up with something that’s not quite right.


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[hopgop1]

I've got a 182 FF wheel (has cruise buttons and thumb grips) kicking around that would be an ideal candidate for a retrim if you want to use the car while the wheel is away.

 

[SharpyClio]

I've got a 182 FF wheel (has cruise buttons and thumb grips) kicking around that would be an ideal candidate for a retrim if you want to use the car while the wheel is away.

That would be ideal! Let me know how much you would want for it! Thanks!


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[Mr Underhill]

Second dibs if @SharpyClio doesn't want the wheel 😅

 

[DomP182]

Been looking at new steering wheels, does anyone know if the cruise control buttons can be taken off my current wheel and moved to a new one without buttons? I’ve seen a retrimmed one I like but it doesn’t have the cruise control buttons won’t it.


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Yes you can make cruise buttons fit a non cruise wheel, just need to trim a bit of the inner foam like material to fit and use a cc airbag ideally.

 

[DomP182]

Yes you can make cruise buttons fit a non cruise wheel, just need to trim a bit of the inner foam like material to fit and use a cc airbag ideally.

@SharpyClio I have a 182 cc wheel if needed

 

[SharpyClio]

Yes you can make cruise buttons fit a non cruise wheel, just need to trim a bit of the inner foam like material to fit and use a cc airbag ideally.

Ah, thats also good to know! Thank you. I would use the airbag and buttons of my existing non cup wheel if the one from hopgop1 doesn't work out.

 

[SharpyClio]

@SharpyClio I have a 182 cc wheel if needed

Ah, thanks! Appreciate it!

 

[ClioSaint]

Also has a steering wheel lol, what LEDs did you buy ooc?

 

[SharpyClio]

Also has a steering wheel lol, what LEDs did you buy ooc?

For the footwells etc? I have just gone for some of Amazon at the moment. I'll probably egret it. For the existing interior light replacements I'm getting some from PerfLED.com

 

[SharpyClio]

Second dibs if @SharpyClio doesn't want the wheel 😅

Unfortunately for you @Jon Wright i have agreed terms in the wheel… it appears others are available though!!

 

[SharpyClio]

Gave the car a quick clean, I’ll get some more shots later but she’s scrubs up okay.

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[SharpyClio]

The drivers sun visor turned up, a quick clean and I put them in, struggled to find the cables but didn’t have much time so I’ll get back to them later. Look much better though.

Also it’s official…

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[SharpyClio]

Okay, so now I am looking at a new exhaust system at some point as well, the current brand new OEM system is already corroding away and the tips look terrible. So I suspect a stainless system will be coming. Also a fatty instead of the K&N panel filter... not quite as stock++ as I had anticipated but nothing else.. honest...

 

[Mr Underhill]

Okay, so now I am looking at a new exhaust system at some point as well, the current brand new OEM system is already corroding away and the tips look terrible. So I suspect a stainless system will be coming. Also a fatty instead of the K&N panel filter... not quite as stock++ as I had anticipated but nothing else.. honest...

Didn't you say the person you bought it off had already spent money on the exhaust?

 

[SharpyClio]

Didn't you say the person you bought it off had already spent money on the exhaust?

Yep, it’s a brand new exhaust. Just poor quality so the tips are rusting already.


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[Mr Underhill]

Yep, it’s a brand new exhaust. Just poor quality so the tips are rusting already.


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Brand new factory exhaust?

 

[SharpyClio]

Apparently so.


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[SharpyClio]

Brand new factory exhaust?

It’s definitely new and I have the receipts showing how much it cost, daft thing is a new stainless system wasn’t much more expensive.


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