172 project for sub £1000

[Alb.]

After getting a company vehicle I decided I wanted something fun for the weekend.
I had a really tight budget and Clio 1*2 seemed to pop up everywhere I asked.
One popped up for sale locally and after a few weeks bartering I picked it up.

These are the only pictures I have at the minute and it needs a clean!!

I bought the car knowing it needed a new passenger Xenon headlight bulb and possibly a windscreen (depending on MOT tester)
On driving the car home I've now realised the boot doesn't lock and the temp gauge sits one bar below centre.

A bit of research points towards the thermostat so that's on the list of jobs.

So far I have changed both headlight bulbs for HIDS-DIRECT own brand 5000k and bought new oil and filter ready to be changed this week.

Plans are to get the car as sorted and original as I can for less than £1000 (including purchase price) and then enjoy it.

 

[Alb.]

I was researching the boot lock and a common problem was the lock mechanism breaking.

Managed to buy one from a guy on cliosport Facebook group, it arrived and took me literally 30 seconds to change over.
Probably the easiest job I've ever had to do on a car haha
Now the boot locks and unlocks as it should.

 

[Alb.]

Not much of an update.
Car starting misfiring and running really rough, sounded like a Harley.
EML flashed on and off a lot and when it finally stayed on I read it with my cheap eBay code reader:

Misfire on cylinder 3.
I unplugged the injector and there was no change so that was obviously at fault.
Changed it for a new Magnetti Marelli at the cost of £40
No pictures unfortunately as it was miserable when I changed it over.

Got a fatty induction for Christmas, binned off the OE air box and the engine cover as well.

The sound is insane. Never thought a 4 pot could sound so mental

Got a powerflex dogbone as well for xmas, so that will be done at some point this week

 

[Alb.]

Started fitting my polybush Dogbone last night.

Jacked the car up one side

Removed Dogbone

Old bushes out

New ones in

Fitted

Haven't driven the car yet, I will probably take it for a drive later on to see why everyone keeps banging on about this being one of the best mods to do on 1*2's

 

[imprezaworks]

Liking good mate, they really are bargains at a grand, hopefully

 

[imprezaworks]

One of the best mods is a smaller wheel too. Steering wheel that is. And good tyres too

 

[jamesycc]

you'll be surprised at the difference that dog bone mod makes. Great little project btw

 

[Alb.]

All the above was copied across from another forum so apologies for any confusion.

This is my list up to date:

So a total so far of:
£850 purchase price
£142 in mods
Total = £992 so far.

I think I'm going to struggle to keep it under £1k and I blame this forum for making me want to spend more every time I come on here

 

[Alb.]

One of the best mods is a smaller wheel too. Steering wheel that is. And good tyres too

Going to keep the wheel OEM for now as the missus drives it and want to keep an airbag.

It's also got four brand new Pirelli P Zero's when I bought it and they seem pretty decent

 

[imprezaworks]

Sounds good.

 

[cs_dave]

Bargain that is

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[Ads29]

Looks a nice clean motor mate, you wait that budget will rise and rise, 1k becomes 2 and so on, happens to us all, especially if you end up going on track days

 

[jamesycc]

to be fair I've chucked at least 2k into mine and its my daily, let alone going near a track!! Ongoing maintenance and some mods. Its like a drug addiction only more expensive!!

 

[Alb.]

So happy with the amount of car I got for the money.
Plan was always to save for an M3 for my 25th birthday but the Clio has really got under my skin and made me want to keep it longer

 

[Alb.]

Passed its MOT in January with 1 advisory, steering rack inner joints.
Pretty happy with that as I was planning a steering refresh anyway.

Had 15 minutes spare today so fitted a wheel I bought that's 95% perfect

Way better than my old wheel that had melted.

Old one on the way out

New one in

Feels so much better.

Going to finally get the Thermostat changed next as that's really bugging me

 

[Alb.]

Had half an hour spare this weekend so decided to take the throttle body off and give it a clean;

Before

After

I did clean both sides and the inlet connection, just didn't get pictures.
It wasn't overly dirty so I'm not expecting any difference really but I'll be able to tell next time I drive the car.

The speedo was also starting to be temperemental in the wet so ordered a cheap eBay replacement after hearing good things about them on ClioSport Facebook.
No pictures of fitting but was only a two minute plug and play job.

Old

New

 

[Greeny.]

Soon as I saw this thread title I thought you would struggle keeping it under 1k

 

[Alb.]

There's too many temptations for upgrades

 

[Coops Mk1]

yeah nigh on impossible to keep it under a grand, my phase 1 is creeping up as I find stuff I want!lol!

 

[Alb.]

Finally got around to changing the thermostat today.
Got a genuine Renault one new in its box cheap as someone was having a clear out

Started draining the coolant, didn't make a good job of catching it though

Then stuck a hose through the system

Replaced the thermostat, no pictures of the old one but this is the new one in place

Topped the system back up with coolant

Bled all the air out and it's running spot on. Never had the needle bang on half way and it's doing it every time now

While all the coolant was drained I replaced the coolant bottle as well
Old you can sort of make out in this picture

And new

I was hoping that the coolant would stay clean and bright yellow but after a 15 minute drive it went browny coloured again despite flushing the system.
Oh well not like I'm bothered about a nice looking engine bay.

I also did a 160mile round trip a few weekends ago in the car and it was mainly A roads. I got back immediately sick of the car and I thought I was over it. This was mainly because it was uncomfortable, noisy and rattled like fook.

Decided to remove this crap from under the drivers seat

The difference is night and day. I actually feel part of the car now and I've really been enjoying giving it a thrash again.
I didn't think 10mm would make such a difference

 

[welshname]

Did you put it back together without the thermostat in? If you didn't then you're not going to flush half the system as it would be cold and the thermostat closed.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Alb.]

Put it back together with the thermostat in place. Got it up to temp so the stat opened and bled it while it was hot. Topped up after it had cooled down
I'm a heating engineer by trade so used to burning myself haha

Also when I flushed the system I put the stat housing back together empty to flush it and then put the hose down both holes either side of the thermostat and flushed out of the bottom rad hose and bottom of the radiator

 

[cpaterson76]

All the above was copied across from another forum so apologies for any confusion.

This is my list up to date:

So a total so far of:
£850 purchase price
£142 in mods
Total = £992 so far.

I think I'm going to struggle to keep it under £1k and I blame this forum for making me want to spend more every time I come on here

Yeah I had that same problem with my 182!! A £1000 will vanish before you know it 🙈

Nice looking little project and even with all the Renaults temperamental problems your love it.... hope you enjoy it mate :up: