182 owners in Kent/E.Sussex (T.Wells, Crowborough, Eastbourne way) who can help?

[ScarySquirrel]

Hi all,

I have owned my 182 for about 4 weeks now. It is the only Clio I have ever driven, so unfortunately I have nothing to compare it to.

I have some concerns about the handling/steering on the car. It tramlines quite badly, and feels a little unstable when accelerating or at high speed.

Having searched on these forums there seems to be a fair few people with similar problems and there are lots of recommendations on what to check.

My problem is that I have no idea where these things are, and if I find them, I have no idea how I know if they are shot or not.

So, I wondered if anyone near me with some mechanical knowledge would be able to help me out. I can come to you and I would be really grateful if someone could just take a look at all the things that could be wrong. Hopefully it's just my imagination that something is wrong.

I live here - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en...ll=50.956697,0.370789&spn=0.499128,1.306&z=10

Let me know

PS. I went to a specialist Renault garage and they took it for a drive and said it was fine. But I would like a second opinion

 

[rwaterman]

I find they are unstable on some roads when you put your foot down and tramline probably because of size of tyre.

What condition are your front tyres in, this could be your problem?

Also get your tyre pressure exactly right from cold, 33 up front 30 and see how you go

Rob.

 

[Clio_in_Motion_2008]

i find it the same around here, but since running 15's its made it less noticeable.

 

[MikeB]

What kind of mileage is it on?

 

[Kele.B]

did u take it to blackboys by any chance??

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I did indeed take it to Blackboys. They seem like nice guys down there

Ok, some more info on the car:

52k miles
2 front tyres are PE2's which are nearing the legal limit and will be replaced soon. Could they really make that much difference?
Running 205/45/R16

 

[jon_r]

I did indeed take it to Blackboys. They seem like nice guys down there

Ok, some more info on the car:

52k miles
2 front tyres are PE2's which are nearing the legal limit and will be replaced soon. Could they really make that much difference?
Running 205/45/R16

Yep that could make a difference.

I'd suggest getting the car checked again for tracking and camber issues on a proper digital setup if you are concerned. Also check the pressures.

 

[jobac]

I am not too far from you, not particularly mechanical but had the same issues when i got my 182. I did tracking first, made a slight improvement. Then new front tyres, massive improvement. Finally I have recently changed my standard 182 wheels for some 15" williams wheels and it has completely sorted the problems I had. No vagueness or tram-lining at all now If you changing your tyres soon anyway get the tracking done at the same time and there is a good chance this will fix this.

Failing that might be worth speaking to JMS Tuning info@jmstuning.co.uk and see what they think, I made the long drive there a few weeks ago and was very impressed with their knowledge and service!

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Very interesting, thanks Billy.

Would changing from 205s to 195s on my cup alloys make any different do you think?

 

[jobac]

Don't know if I am honest, only thing I would say is on my old 172 I had 195 tyres and didn't get any of the problems I had on my 182.. Could be completely unrelated though as different cars..

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Fair enough. I think I'll stick to the 205s for now. I do need new tyres though. I have 3 x PE2s and they are nearing the end of their life, then there is an almost budget tyre on the rear driver side which was there when I bought it.

I'm going Michelins all round so I'll see if that helps.

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

Fair enough. I think I'll stick to the 205s for now. I do need new tyres though. I have 3 x PE2s and they are nearing the end of their life, then there is an almost budget tyre on the rear driver side which was there when I bought it.

I'm going Michelins all round so I'll see if that helps.

The tyres make a massive difference mate. PE2's on the way out are pretty terrible. Get them changed and camber and allignment checked. I don't mind poping over / meeting somewhere if you want me to have a gander, but defo change the tyres 1st.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

The tyres make a massive difference mate. PE2's on the way out are pretty terrible. Get them changed and camber and allignment checked. I don't mind poping over / meeting somewhere if you want me to have a gander, but defo change the tyres 1st.

Excellent, thanks mate. I'll get the tyres replaced in the next couple of weeks and see how that goes

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

No worries mate, i'm only from Tonbridge and work in Crowborough. I'm running Sport Contact 2' all round. you going back to PE2's?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

No worries mate, i'm only from Tonbridge and work in Crowborough. I'm running Sport Contact 2' all round. you going back to PE2's?

Yes I am. They seem to have good reviews and the car has three of them on at the moment so I figured I'd just go with them

 

[JoedotwasT5phy]

Yes I am. They seem to have good reviews and the car has three of them on at the moment so I figured I'd just go with them

Good boots Indeed - what price did you get them at?

 

[ScarySquirrel]

Good boots Indeed - what price did you get them at?

I've not bought them yet, but Kwik Fit are the cheapest and most convenient at the moment at £432. I'm just waiting for a local Renault specialist to get back to me.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I've not bought them yet, but Kwik Fit are the cheapest and most convenient at the moment at £432. I'm just waiting for a local Renault specialist to get back to me.

I now have a quote of £101 per tyre, fitted. Seems good to me.

 

[ScarySquirrel]

I had 4 new Michelin PE2s fitted today and the tracking done (which was slightly out apparently) and the car is now transformed. It feels completely different and much safer from my first drive in it

 

[quik99]

try driving a ph1 with nearly illegal tyres (about to replace them) and putting your foot down... it feels like im going to take off! lol