Ash’s Sunflower Ph1 172

[Ash J]

Well, not even 4 months have passed since I sold the Trophy, and I’m back in a Clio!

This is my 7th 1*2 - it seems I just can’t t stay away, and this side of £10k I just don’t think there is anything better for the money.

In that 4 month gap, I had an A3 S-Line TDI which I sold (tried to convince myself to be sensible but didn’t last) and a BMW Z4 3.0si which was sold and picked up this morning, didn’t even keep that for 3 months, let alone a summer to make the most of roof down motoring 😅

I know I say this every time, but genuinely, this one is a keeper.

These pictures were taken on the driveway of the previous owner when I picked it up today, only ones I have at the moment.

A lot of you will obviously recognise the car and know the CS user who previously owned the car.

Plans are to pretty much keep it as it is, replace parts for new as and when needed (maybe a few upgrades here and there but nothing major), probably refurbish the calipers (silver) and tidy the engine bay (shot blasted inlets etc).

Otherwise, will basically be a case of maintaining it, servicing it, and most importantly, driving it!

As with all my cars, will track progress in here.

Ash

 

[Krarl]

@Ant1 how comes your mrs is selling her cars?

 

[dave120]

Looks stunning. “Keep as is” Can I quote you on that ? 🙈👍🏻

 

[Ant1]

@Ant1 how comes your mrs is selling her cars?

I call the shots round here unlike you 😜

 

[Paul172sport]

Absolutely fantastic. Glad to have you in the Sunflower clan.
Definitely have to get mine on the road and get the pair out for a drive

 

[Stefan.]

Awesome buy Ash.

Look forward to getting pics with the lupo 👌

 

[-Simon]

Very nice mate 👌

 

[ajracer]

What a cracking car. You won’t loose that in the multistorey !

 

[Euan Baguette]

Smart!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[frayz]

Welcome back mate. Knew it wouldn’t be long.
I give it less than 6 months before this is wearing some proper upgrades. 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Optimista]

Noice

 

[Clio_fool]

Welcome back mate. Knew it wouldn’t be long.
I give it less than 6 months before this is wearing some proper upgrades and 9 before it's sold🤣🤣🤣

He just can't help himself!

 

[partybish]

Great purchase! Really looking forward to seeing what you do with this!!

 

[Clio_fool]

Great purchase! Really looking forward to seeing what you do with this!!

Surely doing anything to it would ruin it? It's a lovely example and needs to be kept original imo. I know Ash has a track record of doing good mods very well but still, leave it alone!



P.S. Should have kept the Alfa😍😂.

 

[RustyMojo]

Just keep all the standard parts. Can always be put back to standard in the future.

 

[172PH1]

Very nice that mate

 

[Kenich.]

Good move Ash, you going to take it to any shows this year?

 

[Ash J]

So small update.

Was getting a small amount of scrubbing on full lock on the 16” F1’s. Partly because it’s quite low at the front, but also because of 205/45 profile tyres not helping (no spacers on the front at the moment).

I considered running the 16s on 195/45 tyres, but I’ve always preferred how Clio’s drive on 15” wheels.

I know I will get hate for this, but I’m not the biggest fan of the 16” F1’s, despite most people loving them. I appreciate they are rare, but they just don’t do enough for me.

The chap who bought my Trophy has gone back to 16” Turini’s, so that meant the 2118’s I put on that car were for sale, along with 4 new Michelin PS3 tyres. I got a good deal so picked them up a week ago.

Got round to swapping them over, and no more scrubbing thankfully, but also drives so much better on them.

We’ll ignore the fact that the previous owner did the rear wheel bolts up hand tight (two of the bolts were completely loose) so I was lucky not to have lost the 16” wheels whilst driving the car 🤣

Grabbed a picture of the Trophy I previously owned with the sunflower in the background (Trophy is looking great back on Turini’s)...

And a quick picture with the 2118’s fitted, along with @Stefan. cool Lupo GTI...

I will soon fit some front spacers, and play around with the ride height to get it sitting exactly how I want it (not far off as it is).

Also installed a bluetooth Dension kit, which plugs into the back of the OE head unit and allows me to stream music via bluetooth. Glad I could keep the OE look.

Next up I bought a cup spoiler, then dropped it off at the painters. Got a text yesterday to say it is ready to pick up. Will go and collect it on the weekend, but a pic of it from the booth...

Also bought two new genuine boot struts to fit at the same time, just to renew them.

The first thing I bought for the car was a silly gear knob beanie in RenaultSport colours...

Tuesday night I discovered the exhaust blowing quite badly. I think it is between the cat and centre section join. Anyway, I took the opportunity to order a PMS cat-back system with sports cat (as if I needed an excuse anyway!). This arrived today, and will be fitted Monday along with new genuine mounts.

Managed to source a complete set of second hand calipers and carriers for a good price.

So tomorrow these will be getting sent off to M.S Custom to be completely rebuilt and then painted OE silver. And have also just ordered new discs, pads, hoses, handbrake cables, hub nuts etc to completely renew the braking system.

Last immediate thing to sort is a temperamental starting issue. I think it could be crank sensor. So I have ordered an updated crank sensor and loom to fit in the hope it fixes this. If it’s not this, likely starter motor or a bad earth, but will get it sorted.

And then it is off to Dawn @VIICarCare for a detail and ceramic coating at the beginning of May.

Oh, and before anybody asks, the 16” F1’s have already been sold 👀

 

[dave120]

16” F1s look weird to me, especially on a Ph1. The 2118s look awesome.

Definitely a super cool car.

 

[Jekyll]

Have to admit Ash, I prefer the look of the F1s in 15" also.

2118s do look good on it, but are you tempted to get the 15" f1s also or keep as it is for now.

Interesting about the dension kit, never knew about that.

 

[Stefan.]

You know my thoughts Ash 👀

 

[Krarl]

Looks good on the 2118's!

I'm not a fan of the big OZ's either, they look s**t

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

Looking good.

What suspension is it sat on now ?

Dread to think how many owners this has had since I sold it

Glad to see it looking sharp.

 

[frayz]

I’m not modding it! 😂😂😂😂
You know my thoughts Ash, bloody lovely it mate. You always have great vision and superb attention to detail. Always a pleasure watching you make a car your own. 😎👌🏼

 

[Kenich.]

Good move that Ash, I have never been a fan of the 16s on the PH1 either.

 

[Ash J]

Have to admit Ash, I prefer the look of the F1s in 15" also.

2118s do look good on it, but are you tempted to get the 15" f1s also or keep as it is for now.

Interesting about the dension kit, never knew about that.

Agreed Mark. Although, I would say the 16" F1s look better in person than what photos suggest, but still it is the 15s for me.

I will likely go to 15" F1s yes, but these were available and were my old wheels, along with 4 brand new PS3 tyres for a good price, so I got these for the moment. Nice thing is when I do go to F1's, they are same spec (width, offset etc) as 2118's so a like for like swap.

Yes the Dension kit I have had in 3 of my cars now to retain the factory head unit. It plugs into the back of the CD changer port (so you lose the CD changer) and sits behind the dash hidden away. Really good piece of kit. Comes with a microphone too so you can take calls but I don't bother with that.

You know my thoughts Ash 👀

Looking good.

What suspension is it sat on now ?

Dread to think how many owners this has had since I sold it

Glad to see it looking sharp.

Thanks mate.

It is on Bilstein B14 coilovers, bought it on those.

I have been trying to track the full history of owners actually. What is your name? There are 6 previous owners before me. In order of most recent, that is Ant, then George Williams, then a chap called Rob, and then Harpham. So I have 2 before Harpham to try and work out essentially. Are you Rob or one of the owners before Harpham?

I’m not modding it! 😂😂😂😂
You know my thoughts Ash, bloody lovely it mate. You always have great vision and superb attention to detail. Always a pleasure watching you make a car your own. 😎👌🏼

I think my original comment was "maybe a few upgrades here and there but nothing major" but everybody knows me 🙈 maybe it will be a few more than a few!

Appreciate the comments though

 

[Paul172sport]

Looks great mate and even better in person.
Interior is stunning.

Look forward to seeing the fit of the exhaust and how loud.

Not liking the hate for the 16s lol.

Can't wait to get a photo group together

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

I have been trying to track the full history of owners actually. What is your name? There are 6 previous owners before me. In order of most recent, that is Ant, then George Williams, then a chap called Rob, and then Harpham. So I have 2 before Harpham to try and work out essentially. Are you Rob or one of the owners before Harpham?

I'm Rob yeah.. I got it off Paul Harpham and then sold it to Ben from camskill who was on here.. I think it went on to someone else and then Ant.

 

[Ash J]

Small update on this...

Picked up the cup spoiler from painter last weekend.

Took the opportunity to purchase a couple of genuine boot struts which came up on eBay for a cheap price, thought I may as well replace whilst I was at it.

Got these both fitted last week...

Last week I also took the opportunity to get the exhaust system changed.

As I said previously, a blow had started which was what made me decide to buy a new system earlier than I had planned.

Then, two days before fitting, was just travelling up a slip road to join a dual carriageway, and as I joined, heard a big crash... looked in the rear view mirror and sure enough my backbox was bouncing down the carriageway. I saw a couple of cars swerve to take avoiding action. Really lucky it ended up bouncing into the centre out of the way of any traffic, and didn’t hit anything (or I would have gone back and tried to move it somehow), but either way, really pissed me off as that was very f***ing dangerous (could have hit a car or worse a motorcyclist!) but somehow passed the MOT with flying colours a matter of weeks earlier with no advisories (under the previous owner not me) 🤔

Anyway, I was lucky it didn’t hit any of the bodywork of my car, and also it missed @Stefan. Lupo who was following behind me, very lucky escape ultimately.

So, picture of the old centre section, not great condition, and can see where the backbox broke away. Also never seen a centre section like this (non genuine of course), but anyway, changed now!

And the new...

I do like the additional rear hanger you get from PMS. And top service from Nick as always, arrived the very next day after ordering.

The sound is perfect, will get a video at some point. I didn’t want anything too loud, but just a purposeful sound when giving it some, hence going for a silenced system along with a sports cat. Turned out perfectly, slightly louder at idle but by no means loud, no drone, and a nice sound when opening the throttle. Can highly recommend.

I will just say the underneath will be getting attention soon as it’s not up to my standards (i.e. blasted and powdercoated rear axle and associated parts, refresh heat shields etc etc) so don’t take too much notice of that! All will be getting refreshed.

You may have seen on another thread that I have an issue with my alarm beeping when I lock and unlock the car. Really annoying. It was suggested it could be a boot latch with sensor. When I checked, I noticed when opening the boot, it has no effect on the boot light it was always off) so I was hopeful this was my issue and ordered up a new latch...

Got this fitted, plugged sensor in and straight away boot light came on. Great! But has not changed the alarm beeping which was very frustrating. Though it needed replacing anyway as the sensor was buggered so all was not lost.

The other day I got round to fitting Osram LED bulbs in all the interior light units (no pics).

Underneath the bonnet, the latch had seen better days...

So I ordered a new genuine latch (not cheap!) and had a couple of new stainless nuts from when I renewed this on my Trophy too.

And a picture of it fitted up. I cleaned underneath the latch, but didn’t clean around it as car is going to detailers this weekend so it will all be cleaned up then 😎

 

[Stefan.]

Awesome work ash

Shame so many issues have been found on this, with it being described as mint when buying it, but I know you will get it upto a brilliant standard.

 

[ajracer]

Car looks great Ash.
I had the alarm beeping on my BG and like you i changed the boot catch to no avail.
It turned out to be the bonnet switch.

 

[Ash J]

Other jobs today was...

Fit a new pair of PIAA wiper blades (not needed, I’m just a sucker for fancy stuff).

Fitted a new battery, just because I wanted new.

A few weeks back I sourced a spare pair of inner door handles so I could have them painted.

The ones in the car have been done by somebody before, but it wasn’t a very good job and were also a gloss finish as you can see...

Here are freshly painted satin silver ones with switches swapped over...

And fitted (much better!)...

Decided to purchase a brand new Sabelt wheel couple of weeks ago, think it works in a Ph1 quite well personally, even the blue top (which I normally don’t like) as it ties in with the blue dash.

Anyway, got round to fitting today. Thanks to @Paul172sport for the Momo boss/hub 👍🏼

That pretty much brings me up to date.

Had a spare set of calipers sent to M.S Custom last week for a full refurbishment and to be painted silver. I should get those back soon.

Recently ordered new discs, pads, brake fluid, rear hub nuts from @George@RTR_Parts - brilliant service as always 👍🏼

And also ordered a pair of new genuine handbrake cables and set of braided hoses from KTR, so once the calipers are back from refurbishment, the brakes can be completely overhauled 👌🏼

It will be off to be detailed this weekend, can’t wait to get it back after that is done.

And have decided I will likely go to 15” F1’s when I can find a set. Need to find a straight set, and then have them refurbished in a nice high power silver to get them to my standards, so will be keeping an eye out for a set. Alternatively, if anyone wants a deal with an immaculate, mint set of 2118’s then let me know 👍🏼

 

[clio tyres]

We’ll ignore the fact that the previous owner did the rear wheel bolts up hand tight (two of the bolts were completely loose) so I was lucky not to have lost the 16” wheels whilst driving the car 🤣

Then, two days before fitting, was just travelling up a slip road to join a dual carriageway, and as I joined, heard a big crash... looked in the rear view mirror and sure enough my backbox was bouncing down the carriageway. I saw a couple of cars swerve to take avoiding action. Really lucky it ended up bouncing into the centre out of the way of any traffic, and didn’t hit anything (or I would have gone back and tried to move it somehow), but either way, really pissed me off as that was very f***ing dangerous (could have hit a car or worse a motorcyclist!) but somehow passed the MOT with flying colours a matter of weeks earlier with no advisories (under the previous owner not me) 🤔

The previous owner sounds like a right c**t,i wouldn't trust them to wipe their own arse properly.

 

[Clio_fool]

Lucky that back box didn't take the bumper off while making its escape! There's something about the cup spoiler that doesn't look right to me 🤔. Can't put my finger on what it is though, it just seem to stand out as not right🤷‍♂️. F1's will be a great improvement and its surprising how many other jobs have needed doing on a top dollar car. Good work so far, When's the half cage and pole positions going in?

 

[Krarl]

Car is coming along nicely!

Just tag @Ant1 and call him a c**t tho, its pretty easy🤣

 

[RustyMojo]

It’s a beautiful car Ash and if anyone is going to improve on it in a true OEM + fashion it’s you. Sorry to read about the problems you have had, how on earth that exhaust passed an MOT is frightening. Must be a proper whack to the confidence as to what else you may find?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

There's something about the cup spoiler that doesn't look right to me 🤔. Can't put my finger on what it is though, it just seem to stand out as not right🤷‍♂️.

Ph1 lights..

 

[Clio_fool]

Ph1 lights..

Could be.

 

[Silent_Scone]

The previous owner sounds like a right c**t,i wouldn't trust them to wipe their own arse properly.

Eh, bit harsh. Can’t be that dodgy when most of the cars he’s accumulated and owned over the years makes most of the cars on here look like sheds 😂lol. Try and find a better one.

 

[Jekyll]

Love it Ash!