Clio 182 Suggestions?

[Bevo]

Hi all,

So I have a clio 182. I’m looking to get some advice on what to do next. This will be long so if you don’t want to read it all just at least choose a category and help me please

Maintenance
I’d like to get some new tie rods and wishbones for the front of my car. Although they would easily pass an Mot I doubt they have been changed in awhile. Anything else I should replace down there if I’m take the wheels off ? Also where’s best to buy this stuff ? Do they have uprated parts anywhere ?

Alloys and Tyres

I have the standard alloys and I do really want the speed line turn is that came in the trophy. WHERE CAN I FIND THESE. I swear they’re impossible. And maybe some pilot sport 4s. Is it worth getting 15inch weeks before I put new tyres on. Will I notice a difference.

Performance
I know the car isn’t going to be a power house. If I can get the car track focused eventually I will turbo the car. But I want it to be built well first.
So I’d like the car chipped but I don’t know a good Renault specialist, RSTuning do a sort of plug and play so you can change between a few maps. But I don’t know much about this. I live in the cotswolds.But I don’t mind driving.

Brakes
I’d like some uprated brakes-thinking about Brembo disks and pads but not worrying about the 4 pots on the 197 as I can’t imagine they’d change the car that much.

Seats.
I want a good bucket seat that will allow me to get in the back. Something track focused maybe But I do like a road sporty look. Again the trophy seats would be ideal.

Appearance
I have found a company that sell the Clio phase 1 gear knob. Is aluminium ball which is much nicer and I’m going to fit a mk3 wheel along with some yellow trim here and there. Callipers yellow and maybe the silver strip that’s on top of the glove box. I want my car wrapped as I think the liquid yellow is so amazing on the Clio’s but maybe I will stick with silver and just detail the car. Anyone seen anything neat. Up for suggestions.

Thanks everyone you always seem to help !!

 

[Usr117063]

What both inner and out tres? Steering rack bushes as well. Brembo discs and pads arnt uprated they are standard, plenty of threads of uprated pads if you want some. People say the trophy seats (recaro trendline) dont give the best support, Im not sure of a good bucket seat that can fold for back, I used sliders on mine but sacked them off when I fitted a new seat, much more solid without them.

 

[Martin_172]

I was never that impressed by the seats in my trophy, they looked nice but I found they were no more supportive than the standard seats, which are also cumfier. I never found they sat any lower, at least not enough that it was noticeable.

 

[Darren S]

Any evidence of the gearbox oil being dropped and changed in its history?

 

[Bevo]

What both inner and out tres? Steering rack bushes as well. Brembo discs and pads arnt uprated they are standard, plenty of threads of uprated pads if you want some. People say the trophy seats (recaro trendline) dont give the best support, Im not sure of a good bucket seat that can fold for back, I used sliders on mine but sacked them off when I fitted a new seat, much more solid without them.

Oh are they not uprated ? What would you recommend? I’m not sure what you mean by tres. Am I being dumb.

 

[Bevo]

I was never that impressed by the seats in my trophy, they looked nice but I found they were no more supportive than the standard seats, which are also cumfier. I never found they sat any lower, at least not enough that it was noticeable.

Yeah I’ve heard that they aren’t very comfortable. Should I just remove the back seats and plant some low buckets in ?

 

[Bevo]

Any evidence of the gearbox oil being dropped and changed in its history?

I will check through the service history today.

 

[Martin_172]

Yeah I’ve heard that they aren’t very comfortable. Should I just remove the back seats and plant some low buckets in ?

I don't have any experience with aftermarket seats so can't give an opinion.

I've removed the spacers that go between the seat and carpet on the standard seats and dropped the seats a few mm, feels much nicer!

 

[Bevo]

Yeah you sit so high up. Maybe I’ll just lower the standard seats for now.

 

[R3k1355]

Any evidence of the gearbox oil being dropped and changed in its history?

I will check through the service history today.

Check it's not leaking first, cos they all leak.

I’m not sure what you mean by tres. Am I being dumb.

Track-rods and Track-rod-ends.

The rods have a balljoint in the middle, it wears and gives sloppy steering.
The rod-ends have a balljoint at the end, it wears and gives sloppy steering.

Replace both, genuine parts from Renault Parts Direct.

 

[Clio182mike]

From my point of view the stock set up is a good balance overall. If you refresh the main components with genuine parts.

Appearance wise I have gone for turinis and Eibach sportlines which look great. The springs don't feel much different from stock but they just sit that little bit lower.

I must admit the seats could do with being lower but I find them comfortable.

Tuning you could give Alex at AW motorworks a call. I haven't read a bad word about him yet. He can remap or turbo it and I've heard he is so honest as well.

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

Another vote for Alex at AW. Really knowledgeable and helpful. But if you're looking to spend some cash I'd really focus on replacing worn suspension and steering parts. New shocks, spring, top mounts (possibly solid ones), wishbones, track rods, rack and ARB bushes, rear beam bushes and engine mounts.
I'd also look at some preventative rust treatment. These don't tend to rust, but they are getting on now and sills, rear beams are starting to get a bit crusty.