James' 182

[Jamess182]

Looks like it potato headView attachment 1640846

That stays . Thought you meant the ring which lives in the glovebox 😂

 

[dann2707]

That stays . Thought you meant the ring which lives in the glovebox 😂

Oh yeah cos I can see that on the photo.

Mr xraybans they call me

 

[MrBlonde]

How have i only just found out about another titanium thread 👍🏻

 

[Jamess182]

How have i only just found out about another titanium thread 👍🏻

Lurking in the depths of CS

 

[Jamess182]

Steady 250 mile round-trip in the Clio over the weekend,

The smaller 15s have had quite an effect on the gearing meaning the exhaust drone now annoyingly kicks in just under 70mph rather than 75ish. D'oh.

Averaged a nice 45mpg though, and the Recaro's are so comfortable for long drives, such a good all-rounder!

 

[Jamess182]

Nurburgring, completed it mate

1220 miles in 4 days, including 7 laps of the Ring, the little Clio was absolutely f**king faultless. What an absolute riot!
Feels a little sorry for itself now, with a few niggles to sort, but overall so so pleased with how it performed over the weekend.

Things to sort.

-Knocking noise from the front right.
-ESP/ABS lights on dash
-Strange new gearstick rattle
-Exhaust Rattle

So just a little wear & tear

Also just had to post this photo a track-spec Megane from Sweden that we spotted, with probably the coolest legal plate you'll see.

 

[Jamess182]

Love this thing, and the roads round here are sooo good. Can't resist a nice drive in the summer evenings!

 

[dann2707]

Looks lovely there.

 

[Jamess182]

Owned this for almost 3 years now and I've never given it a proper detail. Nothing over the top, just a little tidying up here and there.

Seatbelts cleaned, can't believe how stained they actually were! Turned out to be quite the effort... Doubt they've ever been done.

Boot shut and door sills cleaned up.

Quick wipe over the engine bay. Seems the Inlet manifold & fuel rail cover could do with another rattle can paint job!

Looking mean!

Back to the Nurburgring in 3 weeks.. can't wait!!

 

[Jamess182]

Finally got around to replacing the shocks which has been fucked since May.
Considered BC Coilovers for a while but ended up replacing them with new Cup Shocks. Swapping them over turned out to be a lot more effort than I anticipated but got there in the end..

Also gave the callipers another lick of paint, the third time since owning the car

Service time... only the best.

Oil was changed only a few months ago, however since then it's done a good 5k miles including a track evening & nurburgring trip - so another one can't harm.

 

[dann2707]

Thank you @dann2707 for the help with the shocker change too.

If it wasn't for you I would have been crying like a little b**ch in the corner, although I did for a little bit but thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Really sorry for being so dramatic saying it was a horrible job when in actual fact it was a very normal job for working on an old rusty clio.


Guess you missed that bit out no worries

 

[Flob]

Nurburgring, completed it mate

View attachment 1643894
View attachment 1643895
View attachment 1643896
View attachment 1643897


1220 miles in 4 days, including 7 laps of the Ring, the little Clio was absolutely f**king faultless. What an absolute riot!
Feels a little sorry for itself now, with a few niggles to sort, but overall so so pleased with how it performed over the weekend.

Things to sort.

-Knocking noise from the front right.
-ESP/ABS lights on dash
-Strange new gearstick rattle
-Exhaust Rattle

So just a little wear & tear

Also just had to post this photo a track-spec Megane from Sweden that we spotted, with probably the coolest legal plate you'll see.
View attachment 1643900

Cool plate, but not car people with think he's a massive steamer (there would be nothing wrong if he were... just might not be the image they thought they would be projecting).

 

[Jamess182]

Thank you @dann2707 for the help with the shocker change too.

If it wasn't for you I would have been crying like a little b**ch in the corner, although I did for a little bit but thank you for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

Really sorry for being so dramatic saying it was a horrible job when in actual fact it was a very normal job for working on an old rusty clio.


Guess you missed that bit out no worries

Thanks but I was more referring to taking it all off again to rectify any mistakes and refitting it alone, by essentially jumping on a breaker bar whilst trying to slot the bolts through the hub at the same time - that turned out to be a lot more effort than I anticipated but got there in the end.... b**ch.

 

[Jamess182]

Cool plate, but not car people with think he's a massive steamer (there would be nothing wrong if he were... just might not be the image they thought they would be projecting).

This might be true haha.. think it lives there though as I've seen it in a few videos knocking about. Hopefully most people there get the reference

 

[dann2707]

Thanks but I was more referring to taking it all off again to rectify any mistakes and refitting it alone, by essentially jumping on a breaker bar whilst trying to slot the bolts through the hub at the same time - that turned out to be a lot more effort than I anticipated but got there in the end.... b**ch.

It'll be ok

 

[Jamess182]

View attachment 1655335

It'll be ok

 

[Jamess182]

Another successful Nurburgring trip last weekend!

Absolutely scorching weather and the track was heaving at times but still had a cracking time, the Clio held it's own once again. 💪

Can't believe how lucky I've been with this car, bought it blind for £2300 just under 3 years ago and it's been basically bulletproof. Weapon!!

 

[Jamess182]

Decided to switch back to the Turinis for a while. The 15" Ultraleggeras are up for sale if anyone is interested. That said, it drives so much nicer on the lighter 15's, so if they don't sell I won't be overly fussed as they'll be going straight back on and I'll offload the Turinis instead.

Cleaned up the headlights too.

 

[Jamess182]

Big day for the Clio.
Here's to 150k more. 🍻

 

[rttam]

Did you decide to put the Oz back on and offload the turinis as mentioned above?
Might be interested if they are for sale?

 

[Jamess182]

Did you decide to put the Oz back on and offload the turinis as mentioned above?
Might be interested if they are for sale?

Oz’s sold I'm afraid mate. I've had more interest in them after they sold ffs

 

[Jamess182]

Another successful track day in the 182 last weekend at Donnington, got super lucky with the weather!

Had a productive morning today sorting a few things. Some less glamorous photos to come...!


Noticed my headlights were doing basically nothing to assist me seeing where i'm supposed to be going in the dark,
Culprit turned out be a broken adjuster so N/S bulbs were rattling about and facing completely downwards.

Thankfully they use the same adjuster pins as some BMW 5 series models so they're easily available from ebay for a few £.
Fiddly job to replace but got there eventually. Was so relieved I didn't even check the photo was in focus but you can kind of make out the replacement.

My wheel arch liner had seen better days having mashed itself to pieces..

Grabbed a replacement from a chap breaking his 182 for the grand total of £0. Well used but most will know they're rarer than hens teeth these days, so pretty happy with that!

Surprised to see how well my DS2500s are holding up having seen over 5000 miles including 2 weekends at the Nurburgring and 2 track days!

Finally, fancied switching up the Turinis for a while.

15" OZ Superleggeras & Rainsport 5s. Should see me through the winter!!

 

[dann2707]

Looks great

Anymore pictures of the Xmas tree you planted 20 years ago?

 

[Brigsy]

Superleggeras look class.

 

[Jamess182]

Looks great

Anymore pictures of the Xmas tree you planted 20 years ago?

Look on the Christmas tree planting thread, should be some on there

 

[Jamess182]

Superleggeras look class.

Cheers, was concerned they'd look a little bland next to the silver paint but quite pleased with them!

 

[Brigsy]

Cheers, was concerned they'd look a little bland next to the silver paint but quite pleased with them!

Cant go wrong with silver on silver. Looks nice and fresh.

 

[Jamess182]

Took the 182 out this morning. Steady -5c, in the morning so things were fresh! Rainsports felt great though.

Started in the valleys.

Then headed above the inversion. Can't complain at the view!

 

[Jamess182]

Well overdue tidyup!

Washed with Meguairs Wash & Wash
Wheels sealed with AutoGlym Protector
Polished with AutoGlym Super Resin
Paintwork waxed with Auto Finesse Glisten Spray

See how long it lasts

The bodywork is so shoddy, does let the car down when you look up close. Always been more focused on how it drives rather than it looks though!

 

[Jamess182]

Heading back to the Nurburgring next month, so time to get this thing out of hibernation. Hasn't moved from my parent's garage since January 2024.

Looking a little sorry for itself at my mate's work, before it goes off for some servicing and track prep.

I'm on the lookout for some track wheels and tyres. The last two ring visits I've used PS3s, so really looking forward to seeing what it can do on some new semi-slicks this time.

Apart from some fresh fuel and a service I'm hoping it shouldn't really require much else work to get going. So excited to drive it again!

 

[Louis]

Heading back to the Nurburgring next month, so time to get this thing out of hibernation. Hasn't moved from my parent's garage since January 2024.

Looking a little sorry for itself at my mate's work, before it goes off for some servicing and track prep.
View attachment 1738616

I'm on the lookout for some track wheels and tyres. The last two ring visits I've used PS3s, so really looking forward to seeing what it can do on some new semi-slicks this time.

Apart from some fresh fuel and a service I'm hoping it shouldn't really require much else work to get going. So excited to drive it again!

I'll have some 2118s for sale mate on AD08RS

 

[Jamess182]

I'll have some 2118s for sale mate on AD08RS

I may be interested if the tyres are (basically) new? As in, definitely no track time. Not looking for part-worns, want to do it properly this time!

 

[Tarticmonkey]

This is really random and has the potential to make me sound like a nut job. But I think I remember speaking to you in the Aral in Adenau in May 2023. I was in the white 197 and was met a couple of times on track as well and in my mate's LY 200T.

 

[Jamess182]

This is really random and has the potential to make me sound like a nut job. But I think I remember speaking to you in the Aral in Adenau in May 2023. I was in the white 197 and was met a couple of times on track as well and in my mate's LY 200T.

Yep I remember, small world right! Seems forever ago now actually.

 

[Jamess182]

Another successful ring trip completed. Not without major stresses though!

Had the Clio sent over to a "specialist" whilst I was abroad, to prep it ready for a 1200 mile round trip, but didn't really do much and let me down.
That meant when I picked the car up 3 days before I was supposed to leave, it had a starting problem and a vibrating/knocking noise coming from the driver's side wheel.

I'd lost my workspace and all of my tools since moving away, so it meant I had to rely on outside help to get this fixed.
In comes superman @Coops Mk1 to lend a hand! Precisely 20 hours before I was meant to leave.

In the end, it turned out to be a stuck piston. Which we didn't really expect as the brakes still felt good and wasn't really pulling to either side on braking.

But alas, a rather easy fix in the end, just cleaned up and re-greased the piston, but actually couldn't have done it without Ben, so thanks again mate. Saved the trip for me.

I was fully prepared to be bump-starting the Clio every single time on the trip, but that seemed to fix itself over time too, with the car sat for such a long time I assume it was just a sticky starter motor which needed freeing up!

I also had to purchase some Semi Slicks for this trip and got messed around with. Got messed around with someone off FB marketplace, some might have seen my post in TIDL, where he tried to send the wheels without packaging and didn't understand why ParcelForce wouldn't collect multiple times.

So after waiting for 2 weeks I eventually gave up and asked for a refund.
As time was getting tight I bit the bullet and bought brand new wheels and AD0R8s from Wheelbase, who then 2 days later sent me this.

FFS!!

Then with 2 days to go, I rang DemonTweeks and had to spend a fortune on new 15" Team Dynamics LTs and Davanti Protoura Race Semi Slicks, received in about 36 hours with the fitting kit and spigot rings, can't knock that service to be fair.


And they look rather pretty.

Anyway.. finally arrived to the track and had just the best time ever. The Clio is such a riot and with the brand new tires, felt like a different car.

Just absolutely love this thing. And the Nurburgring really is the best place on earth. That first lap made all of the stress last week worth it.

The weekend was rammed as expected, but we stayed for the Monday night session as it was basically empty. Really good to get some clean laps in apart from the odd time moving over for the big boys.

So 1200 miles, and 7 more laps on the Nurburgring later, the Clio made it home safe and sound.

The only casualty being ESP/ABS light and both exhaust mounts somehow basically just disappearing. So was a long drive home with it resting on the rear axle

But for a 152k mile Clio, which had basically no preparation, I'll take that ALL day long!

Until next time!

 

[MrBlonde]

How are the Davanti Protoura Race tyres?.

 

[Clart]

Theres a few cheaper semi slicks starting to come on the market that are about half the price of AR1 etc

 

[chazza114]

I thought I recognised the number plate of your car. Looks like you nearly went a bit too deep at Aremburg!

 

[Jamess182]

How are the Davanti Protoura Race tyres?.

Grip from cold was superb, really surprised how fast I could chuck it in on the first corner.

Did start to wear by the 7th lap though. So started to get some understeer towards the end. But granted that's 7 full heat cycles rather than consistent laps. If I were to do any more laps I'd have swapped the fronts and rears over.

 

[Jamess182]

I thought I recognised the number plate of your car. Looks like you nearly went a bit too deep at Aremburg!

Hahah superb spot!!

Yeah i got a little greedy there, I thought l was destined for the gravel for a second. But just straightened up to kill off any understeer or locking up and hoped for the best. Just about worked out 😂

I wondered if that one would make any of the highlights. Funny thing is, the lap before that a GT4 span right in front of me on that corner.