Matt's Racing Blue 182

[BlackGoldMatt]

So, having owned the car a week (and now my 6th RenaultSport Clio) I thought I would start a project thread.
After looking for a while, this Racing Blue came up for sale, it was 2.5hrs away, so a trip up on a Friday afternoon had me leaving a deposit, to be collected the following day. A quick picture before leaving friday.

The car drove home faultlessly and with half a tank of fuel still in it, I didn't even need to stop. Picture on the driveway, chuffed to bits when I returned home.

So, as the car stood, the spec:
Engine/Drivetrain:

• Remapped by EFI – 192BHP
• KTEC cold air intake
• KTEC decat
• KTER C2RS 182 Supersport Centreline Catback Exhaust

Suspension/Exterior:

• Cup offset turini wheels with Goodyear Eagle F1 all around
• New genuine front and rear Renault shock absorbers
• Eibach proline springs
• Whiteline clio 2RS rear anti roll bar kit
• Braided brake lines
• Mintex Racing M1144 brake pads
• Brembo Front UV (HC) Brake Discs
• Genuine rear discs with new bearings
• Debagged rear with new style RS badge
• Painted brake calipers
• Slim front number plate

Interior:

• Recaro trendline front seats
• Megane shifter bent towards driver along with Yanoo stiff shift 3.0
• KTEC re-trimmed steering wheel
• Refurnished door handles
• KTEC floor mats
• LED interior lighting

More to follow...

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

I had already bought a Sabelt wheel before I had a car, I was going to wait to get it refurbished, but my impatience got the better of me.
Old wheel:

New wheel is a Sabelt with OMP boss and phase 1 indicator stalk. I've not bothered with the cruise, as I never use it in the clio.

Next up was the rear number plate light, small easy change, but makes it look much nicer.
Old light:

And new light in:

Next up is to remove some of the painted items inside the car, as I'm personally not a fan.
Old door handles being replaced for all black (clio 1.2 handles).

And then the RB painted hazard panel being swapped for original:

The plan is to change the grab handles back to original when I can find some.
The remaining interior trim that is currently RB will be changed to Anthracite.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Final thing to do was to give the car a good clean.
Full wash including iron out, clay, polish and wax. There are a few minor area to address in time, but overall I'm really happy with the paint.
The all important pictures:

 

[RustyMojo]

It looks genuinely lovely mate well done on the purchase. Looking forward to the updates

 

[Ocsltd]

Been eagerly awaiting this thread! Looks great, with a few more tasteful tweaks this will be a cracking RB! Subscribed.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Been eagerly awaiting this thread! Looks great, with a few more tasteful tweaks this will be a cracking RB! Subscribed.

Thanks mate. Plan is to sort the interior first with the wheel re-trim in full black with anthracite stitching, paint the dash pieces and speedo bezel anthracite and retrim the roof / A pillars in Alcantara while still doing small bits (new mats, silver vision bulbs etc.)

Then I'll start to think about suspension / wheel set up which I currently thinking BC coilovers and anthracite 2118s

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

A few more minor bits arrived today and fitted after work.
First off new interior mats, as I personally wasnt a fan of the old colour coded mats. Only genuine Renualt Sport mats would do.

Then fitted the silver vision bulbs to remove the "egg" look.
Rears:

Fronts:

And a couple of the car for good measure.

The only other thing I'm waiting for is new plates, these will be attached with velcro, which I can then remove easily when cleaning.

I've only really been pottering back / forth from work, so not given it a proper drive yet, but hope that will change over the weekend with some nice weather. The engine in this one certainly feels strong vs my many other 182s!

 

[OssPoop]

Looks smart . Is that a trophy spoiler it wearing too? What happened to the black gold?

 

[frayz]

Tidy little car. Already looks better for a the few subtle bits youve done. Congrats

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Looks smart . Is that a trophy spoiler it wearing too? What happened to the black gold?

Yes, it's got a trophy spoiler on. The black gold I sold to, I'm not really sure why I sell them, because I always regret it!!

Tidy little car. Already looks better for a the few subtle bits youve done. Congrats

Thanks mate, really appreciated!

 

[DomP182]

Jealous! I have a new need for an RB

 

[DomP182]

Jealous! I have a new need for an RB

Where did you find it?

 

[imprezaworks]

You just quoted yourself?!?

 

[DomP182]

You just quoted yourself?!?

Yeah I'm that full of myself

 

[Ash J]

As I’ve already said, nice purchase Matt.

Love the colour, if I was to own another 182 alongside the Trophy, would have to be RB as one of few colours I’ve not owned yet somehow.

Looking forward to updates; I know you’ll make it super clean and it’ll be tastefully modified.

Hopefully meet up soon!

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Small update:
After @Ash J fitted his awesome pole position, I managed to poach his Recaro Trendlines from him. Popped down yesterday evening to collect them and managed to get them fitted today.
They are on Jon Foz X-Low frames, which have improved the driving position 110%. Ash even threw in the cover for the drivers seat, which I will use as the car is used daily.
The other recaros were on OMP mounts, and didn't have the holes.
If anyone are interested in the old Recaros, please let me know.
Couple of pictures

When I collected the seats, Ash was kind enough to take me for a spin in his Trophy, which turned out to be a costly mistake.
The hour drive home made me think how well set up his car was, which caused me to start ordering when I got home.
Things on order:
- BC coilovers with solid top mounts, I know these aren't as hightly rated on here as other coilovers, but they were very impressive for the price was a no brainer.
- PMS shifter, the current scenic / Yanoo is a good set up over standard, but it's not as sharp as the PMS.
- K-Brace; again, impressed with the one is Ash's car, it can be run with seats, but fills a void when the seats are removed, got this unpainted, which I will get painted anthracite to match the future dash inserts.
Last piece was some spacers. 18mm front, 10mm axle rears.
Expensive but starting to take shape.
Thanks for reading.

 

[RustyMojo]

Great job! Car is looking amazing. I’m so tempted by your recaro’s! Must resist

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Great job! Car is looking amazing. I’m so tempted by your recaro’s! Must resist

Thank you mate.
Give me a PM, I'd be happy to sort you out a good deal!

 

[frayz]

Some lovely upgrades there. Seats look superb.

 

[Stefan.]

Nice.

Any clips of your exhaust and how it sounds?

This is the ktec centre line I take it?

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Nice.

Any clips of your exhaust and how it sounds?

This is the ktec centre line I take it?

Thanks mate. I haven't to hand, but I can grab some. It is indeed the KTR centerline, with non res and decat, so it is quite noisy, but no real drone.

I'll grab a video for you tomorrow afternoon.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

A few more bits done to the RB over the weekend. I have a paintless dent removal guy out Friday, who went round the car taking out all I was unhappy with. Really pleased with the end result.
First of all the easiest change, I swapped out the large aerial for a bee sting, I'm guessing the signal will drop, but I'm not too fussed by that, as it looks much better.
Before:

After:

Then I changed the speedo surround, I'm not personally a fan of the silver surround. I thought about spraying, but wasnt sure if I'd be 100% happy, so ended up with a black plastic, as per the 1.2/1.5 clio.
Current silver surround with milage showing as 91,818.

Old and new:

Back in the car and quick check before putting the dash back in.

And in place with the same 91,818 milage.

Finally I refurbished the front headlights, they were not too bad to begin with, but its another job done and look much better.
Drivers side before:

Sanding in progress:

And complete:

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

... and then onto the passenger side:
Before:

After:

Much much better imo!

I have ordered some Bilt Hamber corrosion protection, so the plan is to tackle the inner rear arches and see what condition they are in!
Thanks for reading

 

[Matthew]

Very nice indeed.

 

[Ash J]

Great job Matt.

Headlights are looking fresh, and black surround on the dials makes a big difference doesn’t it

Keep up the good work.

 

[RustyMojo]

Looks great Matt, do you have a link to the aerial please? Funnily enough I bought a 1.2 binnacle earlier myself. Following on from seeing @MrBlonde do the conversion. So will be tacking this job myself shortly

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Thanks for the kind words chaps.

Looks great Matt, do you have a link to the aerial please? Funnily enough I bought a 1.2 binnacle earlier myself. Following on from seeing @MrBlonde do the conversion. So will be tacking this job myself shortly

It makes a big difference! See link below for the aerial, as mentioned, I cannot comment on reception with it yet.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[RustyMojo]

Cheers mate, been on the hunt for one that fits the aerial base properly! I’ll order one now

edit: Ordered

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Inner rear arches protected...
After seeing a few people inspecting and finding some rust inside their rear arches, I bought some Bilt Hamber products, and expecting the worst, I tackled the rear arches today. My products consisted of:
Hydrate 80 - rust remover
Electrox- Anti rust primer
Satin black spray
Dynax UB - Anti corrosion wax.

As mentioned, I was expecting the worst, so was pleasantly surprised to reveal no rust when removing the door cards (I apologise in advance for the poor photos, its difficult to get in there and grab a good photo!)

Because their was no rust there, I didnt bother with the Hydrate 80, I went straight onto the Electrox primer, 2 coats was enough to get a decent coverage.

I then moved onto the Satin black spray, again, I found 2 coats enough.

And finally, the Dynax UB wax. I ended up giving 3 thick coats. I found the long nozzle useful to get right down In the arch. I also went up over the back seam as precaution.

Hopefully that will seal the rear arches for years to come without having to worry about rot!
The PMS axle spacers have arrived this week, so I hope to get them fitted over the weekend too!

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

Managed to fit the rear axle spacers today, 10mm either side, was fairly straight forward and looks much better.
I've got some 18mm PMS fronts, but they are for some 2118s when I get some, they're too large for the turinis.
Before:

After:

And the other side done..

 

[DomP182]

I've got 15mm hubcentric on the front of my 172 with cup offset turiniswith no scrub issues, 3mm might make all the difference

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

I've got 15mm hubcentric on the front of my 172 with cup offset turiniswith no scrub issues, 3mm might make all the difference

You're right, they may fit without issues, especially on my current prolines. I just think they might look a bit odd at the current car height, I don't want it looking like a monster truck!

 

[PerthRS]

You're right, they may fit without issues, especially on my current prolines. I just think they might look a bit odd at the current car height, I don't want it looking like a monster truck!

I've got 18mm PMS spacers on mine, using ET45 Trophy Turini's.
It probably sits between 1mm-3mm within the wheel arch measured from the very top. Looks very purposful. (my car also has the 10mm PMS rear stub axle spacers)
I have experieced scrubbing at the front on both sides, but thats probably down to my car still using its original stock 104,000kms (~64,600miles) suspension components.
I'm currently playing my cards to possibly buy new OE shocks with proline springs. Not sure yet.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

I've got 18mm PMS spacers on mine, using ET45 Trophy Turini's.
It probably sits between 1mm-3mm within the wheel arch measured from the very top. Looks very purposful. (my car also has the 10mm PMS rear stub axle spacers)
I have experieced scrubbing at the front on both sides, but thats probably down to my car still using its original stock 104,000kms (~64,600miles) suspension components.
I'm currently playing my cards to possibly buy new OE shocks with proline springs. Not sure yet.

That looks well mate, I'm liking the Brembos. Mine are the cup (ET38.5) offset Turini's, so the 18mm spacers will be too big. They are more of a future plan, where i'll be moving to 2118's and eventually the 280mm Brembo conversion.

Also, I've some BC coilovers on order, these will replace my <5k old cup shocks and Eibach Proline springs, if you're interested and want to save some money over new, I'd be happy to sort a deal.

 

[PerthRS]

That looks well mate, I'm liking the Brembos. Mine are the cup (ET38.5) offset Turini's, so the 18mm spacers will be too big. They are more of a future plan, where i'll be moving to 2118's and eventually the 280mm Brembo conversion.

Also, I've some BC coilovers on order, these will replace my <5k old cup shocks and Eibach Proline springs, if you're interested and want to save some money over new, I'd be happy to sort a deal.

Ah ok yeah the 6.5mm might make all the difference.
Thanks for the offer but I'm 14,500km away . That might kill it in regards to shipping.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

So the turinis have gone and replaced with 2118s, which I managed to source from @frayz (sorry for the picture pinching)

Test fitted to the car:

I was unsure on what tyre, but finally settled with AR1s.
Tyres fitted and wheels sealed.

While the car was on stands, I also cleaned the arches out and fitted the PMS stud and nut kit (excuse the rusty discs, the car had been sat on the stands for a week or so).

And then lowered down on the new wheels.
I have the 10mm axle spacers and went for 18mm PMS front spacers, the wheels sit really well in the arches and I love the racey look (again, please excuse the dirty car, it's been sat unused and unwashed for a few weeks).

 

[frayz]

They look great Matt, AR1s will be my next tyre i think.

 

[BlackGoldMatt]

I've also ordered a few parts that turned up during the wheel swap.
Went with BC coilovers, I was really impressed with Ash's when he took me out in his trophy.
Delivered and coated in AFC50

Along with the coilovers, I also ordered a PMS shifter, I've had one in my previous car and it was really enjoyable.

The car is booked in with Alex at AW early November to have the above fitted.

Few other internal parts done, radio stalk delete, from RPD.

And a K brace, it's been painted to Anthracite to match the 2118s, I've also had the (was blue) dash trims painted Anthracite too with a boot mat.

I went for anthracite rear carpet, as I feel the black clashes with the other internal carpet, however I feel the anthracite is too far the other way, so I may be ordering another.
Thanks for reading.

 

[OssPoop]

And it was all going so well .

It's possible I've said it before (OK many times) but I'm not a fan of 2118's at all.

 

[Louis]

Looks great, ignore old man @0ss