My first 172!

[jamesC172]

Hi, recently joined, had my 172 for around a month now, Got rid of the rusty old centre pipe and rear silencer and replaced with genuine new ones, new genuine exhaust mounts too. Next plan is coilovers in a week or so and some decent tyres at the end of winter. Any advice on if wheel spacers are worth the money and sizes to for if so?
Got my belts due in 20k but was thinking to change sooner, better safe than sorry.
Slight oil keek coming from the rear of the rocker cover, belt side, any advice?
Thanks

 

[brisa4984]

enjoy

When were belts last changed?

 

[jamesC172]

78k so overdue as I think they are listed to be done at 72? But it's kn 122 now. High milage I know but already had it in at Renault for a once over and there verdict was no problems and I got a bargain!

 

[warwickstingray]

Looks tidy. Cheap coilovers are a waste of time vs the very good standard setup. Especially if your bolting coilovers to a bunch of tired rubber suspension components. A geometry check and a thorough check of the perishable rubber items including engine mounts would be a better start before moving into modifying it.

It's your car though so do what makes you happy.

 

[jamesC172]

Thanks for the advice, the rear shocks feel a little bouncy! I figured by the time I buy genuine shocks, springs, rubbers etc all round (new) id only be a few 100 pound of a decent set of coilovers. As you said, the standerd suspension is great (when it's not gone) I was going to invest in decent coikovers if I went down that route anyway. New uprated engine and gearbox mounts are in the post as we speak. Other that it's just a side repeater lens to replace

 

[warwickstingray]

Probably knackered and leaking. Fairly common.

Genuine Renault shocks are sooo cheap especially the rears. Especially from the traders in here!

It's only the springs that are silly expensive. It's why it's so common on here to go for a full suspension refresh with 172 Cup shocks and cooksport or eibach springs. A set of B14's is around the 700 quid mark on eBay they still aren't adjustable apart from ride height and you'd be bolting them on to old stuff unless you forked out for renewing the rest on top. Pretty sure I only paid 80 quid including delivery for my rear cup shocks.

It's a cheaper option that leaves you with a great road car with occasional track day potential so thought I'd bring it to your attention.

Not tried cheaper coilovers myself but not had much luck with cheaper aftermarket dampers and springs in the past

 

[jamesC172]

I appreciate the advice!
I have read on other posts the most common and best springs to go for are the eibachs, well value for money wise anyway.
Off subject but any advice on mapping? Is it worth it, I'm not talking about power gains nessacerily (cause there isn't mich) but in terms of drivability.

 

[ADS_V6]

yes rs tuner well worth it mate,not power wise car drives much better,smoother better cold start etc do it u can sell it after its a bargain m8

 

[warwickstingray]

Standard map doesn't run car for best power before the 5k kick. RS tuner sorts that as well as other things. No real gain in power. There isn't much more to get from the engine as it's in quite a high state of tune without going to cams, throttle bodies and so on. It is just breathed on Laguna engine. Not a great cylinder head unlike the mk3 Clio. Best thing is to make sure cam timing is definitely spot on and give it a good service with the correct plugs and wait for an RS tuner to come up for sale.

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Welcome along mate

 

[Bear Head]

I appreciate the advice!
I have read on other posts the most common and best springs to go for are the eibachs, well value for money wise anyway.
Off subject but any advice on mapping? Is it worth it, I'm not talking about power gains nessacerily (cause there isn't mich) but in terms of drivability.

Sorry if I'm wrong, but I'd have said by popular opinion you'd probably be best with some cooksports if you want to 'uprate' your standard dampers rather than the eibachs. They give a more aggressive feel and lower the car by a realistic 25-30 mm which helps the car to look lower without causing impracticalities. Having said that, they are an aggressive spring and give a very hard ride, although I think they are f**king epic to be fair.

 

[jamesC172]

Thanks man! Appreciate the advice! I didn't want to go too harsh in terms of ride (so not sure why coilovers were a option) ha! In terms of the drop, I just don't want to end up impratically low, I love my country roads so don't want to rattle my body or car to pieces

 

[Bear Head]

Thanks man! Appreciate the advice! I didn't want to go too harsh in terms of ride (so not sure why coilovers were a option) ha! In terms of the drop, I just don't want to end up impratically low, I love my country roads so don't want to rattle my body or car to pieces

Well I live literally out in the middle of nowhere, only have 1 neighbour, down mega country roads. Car doesnt struggle anywhere, doesnt ground out doesn't anything. Really massively improved the feedback and feel of the car and makes the car about as low as it should be from the factory. Just takes it to beast mode lol. They aren't harsh they are just stiff. It's what you want though mate on a sports car trust me I honestly doubt one person on this forum will say a bad word about them

 

[warwickstingray]

Can you even get cooksports at the moment?

 

[Sunglasses_Ron]

Hi, recently joined, had my 172 for around a month now, Got rid of the rusty old centre pipe and rear silencer and replaced with genuine new ones, new genuine exhaust mounts too. Next plan is coilovers in a week or so and some decent tyres at the end of winter. Any advice on if wheel spacers are worth the money and sizes to for if so?
Got my belts due in 20k but was thinking to change sooner, better safe than sorry.
Slight oil keek coming from the rear of the rocker cover, belt side, any advice?
Thanks

Hi mate! sorry for the late message but welcome to the club!

I notice you've added yourself to the Essex list so hope to see you at some local meets this year!!

Ron

 

[jamesC172]

Cheers man! Yeah il be there!

 

[jamesC172]

Little update. Cars now on Eibach Sportline Springs. Im yet to receive the Shocks (Koni Str.t) but thought id fit the new springs giving me an opportunity to give all the corresponding nuts and bolts a lube up and prepare myself for any troublesome bits for when I receive the shocks. Luckily fitting went smoothly! Failed my MOT on Friday due to rear wheel bearing and faulty Headlamps washer. New bearing is now fitted and Front screen/Headlamp washer pump is fitted so hopefully ready for a pass this time! What next?! Polybush kit and inlet manifold maybe?

 

[warwickstingray]

Wack some decent fuel in and drive the sh*t out of it.

 

[jamesC172]

Ha I do that anyway. As much as I love the 172 cup's and 182's due to the rear bumper and twin pipes. There's something of a 'sleeper' look to the 172. People look at you like 'oh a clio' Then you drop a gear, into the power band and stick your foot down, with TC off of course and they look fairly shocked! Could do with some better brakes though (Don't have the money for no 4pot conversions and all that jazz)

 

[warwickstingray]

Brembo HC discs and some decent pads and all's good. If you want more. I don't have any trouble with the standard setup (repeated 100-30mph stops over a 15-20 min session and it copes well enough) on my cup on track days so maybe yours needs a little work?

Standard Cup is also tailpipe free.

Too much turbo power round my way so I stick to the B roads.

 

[LeeRS]

Sorry if I'm wrong, but I'd have said by popular opinion you'd probably be best with some cooksports if you want to 'uprate' your standard dampers rather than the eibachs. They give a more aggressive feel and lower the car by a realistic 25-30 mm which helps the car to look lower without causing impracticalities. Having said that, they are an aggressive spring and give a very hard ride, although I think they are f**king epic to be fair.

I can vouch for the cooksports. Love mine and give it a really nice stance. Watc out for them potholes though or you will be having your teeth replaced.

 

[jamesC172]

Hmm maybe the breaking issue isn't the car and more because I've come driving a brand new Audi A1 for 2 years (Audi brakes :up to a clio. I changed the front discs and pads when I bought the car (Only pagid's premium stuff) but was just a quick fix for the worn discs from when I purchased the car. I intend on spending some money on discs and pads all round come spring time.
I was debating cooksports but I picked my Eibachs up BRAND NEW for £39, I have a friend in Euros
Ah don't talk to me about potholes! Hit one last night, thought I was going to see my wheel rolling down the road in front of me after!

 

[LeeRS]

speak to @G 172 for brakes, you wont beat his prices.

 

[jamesC172]

Thanks mate!