My First Car - Clio MK2 Ph2 1.2

[Tooter]

Hello!

I have had this car for coming up to a year now, however I only passed in March. Up to passing I was constantly browsing the forums looking for ideas and I always had my car looking clean inside and out, although I rarely drove it. I was insured as a learner but finding time to go out with my Dad was the real killer so I hardly touched it.

I put together a whole list of what I wanted to do to it when I passed. I was going to start modding my car before I passed but I couldn't bring myself to spend a fair chunk of money on my car that was just going to sit outside my house.

Then I passed. And the money I once had saved up soon disappeared on insurance and fuel. Being an apprentice made it harder to save up bearing in mind I was on 2.68 an hour!

3 Months down the line I am on a proper wage and ready to spend it.

I am currently bored at work as it is quiet so I am writing this with no access to my pictures, so I will keep the remainder of this post short to not bore you.

I have a 03 Plate Mk2 Ph2 1.2 Dynamique (Black). I have done a couple of modifications so far and have the parts to do a few more soon.

I will post pictures later when I get home of what the car looked like and what its like now.

Then I will update this as my project continues.

Going to give my car a good clean and take some more pics when I get home before the England game and will post them later.

Danny, 19, From the North!

 

[bennettxo]

Looking forward to seeing it mate

 

[Tooter]

Right, so here is the first picture I ever got of my car. My Uncle sent this to me while I was in Tenerife last summer.

This is what my car looked like at the beginning.

I paid 600 quid for it and it came with all the documents of all the work it had done to it etc. It had been well looked after and only recently (at the time) had got new front breaks and Clutch. Also the previous owner apparently buckled one of the standard alloys so she bought the alloys that you can see in the picture. The receipt was with all the documents and they set her back the best part of £200 quid. 1/3 of what I bought the car for!

Nothing has changed since then until recently when I have started to get some spare cash.

So here she is, nearly a year ago now sat on my Uncles drive.

 

[Tooter]

First thing I bought was some Carbon Fibre wrap. The dash strips were really scratched and I had seen it done a lot on here. Also it was a cheap mod.

I ordered the wrap, popped off the dash strips and wrapped them up. I have since changed them so I don't have a picture of those.

I decided to use some of the spare carbon wrap to make my wheels look nicer. The centre caps were awful. They were gloss black with a chrome picture of a Diamond and the Words Diamond. I am guessing this is the brand of the alloys.. Needless to say I didn't like this so I pulled all 4 off and stuck a carbon fibre disc on top of them.

Here is a picture of one of the centre caps after the mod.

I have been looking at the pictures I have taken and realised a lot of them are pretty bad. I will take some more of all the mods I have done tomorrow. Hoping it is nice and I can go on a good drive to some better spots.

So this was the first mod I did, simple but I hough effective. Done a good amount more and hoping for many more to come in the future.

Danny

 

[Tooter]

My car stayed like that for a while, soon the MOT came round and I had a couple of issues.

First of all my airbag light was. After trying many things i found out it was the passenger side impact sensor that needed replacing. This was due to the sunroof leaking, which is also now fixed.

Also when breaking normally ABS appeard to kick in. After taking my wheels off i found the front left ABS ring was corroded. As i took it off it snapped in 2.

I ordered a replacement and got that fit aswell. The car was then put in for MOT and it passed.

Once again the car was left the same until a couple of weeks ago...

 

[Tooter]

Any ideas would be appreciated. Going to do some work this weekend.

Will update this as I go!

 

[bennettxo]

Any ideas would be appreciated. Going to do some work this weekend.

Will update this as I go!

How about some more pictures of what you've done? Oh and get it lowered the better wheels haha

 

[Tooter]

How about some more pictures of what you've done? Oh and get it lowered the better wheels haha

Dont worry I'll get them up soon.

How much is lowering it gonna cost me ish?

 

[Tooter]

Another update..

I do like my music and so I wanted to get a decent sound system in my car. I went to my local car audio specialists and they quoted me for new front components, an active underseat subwoofer and sound deadening stuff for my doors.

This was very expensive, however I did find all the equipment for a damn sight cheaper than they were selling it for. It was still expensive though.

This is still going to be done hopefuly when I have a bit more cash. I wanted something until then though.

You guys are probably not going to be happy with me for this, but currently they are keeping me going until I can afford some proper stuff.

One day I was in Halfrauds and saw some 6x9s that were on sale.. been reduced from 65 to 30, more than half price i thought why the hell not. Could be a laugh. Turns out the sale sticker shouldn't have bee there but I argued and ended up getting them for the 30!

So I have gone for the classic 6x9s in your parcel shelf for now. I cant stand the look of them, whenever I see someone with them in their shelf I think what a ...

I felt awful having them in my car but the sound was actually boosted considerably for the price. So I decided to make the most out of the situation and bought some felt. I have recovered my parcel shelf so unless you go up to the glass you cannot tell I have speakers on my shelf.

Here are some pictures..

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[Tooter]

I know I havent caught up yet but what do you think of these. They match my colour scheme an look in really good condition.

I havent got long before I miss out on them, help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Tooter]

I have decided against those wheels, so ignore that bit!

 

[Tooter]

Next update Guys

I have taken my dash strips out and removed the carbon fibre wrap, here they are just after primer has gone on, they will be sprayed later.

I have also taken my front badge off to spray. Here that is masked up ready to have primer.

 

[Tooter]

This has just turned up as well, Ill fit this now!

 

[Tooter]

Right the badge has been sprayed and so have the dash strips.

New grill has been put on aswell.

Just about to put on my new aerial and indicator bulbs.

Pictures soon!

 

[Tooter]

I regret the decision of even thinking about those alloys... Every time I look at that photo now I just cringe. I apologise for putting you people through it! Haha

 

[bennettxo]

I regret the decision of even thinking about those alloys... Every time I look at that photo now I just cringe. I apologise for putting you people through it! Haha

Glad you decided to not get those alloys mate,go for 182 alloys

 

[Dan...]

If your front bumper still looks like this then you definitely need some of this stuff...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_159908_langId_-1_categoryId_255233

 

[Tooter]

If your front bumper still looks like this then you definitely need some of this stuff...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_159908_langId_-1_categoryId_255233

Does it work well?

 

[Dan...]

Does it work well?

Yes, especially considering how grey yours have gone. It will just bring the plastics back to it's original finish

 

[Tooter]

Right I have another update for you guys.

This is going to be a long post as it is going to bring this thread up to date.

I would like to know what you guys think so far

Also any ideas you guys I removed the carbon wrap on the dash strips, sanded them down and applied primer. They have now been sprayed and are back in the car.

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I am thinking of getting some sort of sticker for the passenger side dash strip. Maybe a Air Bag sticker? Or maybe a forum sticker? Any suggestions?

Next job took seconds, I removed the long ugly tail and have put on my short stubby one. I have gone for a different one from the usual stubby that people tend to get on here. I like it.

After that I have been upgrading the lighting of my car. Nothing major but I have changed the interior lights to LED and I have changed the indicator bulbs from the standard orange. Again I haven't got the usual indicator bulbs everyone goes for. I wanted them but stupidly let someone buy them me and they got the wrong ones! Haha but they were free in the end I like them so they will be staying on.

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Also as mentioned before my Sport Grill had arrived and I was spraying my front badge, these are now on. Unsure about the colour of the badge. It might be changing.

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This next pic is actually of the mod I did first, and that is my head unit.

Hekos are also on now!

So are my Bosch Aero Wipers.

I have also attempted a different method of "colour coding" my side strips. I have used some gloss black vinyl wrap, I think it looks pretty good!

So there is my thread up to date. Much more will hopefully happen to my little Clio, Its my first car and I love it!

Here is one last photo, sorry again about the amount, but I wanted to get the thread updated so I wasn't back logged.

Please post your thoughts, comments, criticisms.

Danny

 

[bennettxo]

Right I have another update for you guys.

This is going to be a long post as it is going to bring this thread up to date.

I would like to know what you guys think so far

Also any ideas you guys I removed the carbon wrap on the dash strips, sanded them down and applied primer. They have now been sprayed and are back in the car.

***

I am thinking of getting some sort of sticker for the passenger side dash strip. Maybe a Air Bag sticker? Or maybe a forum sticker? Any suggestions?

Next job took seconds, I removed the long ugly tail and have put on my short stubby one. I have gone for a different one from the usual stubby that people tend to get on here. I like it.

After that I have been upgrading the lighting of my car. Nothing major but I have changed the interior lights to LED and I have changed the indicator bulbs from the standard orange. Again I haven't got the usual indicator bulbs everyone goes for. I wanted them but stupidly let someone buy them me and they got the wrong ones! Haha but they were free in the end I like them so they will be staying on.

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***

Also as mentioned before my Sport Grill had arrived and I was spraying my front badge, these are now on. Unsure about the colour of the badge. It might be changing.

***

This next pic is actually of the mod I did first, and that is my head unit.

Hekos are also on now!

So are my Bosch Aero Wipers.

I have also attempted a different method of "colour coding" my side strips. I have used some gloss black vinyl wrap, I think it looks pretty good!

So there is my thread up to date. Much more will hopefully happen to my little Clio, Its my first car and I love it!

Here is one last photo, sorry again about the amount, but I wanted to get the thread updated so I wasn't back logged.

Please post your thoughts, comments, criticisms.

Danny

Colour code the bumper and get it on new wheels and it will look sweet man

 

[Tooter]

The bumpers are going to be done soon!

I fancy the look of 182 Wheels. What price will I be looking at for them?

Also do you know where I can get some stickers like I mentioned?

Cheers for the feedback

 

[Tooter]

Just found out I have got an oil leak

 

[Tooter]

Can anyone tell me whether there are any North West meets?

 

[Tooter]

Also what kind of exhausts are people running that arent like I'm a t*** loud?

Cheers

 

[bennettxo]

182 wheels you can get for around £250,and the stickers can be found on eBay.
Check the local meets section to see if anythings going on in your region

 

[Willsam]

You can find stickers anywhere mate, best bet is probably eBay, where about in the north west you based bud? And I'm running a sportex exhaust, isn't too loud and is a common exhaust to buy for 1.2 owners as it seems on here.

 

[ol12]

You can find stickers anywhere mate, best bet is probably eBay, where about in the north west you based bud? And I'm running a sportex exhaust, isn't too loud and is a common exhaust to buy for 1.2 owners as it seems on here.

For the airbag sticker message Ady182 on here, I think it will be cheaper through here than on his eBay

 

[Tooter]

182 wheels you can get for around £250,and the stickers can be found on eBay.
Check the local meets section to see if anythings going on in your region

Cant decide between 182 alloys or something a bit more Turini like haha

 

[Tooter]

You can find stickers anywhere mate, best bet is probably eBay, where about in the north west you based bud? And I'm running a sportex exhaust, isn't too loud and is a common exhaust to buy for 1.2 owners as it seems on here.

Cheers I'll take a look! What do you honestly think so far?

 

[Tooter]

For the airbag sticker message Ady182 on here, I think it will be cheaper through here than on his eBay

Thanks, I'll probs pm him tomorrow. I've heard N2Grafix are good as well? Are they someone you know about?

 

[ol12]

Thanks, I'll probs pm him tomorrow. I've heard N2Grafix are good as well? Are they someone you know about?

Thats his company mate, I bought my Airbag and 16V stickers from him.

 

[Tooter]

where about in the north west you based bud?

I'm near Burnley.

 

[Tooter]

Thats his company mate, I bought my Airbag and 16V stickers from him.

Oh right, haha cheers! Thanks for the info Can I ask what you think to the red strips?

 

[ol12]

They look good mate, different than the usual carbon wrapped ones

 

[Tooter]

They look good mate, different than the usual carbon wrapped ones

Yeh thats what I was thinking. But I'm still unsure, just done my rear badge the same Red and it looks awful.. thats going to go black like the front badge. But im thinking of changing to like a gun metal grey colour? Then red highlights like the Air Bag sticker red..

 

[ol12]

Yeh thats what I was thinking. But I'm still unsure, just done my rear badge the same Red and it looks awful.. thats going to go black like the front badge. But im thinking of changing to like a gun metal grey colour? Then red highlights like the Air Bag sticker red..

I'd put the back badge like gunmetal aswell or it will just blend together if it's all black IMO, but it's your car mate so do what you think

 

[Tooter]

Just going to say, nothing is going to be done now until I fix this oil leak and get my bodywork tidied up. Apart from maybe cleaning the inside of the car.

My paint work is full of scratches, what is the best thing to get rid of these?

 

[Loz H]

Just going to say, nothing is going to be done now until I fix this oil leak and get my bodywork tidied up. Apart from maybe cleaning the inside of the car.

My paint work is full of scratches, what is the best thing to get rid of these?

If they're quite light scratches, they will probably need to be machine polished out. You could pay someone to do it (either proffesionaly or someone local etc that knows how) or invest in a machine, pads & polish yourself and have a go. I did the latter as my paintwork was bad, and I wanted to learn for myself. It really brought the paint back to life and took out most of the scratches etc, really pleased Took abit of researching etc to learn but worth it imo!

If any of the scratches are deeper (I.e to primer, metal) then you will most likely need those bits respraying!

 

[Tooter]

If they're quite light scratches, they will probably need to be machine polished out. You could pay someone to do it (either proffesionaly or someone local etc that knows how) or invest in a machine, pads & polish yourself and have a go. I did the latter as my paintwork was bad, and I wanted to learn for myself. It really brought the paint back to life and took out most of the scratches etc, really pleased Took abit of researching etc to learn but worth it imo!

If any of the scratches are deeper (I.e to primer, metal) then you will most likely need those bits respraying!

They are all light scratches from what I have found, I will take a look into this! Cheers

Also I have some bubbling on the roof, what should i do to fix that?

Thanks again! I can't wait to carry on with the bigger modifications, but everytime I do something I feel like I am trying to polish a turd because of the bodywork. And being a black car the bodywork is quite noticeable haha.