Mondial Blue 172 Cup
Having had my first car, a 1995 Toyota MR2, for 10 months and it becoming more and more broken, I decided it was time to scratch the Clio shaped itch I had been having for a while.
IMG_0057 by LukeSi, on Flickr
A friend of mine owns an Iceberg Silver 172 cup which after driving it on track and also being a passenger, seriously impressed me. I was originally going to look at a 182 however upon phoning the dealer which had got it advertised for sale I discovered it was sold. I then went to look at yet another 182, however it was slightly over priced and not worth the money it was up for in my opinion.
AETV44849487_1b by LukeSi, on Flickr
I had noticed a 172 cup for sale in Derby a few weeks before hand however never thought anything of it, (pictures didn't make it look very good). However I knew I wanted a cup, the only other one which stood out to me was in Warwick and had the stupidest exhaust ever. I thought "what the hell" and went to look at it. When I got to the dealer it was shoved in a corner at the back of the yard looking really unloved and had 2 flat tyres. However one thing which warmed me to it was the fact that the cup splitter was not only intact, but in perfect condition.
AETV44849487_9b by LukeSi, on Flickr
Me being an idiot however, decided that I might as well give it a chance, and I am so glad I did. I negotiated a bit of money off the asking price and agreed to buy it. At that point, with a really tired looking 172 cup sat in the dealer's yard, I started to think I may have been very stupid, I don't know why but I always seem to go for cars which seem unloved. The dealer taxed the car the same day and it has an MOT until October. Upon returning to the dealer after getting some lunch I saw the car (which had been valeted) and knew I had made the right decision, no longer did it look like some ratty old hatchback, the dealer washing it had restored its former glory.
172 cup by LukeSi, on Flickr
I bought the car knowing that it would need four new tyres (which I would do anyway as I was bitten once by poor tyres on the MR2). My tyres of choice were Continental Sport Contact 3s, I also had the car serviced and the alignment checked at the same time.
1490534_10202057184964129_888934763_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Next order of business was to replace the front discs and pads all round. I opted to stick with the OEM Brembo parts, at the price they are it would be daft not to. And it is a good job I did, although the front discs wouldn't be considered an MOT failure, they were completely ruined.
1499527_10202101191944276_603647419_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
1476678_10202101190864249_403606829_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
Scary to think that someone could be driving around on brakes like those completely oblivious, thinking that because their car has passed an MOT it is safe. Next on the list was to fit a KTR induction kit (my friend's Iceberg Cup is fitted with one and the sound is amazing). Luckily I managed to convince my parents that an induction kit would make a great Christmas present. Apologies for the blurry image, took it just after it was fitted and I was more concerned about taking it for a "test" drive to ensure it was on correctly.
1481356_10202102178968951_1417045348_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
I have also replaced the original number plate with a cut down (520x84) one. No comments about the font, I think it looks alright, will probably get another one in the future with a legal font. I think the smaller plate improves the front end a lot though.
1526073_10202118998829437_80198160_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Since getting it I've cured a few of the issues it had, the main one being the boot which refused to lock, however a replacement catch from the breakers yard and a second hand solenoid fixed this. The passenger seat jammed in place the first time I put it back, I fixed this by getting in the back and ramming the seat until it came unstuck. The rubber grommet in the washer jets had swelled and meant they weren't working, I fixed this, however caused a new issue where the washer bottle no longer holds fluid. However I'm hopeful this will be cured by replacing the seal on the bottle.
1468916_10201972247760752_1357875567_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Although the cambelt was changed 20,000 miles ago in 2011 the dephaser is noisy. My plan is to hopefully, some time next year, take it down to BTM to get all the belts changed and the dephaser done at the same time. However upon doing research I discovered it was more an annoyance than an issue, it will definitely be getting replaced though.
1481883_10201972242000608_1799263416_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
I should be getting the car on track in January at Curborough Sprint Course in Lichfield, it will be interesting to see how it compares to my friend's Cup. I'll keep this thread up to date as I do more to the car.
IMG_0057 by LukeSi, on Flickr
A friend of mine owns an Iceberg Silver 172 cup which after driving it on track and also being a passenger, seriously impressed me. I was originally going to look at a 182 however upon phoning the dealer which had got it advertised for sale I discovered it was sold. I then went to look at yet another 182, however it was slightly over priced and not worth the money it was up for in my opinion.
AETV44849487_1b by LukeSi, on Flickr
I had noticed a 172 cup for sale in Derby a few weeks before hand however never thought anything of it, (pictures didn't make it look very good). However I knew I wanted a cup, the only other one which stood out to me was in Warwick and had the stupidest exhaust ever. I thought "what the hell" and went to look at it. When I got to the dealer it was shoved in a corner at the back of the yard looking really unloved and had 2 flat tyres. However one thing which warmed me to it was the fact that the cup splitter was not only intact, but in perfect condition.
AETV44849487_9b by LukeSi, on Flickr
Me being an idiot however, decided that I might as well give it a chance, and I am so glad I did. I negotiated a bit of money off the asking price and agreed to buy it. At that point, with a really tired looking 172 cup sat in the dealer's yard, I started to think I may have been very stupid, I don't know why but I always seem to go for cars which seem unloved. The dealer taxed the car the same day and it has an MOT until October. Upon returning to the dealer after getting some lunch I saw the car (which had been valeted) and knew I had made the right decision, no longer did it look like some ratty old hatchback, the dealer washing it had restored its former glory.
172 cup by LukeSi, on Flickr
I bought the car knowing that it would need four new tyres (which I would do anyway as I was bitten once by poor tyres on the MR2). My tyres of choice were Continental Sport Contact 3s, I also had the car serviced and the alignment checked at the same time.
1490534_10202057184964129_888934763_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Next order of business was to replace the front discs and pads all round. I opted to stick with the OEM Brembo parts, at the price they are it would be daft not to. And it is a good job I did, although the front discs wouldn't be considered an MOT failure, they were completely ruined.
1499527_10202101191944276_603647419_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
1476678_10202101190864249_403606829_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
Scary to think that someone could be driving around on brakes like those completely oblivious, thinking that because their car has passed an MOT it is safe. Next on the list was to fit a KTR induction kit (my friend's Iceberg Cup is fitted with one and the sound is amazing). Luckily I managed to convince my parents that an induction kit would make a great Christmas present. Apologies for the blurry image, took it just after it was fitted and I was more concerned about taking it for a "test" drive to ensure it was on correctly.
1481356_10202102178968951_1417045348_n by LukeSi, on Flickr
I have also replaced the original number plate with a cut down (520x84) one. No comments about the font, I think it looks alright, will probably get another one in the future with a legal font. I think the smaller plate improves the front end a lot though.
1526073_10202118998829437_80198160_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Since getting it I've cured a few of the issues it had, the main one being the boot which refused to lock, however a replacement catch from the breakers yard and a second hand solenoid fixed this. The passenger seat jammed in place the first time I put it back, I fixed this by getting in the back and ramming the seat until it came unstuck. The rubber grommet in the washer jets had swelled and meant they weren't working, I fixed this, however caused a new issue where the washer bottle no longer holds fluid. However I'm hopeful this will be cured by replacing the seal on the bottle.
1468916_10201972247760752_1357875567_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
Although the cambelt was changed 20,000 miles ago in 2011 the dephaser is noisy. My plan is to hopefully, some time next year, take it down to BTM to get all the belts changed and the dephaser done at the same time. However upon doing research I discovered it was more an annoyance than an issue, it will definitely be getting replaced though.
1481883_10201972242000608_1799263416_o by LukeSi, on Flickr
I should be getting the car on track in January at Curborough Sprint Course in Lichfield, it will be interesting to see how it compares to my friend's Cup. I'll keep this thread up to date as I do more to the car.
