My Temporary Clio

[ClioHarry]

This is my 1.2 16v to be used as a stop gap between my recently sold R53 Cooper S while I build up a bit of no claims for a 182.

It's had a few things done, tinted windows, 172 wheels, and RS interior. This is what it looked like when I bought it 😂

Rim protectors promptly removed and after a detail it currently looks like this. Yellow brake drums have also been replaced and painted matt black.

My plans for mods are only things that can be transferred to an RS or are cheap, so spacers, lows, colour coding and I might make an exhaust to make it sound less like an LDV van. Tints are only staying on for security reasons, I guess they look alright too. I might fit a 172 rear bumper if I find one cheap too, painting only costs my time :smile:

What tyres do people recommend for the 172 fitment? What's on there at the moment offer no grip whatsoever. I was looking at Toyo T1rs...

 

[MrBox]

I've seen this.. You live like 5mins away from me also I have a 172 rear bumper in pearl black that's sat in the garage doing nothing, although not in the best condition.

 

[ClioHarry]

I've seen this.. You live like 5mins away from me also I have a 172 rear bumper in pearl black that's sat in the garage doing nothing, although not in the best condition.

Awesome! How much would you be after for the bumper?

 

[MrBox]

Awesome! How much would you be after for the bumper?

Probably only like £20 mate. It has got a cut out for an exhaust though.

 

[ClioHarry]

Probably only like £20 mate. It has got a cut out for an exhaust though.

Sounds good, I've got to do a bit of servicing work to it first but I'll definitely be interested in it. The exhaust cut out isn't a problem, I need to do something about the exhaust anyway.

 

[ClioHarry]

Got a bit of an update...

I've spent the last week chasing up ABS faults. The rear is now fixed I hope, with new rings, however the brakes need adjusting as currently the rears do almost nothing, and I have no handbrake. Plugged it in yesterday and its now showing a fault with the NSF wheel target, inspected and that needs a new ring as its cracked. Easy fix though.

I changed the lower gearbox steady as there was a clunk on lift off and when engaging the clutch, its improved it but the gearstick is still quite wobbly. As you can see the old mount was definitely gone

One little thing I did get round to doing is restoring my headlights. Far from perfect (much like the rest of the car) but definitely an improvement. A quick before and after:

 

[letsturboit]

Cracking job on clearing those lights up. Its amazing what you can accomplish by hand. An hour a side makes all the difference.

 

[ClioHarry]

Cracking job on clearing those lights up. Its amazing what you can accomplish by hand. An hour a side makes all the difference. :smile:

Indeed, a few different grades of sand paper, a rotary polisher and some light cutting compound and they came up very well. I've got some UV protectant in the post to try and stop them from yellowing/hazing again.

 

[sburrell93]

What tyres do people recommend for the 172 fitment? What's on there at the moment offer no grip whatsoever. I was looking at Toyo T1rs...

I've got Kumho KH31's on my 172 alloys on my dci. I think they're epic for the price, was about 60 quid a corner fitted and balanced. I had more confidence in my dci with the kumho's than I did in my ph1 172 when I bought it and that had T1R's on.

Decent job on those headlights! A set of clean lights improves the look so much.

 

[ClioHarry]

I've got Kumho KH31's on my 172 alloys on my dci. I think they're epic for the price, was about 60 quid a corner fitted and balanced. I had more confidence in my dci with the kumho's than I did in my ph1 172 when I bought it and that had T1R's on.

Decent job on those headlights! A set of clean lights improves the look so much.

Those Kumhos were one of my choices actually. I had them on my Cooper S and even with 210bhp they held up very well. The other one I was looking at are Falken ZE914s, which seem to be pretty much on par with the Kumhos.

 

[ClioHarry]

Thought I'd better update this as I've done a few little bits to the car.

2 Falken ZE914s (two more to come once I've got the fronts down a bit). They sit quite nicely on the 172 wheels I think.

It's in bad need of a machine polish, but it'll have to make do with a hand polish with some Megs UC for now. I used G3 Paint restorer here and its pretty rubbish, I wouldn't bother with it again.

Rear wiper gone (plastic plate is going to be sprayed gloss black along with the badge and diamonds)

Got a 172 bumper from Adam (MrBox on here). Looks much better.

As far as plans for the future are concerned, I've got an exhaust in the post as well as a 1*2 spoiler. I need to get hold of some Black Pearl paint so I can CC the side strips and front bumper and passenger door handle. I want to get it lower, ideally on coilovers, and some spacers as the rear wheels rub a bit on the inside arch. I'm also trying to find an RS grille cheap enough to justify it :smile:

Other than that I've been having more trouble with the ABS, after a new NSF ring the light still comes back on so I'm lost now 😂 I've also got a really wobbly and clunky gearbox to sort out.

Once I've lowered it, that'll be it modification wise, I'll just keep it clean and tidy.

 

[ClioHarry]

Update

I won a 1*2 spoiler on eBay the other day for £4.86 with free postage. This fixed the problem with my centre brake light as well. Only problem is it's the wrong colour.

Before and after

So I might either colour code it or wrap it. Or I could keep it silver and have a black/silver scheme, maybe I could paint the bumper strip silver for example.. Thoughts?

I also got a K7N 57i cheap off eBay and fitted the filter from my old car onto it. Just waiting for some oil then I can fit that.

I've had to fix a couple of bits as well, I tried fitting another gear knob yesterday which, long story short, ended up in me requiring a new gear leaver and casing. Half of my exhaust has arrived however I am still waiting on the other half as they ship from different places.
I've given up with the ABS now as well, but I've got until the MOT in October to sort it.

 

[ClioHarry]

My exhaust arrived today but it's not what I ordered.. I ordered stainless with a slash cut inward rolled but instead I got a bean can 😂 Anyway im not waiting another 2 weeks for the correct one to arrive so I'll ring the place tomorrow and see what they say.

This is it (it's not a sportex)

I got it fitted but I've got a couple of leaks to fix which I think may be between the engine and cat.. I need to modify the bracket a bit as well to try and get it to sit in the exhaust cut out. Badly need to get something in the back of the car to soak up the exhaust noise though.

Also I might remove the induction kit but I'm not sure.