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Project Clubsport Clio 200



Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
I thought that I'd start a build/progress thread for the car, rather than potentially posting small, incremental updates as and when. I'll try to keep everything updated, from maintenance and experiences, to mods past, present and any future plans.

So. Here we go.

I've owned the car from new and it was ordered by complete chance as it happened. I visited my then local Renaultsport specialist (Warrington, Cheshire) for some parts for my 182 (I'll dig out some pics sometime) and at the time, the dealership had a red 200 Raider on display in the showroom. Instantly I was interested and kind of fell for it there and then and was back within a week to place my order.

I came back a week later to start the process and pick my options, but before then I wanted to drive a demo. As the Raider was on display, they let me take the Sales Manager's regular 200... which happened to be Ultra Red. :sunglasses: I had been thinking about the Raider and being a big detailing nerd, I was worried about not being able to geek out properly on a matte finish and since I couldn't order any of the Renault ID colours (my car was one of the last factory orders) I went with Ultra Red.

I went a bit mental on the options list, so the car has every option bar rear park sensors, as they ruin the look of the bumper. Everything else was ticked. We agreed a price, I sold my 182 and my Twingo 133 which I had at the time as a daily.

The car arrived at the docks where my mate happened to work in April 2012, so he snapped it at the import centre for me :sunglasses:

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I then took delivery of it on May 1st 2012. I took a few days holiday, plus the weekend and did a full new car prep/detail on the car. Removing all abrasions/QA sanding marks etc. It was flawless.

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I then swapped the horrible grey centre caps for matching black ones, purchased from a CS member.

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...and detailed it further. :hearteyes:

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I then ordered some goodies. H&R 25mm hubcentric spacers, along with H&R 30/40 springs.

Spacers on:

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Springs and spacers on:

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It stayed like this from 2012 to 2016. I was really happy with it.

It did Le Mans, Euro road trips, meetings and events and then in 2015/2016, I went to the Nurburgring...

It was here that I realised what I wanted to do with the car, and the direction I wanted to go with it once it was outside of the manufacturer's warranty in May 2016.

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Luigi and I getting laps in.

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After returning from Germany (where the slave cylinder let go on the way home 😂) I started to make a few changes to the car, ready for 2017, the Nurburgring and track days. Eventually retiring the car to a weekend toy.

I stripped the rear seats out, removed the bench and fitted a sunstrip, with the goal to fitting buckets and a cage. I also ordered some more track-focused rubber, in the shape of Advan AD08Rs, along with additional bracing front and rear on the underside.

The suspension was also due for a refresh, so a new set of 200 Cup-spec dampers were ordered, along with a new set of H&R 30/40 springs. I've yet to find a better combination for UK roads, in either coilover or OE setup. Bilstein's B14 kit would probably be closest but I'm totally happy with the tweaked OE setup for my use for now. I also had a local exhaust centre delete the resonator/centre silencer, so it sounds a bit more like a rowdy hot hatch should do.

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So, what's next?

I've just ordered the following parts, which should make things a lot more serious:

2x Corbeau Clubsport fixed buckets in black
Dark grey Alcantara steering wheel with red stitching and red centre marker
Dark grey Alcantara gearknob and gear gaiter with red stitching (all from Royal)
Sparco fixed subframes.
I also have a rear interior strut tower brace that I've had painted Ultra Red.
Removal of the rear seat belts and mounting points.

Future plans for 2017:

Safety Devices/Mark Fish rear cage. Powder coated Ultra Red
Some form of front splitter. All the ones I've seen look too delicate for track use
Battery relocation to make way for...
Aftermarket airbox

Then who knows! My long term plans are to keep it as a weekend toy, eventually fit cams, ITBs and go down the hardcore NA route. Turbos aren't my thing at all; I like revs.

Most important of all though is that I enjoy the car more. On track and on the road. I'll try and keep it simple.

Comments, suggestions, links etc all appreciated.

Chris
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
A small update.

A few weekends ago I decided to clear my scuttle drains, since they'd never been cleared before and they car's now five years old. It proved to be a good decision! The offside drain was completely blocked and had a few inches of pooled water at the top of the turret. Everything was cleaned, cleared and sealed. Much better. I worked on it whilst my mate with a 172 Cup sorted his exhaust and a few other bits on his project.

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This weekend I've removed both Sportsters ready for the buyer to collect this coming weekend. They were also shampooed, brushed and sealed with a hydrophobic coating.

The removal went perfectly... up until I rounded off the FINAL BLOODY TORX BOLT and then had to drive over an hour away to my mate's house to borrow his impact. Fortunately it came right off with an impact and an oversized T45 which I hammered on. Phew.

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Then steering wheel, gaiter and gearknob were also all removed in readiness for my shipment from Royal :sunglasses:

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I'll just use the daily until everything's fitted now... that 1.2 8v life! 😂

So excited to get the new parts fitted.
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Small update from last night.

I finally cleaned my silver seat belts using the method that Giles wrote on here. It worked a treat! Lovely silver belts once again, all ready for the new seats.

I also removed the plastic A pillar covers and retrimmed them in dark grey 9001 Alcantara. A million times better looking and it'll all tie in with the Alcantara wheel, gaiter and gearknob that I've ordered from Royal.

I feel like it's all coming together now. :sunglasses:

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Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
A bit more progress last night... little and often! Bigger updates coming once all my new parts arrive.

Arrived home from work to see the results of the weekend's detailing session. The car wasn't corrected because the paint is generally in great condition, it was more about depth and additional protection.

Crappy iPhone photo but hey.

Washed with Zaino Z2
Decon using Tardis in the worst places (lower doors, bootlid, rear bumper)
Clayed with Sonus Mild w/ 50% soap mix
HydrO2 applied to lower panels, wheels, diffuser and heavy fouling areas
Towel dried with Water Magnet x2
Glazed with Prima Amigo x2
Waxed with Soft99 Mirror wax (AMAZING stuff)
Gtechniq G1 & G2 on all glass
Gtechniq C4 on all plastics
Final wipedown with Zaino Z8 x2
Prima Wheel Armour used on all wheels
AutoFinesse Satin used to dress all tyres and buffed off to a matte finish

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The interior was tackled on day two when I removed the seats, shampooed them and sealed the fabric.

Sportsters sat ready for collection on Sunday by the new owner.

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Also fitted my newly retrimmed pillar covers! Looking good! ...shameless free plug for AutoFinesse, too.

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Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Finally completed my set of 200 Cup plastic sidestrips to fit. Some people aren't a fan, since it's a FF and I'm technically downgrading it, but I like the look of them.

Also waiting for a small black lip spoiler for the back.

Thoughts? Apologies for the poor quality Instagram image.

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Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Received my Ultra Racing rear brace yesterday and confirmation that my big delivery from Royal will be tomorrow. Fitted the new subframes last night. Perfect fit.

Excited isn't the word.

I've also borrowed a Pole Position from a friend so I'll be fitting that on Sunday and finally go for a drive!

...with a bit of luck.
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
OH HI.

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Blown away by the quality of Jack's work. It's unreal.

Can't wait to get them all fitted tonight and go for a dri... oh. 😞
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Decent sized update this weekend, finally! My retrimmed parts arrived from Jack at Royal on Friday, so after work I cracked on with installing them. Everything went back together really easily aside from the gaiter. The OE gaiter is stables to the (very flimsy) silver plastic surround which comes away from the shroud, so it's quite a time consuming process to unpick all the staples carefully and then re-staple the new boot to it.

Considering it's only a small touch, the Alcantara parts make such a huge difference to how the interior feels to sit in (on the floor with no seats. Lol) and really makes it feel special. The Alcantara pillars that I wrapped last week are also a pretty good match, so it all looks really tidy IMO. I also fitted my new Ultra Racing rear brace, which I had painted satin black. I wasn't a fan of the white or the previous red that I had done, so black was the option I went with. So much cleaner looking.

Since my seats were delayed another four weeks, I was itching to drive the car again and borrowed a friend's Pole Position on Saturday. Unfortunately the seat mounting don't line up 100% so I didn't feel safe taking it for a drive, but it did give me a good idea of how the finished product will look. Bear in mind that this is with the PP sat on the floorpan, so the seat height look very low, but you get the idea! :hearteyes: Literally can't wait to get the Clubsports in and go for a drive now...

Chris

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...and yes, I trimmed the furry edges to my seat belts after these pics. OCD. 😌
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Small update, as still no seats. 😧

I sent back my OMP subframes and changed them for Sparco ones, as the OMP's sat too low for me.

I've also sourced some red seatbelts from a lad on RS197.200, so they'll be in the post this week! Chuffed with that! They'll really finish off the interior IMO. This but with red belts. :smiley:

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I had a few hours spare yesterday after being with the in-laws all weekend, so mocked up some rear spats from thick, satin 3M vinyl. They turned out pretty well I think. Not sure if I'll keep them, but they'll do a good job of protecting the arches from more damage.

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Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Seats have been once again delayed by Corbeau. Now looking at May 15th for shipment. Almost two and a half months after ordering... :sleeping:

A few extras turned up today, ready for the track/summer season:

Renaultsport trackday/show plates
2x Recaro resistor kits
Red RS seatbelts :sunglasses:
Larger satin black sunstrip (since the new seats will be a lot lower)
ARP stud conversion kit with anodised black nuts

I've also managed to borrow an OMP universal side mount from a friend, so all being well I'll be able to fit the borrowed Pole Position and go for a drive next week/weekend.

Every cloud!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Yeah, I'm over the moon with the finished interior now and relieved that it turned out exactly how I wanted it to.

Aside from a few tweaks like painting my vents (not decided on colour) and sorting the Safety Devices cage later this summer, it's mostly done, interior wise now.

Next up it's boring things like MOT, cambelt/major service at Birchdown and a brake refresh.

Then I'll be getting a few trackdays booked. I'll be doing Anglesey with a few mates in August, but hopefully another before then. I'm thinking of either Oulton or Cadwell but that's money permitting. I'm still set on going back to the Ring in August/September so this will come first, before another track day.

Once I've done these, I should have another idea on what the car needs/what I'd like. I'm thinking adjustable top mounts/330mm brake upgrade, Bilsteins etc. I'll start modifying the engine later down the line. It's plenty quick enough for fun already!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
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Fitted all the 200 Cup strips tonight, I ordered a spare driver's side strip to replace one that @Plummer had painted for his own car. Looks so good now... and will be back on the road tomorrow!

RS plates test fitted too.
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
So that's it, all up to date.
Shamelessly and lazily copied from my project thread on 200net, so apologies if the timeline seems compacted.
This has been over a period of months so far, but was easier to post this way. :cool:

Next updates will be splitter fitting, major service with belts and a few new mods. 😌
Compbrake springs to mind. :nomouth:
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
You should book on to Oulton for the bank holiday Monday on the 29th May, mate.

There's a family fun day on and they're running AM and PM sessions for £89.

Me, @Niall @JB21 @Danith are booked on for the PM sessions.

http://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/calendar/2017/may/29-op-family-day.aspx

All depends on whether i'll have had the belts done by then. I don't fancy a trackday on five year-old belts.
Hopefully it should be sorted. Just waiting to hear back from RST/Birchdown on dates.
That's a great price though, it would be a laugh!
 

JamesBryan

ClioSport Club Member
  Titanium 182
You've got Gary Burnett in Warrington for a Renault Specialist and @bloke on the Wirral if the others are booked up.

I'm using the day as a test for my new box and diff which is getting fitted on Friday :grin:
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
You've got Gary Burnett in Warrington for a Renault Specialist and @bloke on the Wirral if the others are booked up.

I'm using the day as a test for my new box and diff which is getting fitted on Friday :grin:

Nice one! Never heard of GB. Have you used them yourself?
 

JamesBryan

ClioSport Club Member
  Titanium 182
Nice one! Never heard of GB. Have you used them yourself?

He's been open about 3 years now. Got a Meg 225 himself.

Our John has used him for diagnostics with Clip, didn't charge him for some too.

Niall has used him for his starter motor and alternator too. Also replaced some clips and bolts that were missing for free.

Seems a decent guy.
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
He's been open about 3 years now. Got a Meg 225 himself.

Our John has used him for diagnostics with Clip, didn't charge him for some too.

Niall has used him for his starter motor and alternator too. Also replaced some clips and bolts that were missing for free.

Seems a decent guy.

Just called now and he's cheaper than both quotes so far and really knew his stuff. Hmm!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
What's his price for the 200 belts?

Do they have dephasers, they don't do they?

£600 all in with dephaser. Different design though and they're pretty reliable. That said, I'll still be having mine replaced.
£500 without the dephaser.
Plus £160 for the major service, so £760 all in. :D
 

JamesBryan

ClioSport Club Member
  Titanium 182
£600 all in with dephaser. Different design though and they're pretty reliable. That said, I'll still be having mine replaced.
£500 without the dephaser.
Plus £160 for the major service, so £760 all in. :smiley:

Decent!

Just looked, the dephasers are £90 so worth changing for the price tbh.

You could do the oil and plugs change yourself to save a bit of money if needed.
 
Good updates, can't wait to start on mine properly.

James, I'm utterly maxed with uni assignments at the moment, so the Cup has been neglected a touch, I won't have the jobs sorted I want doing by the end of May, plus I'm not particularly arsed about a 3 hour PM session. I do plan to do at least one this year though, likely Anglesey, and likely August/early Sept time.
 
Great thread and as said before, very cool that you've had the car from brand new so therefore know everything that's been done and the quality of the work and maintenance from day one :cool:

These new plans however are looking awesome, look forward to other updates and the seats FINALLY in lol!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Great thread and as said before, very cool that you've had the car from brand new so therefore know everything that's been done and the quality of the work and maintenance from day one :cool:

These new plans however are looking awesome, look forward to other updates and the seats FINALLY in lol!

Cheers :cool:

You and me both mate! I'll hopefully be temp fitting the Pole Position later and finally going for a test drive!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
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Update time:
My new Sparco subframes came to replace the terrible OMP ones that I originally ordered. If you're looking for Mk3 frames, avoid them like the plague; they barely fit.
I offered up the Sparcos and they lined right up, then chucked the sidemounts on and had the first drive in nearly two months. The driving position and bucket completely changed how the car feels, it's like a big kart now. Love it.

I only went to get fuel and for a few quick pictures but all seems well. No airbag lights, no seat belt beep. All good.

The only negative is that the sidemounts I've borrowed from a mate are universal, so they're fixed with no runners and the driving position is a lot further back than I'm used to. I normally like to sit fairly close so I can wrist the top of the wheel, Ragnotti style, but there's no chance of that. It'll do the job until my seats arrive though!
 

Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
Had the whole weekend free (Mrs was away with friends) so I did a lot of driving to make up for the 8 weeks of not driving. Headed over to Rivington on Saturday/Sunday and then ended up in Macclesfield on Monday, so had a few runs up the Cat & Fiddle road. The car's totally transformed since I last drove it, the Pole Position totally transforms how committed you can be on a hard drive, also makes pedal work so much easier being lower in the car.

The AD08Rs work really well in the warm weather and I definitely notice the weight I've removed too. I had the car weighed on the Saturday and it came in at 1138kg, with no driver but 1/4 tank of fuel. That's about 66kg saved over standard, but with just the one seat. My goal is sub-1100kg with two seats and all interior trim as it is now... it's a lofty target but I have a rear wiper delete, V6 Airbox, dry cell battery and plans to remove the tar/hidden insulation etc, so it's doable.

As long as it doesn't turn into a rattlebox too much, I'm happy losing the insulation. It's mainly a road car after all.

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The next item on the agenda is to book track time & start planning the trip back to the Ring in August/September. Even if it's just for the weekend, I'm set on heading back this year.

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Love this 200! Love the OEM+ nature with all the upgrades your doing.

I love Rivington Road the one that runs from Belmont to Rivington/Horwich, now they have resurfaced it to acceptable point it's a truly cracking stretch of road IMO.

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Christopher

ClioSport Club Member
  Z4M
The height of that seat! Must be 10 inches lower than standard 😂

That picture above is with no subframe OR sidemounts, so yeah it probably is. Now it's fitted it's more like a 3-4 inch drop from the standard Recaros. So much better.
 


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