Project Rare Dragon

[Mendizmo]

Yeah that's my thoughts too.

Thanks for that I will have a look for one.

In 2006 I had a look in a Renault garage in Edinburgh initially at a 172 Cup. The salesman took me out in what I think was an identical 182 to yours with the Recaros. I didn't pull the trigger but he pestered me for ages! I held off for my Subaru a year or so after.

Would like to see how a 182 compares to a 172 Cup now.

For me the 172 Cup & the 182 are massively different. My Cup enjoyed being driven fast, had no toys like air con or anything, & I could tell it had less sound proofing & thinner glass.
The 182 seems heavier, beefier, more relaxed to drive but still has the power there. It's the perfect balance.

 

[Mendizmo]

Do the shocks yourself dude? Or did you throw it to motortech?

Yeah took it to them about 5pm yesterday & they did it in about half hour so all good.
Stayed there chatting for about 45 minutes though!

 

[Sally B]

Wow! Loving the engine bay!!!!

 

[Mendizmo]

Wow! Loving the engine bay!!!!

Thank you! Hope I can stay on top of it. Here's a pic with the 'fatty' induction kit & black battery tray.

 

[Sally B]

I've got inspiration from yours to improve mine, pic of mine currently,

 

[Mendizmo]

Another couple of updates from me:
Got my Snappy wheel on Friday & wasted now time in fitting it! I absolutely love his wheels, he's truly a master at his craft.
I opted for silver stitches to match the clocks, and perforated thumb grips/bottom section. No coloured band at the top this time. It looks & feels so amazing, I just love holding it & driving with it lol.

I also sprayed my dash strips, knob & wheel inserts BMW sparkling graphite grey.
Combined with the snappy wheel it really ties the whole interior together & I think it looks better without obviously bright coloured strips (silver, blue etc).

Finally, it's the small things that count so I replaced my sun visor/vanity mirror bulbs with white LED festoon bulbs! Makes for a nice crisp look when you see if you've got any food on your face

Future plans & stuff; thinking off removing the bumper washer jets.
Need to spray my grill gloss black. Pop my blue bullets on that @Spinksy is sorting for me (want an all blue door trim look going on).
I might get round to spraying the speedo dial surround to the BMW grey, but not just yet.
Finally, I STILL need to do that big detail & get some polish & wax on it. Weather, work & motivation plays a huge part in this however.
Anyway, enough talk. Few pics & I'll update soon.
Thanks for looking.

(The picture showing the dash strips was before I got the new wheel on)

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Steering Wheel looks great, really can't fault his work. Add's to the Interior.

 

[Kosy]

This is fast becoming one of my favourite cars on the forum.

Love the wheel. Exactly what I'm after too. I far prefer it without the line on the top. Is it any thicker?

 

[Mendizmo]

This is fast becoming one of my favourite cars on the forum.

Love the wheel. Exactly what I'm after too. I far prefer it without the line on the top. Is it any thicker?

Thanks Kos, I appreciate that! There are loads of nicer members cars on here though, most of which have had a huge amount of effort put in!

It's not thicker as such (but I imagine he could do it) it's just so much nicer as its real leather. So soft & smooth lol, I really do love holding it & it genuinely makes driving it a pleasure. Thanks again matey!

 

[Kosy]

I like that its not thicker. Looks OEM but just lifts the interior and I imagine adds a lot to the driving experience. Definitely on my to-do!

 

[Mendizmo]

Thought I'd just upload a couple of pics of the interior view. iphone shot but it shows the darker dash strips & inserts, plus the new Snappy wheel! The Graphite Grey really ties the interior together & nothing stands out IMO.
Going to get new wheel bolts come pay day as I've got 2 different lockers front & rear lol.
Hopefully looking to spray the front grill too, but the question is; Satin or Gloss black?! I had Gloss on the Cup & I've seen Daniels 182 with Satin & it looks lovely so I'm not sure.

Oh yeah, the washer jets are going & being blanked off too, again come pay day (Carbon ones from FleaBay).
Picture time. Thanks for reading as always & update soon.
Cheers.

 

[ADS_V6]

Looks lovely mate .Maybe santa get you a nice set of rs mats from renault to finish it off.

 

[Mendizmo]

Thanks Ad, it's getting there.
I've have been thinking about it mate, nice set of new ones would look minty mint, but the coloured RS logo ones in now come up quite nice.
Been talking to people & it might be PMS top mounts for Xmas at the moment lol. Just looking on old threads about having them on daily drivers/road cars.

 

[ADS_V6]

I had them on a month but get the brace aswell ,really transform s the car imo.

 

[Mendizmo]

I was gonna leave the brace to be honest mate, do you really rate it & think it's worth it? Is that the one I will have to drill?
I don't do track days, but enjoy a spirited drive & get my foot down once in a while. Massive difference noticeable instantly would you say?

 

[ADS_V6]

Yes stiffens front end up,very noticeable.Also whiteline rear arb gets big thumbs up

 

[Mendizmo]

I've heard the ARB can make the rear really twitch & a but uncontrollable sometimes? Or is that only if you're giving it full beans?!!

 

[Mendizmo]

Couple of updates again from me, starting early this year!
A few weeks ago I sprayed my upper grille satin black which looks so much better IMO.

Today I've removed my washer jets & fitted Mega Carbon blanks, which, again improves the front end.
Next step for the front is the fog surrounds in satin black.

Firstly, the MOT is due end of Jan & I know I'll need some rear discs & pads, so when I can I'll be in touch with @George@RTR_Parts for the bits.

Secondly (& the thing I can't wait for!) I've booked the car in for a session at VII Car Care for a bit of TLC. I just know she will come back looking gorgeous! @MagpieV6

Got my new bullets coming from Spinksy & I think that's it really!

Just gonna maintain, look after, & just enjoy it.
I may go for some more carbon or spraying of the rear bumper strip & exhaust surrounds but we'll see.
I'll shut up for now, here's some pics & I'll update soon.
As always thanks for reading.

 

[ADS_V6]

Happy New Year mate car looks cracking :up:

 

[Mendizmo]

Happy New Year mate car looks cracking :up:

You too Ad, thanks mate she's getting there!

 

[Sally B]

Loving the pictures as always, good inspiration for me! Keep 'em coming!!!

 

[Mendizmo]

Loving the pictures as always, good inspiration for me! Keep 'em coming!!!

Thanks Sally, I'll do my best lol.

 

[Sally B]

The colour of your car really makes it stand out, especially the engine bay, mine being black it's hard to look as good as yours lol!

 

[Mendizmo]

The colour of your car really makes it stand out, especially the engine bay, mine being black it's hard to look as good as yours lol!

Yeah the Blue ones (AB/RB) do stand out a bit.
But with Pearl or Black Gold it's all about those little touches to get it standing out & looking that bit different.

 

[Sally B]

Might go freestyle on mine, I have a tin of red paint so might put some stripes all over my car lol :dizzy: :confounded: Will stand out then! Lol!

 

[RichieJA]

Loving it... Where do you get the stickers for engine cover wasn thinking about painting mine

 

[Mendizmo]

Lol, maybe try it on photoshop first before you go crazy!!
@RichieJA - the 2.0 16v stickers?
@levaz might be able to help you he does vinyl & sticker work

 

[RichieJA]

Yeah that's then ones thanks

 

[levaz]

Shouldn't be a problem doing them
Can even do a custom font if you wanted.
Pm me if you want and we'll sort something.
@Mendizmo your recaro ones still looking fresh?

 

[levaz]

Just had another look at your bay photo.
We need to sort out that fuel rail guard

 

[Mendizmo]

@levaz - yeah mate the White Recaro ones are still great.
Yeah that's further down on the list lol. Need it though.

 

[levaz]

@levaz - yeah mate the White Recaro ones are still great.
Yeah that's further down on the list lol. Need it though.

I might have a spare

 

[Mendizmo]

So I popped my new CS sticker on earlier. Went for the CS design as I've had the one under the brake light twice now.
Thinking I should have put the red bar on top of the black bit of the screen but sod it, rep the forum & a nice obvious bit of colour.

 

[GazzaKnight]

Sticking in the numberplates of my old cars and found this! I'm the guy you bought it off back in the day! You Still got it mate? Glad to see it continued to be looked after.