rossjacko's BG 182

[rossjacko]

Had picture issues I've decided to try posting again!

So after parting with my sorely missed Focus ST, I decided I needed a fun, good value hot hatch. Enter the 182. Picked it up for going rates, its a 2004 Black Gold 182 with Cup suspension (not got the Cup spoiler pack oddly, something I'd like to add). It's had a few modification done to it and been looked after by KTec in its past (well known in the Renault circles). I bought it having had a KTec induction kit, KTec Ultra Performance exhaust (non resonated) and lowered by 40mm on Apex springs. Here's a pic from the ad:

She drove well, but after a week or so I realised the ride was terrible and the exhaust too loud. So I bought some goodies: resonated centre section, Eibach Pro-Kit springs to raise it a bit and put a decent ride back on. Also bought some new number plates (a skinny one for the front too).

Got the exhaust fitted in no time:

Made it a fair bit better, is still a bit droney for me though.

Plates made a load of difference, I hate the GB ones. Whilst I was at it I put the newer style Renault Sport badge on the back to replace the original that Halfords copied. Yes I know the front one isn't on straight but I'll be pulling it off when I detail her.

Springs. Wasn't impressed at all with the ride or manufacture of the Apex springs. They'd be great on track but this car is my daily so I'm keen to keep some comfort!

Polished the headlights up too:

I also de-bobbled the alcantara:

Gave her a quick wash too last weekend. Missed out on the tyre shine though. Need to get the grills sorted, look really old!

Next plans: fit standard airbox, full service, full detail over Christmas, paint the grills black and yellow fogs. Want to trim the pillars and potentially headlining too.

 

[imprezaworks]

That looks great

 

[K_McDermott]

Nice, looks a lot better with the plates and new springs [emoji106] looks a clean car


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[oVerboost.]

Looks like a nice example, good progress so far too Future plans?

 

[rossjacko]

Cheers all!

In the near future, it'll be a service and a paint correction detail (as close as corrected I can get without buying loads more stuff). Paint the grills too and yellow fogs. Also got an original airbox to put on to make it a bit quieter.

Further future might include alcantara bits inside, potential snappy steering wheel if I can justify the funds, and maybe a small underseat sub to take the rattle out if the door speakers.

 

[rossjacko]

So I fitted some aero blades.

Badly fitted the yellow fogs, I'll redo them but wanted to get a feel for the look. There's also a bit if a following for the Renaultsport stuff here at work, I think there's 6 or so 172/182 here and a few Megane 225/R26s (the Meg's were developed by us (Ricardo)).

 

[SparkyB]

Looking really good! How much better is the ride on eibachs? My 182 has Apex 40mm springs and a small dip in the road is like driving over a landmine......

 

[rossjacko]

Looking really good! How much better is the ride on eibachs? My 182 has Apex 40mm springs and a small dip in the road is like driving over a landmine......

It completely transformed the ride! As you say, ride was terrible on Apex springs but the Eibach's are worlds apart. Can drive the car faster on the road because I'm not jumping across it so much. They're loads more compliant.

 

[SparkyB]

Thanks Mate I might have to change up my springs then! I've got a company car and when I get back in the 182 for a drive it just skips and jumps all over the shop.

 

[rossjacko]

So whilst I've got a week off I decided to give the car a full exterior detail (and interior if I have time). I'll let the pictures do the talking, not much to add.

And then all washed, clayed etc:

Then got to work with the rotary. Teaser shot:

Will update when she's finished. Doing a full service too this week.

 

[rossjacko]

Finished photos as promised. Pretty happy with it. Car was finished with Zymol Glasur wax, and this morning a quick Auto Finesse Glisten coat to finish her off. Windows treated with Gtechniq G5.

 

[20vKarlos]

Looks lovely mate

 

[182_steve]

Looks great that, well worth the effort and time polishing and correcting it :up::up:

Looks a very clean car, what's the miles on it?

 

[rossjacko]

Looks great that, well worth the effort and time polishing and correcting it :up::up:

Looks a very clean car, what's the miles on it?

Thanks for the words all!

96k miles. Bonnet is well stone chipped and could do with a paint but otherwise she's clean. Also needs melted steering wheel doing and a new set of mats to make it A1, all in good time. Wanted to sort the steering wheel but all in good time.

 

[rossjacko]

So after driving back home yesterday I have a mysterious flashing engine check light. Misfire of sorts it seems. I've checked the coil leads in turn with it running and taking them off one by one makes it misfire badly, same with the injectors. There isn't one that seems to make little difference. It might be a lambda sensor, need to get it plugged in.

 

[magic354]

Paint correction looking good matey!

 

[rossjacko]

Thanks @magic354. Took long enough!

Light is the post cat sensor playing up. Odd as it's only since I've done the plugs. Might not have helped giving it a proper hard drive on the way home after Christmas. Gonna get it swapped out, hopefully it'll sort it. Thanks @stevem42 for reading the codes for me!

 

[magic354]

Thanks @magic354. Took long enough!

Light is the post cat sensor playing up. Odd as it's only since I've done the plugs. Might not have helped giving it a proper hard drive on the way home after Christmas. Gonna get it swapped out, hopefully it'll sort it. Thanks @stevem42 for reading the codes for me!

Paint looks nice and level, can't really see any orange peel in it. Were you compounding?

 

[rossjacko]

I did have a go with a bit of compounding but gave up as it was taking so long and getting everywhere (only had the old school G3 polish, thought I had some decent stuff at the folks place but turns out not). In the end, I used the old school G3 with some of the newer G3 paint renovator on a ShineMate orange pad (small blob of old G3 with a couple of blobs of newer on the pad) then refined with a white ShineMate pad using a 50/50 AF Tripple/Poorboys Black Hole combo. Bit of a mix-up but seems OK. Topped with a layer of Zymol Glasur, and a quick spray over with AF Glisten before I wheeled her out the garage. Windows coated with Gtechniq G5 and plastics with AF Revive.

 

[td_dan]

Been watching this on 306oc lovely motor

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

[rossjacko]

Thanks @td_dan. It's a good over on there, I miss having my old 306.

@magic354 some comparison photos. You'll see it's not perfect. The after photo is before refining.

Well impressed with the AF Revive though, didn't realise it beads like it does!

 

[td_dan]

ye its a good site with very friendly people, I had a 172 cup but need a diesel daily so got another 306 hdi lol always end up back there

 

[magic354]

Thanks @td_dan. It's a good over on there, I miss having my old 306.

@magic354 some comparison photos. You'll see it's not perfect. The after photo is before refining.

Well impressed with the AF Revive though, didn't realise it beads like it does!

Definitely a massive improvement, the BG paint comes up so lovely with a machine- brings back so much sparkle!

Than beading is insane! Love a good beading action haha.

Good stuff with the wax, have you ever used a longer term sealant before?

 

[rossjacko]

Definitely a massive improvement, the BG paint comes up so lovely with a machine- brings back so much sparkle!

Than beading is insane! Love a good beading action haha.

Good stuff with the wax, have you ever used a longer term sealant before?

Thanks!
Not used a longer term sealant, no. Apart from the G5 on the windows, which I'm MASSIVELY impressed with, I might treat myself to Gtechniq's paint sealants...

 

[magic354]

Thanks!
Not used a longer term sealant, no. Apart from the G5 on the windows, which I'm MASSIVELY impressed with, I might treat myself to Gtechniq's paint sealants...

Just imagine a wax... on steroids!! Haha. I like to use a synthetic sealant for the long term protection/water beading/easy washing then follow with a wax for the deep shine. I use Chemical Guys stuff personally, but GTechniq is awesome too.

 

[imprezaworks]

Solution finish lasts longer than revive btw

 

[rossjacko]

Good to know, might look into solution finish. I've considered sealants before - had some contact with them in the past but used what I've had always (was given the Glasur, it was laying around at work at the time).

Lambda sensor light hasn't been coming on of late - got one coming though, guess it'll be good as a spare. Post cat sensor is more for diagnostics anyway. Also got a brake switch as I think the current one is causing my low speed ABS judder.

Got the induction kit swapped out for standard airbox setup - so much quieter. Not sure of its placebo but doesn't feel as responsive but it is as quick. Keeping the induction kit anyway for track work. As a daily driver it's much nicer now.

 

[rossjacko]

So quick update. The lambda issue isn't coming back now I've shelled out for and had a new sensor delivered, sods law. Never mind.

Loads happier with the car after fitting the induction kit. Much more enjoyable to be in.

Had a pair of new tyres fitted, Avon ZV7. Seem good so far! Haven't had chance yet to properly push them. They seem to complement the ZV5 up front.

Gave the car a wash Saturday too, first one since detailing it over Christmas. Fairly pleased with my efforts although I'm now more aware of age related marks. At some point I'll paint and flat them.

Future plans are to try and find an underseat sub, and I might trim the A pillars in alcantara. Keep looking at other cars though when I got bored at home but nothing out there will give the same sort of value for money, so she'll stay for the time being.

 

[rossjacko]

So not much to update with other than the new tyres seem great value and I'm much happier with the car day to day with the standard airbox in place.

Managed to go out for a drive with some friends from north of Hove over to Beachy Head on the back roads. Was great fun.

Want to get the steering wheel retrimmed, and do something with the door handles as the soft touch coating stuff is all scratched up from use. Wondering about keeping it simple and putting pov spec items in, or painting them body colour.

 

[rossjacko]

So, bit of a sad update to this thread. Today I sold her! I've enjoyed the fun with the car, but actually having the time to drive the car at the limit where it wants to be just isn't happening. Spritely petrol engine isn't the one in traffic or on the motorway which unfortunately is where I spend most of my time. It's been cracking fun and would have been nice to keep it but these things happen. She's being replaced with a 330Cd E46 Coupé - something completely different!
Might look out for a cheap 1*2 in the future as a toy as I've been very impressed with this one. They seem to be getting cheaper what with belts etc needing doing - something I can happily do myself.
Anyway, the last photo I have which I took after I cleaned her up for the new owner.

I might even get a thread up of the BMW if there is anything decent to post about it.