The life of... SharkyUK's Trophy

[Matt W]

Very sad but understandable.

 

[Coops Mk1]

Such a shame, sell off the turbo bits, use the money to install a stock engine and then sell or use

 

[youngarthur]

Hopefully,you will find a sense of relief, that this saga has come to an end. At times I have felt depressed/annoyed about your car, so I can't imagine what you have been through!. Move on, ignore any negative comments, its your life after all.

 

[Paul172sport]

Such a shame Andy. From meeting you few years back you're a cracking guy. Gutted for you but hopefully you'll get yourself something that you can enjoy even more in the future

 

[welshname]

Slap a standard engine in it, get it roughly back together to a point where you can enjoy it. Drive it and keep the parts for a bit.

If you decide enough is enough flog the parts, otherwise get them fitted to a complete car which would be much easier.

 

[Thrust-Rated]

I think banging a standard engine in will be a wise move
It may be a struggle outlying extra costs etc but least then you can enjoy the trophy and keep it in your possession

 

[nath&alex]

@SharkyUK I have to say I was as I always am excited to see your post had been updated followed very closely by sadness.

I feel really sad for you as I know it can’t have been an easy decision to make. But at some point you have take a reality check. I feel happy for you as you now feel a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Unlike others I won’t give my opinion on what you should do, that is upto you!! But I wish all the best with what you decide ??

 

[George182]

The end of an era for CS.

 

[v15ben]

A saga with more twists than Game of Thrones.
Probably the right decision, but it still seems surreal.

 

[Louis]

Gutted to hear about this! Remember reading through the early days of the thread before fully joining CS.
Onwards and upwards I hope!

 

[Chambers_RS]

I thought this would be the case, I’m sure it’s the right decision yet such the wrong decision.

It’s your choice and I’m sure many even my self have been faced with.

I really hoped you could keep it.

 

[SharkyUK]

Sad to see. But completely understandable. Comes the time where you have to say enough enough sadly. You never think youd end up in a place like this. When you have faith in a garage but then get fucked over.

Cheers fella - you are absolutely right. Enough is enough! I really wanted to see it finished but it wasn't to be. All the best!

You say the main issue is that it's been left in a bad state.. Is that the engine? Then just spend £2k on a forged engine with Phil in Wales and be done with it?

Honestly don't see what is so bad that you're throwing in the towel now

The engine is brand new freshly built to a very high spec mate, but far from an easy bolt-on / drop-in type affair. I'm not sure if you've seen recent updates but it's so much more than just the engine unfortunately. The 2k wouldn't even cover the costs of the conrods and pistons that are already in there. There's hard pipes, exhaust, a whole new intercooler and pipework needed, a new exhaust system, the list goes on. Don't forget I've already had these made and they've been paid for, only to find out they are sub-par and not capable of handling 350bhp (or anywhere near) and I'm faced with starting again. Nope. Enough is enough.

The whole thing has been a total farce. A genuinely nice guy repeatedly let down by so many ‘reputable’ specialists.

40k and the cars in bits.

Those people ought to hang their heads in shame.

Cheers fella. It's ironic that the car is finally in a good place with someone who has got it all back on track, but only to truly find out how far away the end line still is. I could quite feasibly throw another 7k+ at it and it still need more. I just cannot face that when, in truth, it went past 'ridiculous' some time ago.

Gutted to hear this Andy. I can understand your situation on the matter and wanting to stop now before things get worse etc.

What frustrates me is you can guarantee the comments will come from the usual folk who want to criticise.
I've had the pleasure of meeting you and seeing the car in person several times and can vouch for how nice of a guy you are.

My moneys on @davo172 having the usual dig about the traders' involvement with it all.
Stuck record comes to mind.

On a serious note though. I hope you find a weight lifted off your shoulders with whatever you decide to do with the car.

Cheers Chris, and thanks for the kind words and support - appreciated mate

Don't be too harsh my friend - people will always have their own preferences/views and be inclined to comment. I'm big and ugly enough (I think) generally to take it. There's always going to be good and bad and I genuinely have appreciated all the feedback - good, bad or indifferent. I do apologise for the times when I've been pissed off and short with folks but - hopefully - that hasn't been too often!

Keep in touch regardless mate. I'll be hanging around anyway, Clio or not.

Sad to hear but glad it’s over for you. It would make more sense to take the car back to standard and enjoy the car how Renault intended it for yourself. Bitter sweet.

Indeed mate - I feel better having made the decision. It had become a burden (and not just for me).

So you decided then lol.

Can't say I blame you tbh mate.

I did! LOL! Even my patience has a limit. Cheers fella

Real shame Andy, completely understandable..

Could you not enjoy the car in standard form?.


Least you can get that cayman gt4 now ?

Thanks mate. It felt really weird making the decision yesterday (whilst sat with my better half in my fave cafe eating sausage, egg and chips!) Honestly I felt like crying! *sniff*

I think it will probably end up going back to standard and then I will decide what to do.

Sadly I'm not familiar with the Cayman GT4 mate. I will have a read about it later. All the best.

Definitely the best decision you’ve made, I feel relieved for you, Andy.
I’d personally just break the whole car up for parts, as even to get it back to standard will cost money.

I’d start a new chapter with a completely new/different car.

Yup, that is an option I'm considering. The relief is real and will be more so once I have final 'closure' on the bloody thing! Just over the course of the last day or so I have quite a few offers of donor cars, engines, boxes, etc. so will most likely put it back to standard. I don't know if I will keep it or sell it though - probably sell it and move on. We shall see.

There's definitely a new car on the horizon regardless as I miss having a fun and focused driving machine (as much as I love my better half's Type-R). Cheers

Shame it couldn't be finished but I suppose having it in someone's hands who is capable of doing it but still hearing about problems is understandably enough to tip you over the edge. Chuck a standard engine in and go kick it's head in??.

Exactly that, fella - the car is finally in a good place but the bad news doesn't end! As hard as it is to admit... it's the right decision. And a way overdue decision to many folks I guess. All the best mate

bag to OEM stock

Yes - that is looking like the number one option.

Very sad but understandable.

Cheers Matt - I can finally stop whining and moaning about it.

Such a shame, sell off the turbo bits, use the money to install a stock engine and then sell or use

I can't argue with that mate - I think it's the most sensible option.

Hopefully,you will find a sense of relief, that this saga has come to an end. At times I have felt depressed/annoyed about your car, so I can't imagine what you have been through!. Move on, ignore any negative comments, its your life after all.

Yes - already I feel a sense of relief (albeit tinged with sadness) but it's for the best. I have been through the whole range of emotions for sure, as has your good self! Thanks mate, all the best.

Such a shame Andy. From meeting you few years back you're a cracking guy. Gutted for you but hopefully you'll get yourself something that you can enjoy even more in the future

That was a few years ago now mate! Thanks for the kind words, it is indeed a shame. The next car will definitely be fun and enjoyed, but won't be heavily modified! Cheers

Slap a standard engine in it, get it roughly back together to a point where you can enjoy it. Drive it and keep the parts for a bit.

If you decide enough is enough flog the parts, otherwise get them fitted to a complete car which would be much easier.

I hear you fella - it makes sense to go standard and then take it from there. I'm going to start selling the parts as soon as I have them catalogued in an attempt to recoup some of the costs. I am not even considering using them for another build - time to move on.

@SharkyUK I have to say I was as I always am excited to see your post had been updated followed very closely by sadness.

I feel really sad for you as I know it can’t have been an easy decision to make. But at some point you have take a reality check. I feel happy for you as you now feel a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

Unlike others I won’t give my opinion on what you should do, that is upto you!! But I wish all the best with what you decide ??

I appreciate the comments and chats mate, thanks - and thanks for the well-wishes. Despite the sheer stupidity of the situation it was still a tough decision to make. But, strangely, it felt right within a split-second of making it. It's hard when you are so close and deeply invested in something.

Cheers - all the best!

The end of an era for CS.

Well, I will certainly miss posting updates. Not that I've had many over recent years!

A saga with more twists than Game of Thrones.
Probably the right decision, but it still seems surreal.

Definitely the right decision mate, but definitely feels strange too.

Gutted to hear about this! Remember reading through the early days of the thread before fully joining CS.
Onwards and upwards I hope!

Yes mate - onwards and upwards. Thanks for reading through and following the thread, appreciate it.

I thought this would be the case, I’m sure it’s the right decision yet such the wrong decision.

It’s your choice and I’m sure many even my self have been faced with.

I really hoped you could keep it.

I think a lot of people saw it coming mate, perhaps even I did but didn't want to acknowledge it until now. You're right - you, I and others have no doubt faced similar. And others will too! I genuinely wanted to get it over the finish line but it wasn't to be. All the best mate.

 

[imprezaworks]

If nothing else. Your multi quote has been on point.

 

[SharkyUK]

If nothing else. Your multi quote has been on point.

You did that on purpose, just so I'd quote. Go on, admit it!

 

[Keith185]

Sad that its brought you such lows and that you've had to go down this path, absolutely gutted for you but hopefully new chapter will bring you better joys with whatever car you chose next. Always welcome to have a drive in mine if/when we meet again

 

[Richard]

Really sad Andy, but I can fully understand your decision. Many lesser people would have thrown in the towels years ago. But we have these cars for enjoyment and clearly that has been missing for a long time. Whatever you decide you do i’m Sure it will be the best for you. I have enjoyed reading the entire ownership story right from the beginning and will miss it. Good luck ??

 

[Daniel]

Andy if you need a hand getting the car and all the bits back to your house, I have a recovery truck and a big estate car. You drive one i’ll Drive the other. We’ll get it all back in to your garage in one hit and you can make headway with a plan. That you can control from your garage.

Offers there mate. ?

 

[neil a]

Sad to hear Andy but sounds like it's for the best.
Get the fancy bits sold off, spend a weekend putting a standard loom and engine back in and enjoy the summer in the car.
Let's face it the way things are going with clios , in a few years a decent standard car will be worth more and be more desirable than any modded example.

 

[SharkyUK]

Sad that its brought you such lows and that you've had to go down this path, absolutely gutted for you but hopefully new chapter will bring you better joys with whatever car you chose next. Always welcome to have a drive in mine if/when we meet again

Hi Keith. It is a shame mate - I thought it stood a chance of making it over the line but it wasn't to be. I'm sure the new car will bring plenty of smiles and joy, although a working Trophy is hard to beat! I do hope our paths cross again at some point - whether in Clio circles or otherwise. I wouldn't mind taking you up on your offer too. All the best Keith!

Really sad Andy, but I can fully understand your decision. Many lesser people would have thrown in the towels years ago. But we have these cars for enjoyment and clearly that has been missing for a long time. Whatever you decide you do i’m Sure it will be the best for you. I have enjoyed reading the entire ownership story right from the beginning and will miss it. Good luck ??

Cheers Richard. I think that many far more sensible people would have thrown in the towel many years ago! Sadly the promises were empty and the final vision that I believed was being worked towards was so far from the actual execution... well, I guess the joke is on me. There's not much I can do other than try and wrestle back as much money from it as I can and then use that towards another car. Many, many thanks for reading through the entire story from start to end - you deserve a medal! Hahahaha! Thanks and all the very best.

Andy if you need a hand getting the car and all the bits back to your house, I have a recovery truck and a big estate car. You drive one i’ll Drive the other. We’ll get it all back in to your garage in one hit and you can make headway with a plan. That you can control from your garage.

Offers there mate. ?

Aw man, I love you fella. What can I say? At this moment I'm still thinking through what to do and how to do it but I'll be sure to give you a shout if needs be. Obviously I will be more than happy to cover your time, costs and services. I really appreciate it mate, thank you.

Sad to hear Andy but sounds like it's for the best.
Get the fancy bits sold off, spend a weekend putting a standard loom and engine back in and enjoy the summer in the car.
Let's face it the way things are going with clios , in a few years a decent standard car will be worth more and be more desirable than any modded example.

Sadly it is for the best Neil. On the plus side, the more I think about it the more I agree in that putting it back to standard is the way to go. It may still be sold but there is a perfectly decent Clio 182 Trophy in there somewhere. A quick blast along my favourite roads may yet change my mind (once she's back to standard). Cheers fella.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Sorry to hear this @SharkyUK.

As has been said already, part of me wanted to see this completed, but the other half just wanted you to give up on it & move on.

I'd try and put it back to standard(ish) if you can, they really do seem to have shot up in price since the days of me buying them for £2.5k lol.

 

[SharkyUK]

Sorry to hear this @SharkyUK.

As has been said already, part of me wanted to see this completed, but the other half just wanted you to give up on it & move on.

I'd try and put it back to standard(ish) if you can, they really do seem to have shot up in price since the days of me buying them for £2.5k lol.

Cheers mate.

It was a very weird situation; I guess I was clinging on in hope simply due to the heavy investment I'd made in it. When faced with another 4, 6 , 10k+ outlay then it's time to call it a day. Believe me, I would have LOVED to see if finished but the gulf between reality and the final vision was still too far apart. Had promises even remotely been delivered upon then I wouldn't be in this situation. Sadly I am and it has cost me big time. And there's absolutely sweet FA I can do about it. C'est la vie.

On the plus side, in the space of a couple of days, I have pretty much sourced all the main parts I need to get her back to standard. I even have a couple or three people showing interest in buying her once she is running again. #165 will live on regardless, which is the main thing. I am then free to enjoy a different motoring adventure in a new car.

 

[gez 172]

Glad to hear it’s already taking a more
Positive direction, at a fraction of the cost.

I do hope this car lives on, but with someone else, hopefully on CS.

I couldn’t imagine you even considering keeping the car, after the money spent, to end up back at square one with a standard car.


I’m looking forward to seeing what your next enjoyment will be ? . Will it be new?

 

[Clio_fool]

Fetch it to csf, we'll help you drown your sorrows.

 

[SharkyUK]

Glad to hear it’s already taking a more
Positive direction, at a fraction of the cost.

I do hope this car lives on, but with someone else, hopefully on CS.

I couldn’t imagine you even considering keeping the car, after the money spent, to end up back at square one with a standard car.


I’m looking forward to seeing what your next enjoyment will be ? . Will it be new?

Yup - feeling better myself now that it is going back to standard. It looks like it will be sold too, and to a RenaultSport enthusiast, so that's great news. Whilst it will still be sad letting go I also think it's for the best. I'm certainly not ruling out another Clio (maybe another Trophy) in the future but it won't be modified and it won't be Trophy #165.

The next car is already being worked on and I'm looking to get the finances, etc. sorted out. Obviously I would like to get the Trophy back to standard first (and some of the expensive bits sold) as this will help towards the next adventure. I'm fortunate to be in a position where I have a great opportunity to potentially enjoy one of my 'dream' cars so I'm pursuing that at the moment. It's just a bit tricky as I've depleted my savings buying a new house (and persisting with the bloody Trophy!) and I need to figure a tax-efficient way of getting money out of my business! LOL! Fingers crossed I will have some news to share on that in the coming months.

Fetch it to csf, we'll help you drown your sorrows.

Hahaha, I bet mate! The car will be back to standard and possibly with a new owner as CSF comes around. I think it will be tricky for me to head up this year given the date but I'm not ruling out a future event, as long as folks don't mind me turning up in something other that a RenaultSport / Clio!

 

[Clio_fool]

There's hardly any clio's at csf anyway ?.
Good luck with the dream car. I was lucky to get into mine when I was young. Justifying it with a mortgage and kids is a lot tougher!

 

[SharkyUK]

There's hardly any clio's at csf anyway ?.
Good luck with the dream car. I was lucky to get into mine when I was young. Justifying it with a mortgage and kids is a lot tougher!

Hahahaha, yeah - I imagine Clios are in the minority these days! I bought a house 7 months ago so feel the pain regarding the mortgage. However, I have no kids so hopefully that will save me a few quid going forward! Cheers!

 

[andy_coops]

Got woken up by 6 year old at 6.30 today so read the entire post. I know exactly where the love for these things comes from - I’ve had mine for 5 minutes by comparison but intend keeping her forever. I won’t add to the bashing of specialists as it’s been done to death and back but your patience is staggering. Been caught once or twice myself in the past but usually time rather than money. Good luck with whatever replaces the Trophy ?

 

[SharkyUK]

Got woken up by 6 year old at 6.30 today so read the entire post. I know exactly where the love for these things comes from - I’ve had mine for 5 minutes by comparison but intend keeping her forever. I won’t add to the bashing of specialists as it’s been done to death and back but your patience is staggering. Been caught once or twice myself in the past but usually time rather than money. Good luck with whatever replaces the Trophy ?

Well sir, I'm glad this thread was able to fill some time after your early weekend start! Thanks!

Yep, these cars can certainly get under your skin (hence why we see a lot of people returning back to them I guess, too). I hope you can and do enjoy yours and fingers crossed it is a keeper. My advice would be to keep the mods very light and subtle (if at all) and not to be afraid of enjoying many happy miles in it. With a decent Clio there is no reason it shouldn't keep going with the necessary upkeep and maintenance. All the best fella!

 

[Iain C]

Good call dude. Glad it's over for ya.

 

[Clio_fool]

Don't read this months EVO magazine?

 

[-Rob]

Been following this from the start, from afar. As others have said I wished that you got the results you had hoped for with all of the traders along the way, sadly it was not meant to be.

You must be one of the most optimistic and patient people I've ever read on a forum where it's been a case of one step forward and two steps back. I'm glad to hear that #165 will be running again. Hats off to you for sticking with it for so long, I'm sure many would have taken a can of petrol and a match to it years ago!

Hopefully you recoup a fair amount of funds from the turbo build and special parts that are sellable. Be sure to make another thread on the future purchase and all the best of luck moving forward!

 

[Gus]

Definitely get a parts for sale thread up when you are ready, you have a lot of tasty stuff and I'm sure it will sell quickly .

 

[SharkyUK]

Good call dude. Glad it's over for ya.

Hahahaha! Thanks mate! Finally I got a decision right!

Don't read this months EVO magazine?

It's ok mate, I've already seen it. They are superb cars so never say never... but I need time away from them for now!

Been following this from the start, from afar. As others have said I wished that you got the results you had hoped for with all of the traders along the way, sadly it was not meant to be.

You must be one of the most optimistic and patient people I've ever read on a forum where it's been a case of one step forward and two steps back. I'm glad to hear that #165 will be running again. Hats off to you for sticking with it for so long, I'm sure many would have taken a can of petrol and a match to it years ago!

Hopefully you recoup a fair amount of funds from the turbo build and special parts that are sellable. Be sure to make another thread on the future purchase and all the best of luck moving forward!

Thanks Rob and thanks for taking the time out to follow the build. Or lack of. I've learnt a lot along the way so it's not all been bad. I am a little more familiar with how Clios work but please don't ask me to recommend a specialist! LOL! If by optimistic and patient you mean stupid then I wholeheartedly agree... It's still a bit raw even now but I do feel a lot happier that I don't have it weighing around my neck. As I've said to some folks before, I really should have modified it with petrol and matches.

I hope I can recoup a half-decent amount through selling the car and the parts from the build. I have a fresh built engine with some very tasty components, a rather special one-off ECU and digital dash, a refurb gearbox with new LSD in it, and loads of other bits. I'll be sure to post up about the new purchase as and when it happens. I am looking to book a test drive and to have a chat next weekend. It's a 4 hours drive away but hopefully will be worth it. Cheers!

Definitely get a parts for sale thread up when you are ready, you have a lot of tasty stuff and I'm sure it will sell quickly .

Yes sir, I will indeed. As soon as I get chance to grab the parts and catalogue them then I will immediately be putting them up for sale. Whether or not I'll find buyers is a different matter! I hope so!

 

[Clio_fool]

It was the value today part that made me ??

 

[SharkyUK]

The 'value today' isn't too far off mate. Prices went mad two years ago but have come back down and settled. I know of two that sold for more than their retail price - admittedly both mint and low mileage! Sadly both ended up in private collections so will probably never get driven for fun.

 

[SharkyUK]

May 2019 (continued) - Winding Down

I don't think 'work' on this car has ever moved as quick as it is at the moment! It's just a shame it is towards an end that I hadn't even contemplated until recently. That said, I must admit that I feel a heck of a lot better now that I've made the decision to cut my losses and call it a day. Likewise, I also feel better after listening to what the majority of you kind folk were saying and returning the car to standard. It is good to know that Trophy #165 will live on and be able to provide many miles and smiles for someone else (there has already been interest strangely enough!)

In terms of returning the car to standard it is booked in at the beginning of June, for a few days, to have the necessary work carried out. I have sourced a bare engine, gearbox, exhaust system, ECU/UCH/key, loom and exhaust manifold. I've also managed to source a full working aircon setup (bonus). There are still a few more bits needed (such as standard rad and fan amongst others) and I'll be looking to find those parts within the next couple of weeks. Talking of parts, I'll also be looking to list all the shiny bits from the build that never saw the light of day and hoping to sell those to recoup some of the costs I've incurred over the years!

The private plate will also be coming off in the next few days as I have decided to retain it for the new car. If all goes to plan then the plate will end up on another red car anyway so most probably won't notice the difference! I have a viewing and test drive of the potential new car on Saturday so more news on that if I decide to pull the trigger on it.

I'll try and get some more pics up soon as a kind of farewell and to inject some much needed imagery into this thread. Cheers all!

 

[d19wood]

Wow! Just read through this marathon horror show. I thought I had it bad losing my car for over a year when a garage managed to burn the engine bay out while fitting rear brake lines???
Glad to see you are still fairly upbeat about it all, drawing a line under it and looking forward to your next car adventure in which we all on here wish you well I'm sure.

 

[SharkyUK]

Wow! Just read through this marathon horror show. I thought I had it bad losing my car for over a year when a garage managed to burn the engine bay out while fitting rear brake lines???
Glad to see you are still fairly upbeat about it all, drawing a line under it and looking forward to your next car adventure in which we all on here wish you well I'm sure.

You must have been really, really bored! But thank you for taking the time to trawl through the thread - I genuinely do appreciate it. I'm also sorry to hear of your predicament with the engine bay fire. It's clearly a common issue when, er, fitting rear brake lines...!

Yes, I've tried to stay as upbeat as possible mate. If I didn't laugh then I'd be crying into my cuppa day after day. It's a bit embarrassing looking back (and as frustrating as ever) and I'm glad it's almost at an end. Thanks for the well-wishes and all the best to you, cheers!

 

[SharkyUK]

So... that's the cherished plate taken off the car. It feels weird getting plates made up with the original registration!

 

[Clio_fool]

I'm surprised you could remember what the original reg was after all that time?.
What's the car worth as a standard trophy do you think?