The Titanium 182!

[Saamjohn]

Hello Eveyone
My names Sam and i have been on this forum for a while now due to owning a little 1.2 Clio and since then have always wanted a 182. Well on Saturday I got a message of my mate; who agreed to sell me his 182 saying i could come pick her up the next day! Anyway one sleepless night and a drive down to Yate she was mine!

Its a Full fat titanium 182 with a healthy 89k on the clock, recent cambelt/aux belt change and a couple of tasteful mods, These tasteful mods include a Milltek catback exhaust, Anthracite Turinis (in need of a refurb!) and 40mm apex springs.
As for further plans for the project i will be looking for some spacers for the front and back, RStuner, re paint calipers, brake pads and discs, wheel refurbishment and a steering wheel retrim (snappy?) for now but later on in its life its heading to the track so things will definatley change then.
So for now its going to be the odd mod and keeping everything tidy!

Here are some photos i took on sunday, waiting for a brighter day to get some good ones.

Thats all for now, should be updating this weekend after a good clean. I live around the gloucester area so give us a shout if your local!

 

[N4TH4N]

Looks lovely mate. Welcome to the club and a further welcome to the titanium minority!

 

[Mr Plums]

Looks lovely that mate.

 

[Dan The Top Bloke]

Titaniums are the best na good looking car mate

 

[Saamjohn]

Right thought id finally write an update as its been 6 months and i've finally stopped being stingy and bought membership haha. Mainly just pictures so far as not much has happened over the winter modifications wise as the glorious british weather and lack of tidy garage prevents me from doing so.

First wash after i bought it! (back when it was sunny)

Wasn't too keen on titanium in picture's but since i viewed this one and bought it, iv'e completely changed my mind!

Few pictures from when i drove me and the girlfriend down to Cornwall for the weekend with the family, some absolutely stunning roads up and around the moors especially as this was the first time i could probably give the car a good hooning around.

Anyway the cat was sagging quite low so i would constantly scrape over speed bumps at work and college so i thought f*** it and bought a decat! Was only £50 made by milltek and me and some mates had a crack at fitting it ourselves. 2 Bolts and a clamp so it looked like an easy job but my god i was wrong, managed to get the Cat itself out but because the Catback was a different size to the actual bore of the Cat there was a adapter in the end. Was just a sort of push fit but must have seized on there solid so a couple of hours wasted as we couldn't get the bugger out. Went to the garage full of shame and got them to fit it for me ! Luckily a mate works there so didn't cost much at all.

Up on the ramp

Quite happy with the decat if im honest , sounds a lot more raspy and deep but isnt unbearably droney on the motorway. Didn't expect any noticeable performance gains if any but does feel more free to rev if you know what i mean.
Have swapped most of the front headlight bulbs out for some 6000k xenons from hidsdirect which were only £11 (bargain!) will just have to see how long they actually last. Also put in some smd sidelights however they are coming straight out as there way to blue. Pictures to follow later on.

That's all so far however after 6 months of ownership and eagerly awaiting summer show season iv'e managed to make a huge list of things that need to be done! first thing is a large order from Auto finesse ready for some proper detailing among painting parts and getting a wheel refurbish over my week off.
Cheers for reading guys.

 

[Saamjohn]

Alritey then, its been awhile since i last updated anything in here so i thought id post up a few things that have happened in the past 4 or so months.
After finally fitting a Milltek decat i sent about changing a few things like sidelights to a nice led colour as originally it was like driving around with a candle in each side. Changed the dipped beams bulbs to 6000k as well to match the new sidelights. Was quite reluctant to spend the afternoon removing the bumper in the cold to change the headlight bulbs so had a crack at doing it still on the car. A few swear words and bleeding i managed it in the end.

- Pants photo but you get the idea

Next up i desperately wanted to sort out the upper grill as i couldn't stand the dull grey/blue colour so popped out one weekend to get some spray paint and cracked on. Getting the grill out was a massive pain in the ass and i did break a few clips but its still together in one piece thank god. Once it was out get it a wipe down with some de-greaser and began spraying on some plastic primer. Few light coats of that and finished of with 5 light coats of satin black.

The finished article -

Much better

Among a few other small things one of my rear shock's decided to give up after a drive down to castle combe for spring action day.

So ordered a fresh set for the rear as the front's will be replace soon when i decide which springs to replace my Apex with.

Now onto bigger things in a way , the worst part about the car when i bought it was the wheels as they were in a shocking fcondition and after the winter had passed i was finally in a position to go about getting them refurbished or replaced. Originally me and a mate drove to Wales to buy a second hand set of Team dynamics pro race 1.2's but after getting them home and putting them on i wasn't to keen as i had stupidly bought a set of 16's. Sold them to a mate at work and decided to keep and refurbish my Turinis like the sheep i am.

The pictures speak for themselves.

I decided to go for a light anthracite as it was the closest powdercoat colour they had to the original anthracite.

A few photo's of them on whilst at my mates house giving him a hand with his Dephaser change (it was only a little bit of a nightmare)

Thats all for now, attempting to give the car a good detail but the weather is constantly against me at the moment. As for plans i will be fitting new shocks and springs at some point followed by removing the Decat as its too loud for daily commuting or driving home early in the morning. Considering putting a non-resonated milltek centre instead but unsure if that will just be the same.
Few photo's to finish off

 

[Christopher.]

Nice.

The wheels are lovely. Need to get a 3/4 number plate mind.

 

[Saamjohn]

Nice.

The wheels are lovely. Need to get a 3/4 number plate mind.

Cheers, I was very impressed when I got them back haha
What size is the 3/4 on fancy plates ? Have actually been looking into them

 

[Christopher.]

There's a guide in the bodywork section mate.

 

[Saamjohn]

There's a guide in the bodywork section mate.

So there is cheers mate, wonder how long it will take until I get pulled for it

 

[Christopher.]

Iv ran one on my cars for 5+ years. Even when iv been pulled over for other misdemeanours it's not been noticed.

 

[Saamjohn]

Iv ran one on my cars for 5+ years. Even when iv been pulled over for other misdemeanours it's not been noticed.

Haha "misdemeanours" love it

 

[imprezaworks]

Is the car on standard shocks and apex springs only? It sits really well

 

[Louis]

Car's looking sweet!The turinis do look mint, was the dephaser OK after a diy job? And also use proplates.co.uk for 520x85 number plates. Have to email them to ask for one but they're about £10-15 cheaper than fancyplates for small front and standard rear.

 

[Saamjohn]

Is the car on standard shocks and apex springs only? It sits really well

Unfortunately they are yes , cup shocks and apex springs. The stance is brilliant like you said but the ride and general handling is disappointing. Looking into some cooksports and shocks refresh unless some second hand Billies come up

Car's looking sweet!The turinis do look mint, was the dephaser OK after a diy job? And also use proplates.co.uk for 520x85 number plates. Have to email them to ask for one but they're about £10-15 cheaper than fancyplates for small front and standard rear.

Thanks mate a lot happier now the wheels have been done looks a lot tidier. Yeah it seems to be running fine mate was a hell of a job as we needed to retime both sides as they were out , there was signs of tippex on the old belt so tells you a lot about the previous job. Il give them a search as well mate cheers.

 

[andy_coops]

Nothing wrong with sheep wheels - they look bloody nice chap

 

[Saamjohn]

Nothing wrong with sheep wheels - they look bloody nice chap :smile:

Cheers mate can't beat fresh turinis aye

 

[Saamjohn]

Was meant to update this not long ago but once again i forgot anyways ...
First up was another service (oil change etc) as the car had done about 8000 miles since the last one but whilst i was at it i wanted to change the coolant and gearbox oil purely as there is no history in the folder of the box oil being changed and the coolant wasn't Renault type D (also looking abit grim). One order from Renaultpartsdirect and it all arrived on time.

Off to the garage i went to get it all sorted as i didn't fancy doing the box oil or coolant change on my driveway as it's a right pain the arse to do anything on gravel and at a slant.

Gearbox oil was atrocious however engine oil was still quite fresh haha.

Owner of the garage had a classic hidden away, s**t photo sorry

Anyway with that all done the gearbox felt amazing so much smoother, i decided to tackle the sagging exhaust mounts the next day. Bought the powerflex EXH08 as per Yellow Daves post from awhile ago.

Beeeeaaautiful

Onto the next issue just last week i drove down to Bristol to see the Balloon fiesta (Mrs idea) which was actually a good day out however upon returning to the car the bloody boot wouldn't open! So after a week of clambering in and out of the back to get to the boot i did something about it had a look. Managed to unlock the boot and take the mechanism apart. Cleaned all the cogs and made sure they were free moving which was all good but then discovered that bit of plastic had snapped off. So i popped down to the breakers to find a spare mechanism and came away with a whole unit for £3!! how long it will last is another question but for now happy days.

Thats all for now, do have eveeeen more detailing stuff now just need to actually get out there and do it. 3/4 Front plate is on order and still deciding on replacement springs as the apex are still w***. Cooksport are quite close to me so i could get their springs and they have offered to fit and Geo-setup for a reasonable price but i still cant quite decide if they are going to still be to harsh and i should just get Sportlines.

 

[Craig]

That's looking cracking mate. Coming along nicely

 

[Saamjohn]

That's looking cracking mate. Coming along nicely

Cheers mate,

Last week the Clio flew through it's MOT, no advisories either so no need to worry about that for another year.
Mid MOT pointless photo

Been slowly collecting a few detailing products in the hope of being able to give it a proper detail but the weather and other events have been against me for ages. With the bank holiday weekend giving me an extra day and the weather looking good decided to give it a crack.
Order as follows

• Initial rinse with Pressure washer
• AF citrus power
• Wheel's washed with Valet Pro Billberry wheel cleaner and brushes
  
• 2BM wash with AF lather
• Gyeon Iron
• AG Intensive Tar remover
• Rinsed
• Clayed with Meg's Claybar and quick detailer
• Rinsed
• AF Tripple with micro-fibre applicator pad
• Then finished off with AF Tough coat X2

Quite happy with the result's for a first attempt at it. Took it out for a drive in the evening up by Painswick and got some decent photos.

Really wish i had a decent camera haha.

 

[Darren61]

Love the photo with the sunset reflecting in the paint. Just goes to show what an underrated colour Titanium is.

 

[Saamjohn]

Love the photo with the sunset reflecting in the paint. Just goes to show what an underrated colour Titanium is.

It's an insane colour once it get's a good bit of sun on it!

 

[Saamjohn]

Right then, haven't updated this in ages but i thought now is the best time to do so.
Going back to October last year i decided i wanted to get rid of the Apex springs for something abit better, i narrowly missed a purchase on some B14's but in the end decided to go with new shocks and Cooksport springs all round.
Now Cooksport are only down in Bristol so decided to get them to fit and geo at the same time.
Great service from Cooksport after i managed to book myself in , the whole process took 2 hours and that even included a few small things that they took care of.
Before

After

As you can see the difference is mainly in the rear but the springs have kept the stance perfect but ride quality is much much better.
A few photo's after the wash.

Glossy..

This took me up to Christmas time and nothing much happened really just been keeping on top of the cleaning and driving it! Even had my first time driving in some snow with it. Drove well on the snow/icey roads no hairy moment's , can't say the same for mate in his mr2 haha.

Late January then came around and its Aux service was due so booked it in with a Renault specialist in Gloucester called "trade n save". Apparently they are Ex Renault technicians so was content with the 182 being in there hands. After a few words with technician decided it was a good idea to replace the Water pump whilst the belt's were already coming off. Couple of hours later and the 182 had a new Aux belt, Tensioner and idler as well as a new Water pump and coolant flush.
Gave it another clean when i got back as the condition of the roads during winter means after a week its pretty much filthy again!

Now the slightly sad news, iv been to view another car that im very interested in so will be putting a deposit down on it soon. Its a Nissan 350z in Azure blue and i have always been interested in Japanese car's so after a test drive i couldn't say no. So later on i will be putting an ad up for the 182 on the forum first as i would rather sell it someone on here. In the week i will be putting it up on Autotrader/pistonhead/gumtree. Will be sad to see it go especially with the money i've put into it but the call of the 3.5 V6 is too strong haha.

Cheers guys

 

[Saamjohn]

Sad day today but the Clio has gone , she will be sorely missed and I know that a couple of years down the line I will return to Renault RS.