7R
Looks great - what offset are the wheels?
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Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
ET43, as per standard Trophy Turinis, and the spacers widen the track by a total of 40mm.
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Last night I went out on some of the best roads in West Berkshire. My usual circuit is a 50 mile loop, which varies from some very fast, sweeping bends over the Ridgeway, to a section of really tight, technical stuff passing the Uffington White Horse, and a bit of everything inbetween. It's a relatively challenging little route but it really flows, I love driving it. Unfortunately it was getting late so I had to trim it down to a smaller 35 mile run, but initial impressions of the new setup were promising.
In a way it's a shame a package of changes have been made in one go because I'd really like to have run the loop, changed to 15s, run the loop again for comparison, changed to AD08s, run the loop again, added the spacers etc. Financially that's not an option, which makes it more difficult to attribute the driving experience to each of the individual modifications, but what I can say is that I'm amazed how much more sure-footed the car felt with the increased track width. The spacers (20mm front & 5mm rear), coupled with the rear anti-roll bar, have made a huge difference, inspiring you to really go at corners, and feeling more composed than ever before.
I was a little worried about the Cooksport springs, at first. The ride at low speed is less compliant than the Sportlines they replaced, making you aware of every lump, bump and pot hole in the broken surfaces of our wonderful road network. Don't get me wrong, they're better than I remember the standard Trophy springs were, which really made your teeth rattle, but they're much less refined than the comparable Eibach offering cruising around town.
Fortunately when the road opens up the Cooksports really step up too. The medium and high-speed bends were dispatched with aplomb, the ride equally as good as Sportlines, in my opinion. For me, it's a simple comparison - Cooksports offer better aesthetics (more lowz) but at the expense of a less compliant ride in town. I'll be keeping them on for a few months at least, to get a better picture of them, but will I stay with them? The jury's definitely out on that one! I just don't think I'd be happy enough to run Sportlines and 15s with the dreaded arch gap.
Even after all these upgrades and having been without my car for a week or so the standout highlight of the drive for me was the RS2. The car always handled well out of the box, and the mods have improved that, albeit marginally, but the addition of the RS2 manifold has totally transformed the way it drives. The power delivery is so smooth and coupled with the fantastic noise, it constantly entices you to take maximum advantage of the flat torque curve all the way to the top of the rev range. It's without a doubt the best mod #455 has seen, and while it's far from cheap I do think it represents amazing value for money - it's just seems to be so well suited to the chassis.
Apologies for the ramble. In summary, great upgrades make a great car a tiny bit more great. I'm still smiling and looking forward to when I can share my route with a few of you guys...
In a way it's a shame a package of changes have been made in one go because I'd really like to have run the loop, changed to 15s, run the loop again for comparison, changed to AD08s, run the loop again, added the spacers etc. Financially that's not an option, which makes it more difficult to attribute the driving experience to each of the individual modifications, but what I can say is that I'm amazed how much more sure-footed the car felt with the increased track width. The spacers (20mm front & 5mm rear), coupled with the rear anti-roll bar, have made a huge difference, inspiring you to really go at corners, and feeling more composed than ever before.
I was a little worried about the Cooksport springs, at first. The ride at low speed is less compliant than the Sportlines they replaced, making you aware of every lump, bump and pot hole in the broken surfaces of our wonderful road network. Don't get me wrong, they're better than I remember the standard Trophy springs were, which really made your teeth rattle, but they're much less refined than the comparable Eibach offering cruising around town.
Fortunately when the road opens up the Cooksports really step up too. The medium and high-speed bends were dispatched with aplomb, the ride equally as good as Sportlines, in my opinion. For me, it's a simple comparison - Cooksports offer better aesthetics (more lowz) but at the expense of a less compliant ride in town. I'll be keeping them on for a few months at least, to get a better picture of them, but will I stay with them? The jury's definitely out on that one! I just don't think I'd be happy enough to run Sportlines and 15s with the dreaded arch gap.
Even after all these upgrades and having been without my car for a week or so the standout highlight of the drive for me was the RS2. The car always handled well out of the box, and the mods have improved that, albeit marginally, but the addition of the RS2 manifold has totally transformed the way it drives. The power delivery is so smooth and coupled with the fantastic noise, it constantly entices you to take maximum advantage of the flat torque curve all the way to the top of the rev range. It's without a doubt the best mod #455 has seen, and while it's far from cheap I do think it represents amazing value for money - it's just seems to be so well suited to the chassis.
Apologies for the ramble. In summary, great upgrades make a great car a tiny bit more great. I'm still smiling and looking forward to when I can share my route with a few of you guys...
Great write up. Your findings of the springs mirror mine identically. I think a few trophy owners will go that way now as that's at least 3 of us pleased with them! Agree on the town ride quality, although a sacrifice I make happily.
Any issues with the spaces and rubbing? 25mm on my old 182 (albeit on coilovers) caused no end of rubbing!
Any issues with the spaces and rubbing? 25mm on my old 182 (albeit on coilovers) caused no end of rubbing!
SharkyUK
ClioSport Club Member
Thanks for the write-up / road test, Tim. It's good to hear your impressions now you've had a chance to take your T out for a 'proper' drive. Having read your review, and also Sam's (Wick's) comments in his thread, I think I may well be investing in some Cooksports once I get mine back. Reviews have definitely been favourable so far. 
Oh, glad you're enjoying the RS2 as well! Take me out for a spin next time?
Oh, glad you're enjoying the RS2 as well! Take me out for a spin next time?
Sir_Dave
ClioSport Trader
Wheels look ok
Although im still not a fan of the Corsa B with Ripspeed alloys offset that everyone is going for. Looks a bit odd at the front imho.
Although im still not a fan of the Corsa B with Ripspeed alloys offset that everyone is going for. Looks a bit odd at the front imho.
Looking good Tim. You'll have to share your route with me.
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
With the Eibachs on it was no question a much better ride than your 200. With the Cooksports on I think it's still better but not by as much. Next time we're out I'll take you for a drive in it then let you have a go yourself so you can see first hand.
GFY!
Happily, no issues to report whatsoever.
Happy to share the route, I might even organise a CS driving meet so a few of us can do a couple of laps early on a quiet Sunday morning.Nice little write up there mate. Fancy showing me that route sometime? sounds like fun
Looks good to, have fun cleaning the white wheels
How much better is the RS2? Im on the fence with it
As for the RS2, it's definitely something you should seriously look into. I'll take you out in mine, not sure if you've ever been out in Lesley's? The thing which makes it such a great value mod in my opinion is it's relatively depreciation-free, and there'll always be a strong market for it. If you try it and don't like it then move it on and you won't have lost too much. Although I'm fairly confident that once you've tried it you'll stick with it for a while.
More than happy to, mate. When we meet up next we can swap keys (please still have the V6, please still have the V6Thanks for the write-up / road test, Tim. It's good to hear your impressions now you've had a chance to take your T out for a 'proper' drive. Having read your review, and also Sam's (Wick's) comments in his thread, I think I may well be investing in some Cooksports once I get mine back. Reviews have definitely been favourable so far.
Oh, glad you're enjoying the RS2 as well! Take me out for a spin next time?
). Are you doing the Brecon run in a few weeks time?White speedlines on a Trophy is clearly a tried & tested formula that works!Wheels look ok
Although im still not a fan of the Corsa B with Ripspeed alloys offset that everyone is going for. Looks a bit odd at the front imho.
As for the spacers, I see what you're saying but I always dreamed of having a Corsa B with Ripspeed alloys, so they're staying for now
Cheers Mark, I'll fill you in when I pop up to yours. I'll drop you a PM later.
Cub.
ClioSport Moderator
Meh. They'd look better on a flamer
Joking aside, glad #455 is awaiting its next track outing
Interested in the Brecon run, text me details 'Othy.
Joking aside, glad #455 is awaiting its next track outing
Interested in the Brecon run, text me details 'Othy.
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Cheers Sam.
The Sachs were refurbed in April 2011 (10k miles ago) then I bought the car a couple of months later. Sportlines were on for nearly 18 months with no issues at all and obviously I've only had the Cooksport springs on for a few days but the dampers are still in fine fettle.
They'll need refurbing at some point in the future, that's a given, but I just see it as an opportunity to get them off, blasted & powder coated and have them un-pinned at the same time. Hopefully it'll be a while yet, but we'll see.
The Sachs were refurbed in April 2011 (10k miles ago) then I bought the car a couple of months later. Sportlines were on for nearly 18 months with no issues at all and obviously I've only had the Cooksport springs on for a few days but the dampers are still in fine fettle.
They'll need refurbing at some point in the future, that's a given, but I just see it as an opportunity to get them off, blasted & powder coated and have them un-pinned at the same time. Hopefully it'll be a while yet, but we'll see.
SharkyUK
ClioSport Club Member
I'm sure something can be arranged...More than happy to, mate. When we meet up next we can swap keys (please still have the V6, please still have the V6
Although I'm not sure which variant of Renaultsport Clio I'll be in...With regards the Brecon run I am definitely interested but, sadly, I cannot commit at the moment. I may well be 'oop norf' for my sisters birthday weekend. However, as I'm fairly local to Brecon I can always leave it to the last minute and pop along if the birthday plans don't materialise.
This Route sounds interesting
Keith185
ClioSport Club Member
White on red always looks good. A trophy on white 2118's even better
Cub.
ClioSport Moderator
Had an interesting 3rd gear play with this on the way home yesterday. Plucky flamer did well given how poorly it is. Yes, the AA man told me to go easy Sam, but I ignored it
I love the new ride height / stance on this, looked epic following it back. A credit to you 'Othy.
I love the new ride height / stance on this, looked epic following it back. A credit to you 'Othy.
7R
Ta.
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
The Trophy is still going strong, but it will be doing less miles over winter as it has a new stable-mate:
No doubt many of you will recognise it but for those that don't it's a facelift E46 330 M-Sport in Silbergrau. It's petrol and has the 6 speed manual gearbox, black leather interior, Xenon headlights and the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade. It's a lovely, lovely car which has made me very happy, but the previous owner slightly less so :S
No doubt many of you will recognise it but for those that don't it's a facelift E46 330 M-Sport in Silbergrau. It's petrol and has the 6 speed manual gearbox, black leather interior, Xenon headlights and the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade. It's a lovely, lovely car which has made me very happy, but the previous owner slightly less so :S
Paul172sport
ClioSport Club Member
Sunflower Ph1
New addition looks nice, good spec and manual too.
Still not convinced it's a good winter hack with the rwd but definitely like it. Could be tempted for one myself if I had a cash.
Still not convinced it's a good winter hack with the rwd but definitely like it. Could be tempted for one myself if I had a cash.
SharkyUK
ClioSport Club Member
Great purchase, Tim. That looks very tidy indeed!
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Great purchase, Tim. That looks very tidy indeed!
Cheers fellas
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Aye, it is.
Cub.
ClioSport Moderator
New bus looks awesome x
x
Jekyll
ClioSport Club Member
Came in here as i typed in 20mm in the search box and see a clio media thread of yours, cubs, Chris's old ph1 and mr n's saxo and i must say it looks brilliant now mate
Tim, have you got a link to where you got the 20mm front spacers from mate? Also are you going to SRR this feb?
Tim, have you got a link to where you got the 20mm front spacers from mate? Also are you going to SRR this feb?
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Hi pal, how's it going?Came in here as i typed in 20mm in the search box and see a clio media thread of yours, cubs, Chris's old ph1 and mr n's saxo and i must say it looks brilliant now mate
Tim, have you got a link to where you got the 20mm front spacers from mate? Also are you going to SRR this feb?
Picked up the fronts from Venom Motorsport, I think they're H&R.
http://www.venommotorsport.com/product_details.php?id=6071&manufacturer=HR&category=wheel
I'm not planning on running the Trophy at SRR but I'll hopefully come down, either in the Clio or the 330i, so I'll see you then!
They are indeed, to both of your comments!
Thanks thats really helped, not going to bother buying a rear strut now, im guessing its pretty safe in those bolts
Tim.
ClioSport Club Member
Not really, no. The angle of the harness is far from desirable - securing them to a dedicated harness bar would be much better. I'd urge you to do more research and make your decision once you know the risks.
Ok thanks mate
George@RTR_Parts
ClioSport Trader
Love this Tim, looks great and some nice additions to boot :approve:
