Williams - progress report!

[Ben H]

10/10! (with reservations!)

Well, its been a few weeks since Ive had my Williams and Ive had the opportunity to get used to it now. Its bit strange looking at a Williams plaque for No. 0123 as I drive as it otherwise seems like my old 16V.

Probably the most striking thing is how it doesnt feel as fast as my old Valver. Hats off to the old beast, its proving a hard act to follow! In a straight line sprint, the Willy is faster judging by the speed at which I pass things - but it feels slower because I keep hitting the rev limiter! It only does 80-odd in 3rd! The 16V made all the right noises too (moded) whereas the Willy is standard. Nevertheless, its still a noisey little thing and would roar with a stainless and de-cat (but its staying standard). I can definitely see why people say that the 2.0 F7R engine is like a tractor though: it doesnt have the immediate charm of the 16Vs F7P. But I do like the torque at low revs!

Its difficult to tell how much better the Willy is cross-country on my Welsh B-roads - but better it is though. The Willy still wears a set of antique 185/55/15 Michelin tyres and scrabbles for grip a lot more than the lowered Valver. Its still a hell of a lot faster though and I cant get over the difference in terms of feel. Im having a bit of trouble "placing" the front end on tight bends as the track is so much wider and still havent got used to the standard feel of it all.

Ive given the outside a massive polish and wax. To my surprise, under all that muck there arent any stone chips on the front end to speak of - bonus! And that colour looks so bella when the sun shines: goes a kind of purple/blueberry when the sun catches it. The wheels look ace, but are really tatty (much worse than I originally thought). Im having the refurbished next week at £70 + VAT per wheel, which I know is expensive, but theres not a lot of choice in Wales!

The biggest surprise is the attention it gets - people love it! You can see all the cars in the fast lane slow down to have a closer look at it as they pass on the motorway!

Just had it serviced (54,000 miles) and its definitely a minter according to my trusted Renault specialist. But the engine bay needs a damn good clean!

Will post a few pics when the wheels are done.

P.S. Phase1 wing mirrors look cool, but you can hardly see anything in them!

 

[Dansta]

nice one!

 

[DeanRSi]

great stuff mate.

mirrors take a bit of getting used to dont they after ph2 ones!lol

 

[007]

I still chuckle to myself when people slow down to look at the car. I see it everyday and to me its just "my" car - but most days of the week I get some kind of comment.

Today I got "how the feck did you get a Williams?" from a customer and "theres a Williams - there cool as feck" in the local shopping centre car park from some lads in their early 20s.

Also on the way home some guy in a blue 16v keeping to exactly the same speed on the dual carragway while him and his woman stare at my car.

Maybe I should get round to washing it.

 

[rockport]

just sent you a PM Ben im glad you are happy with her.

 

[Rajk]

ben havent you noticed the closeness of second gear? i got mine back today after 6 weeks of it being away and i loved every moment of it, some girl in her rover220 tried to do me at a set of lights and she regretted it BIG TIME!

 

[Ben H]

Following Rockports mail, I dont want to mislead anyone into thinking that the Willy isnt all that much better than the 16V. It is faster and "better" - but the Valver is just so good and its engine has soul.

The thing is, you adopt a really aggressive attitude when driving a 16V and you have to change when you get into a Willy. The Willy gets 85% of its torque at 2500rpm and no less than 125lb/ft from 4000-6500rpm. Its flat stick power really. The first four gear ratios are the same as the 16V, but because the engine only revs to 6500rpm the car effectively has shorter ratios. 2nd is a killer like Raj says - but it runs out so quick! The manifold sounds really different too.

 

[Clart]

Quote: Originally posted by Ben H on 20 October 2003


Probably the most striking thing is how it doesnt feel as fast as my old Valver.

BUT

Its still a hell of a lot faster though and I cant get over the difference in terms of feel.

So the valver feels faster? im confused!

 

[Dave Hester]

Ben, if you get it chipped you wont be complaining about the rev limiter cutting in anymore, in my opinion is the best modification you can do to the williams and it will feel like a totally different car to drive.

 

[Ben H]

The first bit refers to straight-line speed. The second bit refers to country roads.

Basically, the point is that the Willy doesnt feel faster in straight line - but is - and feels faster (and is) down country roads.

Might get a chip... but I am doing my best to keep it 100% original!

 

[Clart]

cheers for that youth!

 

[steve a]

Ben cool idea on keeping it standard but i would be more than tempted to get a decat and chip in there, in fact i would buy one tomrrow .. lol. Would still look and sound standard but with that extra little bite that i think your looking for

 

[007]

I spend most of my time when acceleration in the Williams watching the rev counter and changing dead on 6500rpm. My Williams is nippy low down the revs but to get full power I still need to keep the revs at the very top. I agree that the chip could be a god-send.

 

[Ben H]

Yeah, I was definitely going for a de-cat since I dont want to fork out for a new cat when that goes one day.

Theres a 1993 Cars & Car Conversions article on the Willy (one of the most thorough and best reviews Ive ever read), in which they recommend a de-cat and using 98ron fuel for another 10bhp.

 

[Ben j]

so u reckon u got as much power as the green beast yet?

 

[riplash]

Sounds like youre having fun getting used to it round the B-roads mate!

Glad to hear everythings running as sweet as you first thought too.. =)



Quote: Originally posted by 007 on 20 October 2003



I still chuckle to myself when people slow down to look at the car. I see it everyday and to me its just "my" car - but most days of the week I get some kind of comment.






Mine went into the garage today, and this afternoon the window cleaner of all people knocked to make sure I hadnt got rid of the Williams, because he has always wanted one and was hoping for a ride in it!!!

 

[eves]

the williams is such a quality car because you just dont see them!

i was in mcdonalds the other day parked up and a a couple of middle aged men were admireing my car !! they couldnt belive they were seeing a williams !! i had to chuckle to myself!!

i used to have a valver before the willy ! but i just love the attention i get in the williams, especially after i have just cleaned it !

 

[Kelly]

You do attract attention to yourself in a Williams - do you guys find that you get more tits trying to race you too?

 

[king.stromba]

The thing with a willy is that because it looks so cool, you have an excuse NOT to race all the tits. Nothing to prove.......its a Williams.

 

[Kelly]

I dont race them - it annoys them even more

 

[Ad]

Makes me really want one........Second car???? Best start saving.

 

[eves]

lol i love it when im at a red light and some nova boy or saxo rudey tries to race me!! NO chance lol..........

 

[Ben H]

Ive not had many people try it on really, but its quite hard to tell as part throttle at 2500rpm in the Willy is like full throttle for some cars.

Had one guy in a Rover 200 convertible trying to race me a few days ago and when I ripped past the look on his face was one of complete happiness! People expect to get mullered by a Williams and like to see them go fast! The Valver had the element of surprise...