WP53 OKO - Glacier White - 172 Cup

[Chris_Beer]

I cannot believe how quick this year has gone... It's been eventful to say the least... some of which is in this post :wink:



Team HEKO's to break out the wind

Another great product from AG

Shortly after I changed my job, became hugely busy, which resulted in a careless mistake

Temporary botched effort touch up :down:

Then, the winter came... and the back lanes were not so kind to the Cup

Then the car developed a misfire, not that I'm surprised

When at WOT below 3k RPM, or pulling away at low revs, it would bog down which became unbearable in traffic

Started with new injectors as the old ones had done a fair bit of mileage!

4 x New Genuine Magneti Marelli - IWP042's

Replaced a MAP Sensor which looked to be previously fitted by a cowboy builder

In the interest of new genuine parts, decided to also replace the Coil Pack

Quick compression test across the cylinders, which all came out well :grinning:

Very nearly new battery fitted, such a difference to the well being of the car

Ditched the labels and fitted a new positive red terminal box...

With all this done, what better way to bring it all together with an RSTuner :stig:

98 RON Performance MAP loaded on...

No more misfiring, running very smooth, and what a significant difference from that map ! :astonished:



Moving to the outside, this cracked old brake light gave up completely...

Big improvement to such a filthy car

Raided this local car for parts before it got scrapped, some may recognise it ?!

 

[Chris_Beer]

Collapsed wiper mechanism replaced due to worn circlips

New washer pump, to fix the rear washer spraying the same time as the fronts, and vice versa (the common fault)

Gathered together lots of interior plastics to replace any damaged / scratched bits

Door handles swapped for non soft touch items, highly recommended!

Hazard Panel replaced and a Genuine Hazard Switch

Dashtop finally swapped, this little nic has annoyed me since the original test drive

Obviously sacked off the 'minion', but couldn't save the VIN sticker, so added a texture effect to match the dash

Did some final work on my clocks / dials

Made one mint set out of four, as wanted to retain the original mileage

Tidied up some soldering

Mine was missing this clip housing, so the connection fits tight now

Had some custom size decals made (The Brembo ones are for the misses 197)...

Nice little Renault OEM + touch :wink:

My OCD wasn't liking the orange one with the white illumination

Added a subtle USB housing / Input for my headunit

Keeping in the white LED theme

A bit of wiring left to do here, but it's getting there...

Steering wheel controls now functional (RENAULT pops on to the MFD)

Bluetooth / Hands Free sorted

Another year of membership thanks to @fairm010 :up:

New Bonnet Seal

Swapped the bonnet catch for a cleaner one

 

[Chris_Beer]

Removed CS.net rear window decal
Refitted the KTR Rear Spring Adjusters (Sat a little too low)
Adjusted the Exhaust
Replaced a damaged fog lamp
New OE Rear Wiper Blade
1/4L of Oil Top up
New Poorboys product...

?

MOT spec time... (I hate that front number plate) !

I went back, "Almost finished, just re-checking the handbrake" they said... Typical Cup MOT

They ended up trying too hard, and snapped the cable, which failed it... ?

Nightmare heat shield fixings removed and replaced

An advisory was some corrosion on a brake pipe, so sanded it back and painted

Annoyingly they didn't check it on the retest ?

I've gathered a few other bits and pieces together, which may or may not get fitted:

182 Manifold & Cat
New 15MM Front Spacers and Bolts
New 10MM Stub Axel Spacers - Thanks to @Josh_F - Has anyone got advice on removing those b*d torx bolts ?!
Mint Genuine OE Cup Splitter - Thanks to @andybutlers - Too scared to fit this with the current ride height ?

Now here's the bit I'm most proud of...

I have my wife @cliolou to thank for organising this surprise :kissingheart:

The Cup was part of our Wedding ! :hearteyes:

My Best Man & one of my Ushers took me to the church in it, then followed me and Louise in the wedding cars to the Reception

I don't think it gets much better than this for me ?

I'm not going to start posting all the wedding photos here, but there were some engraved Renault diamond cuff links from Louise in the morning, which all made sense when the Clio turned up !

We had such a great day, and I was massively pleased the car got to be a part of it, for 10 minutes or so anyway... Ha ! ?

Thanks for reading... and loading all those photos ??

 

[RMDavis]

Great update mate! Car looks superb in white.

Congratulations also on the marriage!

 

[Stefan.]

Amazing attention to detail

Lovely car

Keep up the good work

 

[Austin-182]

Congratulations, that was a fantastic read.

White is such a great colour on these. Hige mistake not bringing them out in this colour as standard, although i suppose they were brought out before white started to become popular.

 

[McGherkin]

White is such a great colour on these. Hige mistake not bringing them out in this colour as standard, although i suppose they were brought out before white started to become popular.

They were originally going to make the Trophy white.

Great updates Chris, and congrats to you and Louise!

 

[fez]

brilliant read

 

[jesus]

Unbelievably nice. I love this thing!

 

[Chris_Beer]

Great update mate! Car looks superb in white.

Congratulations also on the marriage!

It's been a while, and get a bit trigger happy with the camera :laughing:

Thanks bud

Amazing attention to detail

Lovely car

Keep up the good work

I've just made a new to do list, feel like I'm back to square one!

Will do cheers pal

Congratulations, that was a fantastic read.

White is such a great colour on these. Hige mistake not bringing them out in this colour as standard, although i suppose they were brought out before white started to become popular.

I think they did right by their choice of what cars to paint white

There are a fair few white ones knocking about these days though

They were originally going to make the Trophy white.

Great updates Chris, and congrats to you and Louise!

Thanks Callum :up:

I think they should of offered the Trophy in Red or White tbh, much like the Blue and Silver only options for the 172 Cup

brilliant read

Cheers fez

Unbelievably nice. I love this thing!

It's a love hate relationship sometimes!

Usually when I get near it or drive it again the hates fades though

I sometimes cant help but think I don't need the spares seats / trim / refinements though, but not keen on a stripped daily

 

[Iain C]

Good work fella. Not just me that wants the Clio at their wedding!

 

[ilovewilly]

I want to buy this car.

 

[Luke001]

Great thread, the car looks awesome.
Its so easy for white 1*2s to look terrible, but the little details make it look so good. Top work.

 

[Chris_Beer]

Good work fella. Not just me that wants the Clio at their wedding!

Get it booked in fella

I want to buy this car.

PM me I think I would have to break it for the money I would want for it though realistically

Great thread, the car looks awesome.
Its so easy for white 1*2s to look terrible, but the little details make it look so good. Top work.

+1 to that, I'm questioning the exhaust on show these days... unsure if I preferred the stealth also considering silver Turini's but on white I'm not so sure

 

[Ricardos]

PM me I think I would have to break it for the money I would want for it though realistically

Would love to know how much you'd let it go for.

One of the best looking and presented Clio on this forum, and congratulations on the wedding

 

[Jekyll]

Excellent updates mate and congratulations on the wedding

 

[Jekyll]

Can you link me to where you got the clock stickers done and the white cop lighter please? I wanted to do the sticker to my old one, but couldn't find Renault Sport small enough so i settled on RS.

 

[Chris_Beer]

Would love to know how much you'd let it go for.

One of the best looking and presented Clio on this forum, and congratulations on the wedding

That's a strong statement, there are some fantastic cars on here, but I'll take it :wink: ha thanks!

It still needs a bit of love mate, it's done 135k miles now. I have a spare bumper for it but it's having the spare cash and time at the moment!

I can't put a value on the car because it's not the average Cup (due to colour) but it's colour doesn't make it more valuable to anyone else in my eyes. I couldnt let it go for the prices I see Clio's of this age / mileage sell for.... not without being really upset lol...

Can you link me to where you got the clock stickers done and the white cop lighter please? I wanted to do the sticker to my old one, but couldn't find Renault Sport small enough so i settled on RS.

I have some spare mate as pictured mate.

The smallest I could get originally was the graphics bloke on here 40mm. But my mate has a sticker machine and managed to do 35mm but trust me it's a nightmare to apply, especially to that matt dial face!

Another option are the Clio V6 dials which I didn't realise came with the logo as standard, but it's the older style logo.

 

[Jekyll]

I haven't even got a Clio Chris, I'm forward planning. As I said, I did "RS" on my old one, but like the look of your Renault Sport. It does need something there IMO and yours is perfect.

 

[Chris_Beer]

Munching up the mileage...

Removed the fog lamps off my spare bumper, as mine kept misting up from water getting in over the winter

Surprisingly I forgot to take a few photos, as I wanted to crack on with giving the car it's first proper clean of the year

I decided to sell the 10mm stub axel spacers as I was having issues removing the bolts, so:

15mm Spacers originally for the front, used for the back
20mm Spacers bought for the front
16 x New Wheel Bolts to suit the extra width
Replacement fogs fitted
Poorboys / Autoglym treatment

A ridiculous amount of photos later...

I am chuffed to bits with how the car is looking

Then... the reverse lights stopped working, and noted it's due another oil change...

Till next time... enjoy

 

[Luke001]

Great update, such a nice car.

 

[massivewangers]

It's my birthday in June, don't suppose you fancy giving me this? Absolutely love it.

 

[Stefan.]

Beautiful

 

[Chris_Beer]

Great update, such a nice car.

Still a few things to do, but that's normal, the bigger picture I'm happy with now.. I think !

It's my birthday in June, don't suppose you fancy giving me this? Absolutely love it.

I could try and perhaps speak with cliosport members and organise a customised birthday cake made like the car?

Failing that, everything is for sale at some stage

Beautiful

:kissingheart:

 

[theburns1]

Just read the this from start to finish and I must say, your attention to detail is amazing. Really like this car a lot, are you going to FCS. Would like to see it in the metal

 

[Chris_Beer]

Just read the this from start to finish and I must say, your attention to detail is amazing. Really like this car a lot, are you going to FCS. Would like to see it in the metal

Thanks man, Never really do the whole show thing

Most of my cars tend to follow the same pattern, its only because I don't have the big cash to hand for ITB's / Boost lol. I want to save the big cash for the GT Turbo but with a house and new wife I can't see that happening either!

Let's not start the whole wife conversation here eh! Haha!

 

[theburns1]

:smile: Thanks man, Never really do the whole show thing

Most of my cars tend to follow the same pattern, its only because I don't have the big cash to hand for ITB's / Boost lol. I want to save the big cash for the GT Turbo but with a house and new wife I can't see that happening either!

Let's not start the whole wife conversation here eh! Haha!

Haha I won't, promise.

Look forward to more updates. Keep them coming

 

[theburns1]

:smile: Thanks man, Never really do the whole show thing

Most of my cars tend to follow the same pattern, its only because I don't have the big cash to hand for ITB's / Boost lol. I want to save the big cash for the GT Turbo but with a house and new wife I can't see that happening either!

Let's not start the whole wife conversation here eh! Haha!

Haha I won't, promise.

 

[-Simon]

Lovely car mate. Spacers set it off just right. Colour when clean looks amazing too. Great thread.

 

[Chris_Beer]

Haha I won't, promise.

Look forward to more updates. Keep them coming

No need to now you're breaking it mate

Hope you don't regret it but you could always get another one cheap

Lovely car mate. Spacers set it off just right. Colour when clean looks amazing too. Great thread.

Thanks Si

Shame I'm not boosted! I'm having a bit of a hard time with the spacers, major rubbing issues I'm trying to put right, no chance of passengers!

I had an update the day after my last one but didn't want to appear too keen updating daily!

I'll do some other bits and pieces and do it all at once as per usual

 

[182_steve]

Just read this from start to finish after seeing the photo in the spacers guide thread....... all I can say is WOW!! :grinning:

The difference in this between now and first bought is simply like night and day, great work slowly going through all the problems. Did make me smile the comment saying it was 'modified like a boss' before as per the sticker

Has to be one of the best cars on here :up:

 

[Chris_Beer]

Hello @182_steve only just seen this mate thank you

I also found the 'boss modding' amusing lol

Thread requires a major update soon.. I'll have to sort all the photos out !

Merry Christmas to all, will be back here with an update nearer 2017

 

[imprezaworks]

Yeah car is awesome. And if I may add your wife is stunning too. Have a good xmas and look forward to the updates

 

[182_steve]

Yeah I thought that was a lovely touch having the car at the wedding....... have a good one!

 

[imprezaworks]

Wedding? I just saw a stunning lady in a white dress lol.

 

[Chris_Beer]

Yeah car is awesome. And if I may add your wife is stunning too. Have a good xmas and look forward to the updates :smile:

Surely is... and the wife! Ha

Thanks mate, she's RenaultSport faithful with cars so knew she was a keeper lol. Now its nearly 8 years later :anguished:

And a good Christmas to you pal, enjoyed the CS banter lately :up:

Yeah I thought that was a lovely touch having the car at the wedding....... have a good one!

Thanks and you Steve :up:

Wedding? I just saw a stunning lady in a white dress lol.

:up::smile:

 

[Chris_Beer]

Right so here we go then...

There’s quite a bit to catch up on here, so I will be looking at posting the updates a bit at a time from the past year. Mainly so we get some text to go with the hundred of perhaps unnecessary photos…


Continuing on from last time, the reverse lights completely stopped working

Genuine sensor and usual bits for another service, usually TB clean out, also a handy tyre pressure/measuring tool, some air fresheners, and the washer ECU fix

Wired in my amp to help the speakers out a bit, fitted a positive terminal cover, and also re-positioned the microphone as the sunvisor kept catching it

Since fitting the rear spacers, it was suffering with bad scrubbing whilst pushing it on bumpy corners, so rolled the arches in a bit tighter

Some summer shots after some cleaning with the wife’s then new Renault Sport Megane Lux 175 dCi Cup Packed.

Really great all round car, and took a long time to find a 5 door one too :up:

Then a set of H&R Coilovers popped up on here in the for sale section from @basket491 and had to snap these up.

They cleaned up pretty well for second hand units

Found some old yellow touch up from the SEAT Ibiza, and although it didn’t match and wasn’t pretty, it saves any rust spots

At the same time I decided to refresh the top mounts, although they didn’t really require it if I’m honest.

Top service from Nick @pure-motorsport :smile:

All cleaned, greased up, and spinning nicely for adjustment

Complete

Now this is where things tend to go downhill… Starting removing the KTEC Coilovers...

The bottom bolts had seized solid on one side. Lump hammering, impact gun, or the breaker bar wouldn’t turn or move them at all

Undid the track rod to swing the hub out and face the bolts head on, and this happened undoing the thread. The end was also seized in?!

This was on a Sunday afternoon, and every parts place was closed and I had no steering or time to get it sorted..

So that evening, I went and bought a faithful workhorse to runaround in that would double up for tip runs :stig:

Later on down the line gave it some machine cutting, new £3 wheel trims and fixed all the neglected bits and pieces to make it last a while

Ordered new track rod ends

Ordered some new OE bolts to replace the scrappy seized camber ones

Fitted the rear H&R’s, nice and simple for a change!

 

[Chris_Beer]

Moving on to tidying the engine bay up a little

Removed the bulkhead sound deadening for a cleaner look, but does add a bit of noise!

New coolant bottle

New PS Cap and Washer Fluid Cap… still unsure on it’s look

Went for a bit of “luxury” with a low mileage thicker pile 182 carpet to replace the cigarette burned and poverty spec Cup carpet. It cleaned up very well!

Repainted the black sections for seat mountings

Trophy Trendlines came up “cheap” due to needing a small repair which I’ll look into later on

182 fronts sold to @ADS_V6 and Recaro frames hoovered and wiped down

Whilst so much was going on, thought it was a good opportunity to finally dig out the 182 Manifold, ditching this inaccessible join!

Ropey ball joints!

New ball joints and TRE and lambda

Manifold gasket in good order, new OE gasket kit, and another new lambda as I only changed one last time

182 Cat and old mid-section join chopped off and the cat sleeved for the mid-section to allow fitment to the 172 system and not having an olive joint

Used Demon Tweeks for the Jetex pipe / sleeve

Just a word of advice, working out in the rain, and lying in puddles.. don’t do it..! :down:

Subframe on it's way down

Replacement driveshaft as the bearing had started weeping gearbox oil

Hit a problem on the other side with the nut rounding.. So had to remove the whole lot

Also had to swap a wobbly circlip, and noticed the new shaft had a weight on when it shouldn't have...

Next was the problem of the replacement driveshaft not fitting the hub!

Tried a few things but ended up having to use my old snapped wheel bolt hub which mean’t removing the remaining wheel bolt threads…

Degreased and cleaned out the muddy wheel arches and finally fitted some arch liners! New push clips and torx screws

182 Manifold / Centre Section matched up and sleeved to fit

 

[Chris_Beer]

I asked a friend to do a photoshop for me of silver Turini’s, because it's a Cup afterall...

Before and after:

So instead of painting over mine, did a deal with @bangybear and swapped for these…

Cheerio to anthracite…

Turini’s back from the refinishers, powder coated bright / high sparkle silver! They look ridiculously bright and flecky with the flash on, but I’m liking them a lot as they look so fresh

Went for some new 40 profile tyres (trialed two on the rear before the anthracite ones sold), and then a Hunter wheel alignment due to the new parts

New Hub nut to replace the rounded off one, and also a new set of plugs to cure a slight misfire/hesitation

Then it was off to a Castle Combe track day… :hearteyes:

5AM Start!

Noise checked and ready for my first track session

Couple of other RS cars

Hot afternoon temperatures pushing the car made the tyres suffer a fair bit!

And a few track pics from the photographer guy John Gaisford :up:

It was a really really great day, the car didn’t use a drop of oil and performed surprisingly well against what I used to think were far superior and quicker cars!

The only hiccup was the backbox clamp dropping off the mount on the first session and melting the exhaust surround! :grin:

Thanks to the guy who lent me some spanners to get me sorted again! :spanner::smile:


The post fixes were:

A heat shield, genuine item off the lesser model Clio’s, New Coolant Cap and Powdercoated Fuel Rail Guard

Polybushed exhaust mount as mine failed

Thanks to @muzza1989 for the replacement exhaust surround

 

[Chris_Beer]

5000K Xenon Bulbs as I felt the 6000K were almost a bit too blue against the white paint

3 x Renault’s!

Checked the replacement driveshaft as it had already started knocking, which proved to be badly spitting grease on my new wheels! :triumph:

This time instead of wasting time on second hand “very good and checked” items I went for some J&R shafts

IMO are not to be sniffed at for the price, and work well on the Cup / non two piece drivers shaft set up.

@imprezaworks can verify he is still alive lol

Gearbox oil replaced with yet another sealing washer

ABS rings sacked off and new shafts fitted

Another alignment check

Replacement scuttle plastic clips, petrol cap rubber stoppers so it sits correctly again, and some non rusty screws

Tried out some Razeglaze Alcantara Cleaner on the filthy seats and some other polished bliss bits

Recommendation of @ADS_V6 fantastic products all round! :up:

Swapped a scratched boot plastic with a spare, so re-cut another second boot light hole again

Then it was MOT time…

To make life easier I thought to raise the suspension up, only to find one of the front coilovers leaking all over the floor

Off they came and sent off to Cornering Force for a rebuild

Almost two months later… the car was still like this

The shocks needed parts from Bilstein direct, which proved costly both in time and money

By this time my stop gap car needed an MOT, but thankfully all it needed was a tyre!

So chucked the Williams wheels on and 12 months ticket! You just can’t beat a cheap car ! :stig:

By this point, after what felt like countless failed second hand parts and weeks of wasted time and probably royally annoying the neighbours having to see the car on axle stands…

I opted to just bite the bullet and go for these… and I’m so glad I did :hearteyes: Thanks to @Bobby5

Spoke to Nick @pure-motorsport and he sent me out some washers to sort allow the fitment of the top mounts and got them assembled