Hello from Dublin

Think it's time I stopped lurking and introduced myself / my car. Some of you already know me / recognise the car from the RS 197/200 FB group.

I was looking for a well handling daily driver that I could potentially turn into full on / dedicated track car in few years.

Was originally set on getting 200 Cup from UK but eventually bought local 197 as I couldn't justify the extra cost. (paid about the going rate for clean 200 but the 200 cup that I was looking at would ended up being nearly twice as much after paying Vehicle Registration Tax etc.)

The car is low mileage (30k when bought) Nimbus Grey 197 with the optional Recaros and sunroof.
Originally purchased and spend most of it's life in Guernsey so is almost rust free.

Apart from badly worn Recaros and broken sunroof the car was in decent mechanical nick (FSH up until last year)

The things that I've done so far:
  • Replaced Oil (Millers CFS 5W40 NT+), filters (oil and cabin)
  • Fitted ITG Panel filter
  • Fitted new set of tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport 4) - the old ones (mix of worn Conti SC5 and new Mohawk) were borderline dangerous
  • Fixed sunroof (new brackets and bushes for the mobile panel)
  • Fitted Powerflex torque arm bush and gearbox mount inserts
  • Fitted new thermostat and flushed cooling system (car was running cool as thermostat was sticking open)
  • Cleaned PCV Valve and throttle body (were relatively clean)
  • Painted rusted alarm sensor bracket
  • Detailed engine bay and fitted new engine oil, windscreen washer reservoir and coolant expansion tank caps (old were filthy and wasn't able to clean them)
  • Replaced broken/cracked mirror assembly
  • Added AUX cable to the stock radio
  • Replaced weathered bumper inserts/grills (might mod the old set in future)
There is load more things to do like:
  • Check/clean drain holes under scuttle panel
  • Clean/clear sunroof drain holes/pipes
  • Replace more weathered seals/trim
  • Touch up stone chips
  • Flush brake fluid and maybe fit some better pads
  • Sort the worn driver seat

The plan is to keep the car more or less stock for now, later in a year fit some uprated suspension (I'm thinking KW Clubsports) and down the line freshen up/overhaul the brakes (maybe going to bigger and/or two part discs in front)

Anyway here is few pictures:

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And here is my other pride and joy that I used to daily up until recently (not economical to do so anymore due to insurance and other costs)

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Welcome. Great intro to a cracking looking car. Sounds like you know what you’re doing. Look forward to seeing your progress:thumb:
 
Thanks lads!

Lovely car and here's hoping you can make it to Lisburn

If I make it up there the car will be really filthy as I'm a little under the weather and won't have time to wash it. :flushed:

Welcome. Great intro to a cracking looking car. Sounds like you know what you’re doing. Look forward to seeing your progress:thumb:

Thanks! Going through the How To section and flipping through the factory service manual helped. :wink:
 
Thanks lads!



If I make it up there the car will be really filthy as I'm a little under the weather and won't have time to wash it. :flushed:



Thanks! Going through the How To section and flipping through the factory service manual helped. :wink:
Don't be worrying about that (we'll just talk about you when you go home LOL) Just be great to meet up with other clio owners
 
Welcome along. Love Clios with the fairly rare sunroof. I'd love one of these full panoramic opening roofs as they make the interior so light & airy. Great even when closed, but sadly not available with the cup chassis I wanted. Maybe I should've got one & used Bilstein B14 shocks & a cup steering rack to get the car I wanted. Your car is a great colour too. I like what you've done so far & your plans suggest that the car now has an owner who will look after her. Enjoy
 
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welcome on board..i like all your plans..will be a rocket once all done up..enjoy her/him :thumb:
 

Welcome to the site :french:

Cheers!

Welcome along. Love Clios with the fairly rare sunroof. I'd love one of these full panoramic opening roofs as they make the interior so light & airy. Great even when closed, but sadly not available with the cup chassis I wanted. Maybe I should've got one & used Bilstein B14 shocks & a cup steering rack to get the car I wanted. Your car is a great colour too. I like what you've done so far & your plans suggest that the car now has an owner who will look after ber. Enjoy

Thanks! This one has the panoramic sunroof, like you said it makes the interior bright and airy. I haven't used it at all since I got it working due to weather but planning on making good use of it over the summer. The only bad thing is that it ads up a bit of weight (in the wrong place) and may cause leaks etc. Must drive car with B14s before I fully make up my mind to see what they are like.

welcome on board..i like all your plans..will be a rocket once all done up..enjoy her/him :thumb:

Thank You!
 
Welcome cracking looking car I’m in Galway so great to see Clio sport fans in Ireland. You should come west with your Clio roads round here we’re made for your Clio. I have a few myself just got a 200 cup going to make it full track car. 074be06a1b1e0e4edd17bd9d68911f7e.jpg9589c68dabd5669dcf91a04367f3ac94.jpg


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Hi and welcome, don’t be worried about the car being dirty as it will probably be pissin on Sunday so they will all be rotten! Lol coffee and chat what it’s all about :smile:
 
Welcome. Your car looks a cracking example.

Colin

Thanks Colin!

Welcome cracking looking car I’m in Galway so great to see Clio sport fans in Ireland. You should come west with your Clio roads round here we’re made for your Clio. I have a few myself just got a 200 cup going to make it full track car.

Cheers, that's some collection you got there (lovely looking garage too :smile:). Only ever been in Galway town, not familiar with the roads around there at all. Definitely want to explore the West this year (anything from Dingle up to Donegal).
 
Welcome. Nice going on your mods/work so far. How are the vibrations from your engine with the new powerflex mounts?
 
Welcome. Nice going on your mods/work so far. How are the vibrations from your engine with the new powerflex mounts?

Thanks! I've ordered three out of the four available bushes / engine mount inserts (didn't get the upper engine mount which some people on here said makes the vibrations unbearable). So far I've only fitted two, the torque arm bush and few days later the gearbox mount inserts.

The vibrations were little crazy after fitting just the torque arm bush, you could clearly see the engine being solid on one end and moving good bit on the other. Steering wheel and pedals vibrated good bit (even got pins and needles in the sole of my right foot after initial test drive) and there was loads of rattles in the interior. I still came back from the test drive with massive grin on my face as the torque arm bush has made massive difference to throttle response - previously there was very noticeable and annoying delay when you for example wanted to accelerated out of slow corner. (my other car has really great throttle response)

After I fitted the gearbox mount inserts the vibrations have settled good bit. I was worried that it may get worse again but it actually improved.

I have now put about 1200km on the car since these were fitted and things have improved a bit but it's fair to say that there is more noise and vibrations in the interior than with the stock set up. I spend loads of time in heavy traffic and there would be some occasionally rattling coming from behind dashboard, from within pillars and the seatbelt height adjusters (I noticed there was a 'fix' for this one in the how to section). The rattle would be worse in situations where you have to let the clutch slip a bit.

Overal I would say it was a good mod as I really like the improved response etc. and I plan to fit the lower engine mount inserts when I get a chance.

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks for the detailed answer. I only have the upper torque mount in powerflex. While I'm happy with the throttle response and lack of engine movement, the shift quality leaves some to be desired. I'm just gathering info and make my plans from there. :smile:
 

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