Yiannis197
Paid Member
Hello people, I think it is about time I did a project thread for my Clio.
About a year and a half ago I was in the market for an R27. Buying second hand is quite tricky as you all know clearly because you want to tick as many boxes as possible. So, I knew I didn’t want a 200 because of its looks, hugely dislike the front and I don’t like the new diffuser either. Therefore I was looking for an unmodified R27 in good condition with low (relatively) mileage. So I travelled to Manchester to view this albi blue which had 29k on the clock and looooads of other bonuses apart from the colour which happens to be one of my favourites.
First, it was on extended warranty which at the time gave me peace of mind, second it was in seriously good condition, wheels and bodywork TOTALLY unmarked (not any more I’m afraid), the interior wasn’t tired at all, Recaros had been replaced under warranty, no cup spoiler which meant that I wouldn’t have to respray the tailgate after having it removed (not a fan of cup spoiler or any other aero bits, R27 is loud enough as it is IMO), full Renault service history and new contis all around. Win. However, no Xenon (but still projectors) and no clima/auto wiper/auto lights package. That still pains me not because of the functionality but clearly because of the interior's looks. Those heating controls are simply awful to look (and use), couldn’t be cheaper and personally I find them unacceptable to be in a £17k car built in 2007. And to add to that, who buys a new car and doesn’t pay £150 for this option?
Anyway, some pics after I picked her up.
First thing I did was full LED upgrade. Roof, doors, glovebox, rear plates, sidelights, fog lights, the lot. It gave the car a much fresher look. just a quick pic, you all know how the LEDs look like I suppose.
Then it was HIDs. At first I went for 6K but it was too blue (ish) so I immediately replaced them with 4.3K. Slim ballasts used obviously given that there is a bit of a squeeze in there and I did both sets, dipped and mains. Huge difference, very happy with the outcome. I also took the opportunity while the bumper was down to change the front grilles to a new pair.
Then it was Renault Sport mats and the ‘’Renault F1 team’’ sticker I got from Rocky, they gave a nice note to the interior. After that it was the 200 clocks, big fan of yellow rev counter and also the beep (mileage correction done as well). I also debadged the rear and a new RS badge went on (pics to follow)
Then it was time for lowering. However I didn’t want to ruin or compromise the handling/ride of the car by any means so I did a fair amount of research that took me nowhere. Some people say it’s a winning combo, some not. There is no information whatsoever about H&Rs spring rates, how progressive they are etc so I decided to take the plunge and go for H&Rs 30mm all around. Didn’t want to lower the back more, I prefer the lower front, better turn in etc. The look is spot on and the car in smooth roads (1/100 of UK roads) behaves nicely but in real life it’s not that good at all. The ride is crashy and the car bounces like a trampoline making the rear totally unpredictable when cornering. Not happy with them that’s why they are going. I at the same time had 200 cup dampers, a rear anti roll bar and front strut brace I got from Danny, and adjustable top mounts I got from Simo fitted. Currently running 2.1 degrees negative. Very good mod, happy with it.
Then it was time to sort out the interior’s cheap look. Sprayshack did all the work when the group buy was on, like 4 months ago. The idea was to make the interior look like stock but different at the same time. I wanted an anthracite based colour so Simon worked his magic and he did a special anthracite pearl mix. This is as dark as the stock one so when you look it from afar it looks the same, but it is gloss with smooth finish and some…’’bits’’ in it, so when you have a closer look you realise that something good is going on. I also asked Simon to do a ‘’R27’’ on the right bottom area of the main console exactly as he’d do the ‘’Renault Sport’’ on the dash strip. The outcome is really good and most importantly discreet. It’s not a sticker and that makes it look like it came from the factory. Pics don’t really do it justice.
We actually sprayed the lot. Pics to follow.
Clock surround and gaiter with yellow stitching sorted by Steve from Edge Automotive. I asked him to embroider ‘’Renault Sport’’ at the front and run the stitching at the back which he did (and now there is a group buy going I believe). However this is too big for me so I’ll have it done again with the a smaller ‘’Renault Sport’’. . Here are some pics.
I have to add that not only the panel with the electric window switches looks fresh but it feels nice when you come to use the switches as well
It's like a woman who just had her legs waxed quality.
I went one step further with it as I had the vents sprayed as well and not only the vent's surround. Hope you like it.
Side vents as well
About a year and a half ago I was in the market for an R27. Buying second hand is quite tricky as you all know clearly because you want to tick as many boxes as possible. So, I knew I didn’t want a 200 because of its looks, hugely dislike the front and I don’t like the new diffuser either. Therefore I was looking for an unmodified R27 in good condition with low (relatively) mileage. So I travelled to Manchester to view this albi blue which had 29k on the clock and looooads of other bonuses apart from the colour which happens to be one of my favourites.
First, it was on extended warranty which at the time gave me peace of mind, second it was in seriously good condition, wheels and bodywork TOTALLY unmarked (not any more I’m afraid), the interior wasn’t tired at all, Recaros had been replaced under warranty, no cup spoiler which meant that I wouldn’t have to respray the tailgate after having it removed (not a fan of cup spoiler or any other aero bits, R27 is loud enough as it is IMO), full Renault service history and new contis all around. Win. However, no Xenon (but still projectors) and no clima/auto wiper/auto lights package. That still pains me not because of the functionality but clearly because of the interior's looks. Those heating controls are simply awful to look (and use), couldn’t be cheaper and personally I find them unacceptable to be in a £17k car built in 2007. And to add to that, who buys a new car and doesn’t pay £150 for this option?
Anyway, some pics after I picked her up.
First thing I did was full LED upgrade. Roof, doors, glovebox, rear plates, sidelights, fog lights, the lot. It gave the car a much fresher look. just a quick pic, you all know how the LEDs look like I suppose.
Then it was HIDs. At first I went for 6K but it was too blue (ish) so I immediately replaced them with 4.3K. Slim ballasts used obviously given that there is a bit of a squeeze in there and I did both sets, dipped and mains. Huge difference, very happy with the outcome. I also took the opportunity while the bumper was down to change the front grilles to a new pair.
Then it was Renault Sport mats and the ‘’Renault F1 team’’ sticker I got from Rocky, they gave a nice note to the interior. After that it was the 200 clocks, big fan of yellow rev counter and also the beep (mileage correction done as well). I also debadged the rear and a new RS badge went on (pics to follow)
Then it was time for lowering. However I didn’t want to ruin or compromise the handling/ride of the car by any means so I did a fair amount of research that took me nowhere. Some people say it’s a winning combo, some not. There is no information whatsoever about H&Rs spring rates, how progressive they are etc so I decided to take the plunge and go for H&Rs 30mm all around. Didn’t want to lower the back more, I prefer the lower front, better turn in etc. The look is spot on and the car in smooth roads (1/100 of UK roads) behaves nicely but in real life it’s not that good at all. The ride is crashy and the car bounces like a trampoline making the rear totally unpredictable when cornering. Not happy with them that’s why they are going. I at the same time had 200 cup dampers, a rear anti roll bar and front strut brace I got from Danny, and adjustable top mounts I got from Simo fitted. Currently running 2.1 degrees negative. Very good mod, happy with it.
Then it was time to sort out the interior’s cheap look. Sprayshack did all the work when the group buy was on, like 4 months ago. The idea was to make the interior look like stock but different at the same time. I wanted an anthracite based colour so Simon worked his magic and he did a special anthracite pearl mix. This is as dark as the stock one so when you look it from afar it looks the same, but it is gloss with smooth finish and some…’’bits’’ in it, so when you have a closer look you realise that something good is going on. I also asked Simon to do a ‘’R27’’ on the right bottom area of the main console exactly as he’d do the ‘’Renault Sport’’ on the dash strip. The outcome is really good and most importantly discreet. It’s not a sticker and that makes it look like it came from the factory. Pics don’t really do it justice.
We actually sprayed the lot. Pics to follow.
Clock surround and gaiter with yellow stitching sorted by Steve from Edge Automotive. I asked him to embroider ‘’Renault Sport’’ at the front and run the stitching at the back which he did (and now there is a group buy going I believe). However this is too big for me so I’ll have it done again with the a smaller ‘’Renault Sport’’. . Here are some pics.
I have to add that not only the panel with the electric window switches looks fresh but it feels nice when you come to use the switches as well
It's like a woman who just had her legs waxed quality.I went one step further with it as I had the vents sprayed as well and not only the vent's surround. Hope you like it.
Side vents as well
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