Addy's RB 200 Project

[Addison]

Hi All,

Rather than disturb an old project for the old car (which I unfortunately had to sell) I decided to create a fresh thread for the new car!

First of all, I'm glad to be back in a 200 after a year and a half, even more so after being ultimately forced to sell my previous one at no fault other than my own.

This time around I managed to score my myself a lovely RB rather than GW previously which I'm extremely happy with! Whilst this one is a touch higher on mileage at 90k, it runs perfect after a full top end rebuild around 2.5k miles ago at two techs in Dartford. The previous owner purchased this assuming there was a misfire unfortunately for him it was actually an incorrectly fit cambelt which ultimately wrecked the engine. Before you ask, it was actually done by a Renault specialist garage which is the scarier bit... but since the car wasn't in my ownership at the time of this happening I won't name anyone as I can only go off of the history with the car.

Anywhos, let's get on to the fun parts, before I go any further, here's the car [emoji4]

I had a lovely drive to Kent on Saturday and collected it Sunday morning followed by a drive to reading to purchase some Recaros from another member on here.

I have done a few additional things so far but I feel like I'm waffling! I will add some more pictures below and follow up shortly with what I'm planning to do and have done so far!

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[Beany]

Welcome back and look forward to see how this one progresses

 

[Addison]

Busy little morning after finally get a few hours of dry time (it's non stop raining!). I forgot to add photos of the Recaros now they're fitted to the car, so here we are. Pretty much immaculate condition bar a small amount of wear on the drivers lower bolster. Although it'll never get any worse as I swing in Indiana Jones style into the seat.

For anyone wondering, the straps around the top of the seat are for the dogs hammock, we can't go anywhere without him tagging along [emoji23]

So this morning I've had the diffuser off, one to check out some minor rattling (I also need a replacement tip before anyone comments [emoji28]) luckily the rattles were just an abundance of gravel and stones between the diffuser and heatshield. In fact, so many that I could probably regravel my garden! Anyways nice easy fix, unfortunately forgot to take some pictures whilst it was off however everything was in top shape, very happy [emoji1303] I also finally got my V5 so I could put my plate back on [emoji6]

Whilst everything was out I thought I may as well check over the scuttles give them all the wiper motor a quick clean, grease it up and cover it all in some ACF ready for some salty roads and sea air ahead. (We couldn't get much closer to the sea so rust may be a small issue. Any other areas I should consider coating?)

Before coating I had a quick check of the scuttle drains which I'm glad I did as the drivers one was blocked and flooded.

All good for this year protection wise. Although I'll definitely keep an eye on the drains as usual. I also always like to see nice bits of history of the car, the inspection sticker is still intact under the bottom. Which is strangely a nice sight.

I believe this could be one of the first few 200's to be registered? It was 1st September 2009. Although I could be wrong, it'd be nice to know though!

You can't tell as much now however last Monday we put a fresh set of discs and pads on all-round, brembo pads and pagid discs. I did want better discs although they needed doing the same day and those are all we could get out hands on sadly, the rears were totally shot and the fronts heavily warped. They do the job nicely for now though!

The rears are on brand new PS4 when I collected the car, the fronts are just about gone but they're being changed next Monday along with a new lower ball joint and two new front shocks as the passenger side has failed. Followed by an alignment it should be like a new car, the pulling and knocking is driving me mental at the moment.

More stuff also on the way (even though I promised myself to keep the spending to a minimum this month [emoji849]).

Anywhos, hope you all had/have a nice weekend. Here's another [emoji527] shot!

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[J18NYR]

Looking good that fella.
Nice to see people on here getting hold of them and putting some time and love back into these cars.

 

[Addison]

Looking good that fella.
Nice to see people on here getting hold of them and putting some time and love back into these cars.

Cheers mate, they're lovely cars and do require alot of maintenance which alot of people disregard whilst buying/owning them.

Unfortunately due to that it's getting harder and harder to find nice examples. This is a good one so far just needs some additional TLC to bring it up to scratch. Should be keeping this one a fairly standard looked after example though!

 

[Addison]

Few bits I've been working on this week. Slowly getting happier and happier with the car. Even more so with today's changes!

One of the small ones which makes a great difference. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the original aerial however the rubbing on the cup spoiler has take a toll over the years with some rubbing which has removed the paint. The cup spoiler needs a repaint in the future but will probably save that for next summer along with the drivers rear quarter which is slightly scraped.

I also changed over the old windowscreen hoses so these are no longer falling to dust and unmatched as someone originally put a random blue one on the short side. Although, I'm not entirely happy with these as I want an oem finish. Does anyone know where I could get some oem look pipes or know the part numbers?

I also managed to get my fancy "tie-wrap" installed which should hopefully be a partial cure to the kangarooing, I need a few more drives to fully check although it does feel better, I'm not sure if it's a placebo though...

Old vs new! Although the front passenger shock was failing I felt I made sense to change both sides to get a refresh even though the drivers looked fine. Lower ball joint also replaced, knocking and pulling now cured. Happy days! Feels like a totally new car, extremely glad these have been changed as it's felt a long couple of weeks waiting to get it sorted!

Terrible picture but shows the change! Dead tyres off the front and PS4 to replace, essentially brand new PS4 all-round now. It actually grips, yippee!

I didn't actually get any pictures of this fitted but thought I would treat you to this mess underneath. The silencer was blowing very badly and clearly has in the past since it's been welded by someone clearly incapable of welding! I've replaced this with a straight pipe to delete it temporary, not the perfect solution although fixes some issues until I find a decent system to go on.

Currently still doing stuff as I type so expect another update shortly!


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[Addison]

Also forgot to add quite a significant change, whoops... I had the tracking aligned once everything was setup. Quite the difference as you can see!

 

[Addison]

Nice and easy updates today! Since I've had the car I've basically driven through 4 seasons and it's absolutely filthy. The car looked clean previously although it's a totally new clean now as I'm extremely anal

Full wash, decontamination, polished, sealed/protected then waxed. Unfortunately won't reap too many benefits of the cleanliness as it's due to rain for the next week straight... Although it should keep the car easy to clean for next time and protect it much more! Still needs a full machine polish, deep deep clean and better sealing however that's a summer job.

I also got some free time to replace the window door seals which were beyond wrecked, what a tedious job that was. Definitely worth the hassle though.

My knock on the front still remains unfortunately so back to problem solving, going to replace an additional ball joint, if that doesn't fix it I'll replace the drop link. Fingers crossed one resolves it


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[Addison]

So, after saying I was keeping the spending to a minimal this month... I'm now in the deep end! (The missus doesn't hate me I swear).

@lewishunter98 spotted something for me which I couldn't resist!

Fitting this Friday, excited is an understatement

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[matt9566]

Top progress so far and the car is looking great! Really love RB, it's such a good colour

Congrats on the Akra, excellent purchase (especially if it's the one that was offered on the 'Akrapovic Prices' thread)

You'll love it once fitted - Still miss the sound of mine!

 

[Addison]

Top progress so far and the car is looking great! Really love RB, it's such a good colour

Congrats on the Akra, excellent purchase (especially if it's the one that was offered on the 'Akrapovic Prices' thread)

You'll love it once fitted - Still miss the sound of mine!

Cheers fella! I'm loving working on it so far, there's a fair bit to do to get it looking perfect and how I want it but it gives me something to do haha.

It was indeed! I just couldn't refuse, I've been hunting for one since the last car, they're gold dust especially at a sensible price.

Can't wait to get it fitted, I've always loved the sound of them just couldn't justify the price tag of one brand new [emoji1787]


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[matt9566]

Cheers fella! I'm loving working on it so far, there's a fair bit to do to get it looking perfect and how I want it but it gives me something to do haha.

It was indeed! I just couldn't refuse, I've been hunting for one since the last car, they're gold dust especially at a sensible price.

Can't wait to get it fitted, I've always loved the sound of them just couldn't justify the price tag of one brand new [emoji1787]


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It's all part of the fun sorting all of the little bits out and making it your own, I've started being a bit more 'hands on' since I got the Megane and it's definitely more rewarding than paying someone to do it.

It was a bloody great price! They are crazy money new, especially when a Scorpion system is about a third of the price but you certainly got a bargain!

Keep the updates coming.

 

[Addison]

It's all part of the fun sorting all of the little bits out and making it your own, I've started being a bit more 'hands on' since I got the Megane and it's definitely more rewarding than paying someone to do it.

It was a bloody great price! They are crazy money new, especially when a Scorpion system is about a third of the price but you certainly got a bargain!

Keep the updates coming.

Oh yeah totally. I love getting hands on with anything I can. I have my limits as I'm not overly mechanically minded though, at least I try.

I had a non res scorpion last time with a decat. Don't get me wrong it sounded awesome but I do alot of long distance driving and the droning was horrid in it!

Also totally disregarded your RB comment since I'm useless, I absolutely love the colour. You could say I'm now biased but I think it's the best colour on these. I'm normally a massive whore for LY but RB is just too nice.


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[lewishunter98]

I look forward to receiving akra vids

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[Addison]

I look forward to receiving akra vids

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Plus your infinite Christmas cards [emoji102]


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[Addison]

A little delay in updates! Akrapovic now fitted, in love!

Absolutely perfect for myself, not insanely loud but just enough to know it's there and a lovely tone. I've had the non res scorpion before which was lovely but just a bit too much for a daily imo!

Oil was getting low and have been trying to get a little bit of time to do an oil and filter change which I got around to doing this morning.

Out with the old...

On with the new... Always elf for me personally and genuine filter. Don't worry, it's not in the picture but I did replace the sump washer too!

All nice, new and full again!

Also replaced the droplink on the OSF but still no cure for the knocking unfortunately... Bottom ball joint and track rod ends next!


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[lewishunter98]

A little delay in updates! Akrapovic now fitted, in love!

Absolutely perfect for myself, not insanely loud but just enough to know it's there and a lovely tone. I've had the non res scorpion before which was lovely but just a bit too much for a daily imo!

Oil was getting low and have been trying to get a little bit of time to do an oil and filter change which I got around to doing this morning.

Out with the old...

On with the new... Always elf for me personally and genuine filter. Don't worry, it's not in the picture but I did replace the sump washer too!

All nice, new and full again!

Also replaced the droplinks on the OSF but still no cure for the knocking unfortunately... Bottom ball joint and track rod ends next!


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Good work mate

Though one thing, are the washers for the anti rotation links on the ball joint side?

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[Addison]

Good work mate

Though one thing, are the washers for the anti rotation links on the ball joint side?

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You are correct, I shall remedy it. Thank you

 

[burrellbloke]

Enjoy the Akra.

I had one installed on Thursday. Every time I get in to the car I now want to drive with the windows down and the radio off just to listen to it.

It is also a spectacular noise if you just sit stationary and rev the engine really hard. It is the pops and gurgles that I really like.

 

[Addison]

Enjoy the Akra.

I had one installed on Thursday. Every time I get in to the car I now want to drive with the windows down and the radio off just to listen to it.

It is also a spectacular noise if you just sit stationary and rev the engine really hard. It is the pops and gurgles that I really like.

You too! I'm the exact same. Although it's next to impossible at the moment as all it does is bloody rain!

I do love the noise, most systems are very raspy where this has a lovely deep tone to it. Noticeably improved my flatspot too which is a huge bonus.


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