Clio 197 revival project

[forecast.buckets]

hello all,

i actually posted this in the new members forum but as i'd like to document my progress i'm moving it to here -

i've owned quite a few cars. in the past - Subaru Sti's - Seat Cupras - MG's - Audi's (and still own a stage 2+ 370bhp S3 )... Very recently sold my beloved Clio 182 weekend toy... didn't take long before i needed a new project. I've just collected this Clio 197 - needs some serious TLC but i got it at a very very good price and it's fairly tidy under the grime only 80k on the clock. purchased for less than avg mileage 1.2 clio

a huge list of parts have been ordered - the gearbox needs refurb / replacement as 4th crunchy (it's actually not too bad but im super OCD so i want to fix it ASAP) - needs belts doing ... oils / plugs / filter etc . I'll need new brakes on the front and recondition the Brembos . New tyres as there are some hideous budget tyres on currently. A full detail / compound and polish etc required . Refurb the alloys. and couple bits interior wise needs sorting... so quite a list. The usual stuff like springs and spacers , polybushings etc etc

before clean


After:

 

[forecast.buckets]

Taking the car up to Beaniesports to have the box rebuilt / new clutch done ! I spoke with Chris and he seems like a great guy. Looking forward to getting it done. it's going up in a couple weeks.


Also received a few bits and pieces to keep myself occupied. Excuse the exhaust tips... just to make the back end standout a bit more until i upgrade the system. also got my 20mm spacers all round and couple other little bits. oh and some Dunlop Direzza's (not my preferred choice but i got them for very very cheap ) to replace the no brand budget tyres currently on there. will do for now...


.
cheers

 

[forecast.buckets]

so lots has happened since i last update-
i took the car to Beaniesports for Chris to work his magic on my crunchy gearbox, fit a new clutch, replace all the belts. Couldn't be happier with how the car is now driving !

List of other jobs carried out :
Miller Nanodrive oil change / Gramms sport lowering springs fitted / Roya steering wheel re trimmed wheel fitted / fixed bent tie rods / reprayed brembos, rear brakes , front grilles , centre dash console and rear diffuser / Tyres and spacers fitted / Cheap Ebay spoiler extention fitted .

The car now looks and drives amazing. couldn't be happier. Small little lock down project getting this car to some former glory and now i own a very good looking B road blaster clio.

 

[forecast.buckets]

Gramms springs fitted and resprayed brembos / touch up paint on the disc bells (brembo stickers were added later and lacquered) :





fixed tie rods:


rear calipers / rear gramms sports springs and some touch up paint on the disc bells:

 

[forecast.buckets]

fitted 20mm spacers all round to compiment the beautiful clio arches. Seems so bizarre that the stance wasn't set closer to this as standard. Also you can see the nice 30mm drop the Gramms springs provide. The springs were recommended to me by Chris from Beaniesports are they're meant to be a lot less crashy than the H&R's. I was initially worried springs might harm the driving dynamics of the clio. the springs are magic, zero crashy ride, very comfortable / feels stock comfort and less body roll in corners as well as provides a lovely 30mm drop on each corner which is spot on:

 

[forecast.buckets]

Lots of spraying carried out. All the lousy grey dash trim , the nasty front grilles and the rear diffuser.

I've still got a few more bits i'd like to touch up such as the door handles and potentially the lower grille section.





picture of the diffuser back on - painted in satin black. It looks so much better .


also fitted this cheap universal rear spoiler since it's impossible to get your hands on the RS200 item (£10 ) :

 

[forecast.buckets]

One of my favourite additions is my newly refurbished steering wheel from Jack over at Royal Steering wheels. Had the classic perforated leather sides with alcantara top and bottom sections finished with red stitching and red 12 oclock stripe, i also had it made slightly chunkier:

old wheel:



New item :

 

[forecast.buckets]

a few more Jobs still to do such as :

.refurbing the alloys which i'm planning to do myself
.Respray some more parts
.Full detail and pull of some parking dings
.Fit new number plates

If anyone has any recommendations on any other essential items to add to enhance the clio let me know !

 

[Simon2189]

Think the spacers are a great addition. We’re they expensive?

 

[Big Ben]

Did you fit the direzzas?

 

[forecast.buckets]

Think the spacers are a great addition. We’re they expensive?

I was lucky actually - i got the spacers on auction for less than 25 quid. i think they're over 100 quid new

 

[forecast.buckets]

Did you fit the direzzas?

yeah they're on - i thought they would suck but they're not too bad. worth the 80 quid i paid for all 4

 

[lewishunter98]

yeah they're on - i thought they would suck but they're not too bad. worth the 80 quid i paid for all 4

You paid £80 for a set of four direzza's!?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[forecast.buckets]

You paid £80 for a set of four direzza's!?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Yes sir haha

 

[suj]

You paid £80 for a set of four direzza's!?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

They are not Direzza DZ03G, they are the road Direzzas

Dunlop Direzza DZ102

Will the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 suit your car? Find the best tyre for your car read 17 reviews for the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and compare to other Track and Competition DOT tyres at tyre reviews

www.tyrereviews.co.uk

 

[lewishunter98]

They are not Direzza DG03G, they are the road Direzzas

Dunlop Direzza DZ102

Will the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 suit your car? Find the best tyre for your car read 17 reviews for the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and compare to other Track and Competition DOT tyres at tyre reviews

www.tyrereviews.co.uk

Makes much more sense to me now [emoji23][emoji23]

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[forecast.buckets]

New gel number plates on -

And brembo stickers laquered on the newly painted callipers

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Et_rensport]

Not fit the exhaust tips?

 

[forecast.buckets]

Not fit the exhaust tips?

They didn't really fit - and haven't found a better product yet