Clio 197 Ultra Red 2007 from Finland. April, time to start driving.

[Antti O]

Hi!

I am Antti and i am living in Finland.
I have had 197 full fat nimbus 3 years, 2011-2014. It was mistake in first place to sell this car. I really loved it, nimbus was such a great colour. It was my dailydriver all year round.

After that i bought E46 325i Msport, and i had Clio 200 Gordini with cup package one summer but i did not like it because suspension is too stiff for our pothole roads. Then i bought almost new Golf VII Highline with DSG. I sold it and then i found this 197 from first owner.
Ultra red is not my favourite colour for this car, but you have to understand there is only 10 cars which have been imported to Finland by Renault. Some cars have been already crashed in trackday. So not much cars from to choose.

Lets talk about this ultra red 197
- First registered in Helsinki, Finland 2007
- 1 owner from 2007-2016
- Dailydriven normal use
- Full Renault service book, 8 stamps (2 cambelt works etc..) body anticorrosion warranty still valid to 3/2019
- 103000km / 64000miles

"To do list" (updated 21.7.2017)
- At least one set of alloys have to be repainted, road salt has left mark.. /done
- New summer tires (Conti SPC5 or Michelin pilot sport) /done
- Thermosthat is partly open and have to be replaced /done
- Philips silvervision indicator bulbs /done
- New brake light for boot , it is so faded (any ideas how much from Renault?) /polished ok
- Full paint work correction, lot of swirl marks in every panel /done
- 230VAC pre-heating system not working /fixed
- Interior wash /done
- Service due soon for time /done
(Oil change, filters, body anticorrosion check) /done
- Spark plug replacement /done
- Brake service, clean and new gopper greases front/rear (rear discs+pads already replaced by renault) / done
- Gearbox oil (ELF NFP) /done
- Brake fluid change /done
- Tie rod end replacement (failed MOT).. / done , MOT ok
- Tracking /done
- Inner tie rod replacement (worn in right side) /done
- Tracking again /done
- New wiper blades front/rear /done
- Left mirror glass replacement (defroster in mirror does not work) /done
- Touch up stone chip marks /done
- New front license plate /replaced
- Wiper area drain unblocking /done
- Antiroll bar stabilizer links replacement /done
- Horizontal stabilizer links replacement /done
- Retrofit valeo projector lights /done
- Replace front right spring (snapped) /done
- Led registration plate lights /done
- Powerflex torque mount
- Radiator grill painting /done
- New clutch master cylinder /done
- New shocks all around /done

Some quick pictures after first wash. Click for large pictures.

 

[Big Ben]

Looks very nice. Keep us all updated...

 

[LiamRS197]

Looks a clean and tidy example, enjoy!

 

[sevenfourate]

Very nice Antti.

I've said it before and i'll say it again; Red does suit the Clio's shape so very well..........

Recaro's are the drool-over seats for many. But i really like the original Sports seats in the 197's more than the later version with White trims like in my 200.

Looking forward to your progress.....

 

[Dystant]

Looks very good mate, body work looks like it's in excellent condition Although I'm personally not a fan of silver alloys on red cars, much prefer black!

What's that thing stuck to the center bit in the passengers foot well?

EDIT: also I might be mistaken but it looks like the rear indicators have already been detangoed?

 

[Antti O]

Very nice Antti.

I've said it before and i'll say it again; Red does suit the Clio's shape so very well..........

Recaro's are the drool-over seats for many. But i really like the original Sports seats in the 197's more than the later version with White trims like in my 200.

Looking forward to your progress.....

Yep that is cool colour when polished properly and clean, and contrast with white snow it looks good.
I will stay with original seats, it is my dailydriver and i need heaters because cold winters (-30c is normal many weeks)

Looks very good mate, body work looks like it's in excellent condition Although I'm personally not a fan of silver alloys on red cars, much prefer black!

What's that thing stuck to the center bit in the passengers foot well?

EDIT: also I might be mistaken but it looks like the rear indicators have already been detangoed?

Thanks it is quite good for its age.
What detangoe mean?
It is electric pre-heater. 230 volt from socket. We use engine / interior pre-heaters, so car is nice and warm to start. I have electric sockets in my home car park and work too. So i can usually start car pre-heated. It saves fuel and it is good for engine.
You can see that heater cable connector in lower front grill, driver side left here.

 

[Foxspeed]

ultra red.....soo f ing good looking

 

[Dystant]

ultra red.....soo f ing good looking

I think you might be slightly biased!

 

[Foxspeed]

I think you might be slightly biased!

i am f -ing luvved my ultra red 197

 

[Antti O]

First problem fixed! Thermostat now okay.

This morning, little shakey picture but as you can see.. -18celsius when i drove to my work. In highway tempeature gauge went down.. i think coolant was circulating all the time in radiator because faulty thermosthat.
Basically no any warm air in cabin, i had to wear all arctic gear even inside car all time.





Engine running cold.. :/




I took Clio this morning for my french car specialist called citix, it is also peugeot specialist. Work was quick and service was excellent. New BEHR thermosthat, gasket and renault type d coolant.




Completed, running warm now

 

[Johnny 99]

Glad you're warm now! "De tangoe" is slang. Tango is a major brand of an orange soft drink in the UK. If your indicator bulbs have been changed from orange to clear we say they've been de tangoed.

 

[Dystant]

Glad you're warm now! "De tangoe" is slang. Tango is a major brand of an orange soft drink in the UK. If your indicator bulbs have been changed from orange to clear we say they've been de tangoed.

I hadn't even considered that phrase would be unknown outside the U.K

 

[Dystant]

But i really like the original Sports seats in the 197's more than the later version with White trims like in my 200

Yeah the white trim on the newer seats is horrible compared to the old all black design! No idea why they changed it.

I'm half tempted to dye/spray the white parts black....

EDIT: This could work... Might be next on my todo list!

 

[Antti O]

Hah i did not know what tango soft drink is, but now i know. I was in london at september, i only found good draft ales.
Car was in mot check today without any pre-checks or so. Only fault was right side outer track rod end. Just put order for 2x lemförder parts. Now i have 30 days to fix, tracking and re-checking in mot station.
It is so minor fault i am quite happy.

 

[Antti O]

Btw. is there any difficult if i replace track rod end myself? normal open and count turns. Then alingment.

 

[Antti O]

It was cold this morning.. -19 celsius
Took clio for car electric repair shop, they will fix pre-heating system (engine block).
Because that is not working i cant pre-heat now.

I will upload later tomorrow little demonstration video how this pre-heating works.

Here is small video how clio handles -19c.

 

[Antti O]

I am planning wheel repainting, if someone have 4 centre caps for sale please let me know.
Paintwork correction almost complete, little teaser:

 

[LOCKE]

Looking good mate especially with your harsh winters.

 

[sevenfourate]

Silver wheel centre-caps. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-S...204387?hash=item2efaae05e3:g:hd0AAOSwiDFYOu3s

Many of us here use non-genuine centre caps and have no troubles at all with quality of fit.

I believe the genuine ones are approx £16 each.......7 times as much as these

 

[Antti O]

Looking good mate especially with your harsh winters.

Thanks! It is quite work to keep car in top condition.

Silver wheel centre-caps. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-S...204387?hash=item2efaae05e3:g:hd0AAOSwiDFYOu3s

Many of us here use non-genuine centre caps and have no troubles at all with quality of fit.

I believe the genuine ones are approx £16 each.......7 times as much as these

Hi
Thanks for your info about this, do you know how accurate replica wheel caps these are?
I will use this second set of wheel caps for my winter wheels, both wheels needs repainting, so i will paint those centre caps anyway. Fitment is important, colour not..