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

[Antti O]

Obviously I have a huge soft spot for an E46!

Crazy that you're struggling to find one. Must be a very different market over there. Loads available over here!

All cars which we have in Finland , at least examples which has been winter driven are rusty.
There are basically none for sale at this point in whole europe. Naturally i am looking for LHD model.
Facelift, M-Sport & manual 330ci.. with less than 150.000km. Really difficult to find.

In april i was viewing one car in Finland, but left door was so bad rusty it would need new door. Front end was full of stone chips ... some dents, door gaskets broken. All kind of not so good things. It would need whole car respray+new door. And price,.. approx 10.000£!. This is what the situation is in my country to by used BMW E46 coupe..
It was tempting car, imola red 2 and full options, unfortunately condition..

 

[///M]

WOW Antti!!! That's a crazy situation.

I can understand the issues regarding the weather you guys have over there but that's madness. And the prices are scary, although I know it's like that for any car over there. Such a shame.

Why facelift? The old version looks SO much better I think.

 

[Antti O]

WOW Antti!!! That's a crazy situation.

I can understand the issues regarding the weather you guys have over there but that's madness. And the prices are scary, although I know it's like that for any car over there. Such a shame.

Why facelift? The old version looks SO much better I think.

I can accept pre-facelift M-Sport coupe with no problems, but unfortunately those are older car (worse condition).. see 2001 vs 2005.. And not so much original available.
I know there is one cabriolet which is really good, but unfortunately it is only 325i. Titansilver / Taninrot. I sort of like that colour combo. It is imported from Germany and only summer driven car. 330 is 330.. 40hp more and 50nm more.

Here is pics about that car, it is still for sale here in Finland.

 

[///M]

Beauty!

LOVE the Imola interior too.

Of course, I understand immediately, older car, more issues.

I wish you the best of luck in your search Antti.

 

[Jimmy]

We have lot of forest. In fact, here is not much more than forest and lakes. I am so used to it.
You can drive 50 km and there is anything but pine trees We have only 5 million people in this country.

Sounds like a place I would definitely be happy to live

 

[Pav]

nice mate..looks like both of your cars get a very much TLC

 

[Antti O]

Tracking complete. It is slightly pulling right, but i think it may be because our roads are angled towards right. I have to drive..
It has been always like that. Normal? I dont know.





Here is raport..

Toe out front -0°05 both sides. It is only value you can adjust..

 

[sevenfourate]

What do you want / need to adjust Antti ? Most of your values look right in the range there......

Everything is adjustable with different top mounts, off-set bushes, camber / toe shims etc.

Depends how far you want to go:

http://www.pure-motorsport.co.uk/clio-3rs197/clio-3rs197-suspension/clio-3-rs-camber-toe-shim.html

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-se...t+Arm+Front+Bush+Camber+Adjustable/11162.html

http://trackspec.co.uk/product/rena...le-front-suspension-top-mount-blueblack-pair/

 

[Antti O]

I dont need adjust anything else but tracking.. Again!
I found out that steering wheel is not absolut 12 o clock when driving straight, today they will do it again.
I saw in this morning there is kind of groove top of the instrument cluster? And there is red stripe in my steering wheel. So maybe if they are perfect match steering wheel is bullet straight 12 o clock?

What i actually think that Clios only have toe in/ toe out adjustment (standard car). E46 for example does have front camber, front toe in / tou out adjustment, rear camber + rear toe in/toe out adjustment. It is much more complicated car to do tracking properly.

 

[Antti O]

This is so amazing, we have another ultra red 197 for sale in Finland. Maybe not so mint as my example.
What you think? 161.000km..
Seems to have Xenon headlights, or at least projectors with cornerning lights. + Sunroof..

https://www.nettiauto.com/en/renault/clio/8983981

 

[Sean197]

This is so amazing, we have another ultra red 197 for sale in Finland. Maybe not so mint as my example.
What you think? 161.000km..
Seems to have Xenon headlights, or at least projectors with cornerning lights. + Sunroof..

https://www.nettiauto.com/en/renault/clio/8983981

Jesus, 8500 Euros/£7600?!?! You could get a decent 200 for that here!

 

[Antti O]

Jesus, 8500 Euros/£7600?!?! You could get a decent 200 for that here!

We have maybe worst condition cars in my country because bad weather and harsh winter. Lot of ice, snow, sand ..
For bonus we have really expensive cars because of taxes. So this is win-win for car enthuasist. Mad expensive cars which are in horrible state...
I personally prefer imported cars myself, those are in so good condition.

Some price examples .. Clio 197 starting price without any options was 30.000€ 2007.
I bought my ultra red (this topic car) for 9000€ 6 months ago, 2007 and 103.000km mileage. Asking price was something like 10900€..

 

[Antti O]

Yesterday wheel tracking was done again.
My mechanic said that rear axle is not in straight position.
He took bolts loose and manipulated it with long bar. Now it is straight ahead position.
Sometimes it still pulls little bit right. It depends on road.
Now tracking is so good as it can, so i dont think it is because of that. Steering wheel is now just correctly 12 o clock when driving straight.

It has been pulling right some months now. First i thought it was because of snapped spring in front right. After suspension parts replaced it still pulls right, and tracking was no help.. I am already used to it.. Otherwise car is very good to drive.

Our road have lot of camber to right, that can be one reason. One reason may be michelins..
I have seen this before, with different tyres car was pulling right or left.. after replaced tyres no problems.

 

[Antti O]

And some pics...

 

[sevenfourate]

Glad your'e sorted Antti !

Are you thinking of / due for some new rubber ?

You sound like your thinking of a change ? (Anyway / to sort the issue once and for all ?),

Good luck buddy....

 

[Antti O]

Glad your'e sorted Antti !

Are you thinking of / due for some new rubber ?

You sound like your thinking of a change ? (Anyway / to sort the issue once and for all ?),

Good luck buddy....

I dont have money machine, so i have to drive with pilotsports.
I can live with it, it pulls slightly right if road have lot of camber. If road is good, everything is fine..

 

[///M]

Sorry to hear about your alignment issues mate. Fingers crossed for you.

Car looks as splendid as always though!

 

[Antti O]

Small video from my weekly wash.

I took video from my left front fender which is freshly polished with rotary. I applied Meguair´s M16 professional paste wax. Beading seems to be good..



Choose HD and full screen, please..

 

[sevenfourate]

Let us know what you think once you have a chance to see it in use after a few days / weeks Antti. Let us know about ease of application too. Supposedly VERY hard to remove if applied too thickly and dries like concrete; although the finish / protection is meant to be excellent.

Another wax to consider !!!

***Your'e always "at it"

 

[Pav]

We all like a bit of a rain,dont we?

Ahhh wrong...we dont...lovely video