MS 200 fun road and track car - and other car stuff!
- Thread starter Matt Scarbro
- Start date
Small Clio update this time, I had the steering wheel extender fitted at the same time as the Eibachs, its one of Giacomo RS’ terrific products.
This really is a must have mod for me, even more so with the Corbeau seats but for my money a great mod for any 197/200.
It feels sooo good to sit low IN the car rather than on top of it and have the wheel close to me. Together the seats and spacer have really improved the driving position no end!
The car is feeling really good now, each set of changes have made a positive improvement.
There are a few bits I need to get on top of though to finish things off. I need to add resistors to the seat wiring so that the system functions without the Recaro bags. I also need to wire in the heated seats and install the switches on the centre console near the gear stick.
I’m going to have a look at the seatbelt stalk position too, see if I can improve this to make the lap belt tighter.
All small jobs but necessary, I don’t like to leave things unfinished.
This really is a must have mod for me, even more so with the Corbeau seats but for my money a great mod for any 197/200.
It feels sooo good to sit low IN the car rather than on top of it and have the wheel close to me. Together the seats and spacer have really improved the driving position no end!
The car is feeling really good now, each set of changes have made a positive improvement.
There are a few bits I need to get on top of though to finish things off. I need to add resistors to the seat wiring so that the system functions without the Recaro bags. I also need to wire in the heated seats and install the switches on the centre console near the gear stick.
I’m going to have a look at the seatbelt stalk position too, see if I can improve this to make the lap belt tighter.
All small jobs but necessary, I don’t like to leave things unfinished.
suj
Paid Member
I was eyeing up that steering extender Matt, did you have to extend your wiring also?
Love how this car has progressed, knew it would be good from your MX5.
Love how this car has progressed, knew it would be good from your MX5.
peter
POTM Winner - February 2017
couldn't agree more. still the best mod on my car.
i did. by about eight centimeters.
For all the right reasons I’m running into a bit of a predicament, it’s one hell of a fortunate position to be in but I’m at a loss working out what to do...
Forgive me if this sounds like willy-waving, it’s not intended that way at all. I’ve been talking to my brother and best mate about this who are big car guys, but can’t find an answer that I feel at ease with.
We had intended to buy an M4 and my brother Dan who works for BMW has been looking for one on our behalf. However now he has come up with a simply astonishing lease deal on a new one that makes buying one outright a false economy. That much is fantastic but it leaves us with a choice to make on the Z4 and Clio...
If we were buying the M4 we would need the money from the Z4 to fund it, but with a lease that’s not the case. In an ideal world we would keep both, but that’s just daft no matter how I spin the man maths.
Now I love the Clio as a drivers car, every time I drive it on a twisty road I fall in love. But the Z4 is a better ‘car’. Aisha really doesn’t get on with the Clio so that has to be given consideration.
On one hand I’ve put plenty of money into the Clio and just got it to a point that I’m really enjoying it, it would be painful to let go of it now, both in terms of the financial hit and feeling like it would be unfinished business.
On the other I’m acutely aware of just what an idiot I am with cars and how much more I may well pour into something that can only ever be worth so much...
I have the MX5s for track stuff so I shouldn’t have to rely on the Clio for that, and the CRX might be able to do the B road hot hatch thing, albeit not as well. That said the M4 will do anything the Z4 (or Clio for that matter) does better.
Then there’s the option of selling both Z4 and Clio and buying something more expensive with the proceeds. Though of course that leaves us with a smaller pot for if and when the lease availability ends.
Any thoughts, discussion, unbiased or biased? I ask on here as there seems to be an appreciation of other marques too, something fairly rare in the world of car-related Internet groups.
Forgive me if this sounds like willy-waving, it’s not intended that way at all. I’ve been talking to my brother and best mate about this who are big car guys, but can’t find an answer that I feel at ease with.
We had intended to buy an M4 and my brother Dan who works for BMW has been looking for one on our behalf. However now he has come up with a simply astonishing lease deal on a new one that makes buying one outright a false economy. That much is fantastic but it leaves us with a choice to make on the Z4 and Clio...
If we were buying the M4 we would need the money from the Z4 to fund it, but with a lease that’s not the case. In an ideal world we would keep both, but that’s just daft no matter how I spin the man maths.
Now I love the Clio as a drivers car, every time I drive it on a twisty road I fall in love. But the Z4 is a better ‘car’. Aisha really doesn’t get on with the Clio so that has to be given consideration.
On one hand I’ve put plenty of money into the Clio and just got it to a point that I’m really enjoying it, it would be painful to let go of it now, both in terms of the financial hit and feeling like it would be unfinished business.
On the other I’m acutely aware of just what an idiot I am with cars and how much more I may well pour into something that can only ever be worth so much...
I have the MX5s for track stuff so I shouldn’t have to rely on the Clio for that, and the CRX might be able to do the B road hot hatch thing, albeit not as well. That said the M4 will do anything the Z4 (or Clio for that matter) does better.
Then there’s the option of selling both Z4 and Clio and buying something more expensive with the proceeds. Though of course that leaves us with a smaller pot for if and when the lease availability ends.
Any thoughts, discussion, unbiased or biased? I ask on here as there seems to be an appreciation of other marques too, something fairly rare in the world of car-related Internet groups.
peter
POTM Winner - February 2017
In all seriousness would be a shame to get rid considering the work and effort you've put into it.
What would you considering replacing it with? Lotus or some sort?
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
What would you considering replacing it with? Lotus or some sort?
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
It seems to me that the Clio is just getting interesting! With the new diff fitted & the upgrades you already have it could do the track job of the MX5, and the back roads job of the CRX. The MX is a great, well sorted car, but maybe you've been there & done that & the Clio is the natural next step? Sell the MX & the CRX & keep the Clio? Your better half gets the Z4, & the leased M4 is your daily. My two pence worth.
Given the track cars I’ve got and need for two road cars in the household I’d be more inclined to think about practicality and comfort.
Ideal for me would be new Hyundai hot hatch, I love the idea of one but they’re too much money.
Given Dan (brother) can get me used BMWs at cost something like an m135i? Or go completely down the practicality and comfort route and go 520/30d... or something from Mini, maybe a JCW?
Initially it will be a Clio or Z4 decision. Given my commute is down a flight of stairs and Aisha’s is 100 miles, she rightly takes whichever car she wants at the start of the week. Major benefit of keeping the Z4 is that I get to use the M4 more...
That’s a bloody sensible suggestion Johnny and would make a fine selection of cars.
I just don’t think I could let the MX2000 go... it’s the car I feel most attached to and as good as the Clio is, it really can’t replace a 350bhp/tonne rear wheel drive track car. Not to mention I’ve still only done shakedowns since the supercharger was fitted, so most definitely have unfinished business with it!
Another option may be to sell the second shared MX5 track car and use the Clio as first reserve. I think I need to give some consideration to that, though that would need buy-in from Dan who’s the co-owner of the MX5.
I quite like that idea.
Beany
Platinum Member
Keep the Clio get rid of the z4, if the mrs doesn’t like the Clio to drive over the z4 surely she’d Prefer to drive (if allowed) the m4 
Tough choice to make but considering the expense and effort you’ve put into the Clio it’ll be a shame to let it go.
Whichever you choose good luck
Tough choice to make but considering the expense and effort you’ve put into the Clio it’ll be a shame to let it go.
Whichever you choose good luck
///M
Gold Member
Matt,
From everything you have said there it seems like it's time up on the Clio. It's almost like you're talking yourself out of it.
But why the M4? The reviews haven't been too favourable and I wasn't that impressed when I tried one. Unless you're going for the CS, the previous two iterations are better cars in my opinion. In fact I find the M4 is slightly soulless next to them. I spent two hours in one while thinking about having one. Got back in my E46 and although it's certainly not as quick, the feel behind the wheel, the connection, the predictable balance, the noise omg the noise, the 8k redline... the new turbocharged cars simply can't provide that level of excitement.
E46s have hit rock bottom a few years ago now and are starting to climb well. If you find a good one and look after it you could run it for a few years and MAKE money on it. Leasing an M4 is going to lose you a lot of money in the long run.
Sell the Z, buy an E46 with the CSL airbox and put your money towards something else. That's what I'd do mate. The difficult deciding factor here though is pleasing the Mrs with something she's happy to drive...
Good luck getting to a decision point. I know what it's like. A million thoughts rattling round in your head!
From everything you have said there it seems like it's time up on the Clio. It's almost like you're talking yourself out of it.
But why the M4? The reviews haven't been too favourable and I wasn't that impressed when I tried one. Unless you're going for the CS, the previous two iterations are better cars in my opinion. In fact I find the M4 is slightly soulless next to them. I spent two hours in one while thinking about having one. Got back in my E46 and although it's certainly not as quick, the feel behind the wheel, the connection, the predictable balance, the noise omg the noise, the 8k redline... the new turbocharged cars simply can't provide that level of excitement.
E46s have hit rock bottom a few years ago now and are starting to climb well. If you find a good one and look after it you could run it for a few years and MAKE money on it. Leasing an M4 is going to lose you a lot of money in the long run.
Sell the Z, buy an E46 with the CSL airbox and put your money towards something else. That's what I'd do mate. The difficult deciding factor here though is pleasing the Mrs with something she's happy to drive...
Good luck getting to a decision point. I know what it's like. A million thoughts rattling round in your head!
Thanks for the input mate, I wouldn’t argue with the sentiment on feel compared with the older stuff, though they do come alive a bit more once you turn down or switch off the driver aids.
The Z4 was fundamentally a stop gap for us whilst we sorted out the house purchase, removing any monthly costs and freeing up a little capital. It replaced a 435d and through owning that we’ve both become accustomed to all the mod cons. As a main car we just had to have something nearly new for that alone.
The 435d and other stuff have also completely ruined us (me) when it comes to performance. When I drove a v8 M3 it felt an anticlimax as it didn’t feel quick unfortunately.
I’ve also got the other cars for a more connected, pure drive, like you something I value greatly.
The Z4 was fundamentally a stop gap for us whilst we sorted out the house purchase, removing any monthly costs and freeing up a little capital. It replaced a 435d and through owning that we’ve both become accustomed to all the mod cons. As a main car we just had to have something nearly new for that alone.
The 435d and other stuff have also completely ruined us (me) when it comes to performance. When I drove a v8 M3 it felt an anticlimax as it didn’t feel quick unfortunately.
I’ve also got the other cars for a more connected, pure drive, like you something I value greatly.
Just a thought Matt, but two MX5s (or even one and a half), well that's just being greedy!
Didn’t take too long with some outside input, Johnny nailed it for me so thanks mate. Feel like I’ve got a solution that I’m happy with now!
M4 has been ordered, shared MX5 goes, Z4 and CLIO STAYS. Chuffed with that.
ALSO REALLY FREAKIN EXCITED! :excited:
M4 has been ordered, shared MX5 goes, Z4 and CLIO STAYS. Chuffed with that.
ALSO REALLY FREAKIN EXCITED! :excited:
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Beany
Platinum Member
If it may not get good reviews but that m4 looks like full on filthy car porn!
Glad you’ve got a resolution and keeping the Clio...
Great solution and a very nice fleet! Covers all bases. Enjoy them all.
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