My deep black 197.. and a little product plug!

[Shorty197]

Hi,
Long post alert...
thought I'd post an update, since owning my 197 I've been slowly plugging away on a to do list as long as my arm, so far I've ticked off;

• Cambelt/dephaser/waterpump etc
• Rear disks/pads and general clean up/service of parts
• CLIO debadge
• Scorpion resonated cat back (for anyone looking for an exhaust system which barks when you want it to but very subtle (if?)/when you drive steady - I rate this!!)
• Wind deflectors

I've also just purchased a Cup Spoiler and some projector headlights - both to be fitted along with a bumper respray next week (stone chips!)

Which leads to the product I'm majorly impressed with - 'chipex'

Have just spent a couple of hours on the bonnet doing some paint correction work, process below, I'd been recommended chipex so thought I'd give this a go to touch up some noticeable stone chips and avoid respray of bonnet if possible, result...

this was taken about 45 mins ago, process; clay bar, decontamination, machine polish, chipex, decontam. machine polish, polish wax!



Honestly have to look very closely for any evidence of what was noticeable chips - was a bit of an arse blending so I'll give it 9/10 lol

Cheers,
Lee

 

[Big Ben]

Nice write up Lee.
That bonnet sparkles bud. Great effort

 

[Shorty197]

@Sean197 @sevenfourate
Can this be moved into projects/progress please so I can add to it later rather than starting new threads along the way?
Thanks

 

[sevenfourate]

@Sean197 @sevenfourate
Can this be moved into projects/progress please so I can add to it later rather than starting new threads along the way?
Thanks

And done for you

Pretty comprehensive mods / maintenance list you've compiled already there. A few costly items in there too (zorst and cambelt). Done now though !

The finish on your car looks great. Will be even better with spoiler and lights on. Lights especially will really freshen-up the front and suit / compliment the black hugely.

I'm off Google 'Chipex'. Hard to really tell on the pics - but you sound impressed.

Keep the progress pics coming

 

[Shorty197]

And done for you

Pretty comprehensive mods / maintenance list you've compiled already there. A few costly items in there too (zorst and cambelt). Done now though !

The finish on your car looks great. Will be even better with spoiler and lights on. Lights especially will really freshen-up the front and suit / compliment the black hugely.

I'm off Google 'Chipex'. Hard to really tell on the pics - but you sound impressed.

Keep the progress pics coming

Cheers! Yeah it is hard to tell to be fair, I should have really taken some pics before showing how noticeable they were, but honestly such a massive improvement, if you have any little chips I'd highly recommend, I'm £40 lighter for buying it, but thankfully happy with the results, the process was a bit of a ball ache tbh as I didn't realise blending would be as hard as it was once the paint sets, so did too many at once and paid the price - in time haha
Looking forward to getting the spoiler and lights done, think it'll be a big improvement!

 

[Shorty197]

As this is now in the progress thread, here's my current 'to do' list, and I'll update the thread as and when these things get ticked off, and hopefully people can give advice on some of the below..

• Projector headlights
• Cup spoiler
• Renaultsport front splitter
• Royal steering wheel re trim (and renaultsport trim)
• Ferodo ds2500 and braided HEL lines
• Springs (H&R?)
• Tyres - possibly T1R's or NS2R's
• Recaro CS seats - if I come across some at a sensible price

 

[LOCKE]

What a shine! Great work mate. I really like seeing these cars getting looked after.

 

[Shorty197]

Little update on progress...

Currently carless until tomorrow, she's sat in the bodyshop for bumper re-spray, cup spoiler and projectors..
pics to follow shortly
(Excited to get it back and see how it's looking, little bit sad huh)

**Next to tick off the list - RECARO Sportster CS - if anyone knows of any (197 or 200) let me know, can p/x my seats which are good condition if needed**

 

[sevenfourate]

Little update on progress...

Currently carless until tomorrow, she's sat in the bodyshop for bumper re-spray, cup spoiler and projectors..
pics to follow shortly
(Excited to get it back and see how it's looking, little bit sad huh)

**Next to tick off the list - RECARO Sportster CS - if anyone knows of any (197 or 200) let me know, can p/x my seats which are good condition if needed**

Good times ! Apart from the waiting that is

Recaros usually pop up for sale quite often. You shouldn't have to wait too long....

**I've got a quality set of resistors you'll need for the seat swap cheap in the for sale section for reference.

 

[Shorty197]

Good times ! Apart from the waiting that is

Recaros usually pop up for sale quite often. You shouldn't have to wait too long....

**I've got a quality set of resistors you'll need for the seat swap cheap in the for sale section for reference.

Been patiently waiting and checking every day last few weeks haha
As luck would have it, as soon as I started looking I saw two posts of sets that had just sold and both at a decent price - nothing since!

Thanks, that's good to know, I wasn't aware I'd even need them, this is probably a stupid question but from you saying that does that mean the recaro CS don't have side airbags even if straight from a Clio? Thanks

 

[Shorty197]

Update..

• Cup Spoiler = done
• Front bumper / projectors = done

 

[Big Ben]

Update..

• Cup Spoiler = done
• Front bumper / projectors = done

View attachment 114096
View attachment 114097

Looking good
Bet it rains on the way home...!

 

[Shorty197]

Looking good
Bet it rains on the way home...!

Wouldn't be Britain if it didn't

 

[Micah]

Black 197’s look so mean!
Good job, you must be well pleased.

 

[Shorty197]

Black 197’s look so mean!
Good job, you must be well pleased.

Cheers mate, very happy with it, personally think the projectors have really freshened up the front end and the cup spoiler completes the rear!

Many more boxes to tick yet but she's getting there

 

[Chris]

Looks awesome mate

 

[Pav]

what a nice looking motor..i see you have not upgraded your silver diamonds to the black ones..

 

[Shorty197]

Just to update the progress of my 197, couple more boxes to tick..

• Clio 200 yellow dot recaros
• Laguna silverstone wheels

Wheels hadn't really been a priority or option but some came up at a good price and after seeing I think it was @Big Ben (apologies if I got the wrong person) car at CSF I felt I had to, just thought it sat so nicely on them, will get them refurbed unsure whether to stay black, or go anthracite ...or white?!

Seats I pick up next week so will post updated pics once done and it's had the obligatory post mod clean.
Slowly slowly getting there with it now!

 

[Pav]

happy days..a bit of a recaro in your life never hurts..looking forward to seeing them fitted..

 

[Doogle]

Looks great bud! You wont regret the Recaros, one of my favourite parts of my 197.

I did consider the Silverstone alloys but read they were heavier than stock 197/200 alloys. Though I have also read that the 200 alloys are lighter than the 197s too.