My Ultra Red 197

[NWDSdaz]

So in May I purchased my 197. Pretty standard, 79k, good history, aircon, cornering lights, cup spoiler, fresh wheel refurb, calabase audio and overall a pretty tidy base! I’ve previously owned mostly VAG cars but had a 182 as a daily for a while and loved it at the time. Recently I’d had a change or circumstance and gone back to just owning one car and the 197’s had always appealed to me. Most of the fun of a 182 but a little more refined and easier to live with day to day. Since I’ve owned it I’ve done a few things

H&R lowering springs
20mm spacers all round
Gravity stainless manifold
Scorpion resonated exhaust
Power flex torque and gearbox mounts
Map sensor bracket
Ktec alcantara wheel
Alcantara gear gaitor
ZPO shifter extender
Blacked all the silver interior trim (speedo bezel still to do)
Plasticoated Black Renault badges
Cup Racer Splitter
Some home made door bullets
Carbon effect exterior door handles (temporary just to get rid of the silver)

plenty more still to do, but unfortunately I’ve developed the dreaded crunch in 3rd but I have a Supreme Motorsport refurbished box in the garage, and it’s booked in at Birchdown Auto Services in Malpas on the 18th for fitting! Anyway here’s a few pics of where I’m up to at the moment
Thanks

 

[Sean197]

Very nice any idea where the gear gaitor is from? I'm after one myself.

 

[suj]

Very nice any idea where the gear gaitor is from? I'm after one myself.

Looks like a Kolour Koncepts one Sean

Renault Clio MK3 Gear Gaiter | Kolour Koncept

Genuine Alcantara Gear Gaiter for Renault clio mk3.These are a direct replacement for the original gear gaiter.They all come with a choice of coloured threads to bring the little details inside the vehicle, while adding a touch of luxury to the interior also.Note, all products dont come with any...

www.kolourkoncept.co.uk

 

[NWDSdaz]

It is indeed from kolour koncepts

 

[stepmeek]

Nice car mate, can I ask is that the short or long shifter extender? I'm thinking of one myself until I can put some money away for the short shifter kit, would you recommend it?

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[NWDSdaz]

Cheers mate. It’s the long extender, I really like it! I prefer the slightly longer throw, and the weighted feel, feels more positive when shifting imo.

 

[NWDSdaz]

Things have been slow lately as I’m currently in the process of buying some property. But I’ve picked the car up from Birchdown Auto services with the refurbished box fitted and the cars now a joy to drive again with no crunches. Plans over the next few weeks are to clean the PCV valve out, and fit some new pedals as my worn ones are really slippy at times in the wet. Then once the house is sorted il treat her to some new shoes.

 

[NWDSdaz]

Got a spare hour today so gave her a quick wash, and cleaned out my PCV after seeing the guide on here.







Much quieter on cold starts now, well worth the 10 minutes.

 

[NWDSdaz]

Had some free time this morning so striped down the clocks and painted the silver to match the centre console and other trims I’d previously painted. Much better imo





Just need some poverty spec black interior door handles now to finish it off.

Then I got round to fitting some new grip tape pedals as I was sick of slipping off the worn OEM items on wet days. They’re also slightly bigger so that should help too

 

[LiamP]

Those dials look very smart, what paint did you use?

 

[NWDSdaz]

Cheers Liam, it’s Halfords bumper paint! I used it on the centre console aswel. Nice and easy as it’s designed to be used straight onto plastic.

 

[LiamP]

Cheers Liam, it’s Halfords bumper paint! I used it on the centre console aswel. Nice and easy as it’s designed to be used straight onto plastic.

Do you know what colour because I think I want to copy that

 

[NWDSdaz]

They only do one black as it’s designed to be used to restore faded plastics

Halfords Plastic Bumper Paint Black 300ml | Halfords UK

Shop the latest The Halfords Plastic Bumper Paint Black is specially formulated to provide a durable finish. at Halfords UK

www.halfords.com

 

[G8RSH]

Great colour, I’m blanking my centre console at the mo and wanted a subtle OEM matte finish. Does it hold up well with everyday use?

 

[NWDSdaz]

I haven’t had any issues yet, it’s quite hard wearing as it’s designed for the exterior of the vehicle obviously with it being bumper paint. I just gave it a very light key first aswel.

 

[NWDSdaz]

Quick bath today after doing 800 miles the week between Christmas and New Year. Then into the garage to remove the upper front grills as they’ve faded pretty badly over the winter months.

I have given them a couple of coats of Black bumper paint for an OEM finish, left to dry over night and will be refitted tomorrow morning.

I’ve also resisted the urge to purchase a K-tec Induction Kit over the holiday period and decided to be sensible and spent some of the money on an OEM replacement MAP sensor instead as I’ve started to occasionally get some minor kangarooing on cold starts, and add a little more money to the new wheel kitty.

 

[NWDSdaz]

Popped the grills back in this morning, much better!



Hopefully the MAP sensor will turn up this week so I can get that fitted one evening. I assume from browsing on here il be removing my inlet manifold shortly after I try fitting

 

[Big Ben]

Was it just a case of pulling the grilles out from the bottom? I’ve done mine before but was some time ago

 

[NWDSdaz]

I read online previously that some people had done that, but a few had broken clips and mine seemed quite secure. So I opened the bonnet and undid the bolts along the top of the centre part of the bumper! Then I pulled it forward just enough to get my arm in and undid the clips from the rear as I pulled with my other hand gently from the front.

 

[Marsch]

I'm normally not such a fan of the BeBops but they actually look great in black. I also like that you didn't go for the sideskirts. It's a nice looking combo with just the lip and the wing.