New Albi Blue owner

D

Doogle

Winner - POTM March 2018
Hey all!

So I've been lurking and learning for a little while but last week I purchased a 2007 full fat 197 in Albi Blue. I wanted something with toys so I went for one with Xenons and Recaros. I am really happy with it, its a work in progress, it needs some work but at £3k I can't complain.

Lots of plans but obvious things are a service, cambelt change, damn good clean and Recaro repair. It has also broken out in rust underneath the rear window, a common place apparently? Ill take it into my local Renault dealer and see if they can sort it under their 12 year warranty. And the Cup spoiler has to come off!

It has a few bits done already such as black door handles, mirror casing and wheels. Eibach springs, exhaust tips and K&N filter. I have ordered a lightweight cam pulley from Raptor on here, a few cabin parts such as RS mats, steering wheel insert, glass bung for a rear wiper delete and a shorter aerial.

A couple of questions:

-The xenons arnt great and a bit dim, probably just need bulb replacements?
-There is a rattle from the rear end over very bumpy roads, anything obvious to look at?
-How much are the Cup spoilers worth second hand?
-Is it normal for them to feel like they intermittently lack power when cold?

20170521_203645.jpg 20170521_203608.jpg 20170521_203714.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sean197
Very nice! Sounds like you have some sensible plans - maintenance is the key!
If you remove the rear spoiler (and plenty will be interested I'm sure) you will have 2 holes in your tailgate, so you'll probably have to find a new one to fit, unless there's an Albi owner on here who'd swap with you.
Price new is quite a bit, and that's before painting! http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2415
 
Thanks Micah, I could spend a fortune after what I have seen available for them but trying to keep it sensible... part of the reason I changed cars was to stop spending so much to save for my wedding!

I did figure that removing the spoiler would leave holes, I wanted to see what Renault would say about the rust before I remove it. I am guessing if they accepted it under warranty they would replace the bootlid so if that was the case I'd ask for a plain bootlid to later mount a Sprint spoiler on.
 
Welcome to the forum! Look forward to seeing what you do with the car!

Would be interesting to hear how you get on with the rust under the rear window issue - Mine has started to bubble and if there's a chance Renault will sort it i'll pop to my local dealer!
 
If you read this thread, Renault will repair the rust issue but they won't replace the tailgate.
 
Thanks Micah, Ill see what they say. If they repair it legally they have to provide a warranty with it so i'd hope its a decent repair. The alternative is buying another tailgate.

No problem Matt, Ill start up a build thread at some point soon.
 
Welcome along Doogle. Saw your pics on RS197/200 Facebook group too. Lots of good info & banter here. Your plans sound good. As @Micah said, maintenance is the key. As far as intermittent power loss when cold goes, if you mean "kangarooing" then yes, it's quite common. There's also a flat spot around 1500/2000 rpm (if I remember the revs correctly) that a remap will fix. Enjoy the car. Sounds like you should start a progress thread.
 
Welcome along doogLe. Great colour you've got. I'm in no way biased:wink:

All these plans need your own thread so we can watch your progress please!!
 
Welcome along to the forum! It already sounds like it will be a well-looked after car under your ownership!

Rattle from the rear.... I can't quite remember the specifics, but some people have had a knocking from the bootlid lock - it needs some adjustment. There is a guide in the How To section of the forum. Otherwise, could potentially be suspension/exhaust related?? If it's going into a garage, get them to give the rear end a once over.
 
Welcome! Good choice on the car. Hope you get the issues sorted soon with minimal grief and that she treats you well from there on!

@Steve Murr is your man for seat repairs
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pav
welcome along..nice car and as above..maintenance is the key..think you could sell your spoiler for about £80-100..
regarding your rattle-welcome to a Renault ownership..something you will have to learn to live with..:thumb:
 
  • Like
Reactions: ///M and Beany
Pav said:
regarding your rattle-welcome to a Renault ownership..something you will have to learn to live with..:thumb:
Click to expand...

BINGO!

Refinement is not their strong point. Luckily, their strongpoint is hilariously good handling.
 
Cheers chaps, its not bad rattle wise to be honest! It is a firm ride, taking awhile to get used to it. I dont know if it has Cup dampers (it didnt have them specced from factory judging by the colour of the calipers) so if it has standard dampers I'd hate to have Cup dampers on anything but a track day toy.

Steve murr, where are you based?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Thread Suggestions

Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
I New Irish Member Albi Blue Clio 197 New Members 1
Bunta New to 197 ownership Albi Blue Projects/Progress Threads 1
DS197 Albi Blue 197 Owner New Members 3
A Hello. Albi Blue R27 Owner :) New Members 4
J New Albi Blue owner New Members 20
Similar threads
New Irish Member Albi Blue Clio 197
New to 197 ownership Albi Blue
Albi Blue 197 Owner
Hello. Albi Blue R27 Owner :)
New Albi Blue owner
Top Bottom