Beany
Platinum Member
Ross LY 200
- Thread starter RossWoods93
- Start date
A long absence by myself from the forum the latter half of this year, whereby I haven't had the opportunity for a while to sit down and invest my time into catching up on all the various project threads, as well as reporting my my own Clio.
Would I say there's been a slight lul in the ownership of my Clio...? Probably not, the appeal of a Megane/higher powered car is always there, but it still puts a smile on my face as a daily, and the raw nature of the N/A is still addictive (that poor limiter!) Girlfriend still dislikes the Clio (4 years of hatred) with it's rattles and odd discomforts... but she just doesn't understand if that makes sense!
In the way of updates, not much to report back on albeit a couple of changes looking forward.
Last week I had the Clio in for some TLC, as the thermostat was faulty. Running the car to Manchester and back the engine was lingering around 60 degrees the whole time, so that was changed as well as the PCV valve. The car runs much smoother now in the cold, whether this was relating more to the engine temp, or the blocked up PCV valve I'm not sure!
Alloys: Within the next week I'm getting the spare set of cup alloys I have refurbed, and powder coated in gloss black. I always like the look of black against LY, and if there's one thing I've always been embaressed by it's the state of my alloys!
Recaros: Some will know that I'm trying to keep the car as OEM as possible (how boring am I?) but I'm keeping an eye out for a set of yellow dot Recaros. It was the main compromise when I purchased the car that it didn't have Recaro's and in my opinion they just look cooler... expensive investment but I'd hope if the seats are well looked after they'll hold their value!
Other than that there's a few cosmetic bits with the paintwork (stonechips / slight dent on rear quarter) that I'm hoping to get looked all.
Time to catch up on the various threads I've not caught up with in a long time!
I hope everyone is well, new members and old! I'll post another update once I've got the refurbed alloys on!
Would I say there's been a slight lul in the ownership of my Clio...? Probably not, the appeal of a Megane/higher powered car is always there, but it still puts a smile on my face as a daily, and the raw nature of the N/A is still addictive (that poor limiter!) Girlfriend still dislikes the Clio (4 years of hatred) with it's rattles and odd discomforts... but she just doesn't understand if that makes sense!
In the way of updates, not much to report back on albeit a couple of changes looking forward.
Last week I had the Clio in for some TLC, as the thermostat was faulty. Running the car to Manchester and back the engine was lingering around 60 degrees the whole time, so that was changed as well as the PCV valve. The car runs much smoother now in the cold, whether this was relating more to the engine temp, or the blocked up PCV valve I'm not sure!
Alloys: Within the next week I'm getting the spare set of cup alloys I have refurbed, and powder coated in gloss black. I always like the look of black against LY, and if there's one thing I've always been embaressed by it's the state of my alloys!
Recaros: Some will know that I'm trying to keep the car as OEM as possible (how boring am I?) but I'm keeping an eye out for a set of yellow dot Recaros. It was the main compromise when I purchased the car that it didn't have Recaro's and in my opinion they just look cooler... expensive investment but I'd hope if the seats are well looked after they'll hold their value!
Other than that there's a few cosmetic bits with the paintwork (stonechips / slight dent on rear quarter) that I'm hoping to get looked all.
Time to catch up on the various threads I've not caught up with in a long time!
I hope everyone is well, new members and old! I'll post another update once I've got the refurbed alloys on!
Nice update Ross.
Keeping the car unmodified is a rarity these days. Cool to be different
Look forward to the black alloy pics though
Thanks Ben!
I’m still looking to put the car away once change is needed, I can sacrifice driving a nail family wagon when the time comes!
So if I invest in Recaro’s etc I’d still keep the standard seats just so I have everything how it rolled out the factory!
Sorting the cosmetics out now though always seems risky if I’m running the car another few years! If I invest ~£500 to sort out stonechips etc what’s to say the same panel doesn’t suffer the same fate a week later! Makes more sense to leave that as late as possible, but just grates me knowing that there’s an imperfection!
I’m sure you feel the same with stonechips at the front!
Beany
Platinum Member
Did you have to blow the cobwebs off to update this thread
Recaros and wheels are just the start my friend... next it’ll be ohh I’ll get some cup suspension (mine will be available in the new year hint hint) ready for the eventual track day / Trax 19
Yeah can’t wait for pictures!
Recaros and wheels are just the start my friend... next it’ll be ohh I’ll get some cup suspension (mine will be available in the new year hint hint) ready for the eventual track day / Trax 19
Yeah can’t wait for pictures!
Did you have to blow the cobwebs off to update this thread
Recaros and wheels are just the start my friend... next it’ll be ohh I’ll get some cup suspension (mine will be available in the new year hint hint) ready for the eventual track day / Trax 19
Yeah can’t wait for pictures!
Haha the thread certainly took some finding!
Suspension is fine for my commute thanks Chris, if it gets me to and from work, with the odd weekend hoon that’s all I need
JMR
Paid Member
Looking forward to seeing updates Ross
I love the black wheels on my LY.
Wheels were standard silver when we bought it for the mrs, and it was the first thing she wanted doing to it.
Other than that, its had fresh new white bulbs in the front and that about it.
(oh and a full machine polish a couple of months ago)
I'm driving a 12 yr old Honda CR-V through winter as my daily now.
Only 160000 miles on it ;-)
I love the black wheels on my LY.
Wheels were standard silver when we bought it for the mrs, and it was the first thing she wanted doing to it.
Other than that, its had fresh new white bulbs in the front and that about it.
(oh and a full machine polish a couple of months ago)
I'm driving a 12 yr old Honda CR-V through winter as my daily now.
Only 160000 miles on it ;-)
Time for an update, as I feel plenty has happened in the past 4 months of ownership! I'll try and keep it as short and sweet as possible!
So in my last update I was looking to refurb my alloys, and source some Recaros! Both of which have now been done.
Over Christmas I had a spare set of alloys which I've kept at my parents place, and my dad was aware that I'd been wanting them refurbed in gloss black but hadn't put the time into actually getting them done. So it was a surprise when I saw these on Christmas day!
The refurb was done by a company local to my parents in Spalding: https://www.wheelrite-online.co.uk/
Really happy with the quality of the work, and so far no blemishes! Which I guess would be a downfall with glossy over anthracite, as any marks may show up quite easy!
Rolling into the beginning of February, I'd set aside some cash for a set of Recaro's. I'd always wanted a set but never actioned it. I'd always justify the price and I was picky waiting for the right set of yellow dots. A 4 hour round trip after work to near Heathrow, and I'd finally got my hands on a set! Fabrics in mint condition, the only bug bear is the cables snapped underneath to move the seat forward when letting rear passengers in. I took the car to AWMotorworks near Essex, for fitting and ECU tweak for the airbag light. Swift changeover, and great service from them!
I love the seats though, much comfier in my opinion as I used to suffer lower back pains on long journeys. Not so much love from my girlfriend who learned the hard way how much higher the side bolsters are.
Things then take a downhill twist!
A week after the Recaro's are fitted, low and behold the dreaded 3rd gear crunching made itself known (not like it couldn't have done that before I've forked out for seats!)
Service & MOT was then scheduled in for the first week in March, car had been feel great albeit the dodgy box! In my mind I thought it'd breeze through! How wrong I was!
Major fail - Snapped spring (passenger side)
Advisories - corroding subframe, play in ball joints, scorched rear disc
GREAT!
Crazy quotes from Renault to replace the spring (£550 for both sides!), so managed to source them for ~£60 which was much better!
I'm still wondering how I never noticed!
Both springs replaced and the MOT passed! Finally we're back moving in the right direction, albeit a list of advisories to work through.
All was going ok until this week, when on Tuesday driving home I could hear this metallic rattling. I popped the bonnet and found the bolt in my KTEC engine mount had sheered off my dad drove an hour or so to pick my car up, and I've been exchanged with a Kangoo for the week (195,000k on the clock and still had less problems than my Clio!)
I informed KTEC of the problem, of which they have supplied a replacement bolt of which they were quick to reply on the matter! The problem was potentially caused by overtightening, of which the last time it was probably tightened was during my belt service @ Renault last year.
An engineer at my dads work removed the subframe, which was full of holes and covered in rust. The subframe has been shot blasted and welded where necessary to patch it up! Some wax oil was then applied to hopefully give it some protection going forward.
That brings me to today! I decided I could live with the third gear crunching no longer. The cars booked in with Pro-Line Motorsport on Tuesday for replacement gearbox, and new slave & clutch. Fingers crossed the car will then give me some respite going forward, and I can enjoy the car in a bug free state. Buzzing to take it to Le Mans for the 24 hour in June to give the car a decent roadtrip, and to reunite it with its' motherland!
The only thing on the hit list for me then will be ball joints, and rear discs. Although as you can probably tell its' been an expensive year already, of which I have one angry girlfriend who's had many holiday requests rejected so far and wants absolutely nothing to do with the Clio.
If you're still reading by this point, thank you! A bit of an essay, but I knew I needed to invest the time given what has changed and happened over the last few months!
The love/hate relationship lives on.....
So in my last update I was looking to refurb my alloys, and source some Recaros! Both of which have now been done.
Over Christmas I had a spare set of alloys which I've kept at my parents place, and my dad was aware that I'd been wanting them refurbed in gloss black but hadn't put the time into actually getting them done. So it was a surprise when I saw these on Christmas day!
The refurb was done by a company local to my parents in Spalding: https://www.wheelrite-online.co.uk/
Really happy with the quality of the work, and so far no blemishes! Which I guess would be a downfall with glossy over anthracite, as any marks may show up quite easy!
Rolling into the beginning of February, I'd set aside some cash for a set of Recaro's. I'd always wanted a set but never actioned it. I'd always justify the price and I was picky waiting for the right set of yellow dots. A 4 hour round trip after work to near Heathrow, and I'd finally got my hands on a set! Fabrics in mint condition, the only bug bear is the cables snapped underneath to move the seat forward when letting rear passengers in. I took the car to AWMotorworks near Essex, for fitting and ECU tweak for the airbag light. Swift changeover, and great service from them!
I love the seats though, much comfier in my opinion as I used to suffer lower back pains on long journeys. Not so much love from my girlfriend who learned the hard way how much higher the side bolsters are.
Things then take a downhill twist!
A week after the Recaro's are fitted, low and behold the dreaded 3rd gear crunching made itself known (not like it couldn't have done that before I've forked out for seats!)
Service & MOT was then scheduled in for the first week in March, car had been feel great albeit the dodgy box! In my mind I thought it'd breeze through! How wrong I was!
Major fail - Snapped spring (passenger side)
Advisories - corroding subframe, play in ball joints, scorched rear disc
GREAT!
Crazy quotes from Renault to replace the spring (£550 for both sides!), so managed to source them for ~£60 which was much better!
I'm still wondering how I never noticed!
Both springs replaced and the MOT passed! Finally we're back moving in the right direction, albeit a list of advisories to work through.
All was going ok until this week, when on Tuesday driving home I could hear this metallic rattling. I popped the bonnet and found the bolt in my KTEC engine mount had sheered off
my dad drove an hour or so to pick my car up, and I've been exchanged with a Kangoo for the week (195,000k on the clock and still had less problems than my Clio!) I informed KTEC of the problem, of which they have supplied a replacement bolt of which they were quick to reply on the matter! The problem was potentially caused by overtightening, of which the last time it was probably tightened was during my belt service @ Renault last year.
An engineer at my dads work removed the subframe, which was full of holes and covered in rust. The subframe has been shot blasted and welded where necessary to patch it up! Some wax oil was then applied to hopefully give it some protection going forward.
That brings me to today! I decided I could live with the third gear crunching no longer. The cars booked in with Pro-Line Motorsport on Tuesday for replacement gearbox, and new slave & clutch. Fingers crossed the car will then give me some respite going forward, and I can enjoy the car in a bug free state. Buzzing to take it to Le Mans for the 24 hour in June to give the car a decent roadtrip, and to reunite it with its' motherland!
The only thing on the hit list for me then will be ball joints, and rear discs. Although as you can probably tell its' been an expensive year already, of which I have one angry girlfriend who's had many holiday requests rejected so far and wants absolutely nothing to do with the Clio.
If you're still reading by this point, thank you! A bit of an essay, but I knew I needed to invest the time given what has changed and happened over the last few months!
The love/hate relationship lives on.....
Last edited:
Beany
Platinum Member
Lovely update... driving over to France in it should be enjoyable with all the fresh bits it’s had done!
Just needs lowering, exhaust, better brakes and thrashing on track
Just needs lowering, exhaust, better brakes and thrashing on track
Lovely car. Glad you’re investing the time and money in her.
Girlfriends are two a penny out there. LY Clio’s are much harder to come by!
Girlfriends are two a penny out there. LY Clio’s are much harder to come by!
Cheap, poorly maintained and awfully coloured wreck.....
****I jest like i've never jested before.
Sheez thats some run of work mate ! Not even my manifold, full system, remap (x2), full set of injectors etc saga 3 weeks into ownership comes close to touching that little list.
She's looking lovely though.Black wheels are much nicer IMO. And soon to be back to driving her very best too.
Tell you what; with recent 'commitment' shown - you're in for the long haul now
****I jest like i've never jested before.
Sheez thats some run of work mate ! Not even my manifold, full system, remap (x2), full set of injectors etc saga 3 weeks into ownership comes close to touching that little list.
She's looking lovely though.Black wheels are much nicer IMO. And soon to be back to driving her very best too.
Tell you what; with recent 'commitment' shown - you're in for the long haul now
JMR
Paid Member
Nice to read the update Ross
Black wheels look the business, not a bad xmas present!!!
Sorry to hear about your woes though
Be nice when the box is sorted, then you'll really be able to get some enjoyment of those fresh new Recaros
Black wheels look the business, not a bad xmas present!!!
Sorry to hear about your woes though
Be nice when the box is sorted, then you'll really be able to get some enjoyment of those fresh new Recaros
Thanks for the kind words all!
@sevenfourate thanks Syer, hope all is well with your Clio, are you still advertising for sale? It’s fate if you ask me that the sale fell through previously! I feel I’ve really nurtured this car through ownership but it’s all about keeping the car maintained as best as I can; the downside is the wallet takes a dent! I just couldn’t believe a car could suffer so much internally over 6 “hard but kind” years!
Girlfriends got a job locally, whereby we’re looking to move in together so once that happens a ‘family wagon / daily’ may have to be purchased! The Clio would then become a summer weather, weekend car which will be nice to take some of the strain off it!
@JMR was really chuffed with them wheels at Christmas, didn’t even suspect that they’d been done! Looking forward to getting the gearbox sorted, I’ve lived with the crunches a couple of months and never gives you full confidence in the car!
@sevenfourate thanks Syer, hope all is well with your Clio, are you still advertising for sale? It’s fate if you ask me that the sale fell through previously! I feel I’ve really nurtured this car through ownership but it’s all about keeping the car maintained as best as I can; the downside is the wallet takes a dent! I just couldn’t believe a car could suffer so much internally over 6 “hard but kind” years!
Girlfriends got a job locally, whereby we’re looking to move in together so once that happens a ‘family wagon / daily’ may have to be purchased! The Clio would then become a summer weather, weekend car which will be nice to take some of the strain off it!
@JMR was really chuffed with them wheels at Christmas, didn’t even suspect that they’d been done! Looking forward to getting the gearbox sorted, I’ve lived with the crunches a couple of months and never gives you full confidence in the car!
petercronin
Paid Member
It sounds like it’ll m be a great trip taking it home, I’ve heard all the locals show lots of love for them. Shame about all your problems but great to see them being sorted.
matt9566
Paid Member
Nice to see you’ve got everything sorted and are hopefully back on the right track.
These cars definitely know how to test our patience but glad to see you’ve just about made it out the other side and can hopefully enjoy some stress free (and inexpensive) miles ahead!
After spending an arm and a leg on mine recently, I know all too well how it can be.
These cars definitely know how to test our patience but glad to see you’ve just about made it out the other side and can hopefully enjoy some stress free (and inexpensive) miles ahead!
After spending an arm and a leg on mine recently, I know all too well how it can be.
Quick update on the Clio from the past couple of month.
Last update the Clio was pending a new gearbox, of which thanks to Mitch @ Pro-Line Motorsport this has been cured. I'd grown so used to crunching into 3rd, it almost felt weird having the gear engaged super smooth! Even now I still wince when shifting up to 3rd!
As with everything Clio though, those precious days of things running smoothly are always numbered! I found the pre-cat attached to the manifold had started rattling, as the substrated had finally given way. I'm assuming caused mainly through wear and tear and polybushed mounts given some extra strain...? Shoutout to @Beany who kindly sent me a replacement cat, although slight misjudgment on my part for sourcing the wrong cat ha!
Instead of sourcing a replacement manifold, the pre-cat was cut and the substrate removed to minimise the rattling of which the car sounds a little less horrendous, and barks a tad more as a result!
Last week, I finally took the Clio home to Dieppe and drove through on to Le Mans for the 24 Hours. First time driving the Clio abroad, and have to say how good the French roads are... no traffic, no potholes and plenty of dual carriageway sections to overtake! Always a good weekend for anyone who loves motorsport, and cars in general plus the weather was certainly dryer than it was here in the UK!
A few downsides to my trip though, I did manage to set a speed camera off over there (oops...) of which I was at the back of the convoy and was trying to keep up, so must have been a couple of mph over. My old man and others have set it off in previous years and received nothing, but given its me I'll be waiting for the letter! The speed cameras are a nightmare to spot over there! And then the saddest part of all was someone had managed reverse/scuff past my bumper :'( I'm someone who's quite militant with their parking, and the one time I'm forced to park in a public car park it gets damaged!! I'm currently browsing bodyshops, but I know LY is obviously a pain to sort, but you can imagine I was far from happy... I didn't let it ruin my trip though, and sank my sorrows with a few beers!
In the coming months I'm moving house, and moving in with my girlfriend. The commutes going from about 5 minutes, to about 30 minutes of which I don't fancy running the Clio as a daily, and stacking up a shed load of miles on it. I'm planning to get the Clio in as best condition as possible over the course of the year, and then find some storage for it... as much as the car pains me at times, I love the damn thing too much to sell it!
That does mean a hunt for a replacement begins! Ideally need a 5 door and something that's relatively comfy that the other half is able to drive, as far as my budget goes currently I have no idea until I'm sorted with my place. Could easily be in a Fiat Multipla by the end of the year!
Last update the Clio was pending a new gearbox, of which thanks to Mitch @ Pro-Line Motorsport this has been cured. I'd grown so used to crunching into 3rd, it almost felt weird having the gear engaged super smooth! Even now I still wince when shifting up to 3rd!
As with everything Clio though, those precious days of things running smoothly are always numbered! I found the pre-cat attached to the manifold had started rattling, as the substrated had finally given way. I'm assuming caused mainly through wear and tear and polybushed mounts given some extra strain...? Shoutout to @Beany who kindly sent me a replacement cat, although slight misjudgment on my part for sourcing the wrong cat ha!
Instead of sourcing a replacement manifold, the pre-cat was cut and the substrate removed to minimise the rattling of which the car sounds a little less horrendous, and barks a tad more as a result!
Last week, I finally took the Clio home to Dieppe and drove through on to Le Mans for the 24 Hours. First time driving the Clio abroad, and have to say how good the French roads are... no traffic, no potholes and plenty of dual carriageway sections to overtake! Always a good weekend for anyone who loves motorsport, and cars in general plus the weather was certainly dryer than it was here in the UK!
A few downsides to my trip though, I did manage to set a speed camera off over there (oops...) of which I was at the back of the convoy and was trying to keep up, so must have been a couple of mph over. My old man and others have set it off in previous years and received nothing, but given its me I'll be waiting for the letter! The speed cameras are a nightmare to spot over there! And then the saddest part of all was someone had managed reverse/scuff past my bumper :'( I'm someone who's quite militant with their parking, and the one time I'm forced to park in a public car park it gets damaged!! I'm currently browsing bodyshops, but I know LY is obviously a pain to sort, but you can imagine I was far from happy... I didn't let it ruin my trip though, and sank my sorrows with a few beers!
In the coming months I'm moving house, and moving in with my girlfriend. The commutes going from about 5 minutes, to about 30 minutes of which I don't fancy running the Clio as a daily, and stacking up a shed load of miles on it. I'm planning to get the Clio in as best condition as possible over the course of the year, and then find some storage for it... as much as the car pains me at times, I love the damn thing too much to sell it!
That does mean a hunt for a replacement begins! Ideally need a 5 door and something that's relatively comfy that the other half is able to drive, as far as my budget goes currently I have no idea until I'm sorted with my place. Could easily be in a Fiat Multipla by the end of the year!
Beany
Platinum Member
Similar Thread Suggestions
| Thread starter | Similar threads | Forum | Replies | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Radiator Mounting Cross Member Part No. 2009 197 Cup | Clio 200 Area | 5 | |
| H | For Sale: 197/200 Pipercross & engine mount insert | Car Parts For Sale | 0 | |
| R | Ross's Supercharged AG RS200 | Projects/Progress Threads | 68 | |
| T | LY 200t Crossing A1, Bramham, Leeds | Spotted | 0 | |
| D | 200: RB 200 Westwood Cross Broadstairs | Spotted | 1 |