Hi all,
Well after almost 5 years of lurking i've decided it's time to start a thread of my own.
To give you some background, I bought the car almost 5 years ago as a replacement for my Mk1 Focus which met a dramatic end after being ploughed into someone's garden wall during the deep snow of early 2011:eek:
I had narrowed down the choice to that of a Mk2 Focus ST and a clio 197 (didn't like the 200's front although it has grown on me, especially in white), and after going to see a few ropey examples of each, including a nimbus 197 which the garage swore was 'immaculate' and 'standard', and upon turning up to view the car it had receipts for trackdays, the loudest aftermarket exhaust i've ever heard this side of a 1995 Subaru WRX and more chips than Harry Ramsden's. Needless to say I walked away.
10 mins down the road I eventually found my baby, 1k cheaper than said ropey example and with 15k fewer miles :001_wub::001_wub::001_wub:
The car had a lot to live up to (speedwise anyway) as I also have a TB'd, cammed, High-comp'd saxo vts which to be honest I still think to this day is quicker than the 197... The 197 more than does me, and while lacking slightly in straight line speed it more than makes up for it with an excellent chassis, including the brakes which are awesome to say the least.
The 197 is perfect for what I was after - the capabilities of the saxo but with (a lot) more refinement. So far it has delivered everything I asked from it. I just wish Renault had fitted a taller 6th gear!!!!
Here is the car not long after I bought it in January 2011:
So, having sworn I wouldn't be modifying this particular car, it remained standard for the next 4 1/2 years, and plodded along nicely with the usual maintanence etc.
However... over the past wee while i've noticed the car not being as sharp as it once was. Therefore, as a little birthday present to myself last week this lot was purchased, along with some standard front pads and discs:
These are being fitted tomorrow, so i'll get some pics up at the weekend once the car has had a proper clean (weather is rubbish up here atm).
Also got standard front pads and discs going on.
Future plans are:
-Wheel refurb
-Speedlines (7.5j) or Ultraleggeras, although these will be in silver/anthracite rather than the usual black (black looks great I just prefer silver for the standard look or anthracite as i think it look less 'dirty')
-Caliper rebuild, front and back, and sprayed capsicum red with black brembo lettering
-possibly an exhaust as mine is rattling - may be a heatsheild but suspect the silencer has gone
- few carbon bits and pieces (what I can't buy I plan to make myself)
- front grill painted black
Thanks for reading
Well after almost 5 years of lurking i've decided it's time to start a thread of my own.
To give you some background, I bought the car almost 5 years ago as a replacement for my Mk1 Focus which met a dramatic end after being ploughed into someone's garden wall during the deep snow of early 2011:eek:
I had narrowed down the choice to that of a Mk2 Focus ST and a clio 197 (didn't like the 200's front although it has grown on me, especially in white), and after going to see a few ropey examples of each, including a nimbus 197 which the garage swore was 'immaculate' and 'standard', and upon turning up to view the car it had receipts for trackdays, the loudest aftermarket exhaust i've ever heard this side of a 1995 Subaru WRX and more chips than Harry Ramsden's. Needless to say I walked away.
10 mins down the road I eventually found my baby, 1k cheaper than said ropey example and with 15k fewer miles :001_wub::001_wub::001_wub:
The car had a lot to live up to (speedwise anyway) as I also have a TB'd, cammed, High-comp'd saxo vts which to be honest I still think to this day is quicker than the 197... The 197 more than does me, and while lacking slightly in straight line speed it more than makes up for it with an excellent chassis, including the brakes which are awesome to say the least.
The 197 is perfect for what I was after - the capabilities of the saxo but with (a lot) more refinement. So far it has delivered everything I asked from it. I just wish Renault had fitted a taller 6th gear!!!!
Here is the car not long after I bought it in January 2011:
So, having sworn I wouldn't be modifying this particular car, it remained standard for the next 4 1/2 years, and plodded along nicely with the usual maintanence etc.
However... over the past wee while i've noticed the car not being as sharp as it once was. Therefore, as a little birthday present to myself last week this lot was purchased, along with some standard front pads and discs:
These are being fitted tomorrow, so i'll get some pics up at the weekend once the car has had a proper clean (weather is rubbish up here atm).
Also got standard front pads and discs going on.
Future plans are:
-Wheel refurb
-Speedlines (7.5j) or Ultraleggeras, although these will be in silver/anthracite rather than the usual black (black looks great I just prefer silver for the standard look or anthracite as i think it look less 'dirty')
-Caliper rebuild, front and back, and sprayed capsicum red with black brembo lettering
-possibly an exhaust as mine is rattling - may be a heatsheild but suspect the silencer has gone
- few carbon bits and pieces (what I can't buy I plan to make myself)
- front grill painted black
Thanks for reading
Attachments
Last edited:
