Suj's Nimbus Clio 197 and E36 328i Trackcar

[suj]

Thanks lads, yeah bloody annoying but nothing I can do but move on, it's ok I smashed out my aggression in gym and finally got back to a 200kg deadlift for 3 reps! Haha

So I sorted out my ABS problem, it was damage on the ABS ring on the rear discs, most people say you need to get new discs, but mine aren't even that old, so I found this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/201415866473

Thought I would give it a try with new discs as the back up. It did the trick so far.

Went to MOT and it passed with 1 advisory, not gonna lie I'm gutted....it's the only thing I haven't changed on the suspension haha, the track rod end has a bit of play.
I've been using this same garage for 10 years, he's very picky and I like that, but then at the same time he wouldn't fail it on stupid crap like a bulb out / washer fluid, he'll just replace it and charge me / let me change while there.

 

[///M]

Nice to see you being pragmatic about it. It's a shitter mate but what can you do? Gotta get on with your life huh.

And nice to see some positivity back in the thread. Good work on the ABS fix.

 

[sevenfourate]

FFS with the wheel Suj I hate that shit.

I had it last week too; with a freshly painted bonnet that had whacking stone-chip on it in the short traffic laden journey home.

Its enough to make you cry........

 

[suj]

Thanks lads, yep it's fine now I'm over it, in a weird way it's better as I'm not driving like Bambi on ice scared of curbs haha if that makes sense?

I went to get alignment done, but the trackrod end has so much play now, he said look there is no point, so I changed both trackrod ends (and drivers inner trackrod as I had it already), as I'm an idiot like that haha. So now nearly every suspension component has been changed (bar swivel joint which has no play and rear subframe, again no play).
The mechanic I use was like "another car that whoever buys off you, is getting a brand new car" haha.

While there I got a service done and swapped from the NFJ gearbox oil, to NFP, it's soooo much better!

Driving spot on, will get alignment done once I can on weekend (well before as I'm off to a stag in Latvia).

Hope everyone is loving this weather!

 

[suj]

Just general maintenance really on the Clio.
* Rear passenger caliper had been sticking, drivers side was changed about 8months ago
- Got a refurbed TRW caliper on with new brembo pads
- Drawback is that it has worn the rear discs unevenly, making a squeal when braking!

* Flexi's were blowing, so I got another manifold and had new flexi's welding in, so it can be straight swapped over
- I also put a new O2 sensor on while there
- New manifold gasket too



When I get the old manifold off, there was a slight blow from flexis, but the real blow was a broken flange>pipe, it looks like someone has welded it / not done a good job!

* It had aux belt + tensioner done with the cambelt, but for peace of mind (and not breaking and getting sucked into the timing belt and being catastrophic) I changed that, the belt was a bit dry, but nothing untoward really.



* I felt like the car had a leak in the exhaust, further inspection showed it was on the rear box / where silencer meets 2nd cat flange.
- I had a Milltek when I bought the car, so I got a standard exhaust put on, so it was cut by rear axle, so a sleeve was made up to put it on / off easier, it was leaking there.
- Some Gun Gum on both has stopped this

* I managed to bag a stupid cheap brand new front lower arm for peanuts (compared to new) on eBay, so that will be fitted soon

* I have ordered some SNR rear discs (off GSF car parts, wait until they have their nearly fortnightly discount, works out about £145 for both, delivered) and some new pads to hopefully cure the squeal (mentioned about, difference in thickness of pads).


Since the new O2 sensor, manifold and sorting leaks, it drives so well! So smooth and i'm getting better MPG.

I just need to cure this stupid ticking noise, I thought it might be injectors but I am leaning towards sticking hydraulic lifters, drives perfect, but I hate noises that I know about haha.

I also hit 100k miles, I bought it on like 68k about 1.5years ago (yes I do about 20k miles a year!)


Sorry it's been manic few months, I literally didn't have a free weekend for the best part of 15weeks!

Only pic I really took on travels around the UK doing


Also this gif I made when sky was epic (cool things you can do with Google Photos with multiple shots)


I need to get to the cause of the ticking, hopefully it's an easy fix.

 

[Big Ben]

Great to hear it’s running well Suj.

 

[Nick]

Needs a 200 diffuser conversion [emoji6]

 

[Pav]

nice figure...

 

[suj]

Not much to report, the car is driving great, but I am considering selling, in no massive rush yet.

As most know I do big miles, 20k a year minimum, mainly all motorway miles, I just don't use the car for it's intended use.
I am getting 37mpg average, which is fine, but it's the comfort that is the big thing, it sits at 3500-4000rpm, it's not the smoothest ride (for the car it is, it's amazing by the way).

I have a couple of cars that are topping the list, they are still 0-60 in 7 or less, but more comfortable and actually get better MPG for my mileage (an added bonus).
I think I miss my old 740iL and how it ate miles to work and all the roadtrips I have done in it.

I'm in no rush at all to buy and sell, the car is running great, so keep eyes out if it's for sale, might even trade it in depending where / who the person selling it is.

 

[Benno]

Be a shame Suj but after doing the same, I completely understand where you're coming from. I was close to buying a Mk6 Golf GTD until my Meg came up for sale. Gotta say, the Meg did 40mpg all the way down from Liverpool sat at 70!!! Hardly makes a noise either, it's bliss.

 

[Pav]

the time has come mate??

 

[suj]

So not a load happened, all the tyres were shot, so a perfect time to go 225/45/17, I managed to get 4x Eagle F1 225/45/17 fitted on my drive for £290!

Then 4 days later driving home I got a puncture and it was a nail that went in and straight back out, so pissing out air as soon as it came back in! I nursed it on the motorway to Shirley KwikFit, by pumping up tyre every 2miles, but unfortunately tyre was ruined (running on sidewall a bit).

So had to buy another tyre for £89 lol

Onto other things, I think it will be going very soon, I most likely will part exchange it in, just for ease.

But I will be having a lot of things for sale, Recaros, RS front splitter, brand new lower arm, Speedline wheels, 197 rear diffuser, Pure Motorsport spacers + TPS stud and nut kit and loads of other bits I was hoarding but never got on.

I've loved the car, it still puts a smile on my face when I drive it, especially on a country lane, but it's just too uncomfortable for me using it 20k miles a year and then fuel haha.

Mechanically it is so good as i've spent so much on it (I have just been printing off invoices for all the things bought.....I don't want to add the total up haha), just bodywork due to people hitting it, keying it etc that lets it down.

I have done 45k in just over 2 years and it's been great in that time, just the fuel economy, space and comfort is the reason I am selling it, I would still consider one in the future when I want a second car, but for now whoever gets it will have years of use from it!

 

[Beany]

Sad to hear you might be selling up Suraj, hopefully still loiter on the forum mate!

Got any ideas on what you may replace her with? I know the feeling of using it as a daily racking up 20k a year not good considering how well these cars go

 

[suj]

Sad to hear you might be selling up Suraj, hopefully still loiter on the forum mate!

Got any ideas on what you may replace her with? I know the feeling of using it as a daily racking up 20k a year not good considering how well these cars go

Thanks mate, yeah I end up loitering to see how others get on.

Got a few, keeping it close to me, it's nothing special really, just a cruiser but not a slow one. I got mocked at work with #FWP as I said "the car needs to <7secs to 60" haha.

It's gutting as the car is so lovely driving to work the last few days, but then it can be a bit stiff and bouncy (giggidy) but I think I have become accustomed to it.
I used it daily for so many miles, so it has done me proud, ~75miles a day for work, loads of roadtrips and weddings round the country etc.

Going to see a car tonight, taken my paperwork to see if they will PX it in for a decent amount, if so she might be going soon, if lowballed then I will put it for sale on here.

Mechanically it is amazing, I was filing all my receipts yesterday and I was tempted to tot up how much I have spent on parts....but I quickly decided not to, so I don't cry haha.
Just bodywork that lets it down a bit (as people think it's a bumper car / keying post!)

 

[suj]

So I thought I would write down all the things I have done on the Clio in my ownership:

· New Renault genuine Dampers + Eibach Springs
· Renault genuine top mounts
· Renault genuine Anti-Rollbar Bushes
· Renault genuine trackrod and trackrod ends (both sides)
· Renault genuine lower arms (x2 both sides)
· TRW Anti-rollbar droplinks
· TRW Anti-rotation links
· Exhaust manifold flexi pipes replaced
· Retrofit Renault genuine projector headlights
· Renault genuine Thermostat and coolant change
· Brembo front discs + pads
· Renault genuine rear discs + Brembo pads
· Pinks front stainless caliper pins
· 2x refurbished genuine rear calipers
· ELF NFP genuine gearbox oil change
· Febi Bilstein new engine mount, gearbox mount, dogbone mount and torque arm mount
· Renault genuine crankshaft sensor
· Renault genuine camshaft sensor
· 4x Coilpacks
· 4x Renault Sparkplugs (NGK)
· Both Bosch lambda sensors changed
· Renault genuine PCV valve
· Renault genuine inlet manifold gaskets + throttle body gaskets (and cleaned)
· Renault genuine accessory belt kit
· 4x Speedline Cup alloys (powdercoated anthracite)
· 4x 225/45/17 Goodyear Eagle F1 (basically new)
· Renault genuine exhaust mounts + gaskets + clamps

As usual all my cars end up with a long list of stuff.....haha

 

[suj]

So as predicted.....finding a new car sucks ass!

So I went to a car described as "immaculate", "FSH", "4 new tyres" etc.

It had a mark on every panel (I know it's not a brand new car, but how can you label something as immaculate?), it had history up to 64k miles, then the next one after that was 125k...then when I questioned this "oh because it's an official book, it will only be stamped if done by the dealer..."
Seeing as the last 3 in the book were not dealer...I call BS!
Then he said "it has 2 front new tyres and 2 nearly new rears"
Then I look at rears that are basically on wear markers! When I questioned this "oh ok" as he walked round the other side of the car!

Then he asked if I want to test drive it, I said i'm ok as it's not for me.

I can picture many of these viewings going the same.....
#FWP

 

[suj]

MOT time, I took it a bit earlier, as only time I had to get it done, it passed easily I was told, yay!
The guy commented "I don't want to know how much you've spent on it, everything is perfect" and he is a picky shit too haha.

Here's some obligatorily pics from work

 

[Pav]

happy days mate..enjoy

 

[suj]

Not much to say, but someone messaged me asking about how the Eibach springs sit and I worked out I haven't posted on here for a while.

It's just been driving to work and back, getting serviced etc, just plodding along.
I am still looking for a new car, but due to CAZ (Clean Air Zone) in Birmingham happening soon, it's kind of put a stop to some of the diesels I was looking at. I have another car in mind, but in no rush as the Clio is currently CAZ/ULEZ compliant.

Some pics I took a while back now:






So if I find a car soon, she could be going up for sale, forgot how little I would get for the car, but I am not ambitious for extra money, it will be around £2.3k mark without the Recaros.

 

[suj]

With lockdown my miles have gone from 350miles/week to about 10....if that lol. I am lucky where I can work from home (but bored), also means I have been spannering loads on the car.

First thing I did was fit the rear non-orange bulbs to the lights, I had them ages but forgot about them (when I fitted front projector headlights I bought a set for the rear), while there I cleaned up the rear dirt under the lights





I then fitted a MAP sensor bracket, really nice bit of kit and stops it from moving.





I fitted genuine Renault Coils, as I had some crap ones from when one failed and I felt they were not great at top end (fine for day-to-day), sorry no pic currently.



I then fitted this Alloy Gearknob i've had for ages and again not fitted!




It was nice, but it sat lower than OEM and I dunno I just didn't get on with it (it will be up for sale soon and NO it isn't genuine lol, still a great bit of kit).


I then made and fitted this instead and it has brought the throw to a really nice position and also is a bigger knob for me to get my hand round (oh baby....) I have big hands so it just fits so much better! (I have a metal knob I bought to try for the weight, but it was smaller than I wanted, I will be putting it up for sale with adapter soon too).





I then thought I would tackle my rear calipers (well handbrake cables) as they've been crap for years, I firstly took off calipers and cleaned and regreased the rear slider pins with some Ceratec grease, they were fine before, but just making sure.
Then I tackled the cables and this is why I have been having problems! One side was fine and free, the other side was not so good and was seized, so I used a lot of hammer and swearing to free it up, not perfect but way better than before.

I then ordered some Pagid cables from ECP and fitted them, was a relatively easy job....on the drivers side! Passenger side was a pain in the ass as the knurled end that fits into the caliper to act as a lever was basically welded to the bracket! A lot of hammer and swearing again a gap appeared and I managed to get a chisel in to slowly move it working my way round to evenly get it out (space is so limited to swing a hammer). But got there in the end!

So much nicer now the both work (it looks like passenger side that was seized was the one from factory, drivers side had been replaced at some point).








I always hated how high the steering wheel sat, even when adjusted to the bottom, then I noticed Josh Wheeler sold a lowering kit for the steering column, it was only £20 too, so I bought it and fitted it. I am like a quarter from the top now and it is great!



I did loads of pics of how to fit it as I will be sending them to Josh to send with people who are more visual people like me.

I also changed my brake fluid using my Sealey pressure bleeder, why didn't I buy one ages ago? Silly me haha.

Things I plan to do next:
* New discs and pads all round (I have these)
* I think I just bought some front calipers in red off someone (they're basically near new), mine work fine, but a bit tired looking colour wise (so they will also be up for sale)
* Looking at fitting braided brakelines to the front while there, but read some conflicting posts about which are best? I want ones that actually fit and if I can utilise the original brakeline holder that sits on the hubs? (Also stainless ends, not zinc plated)
* Get a non-RS steering wheel to fit this cover I bought (so I found out that is why the cover didn't fit....as it is made for the thickness of a non-RS one)
* Change front ARB droplinks, as 1 has a tear in the boot, still is fine but might as well change it before it gets mangled up and never comes off lol
* I bought some exterior handles as they are so faded and passenger side locking button is so intermittent, so I need to paint and fit them
* Get some Gtecniq C4 Trim Restorer for the grills mainly, but all the trim I can do

Funny how I was going to sell it and do no more to it....yeah that lasted long, more out of boredom and knowing I don't need to use the car so I can start jobs and finish them!

Final pics, I washed it but not done a proper detail on it, I wanted to sort some of the mechanical bits first.