New Clio 172 Owner Melbourne :)

[HamishW96]

Hi all!

 

I've just purchased a Clio 172 with engine issues, you may have seen it on gumtree, eBay and on this forum. It's the blue Clio sport with the engine issues, a user on this forum had posted about this vehicle before and I missed it the first time on gumtree. Didn't the second though. Plan is to fix it, I have wanted one for a long while. Visually it just needs a tidy/ respray, will need a new boot lid and maybe a new motor / engine reco. Not 100% sure of what it is whether bearing or a failed lifter, the motor seems to run fine other wise, just has loud knocking at 3000rpm odd. I'll post a video and see what you guys think.

 

Has the usual interior issues of bad build quality, the plastics have deteriorated and have all started to get gooey and need sanding and painting, bonnet + roof and bumpers need a polish + respray and of course the motor, but seems do able.

 

If worst comes to worst a second hand motor will be needed but they seem few and far between so I will see how bad the motor is in this one and check if it can be repaired.

 

Are there any recommended places to take my car to get it worked on/ looked at in north west of Melbourne? (Live in Sunbury).

 

I will attach some more detailed photos of the car when I get home later, Needs a good wash + polish I reckon and some TLC. I want to bring this car back from its certain dark fate, and have wanted one for a few years so it should be a good project

 

Glad to be a member of this exclusive group always wanted a sport, had a 1.4 expression but wasn't fast enough... Anyway, hopefully I can get it up and running and a daily driver soon, as funds permit!

Edited 1, May 2016 by HamishW96

[apple3337]

Good on you. You probably saved it from going to the knackery.

Edited 1, May 2016 by apple3337

[HamishW96]

Good on you. You probably saved it from going to the knackery.

Hahaha thanks I'm excited to get started on this car.

 

I love the look of these little things, I remember them from when I was a little kid and always wanted one, just need to get her going and looking like she should! 

 

I have had experience with clio's before, having owned a clio 2 1.4, but these seem to be a different animal. 

 

Anyone have an idea where I can get parts for these things, and people to talk to and see when things need repairing? Thanks

 

Also, the interior plastics are all gummy... is this normal? Am I able to wetsand this off or something? It just wont come off

Edited 1, May 2016 by HamishW96

[R182]

Welcome... great to see this had gone to an enthusiastic home.

 

Virage in South Melbourne is possibly the closest specialist to you, there are a couple of others in the Eastern suburbs.

 

Parts - eBay, Wolf (a member on here) or some can even be affordable from Renault depending on the item.

 

The interior is a common issue, it's just the sorry touch coating gone bad. Warm water and Gumption, followed by a spray paint seems a common solution.

 

Good luck.

 

Edit... it should be slightly different to your Expression, I think it has almost twice the power in the same car (72kw in the 1.4 I believe). [emoji48]

Edited 1, May 2016 by R182

[apple3337]

See this: http://www.ozrenaultsport.com/index.php?/topic/25474-interior-plastic-refurb/?hl=sticky

[HamishW96]

See this: http://www.ozrenaultsport.com/index.php?/topic/25474-interior-plastic-refurb/?hl=sticky

Thanks! The door handles seem easy, but the area around the centre vents is in bad shape, what can i do there? Apparently it cant be removed?

 

Welcome... great to see this had gone to an enthusiastic home.

 

Virage in South Melbourne is possibly the closest specialist to you, there are a couple of others in the Eastern suburbs.

 

Parts - eBay, Wolf (a member on here) or some can even be affordable from Renault depending on the item.

 

The interior is a common issue, it's just the sorry touch coating gone bad. Warm water and Gumption, followed by a spray paint seems a common solution.

 

Good luck.

 

Edit... it should be slightly different to your Expression, I think it has almost twice the power in the same car (72kw in the 1.4 I believe). [emoji48]

 

 

Okay awesome, thankyou, I saw there is a place called french connection in airport west, this is very close to where I live, anyone had any experience with them?

 

Renault still stock parts for these? like consumables ie oil, spark plugs, wires coil etc?

 

ahahahahaah 72 kw to 124 what a difference..... Will smash my BA falcon too

 

Also, included are a few pics of the car will get some nicer ones tomorrow, when its brighter outside

[R182]

 

Okay awesome, thankyou, I saw there is a place called french connection in airport west, this is very close to where I live, anyone had any experience with them?

 

Renault still stock parts for these? like consumables ie oil, spark plugs, wires coil etc?

 

 

 

 

I don't have experience with French Connection but others may. 

 

 

The parts seem to be a bit hit and miss. Renault certainly stock them and some are surprisingly inexpensive, so it's just worth a ring around. Renault is probably an expensive place to by oil ... but from memory their filters weren't expensive. 

[HamishW96]

Will do Yeah one member was telling me 21$ for a filter + filter driver square tool. 

 

I will chuck some photos up now, I have attacked the interior plastics with a green scourer and works well, especially on the non removable centre console unit part. Will be pulling off the bumper this weekend, sanding and re clearing my lights and then painting the grills black (was this the original colour??). 

 

Edited 5, May 2016 by HamishW96

[BG 172]

Nice one!  Can you do the same to mine?!! 

I think I used Metho on the interior goo.  The grills look original, they've always been a charcoal colour on the ones I've seen, not fully black.  

The steering wheel looks like it's been re-covered, probs not a bad thing. 

[HamishW96]

Nice one!  Can you do the same to mine?!! 

I think I used Metho on the interior goo.  The grills look original, they've always been a charcoal colour on the ones I've seen, not fully black.  

The steering wheel looks like it's been re-covered, probs not a bad thing. 

 

What am I doing now???!!

 

Did the metho pull it off well? I am struggling a bit with the small crevices that the dash top part has near the LCD screen.... And no need to respray the grills? I might as well if I am going to re clear the headlights (have done before on my falcon, looks original ) just unsure of the colour to go on the bumper if I do, maybe just satin black..

 

Yeah I am pretty sure it has, the first owner must have done it, the last one didnt look after her well, shes a tad sad and the hand gunk on the wheel and shift knob where absolutely disgusting. Its a little cleaner now....

Anyone know how easy it is to pull the aerial off so I can wrap the roof black or brushed aluminium? Also, I am lucky I got two good alloys in the boot with her, so will get those terrible ones on the front changed over as they have near new pilot sport 3's on them. They were nice tyres on the a250 sport mum had, and should do well on this little bugger.

 

Biggest issue for me at this point in time is cash, as I am casual at maccas money is not reliable but in the next few months I will be getting cash to sort the motor. Have been a little tied on time to work on her at the moment so no word on whats a matter with her but I will pull the oil soon enough when I go buy more. No rush for me though, she is a project and I am treating it like that. Needs a new back door though, the one on her is shagged badly, looks like someones given it a good kick. I will save enough to get the dephaser/timing belt done and the motor issue sorted, in the meantime make her look nice and tidy it up.