Clio 182 Cup aka my cheap therapy alternative

[alfadog]

Hi folks, newbie here with what is my first French car, the 182 Cup, in Melbourne.

My background is in Japanese stuff - Datsuns and Mazdas. My brother had a 504 which had a driving position that immediately triggered a memory when sitting in the Clio!

However, I'm more of a fan of value-for-money, and Euro stuff simply offers a better proposition these days. 

I am late 30s M with no kids, work in Automotive and just wanted something to offer cheap thrills without having to worry too much. 

As per my WTB ad, I recently flew up to Sydney and drove this car home. It performed perfectly, and was a joy to drive. In fact, nearing Melbourne I took a detour to take the long way home so I could drive it some more!! If that doesn't say I bought the right car I dont know what does.

This thing is therapy!!!

Yes I bought quite a nice example with low kms, for me, I just want something I can jump into and enjoy without headaches. Gradually I hope to improve and amplify its character.

For now, I've got a lot of cleaning up and inspecting to do. It's had the belts done recently so thats good, but keen to hear from the brains trust here on best first fixes/modifications.

My thoughts:

1. Steering - seems a bit tired, need to check CV joints etc.

2. Suspension - it's fantastic out of the box and I'm keen to get to know the car more first, but down the track, is there any consensus for options in AU?

3. Wheels - From what I read it seems 15x7 +35 is the go for the road, is that right? I see Turinis and 2118s are the standard, but will RPF1 fit? I saw something saying they dont clear front brakes?

4. Gearbox - again just seems like its a bit loose after 18 years. Has anyone got experience with https://www.pure-motorsport.co.uk/racing-precision-gear-linkage-kit-clio-2-rs.html ?

5. Rear hatch struts - mine are on the way out, is there a common aftermarket option to replace these? 7700842256

Some piccies from the drive home (6.8l/100km WOW):

 

 

Edited 27 May by alfadog

[Mpptim]

This looked like the one to buy 😍

congrats!

edit: probably needs CV joints, make sure you get the ones with the bigger holes. Maybe different springs at the most, anything else will ruin the sweet ride quality. The linkage kit is great but rattles like a mofo

Edited 27 May by Mpptim

[Gambit]

Congrats! Lovely example. I’d look into Koni yellow rears and new cup front struts paired with a new set of eibach springs. 

[slick]

Congrats on your purchase.

I have a non-cup 182 which I have done sprints in. The modificiations I did were camber pins in the front suspension with 2 deg negative camber, rear anti roll bar set on soft, Yokohama AD08R tyres, Ferodo DS performance pads and Dot 5.1 brake fluid.

The car is quite fast, compared to other more modified 182s, and is neutral in handling. Sprints at Sandown, Phillip Island (best fun you can have with your clothes on !!!) and Winton ..... Interestingly, for me, I found that the circuit the car was best at was Phillip Island - it loves the long fast corners !!

The car has also retained its absolutely magic compliance and ride quality on normal (read shitty) Victorian roads.

My car is a 2005 model - 175Kms.

I would suggest you did some simple setup changes (as above) then do some track days to see how the car suits you and your driving style - and then change more if required.  Less is more !!!!

Edited 27 May by slick

[dartology]

Congrats mate and welcome. Fantastic first French car too. Keep a thread going as you tinker with it I’m sure no one would complain about more Clio II content. 

[lachlan8]

Rear hatch struts just AliExpress will sort ya mate.

Great buy, well done and welcome to the community. The only regret you'll ever have is if you sell it so don't

Ever.

[slick]

31 minutes ago, lachlan8 said:

Rear hatch struts just AliExpress will sort ya mate.

Great buy, well done and welcome to the community. The only regret you'll ever have is if you sell it so don't

Ever.

^^^^^^ what he said !!!!!

[walkie86]

Welcome and congrats on buying a great example!

Wheels - Turinis are 16s, 2118s are 15s. I prefer 16s but each to their own. The issue with RPF1s (from memory) is rear caliper clearance, not front. But I have seen 16" RPF1s fitted to Clios in the past.

Enjoy the new beast 😀

[xeno182]

Congratulations, looks great! 

I half had my eye on this one, but the price and being interstate put me off a bit. Actually I was quite glad you bought it first (this seems to be a common feeling on this forum)!

Good luck with it and hope it turns out to be a great car.

[Matt205]

Don't go 15' for the road, extra sidewall takes a little sharpness out of the steering.

Standard issue cup suspension is as good as anything for road IMO, I don't think it needs changing in any way unless you are looking for laptime which may not mean anything to you. Good wheel alignment on fresh factory struts, bushes and other perishable bits, done.

Good rubber essential.

[63x1092]

3 hours ago, Matt205 said:

Don't go 15' for the road, extra sidewall takes a little sharpness out of the steering.

Standard issue cup suspension is as good as anything for road IMO, I don't think it needs changing in any way unless you are looking for laptime which may not mean anything to you. Good wheel alignment on fresh factory struts, bushes and other perishable bits, done.

Good rubber essential.

Yep, that’s what I said about the work I’d done on my F1 when the dog was here the other week, keep it stock and you’ll have less troubles. 
Still disappointed he didn’t offer me $15K like I hinted in the other thread, oh well at least this one’s worth all its money. Good buy, now you gotta come over again to show it off.  

[SimonH]

I had my steering rack refurbed - not a common thing to get done but was definitely worth it and made the steering feel just right. I had a pure gearshift but didn't like it - i am in the minority though- the Yanoo bushing/refresh kit was the perfect answer as it replaces the worn factory items and just makes it feel new. As above for suspension, OEM is very well judged, Koni yellow/Eibach is very good too, many like Bilstein B14 as well.

Yanoo info here http://www.dp-automotive.hu/dpa_developments.html#q6

Edited 29 May by SimonH

[Jall]

Looks like a very neat car!
I have the PMS gear linkage, but wouldn't recommend the one I have for a road car, makes too much rattling noise. I think they have a few options to mitigate that now though. The main thing I like about it is it gets it into a much better position. When harnessed I couldn't get the standard shifter into third confidently.

If I was doing suspension in a road car I would definitely do Koni/Eibach and replace all the worn bushings.

[PerthRS]

On 29/05/2023 at 9:09 AM, SimonH said:

I had my steering rack refurbed - not a common thing to get done but was definitely worth it and made the steering feel just right. I had a pure gearshift but didn't like it - i am in the minority though- the Yanoo bushing/refresh kit was the perfect answer as it replaces the worn factory items and just makes it feel new. As above for suspension, OEM is very well judged, Koni yellow/Eibach is very good too, many like Bilstein B14 as well.

Yanoo info here http://www.dp-automotive.hu/dpa_developments.html#q6

I have the understanding from a cliosport.net forum thread that Yanoo past away recently😔. So only way to source his kit would be through the used market.

I've heard changing the red plastic bush on the bottom of the gear stick to brass and replacing the old bush on the gearbox end with a new unit makes a good improvement.

Had the PMS shifter kit on my old 182. It really is like loading a rifle. NVH increases significantly. Best way to stop that is to cover the rod under the car with lead flashing held down with hose clamps.