Clio Big Steve Raider’s - Clio 200 Raider

[Big Steve - Raider]

Looking ace as always @Big Steve - Raider two suggestions is, your leather seats are still dirty. Try some sonax Leather vleaner and a felt leather brush.. next a mate over there from cork loves his clios but could have a preventive solution to protect your tidy front end. I'll pass his details on if you would like?

Thanks for the Leather tip @Robx1r , I used some Sonax wheel cleaner and it was ace, will have a look for some of that leather cleaner as well!!

Be interested to learn what your mate’s idea is to protect the front end? Yeah please pass on the details..

 

[DaveL485]

I certainly didnt spend hours cleaning mine, I ripped the tubes out and hit it with a pressure washer 5 mins a side and done LOL

Did you pull the tubes out and check the trapdoors?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Did you pull the tubes out and check the trapdoors?

No didn't go that far, I recently bought a 5 PACK SET OF BOTTLE BRUSHES, which happened to arrive on Sunday, so as I was cleaning the scuttle area, I jammed the brushes down the drain holes to help clean them out:

 

[Mark_L]

Well thank both of you gentlemen!! You both certainly know your 197/200’s!! I nipped out this evening to have a little look at the scuttle area, and was greeted by 9 years of grot!!
View attachment 155839
And a blocked off-side scuttle drain, complete with a smashing puddle of manky water:
View attachment 155837
Needless to say, an hours scrubbing and generally buggering about, saw it looking a lot better for itself:
View attachment 155834
View attachment 155835
View attachment 155836

Whilst out there, I also wrestled off the rear view mirror, and fitted a new brand new boxed original replacement I picked up off eBay for £10 as the original mirror had started to breakdown at the bottom. You can see the damage in this comparison photo with the damage on the very right:
View attachment 155838

Thanks for Raidering

Need a mirror for mine, got a link?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Need a mirror for mine, got a link?

The part number you need is 8200000509.

Have a look on eBay, there’s loads to choose from, like

Renault Megane + Scenic 2003-2009 Rear View Mirror Cream 8200000509 4251263664850 | eBay

Engine : All Engines.

www.ebay.co.uk

Or

2005 RENAULT SCENIC INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR 8200000509B | eBay

PART NUMBER: 8200000509B. 1 MONTH WARRANTY.

www.ebay.co.uk

Ignore the reference to Laguna or Megane, it’s the right one for a Clio 200.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

I put this picture up on Facebook and got a bit of stick from some friends on there
1) it was the wrong way round, and should be facing the same direction as the plane
2) it’s Red, and I’ve always said I would never own a Red car...


Well my neice saw those comments, and started to post a few Photoshopped pictures taking the p1$$, that got more & more ludicrous






God loves a smart arse eh..!?

Although I’m not going to lie and say I flippin love that Matt Racing Blue colour on the Clio... think it looks bloody awesome

 

[MOS]

What a nice car!! Didn’t know they made this model, very special in matte red.
opposite you I’d always wanted to own a red car, but never did

 

[Norwich Nick]

I’m not a fan of red cars, hence why I also have a red car!

Yours is special enough to make an exception, I didn’t realise it was matt red, I assumed it was just the grey that was matt. I was going ask if you were going to ppf it to keep it protected, then maybe suggest it may be worth wrapping it to get rid of the red, the penny then dropped, you wouldn’t be able to apply the film because it was matt!

Maybe a wrap in matt sportblue

 

[Mark_L]

I happen to like Red cars, when it's right it looks spot on. Always Loved My red S2 Escort Rs Turbo. But I Bought a Black one which was a nightmare, clean it drive it, get annoyed it looked dirty, clean it, put it back in the garage... wish I never sold it..

Just to add a pic...

 

[Robx1r]

Thanks for the Leather tip @Robx1r , I used some Sonax wheel cleaner and it was ace, will have a look for some of that leather cleaner as well!!

Be interested to learn what your mate’s idea is to protect the front end? Yeah please pass on the details..

Look for Cian detailer London on FB, tell him I was telling you about the satin PPF.
Here's a link to the leather brush, they are unreal!
You could try the colourlock leather cleaner either

 

[detailR]

Very nice @Big Steve - Raider another lovely Renault for the collection.

You can get matte PPF.
You can ceramic coat it too

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

 

[Robx1r]

Did you Photoshop the jack out of the last picture?

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Bought a set of mounts for my Thule roof bars and fitted them on today for a trip over to a cycle-path that takes you right into Cambridge.

This MK3 Clio has got proper “bolt on” mounts, so you’re not relying on any clips or anything touching the paintwork.. and as a result, the whole shebang is held on very securely:



The ride was great with @Millie_Bee :

And ended with a nice big slap up breakfast in Cambridge before the ride home:

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

The OE tyres fitted to the 18” R26r wheels are 215/40-18 and I’ve always thought that they look a little too stretched around the rim:



The tyres were in fairly good condition, but they were also 7 years old, and only 3 of them matched, and I don’t like mismatched tyres on a car that I intend to run round a track.

I had a look around to see what options where available, and as usual, everything pointed to the Michelin PS4S tyres being the best choice… but I also spotted a video that mentioned the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport is just as good and gives a little more feedback:



So I had a look around, and found that Kwik-Fit are doing a discount code, and free night in a hotel when you buy a set of Goodyear’s at the moment:

Deals And Special Offers On Tyres, MOT's And More

www.kwik-fit.com

…I thought I would have a punt on a set.

I got a set of 225/40-18 (10mm wider) fitted to the car this morning, and think they look a much better “fit” to the wheels now in the slightly wider size:



Look forwards to see how they feel on the roads… once they dry-out again.. (just started raining..) ️

 

[andybond]

225/40/18 are the Renault specified width on the R26R for that wheel when using the R888. If using the Michelin which I understand was an option its 235/40/18

 

[Duncan Grier]

Def looks better, wonder if the 235's might look a bit to chunky on rim?

 

[Brigsy]

I have the Goodyears on my Kangoo and dont rate them over the michelins. Mine are going soon for PS4S.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

So I’ve noticed a few times when I’m driving the car hard, I can’t shift into 4th at high rpm.. I have to let the engine speed die down before it will then engage.

I’m not getting any crunching, but somethings not right… so I suspect it could be the Synchromesh’s in the gearbox, clutch drag, or a combination of both.

It bugs me not being right, so I set to it on Saturday with a view to getting it in a position so I can get the Gearbox out.

Few hours on Saturday, Sunday, and a couple on Monday evening and the car now sits on my drive with both subframes off, ready to whip the engine and box out when I can press-gang old @jas_racing over for a day:



Was a little unsure on it all, but in the end it all went swimmingly, and wasn’t really a bad job at all.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Finished this job at the weekend with an extra pair of hands from @jas_racing and managed to pull the engine & gearbox out in one fat lump:


Tonight, I had an evening in the garage, and whipped the gearbox off:



Then mounted the engine on my stand:

And dumped the oil:


Then whipped the timing belt cover off, to find that sure enough, I’d better be fitting a new cambelt and kit on the engine whilst it’s all out!

Thanks for having a nosey..!