Had the 225 now for about 8 weeks or so. Completely standard with 56k on the clock. To begin with I will be getting all the belts changed, service etc and making sure it runs well. Also need to have a look at sorting the suspension/steering setup as it feels terrible. Then I will be sorting out some modifications for some better performance. Aiming to begin with for about 260-275bhp and similiar torque. Miltek turbo back exhaust with sports cat New intercooler Induction system Remap I'm no mechanic... completely clueless in fact so car is going to be booked into AMD tuning for the pefermance mods and RGS motorsport to give the car a once over 1st. Interior wise im sorting an android double din head unit and an OBD 2 reader for some dials. Things will change and stuff will happen as the year goes on so logging here for a record. Pic below
Only thing so far is new tyres. Went for some uniroyal wet weather tyres for the winter. I want some black ph2 wheels so will sort some in the summer and some better tyres for then. Still need to sort the TPMS system. How easy is it to remove the sensor?
Quick update. May need a complete engine built after car wouldnt start. Looks like a stripped timing belt and a crank pulley failure. Will know more tomorrow. If a rebuild is required I will probably look for a new engine and/or forged internals.
Rebuild the one you have, if you need the car, get a used motor and fit that while your getting the original sorted. What part of the country are you in ??????
Im in Northamptonshire area so will use RGS motorsport. It was going to be going to either RS tuning in Leeds or AMD tuning in Essex for some upgrades. Wanted Xmas and the expected bundle of joy due in 3 weeks out the way 1st.
Okay so my surprise and a good look over the car this morning I couldnt see anything wrong. I'm no mechanic at all so maybe trying to start it was a bad idea. It started fine so I drove it very carefully to a local garage. After inspection they could find no issue with timing belt that they could see as it is still sitting fine etc. Only way to know for sure would be to strip it down and change it apparently. Quoted £850 plus VAT!!! Instead ive booked it in with Diamond motors in nottingham and getting a major service done as well, it's a whole lot cheaper. There goes the money I have for upgrades I wanted but never mind. Will just take me a little longer
Well that's better news than having to do the head/valves etc It the £850 quoted for a cam belt change or to remove the cylinder head ???? All you need to do is get a compression test, that will prove if there is a problem with either the valves or pistons. If is was that the engine just wouldn't start it might have been something like a crankshaft position sensor.
That was for the cambelt and water pump etc I think. The car will get checked properly next week and major service done and all belts/oils changed. Also getting the tpms turned off as well. Car is running well after a short journey today but wont drive it much if at all till it goes in to the garage next week. Also didnt realise how good the handling was until I drove the wifes car today. Was cornering a tad to fast for the car.. ha ha.
Bloody hell i better put my prices up i am so glad i can do this work myself must have saved myself a fortune over the years. Get them to plug it in to see if there is a logged fault, should hold it even if it okay now. I have the same problem when i jump into my Espace after driving the Megane, especially where the brakes are concerned.
Wish I could do it myself. Last time I tried to modify something on a car I owned it broke it... never again. I bought and OBD 2 reader from ebay and it came up with no fault codes when I plugged it in. Not a bad piece of kit for £6. Will also be able to run my torque pro gauges on my android head unit when I get round to buying one.
Update. Car was in with Mick at Diamond motors today. Looks like whoever had the car before had been in and played around with the car quite a bit. Missing bolts, Damaged cam pulleys and all a tad bodged. All sorted and car checked over. Service also done and all oils changed etc. Pics of said issues before Mick sorted it below. Also have a back of bits which are in a right state. How it didnt blow the engine to bits do not know.
Was also expecting a huge long list of things that needed doing. However not as bad as I thought. Need Spark plugs (will do this asap) Rear silencer exhaust mount (will get a cat back exhaust done and change it then) Upper engine tie bar worn and needs replacing Wire on ignition coil 3 damaged so need a new coil (will do this asap with plugs) Front damper is leaking and need replacing (going to do a full suspension refresh) Car also might have the Cup chassis but Mick couldnt be 100% sure as no details from chassis number on Renault system. Once ive done this it will be going in for a remap.
Order parts from Renault Direct and should arrive early next week. Only thing I cant find is the upper engine tie bar. Any ideas what this is and where I can order it from? *yes I know i'm clueless. Hoping to have the car all sorted; unless something else goes, so I can add more power etc.
not the first place i would go but to give you an idea http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/R...0035b892d36d1fca2a401c65f7f8789e68846c&000461
So is the upper engine tie bar just the right side then? I am tempted to refresh all the engine mounts with some upgraded mounts like powerflex or something. Worth doing?
Yes that is it, only 4 in total the big one drivers side, gearbox, lower dog bone and rear top dog bone, i have fitted the yellow powerflex inserts in new mounts and no complaints, you will only get three inserts, there isn't anything for the top dog bone
Think I might get these ones http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=5300&appid=12 Also thinking about doing a complete susspension refresh with cup dampers all round and some AST lowering springs. My 225 is going to cost me a small fortune... ha ha
It's my daily for now, although I also use the wife's car. Company car on order for when I start my new job sometime in February. Ideally I want a fast road set up with the option to go on track but I want the reliability of a daily. If I can improve bits on the car as I go I will. More fun for me. Otherwise i'd have bought an RS3 or something similiar.
Might be worth looking at a set of BC coilovers, just got to remember to turn down the dampers after a visit to the track
I did look but i'd also want to sort out all the bushes etc. Also looked at a new clutch kit and it just goes on and on. Could quite easily spend a good 6k on all the bits I want to do and still find more. I have a tendancy to be impatient as wll which doesnt help. Doesnt seem to be any renault specialist close which means a day out whenever I want to go get things done.
The front bushes are a lot easier with the hubs off, so if you are going down the BC route so much easier to do, the biggest pain was the rear bushes, but i tried to put it all back in one go, not a good plan, leave the springs and damper out and put the rear beam up flat and is way easier, then fit the springs and dampers. Never tot up what you spend you'll scare yourself silly Where about's are you located
It will cost more for me as I will have to fork out someone to do it all for me ha ha. Based in Northamptonshire.
it's a shame you are so far away, i enjoyed doing mine, done a couple now. Probably 10 -12 hrs work really
it'll be worth the wait, just enjoy it for now, collect the bits over time and when you have all the parts, then get them fitted.
Quick update: Spark plugs and coil pack all done. Was easier than I expected and no real drama at all. Car feels like it pulls better but could just be in my head. Anyway. Next 6 months the car will also have: Poweflex handling pack fitted with Grams cup suspension kit. EBC turbo grooved pads front and OEM rears with EBC yellowstuff pads Will also get some goodridge braided break lines and some decent brake fluid done. ITG induction kit and Milltek turbo back exhaust with sports cat Pro Alloy Intercooler Once done I will book car in with RS tuning for a remap. May add injectors at some point and then look at sorting clutch in the next 12 months. Also looking at changing the wheels and doing some changes to the lights and spoiler etc. Pics to follow..
Quick update: My gorgeous daughter was Born on 30 Jan so been very busy adjusting to her being in our lives. I start my new job in 2 weeks and will have a Golf TDI company car until I finish probation before getting a choice. So this means I can take a little bit more time with the 225 and if it is away for a couple of days no big deal. I have ordered the grams cup suspension kit, powerflex handling pack and exhaust mounts from Kam racing. I'm looking at about 600 quid to fit it all as well. Apparently the mounts for the handling pack are a rather lengthy ball ache of a job. Should get this done by the end of feb then I will move onto sorting the brakes. Probably be about May/June time when I look at adding more power. Depending on MOT in May.
