Liquid Yellow R26

I decided I wanted something more interesting for the daily commute, so last weekend I went to see a R26 I had spotted for sale. I have always hankered after one and found a 2007 (57) example in liquid yellow with 2 previous owners and 41k miles. It has had the cambelt service, a replacement steering rack and came with a reasonable stack of receipts / service history.
No real plans in the immediate future, although I have a few service bits and winter tyres on order.


Once the roads dry up a bit, I plan to fit a different exhaust and map it, nothing too major though.


Gave it a good clean so thought I would stick up some pics.




































Thanks,
Martin

 

Thanks for the positive comments! I did think about an R spoiler but I do like the standard small lip.

I put in a BMC panel filter and new NGK platinum OE spec plugs last weekend, also had the rear box chop done so it is getting there.

Black R26R handles are on the way and I have a few other small bits to fit.

It is getting an oil change after Christmas with Castrol Edge as the filter has arrived. Also going to whip off all the wheels and check / strip the brakes if required. I also have some Castrol Syntrax Universal Plus gearbox oil to go in, but I am going to get the garage to do that when it is booked in for a check up in the new year.

I fitted some Nokian winter tyres as it was a mix match on it when I bought the car and there was little grip.

Enjoying the experience so far!

 

So a bit of a boring update, but an update none the less.


I have done nearly 2000 miles in this and I am thoroughly enjoying it.


Castrol synthetic oil in the engine and had a mate put some Castrol Syntrax in the gearbox for good measure.


Non-genuine mats annoyed me, so sorted that:







The securing ring at the bottom of the gear gaiter kept coming lose, so ordered a new normal (not RS) one from Renault. I did not like the silver and was after a black one. Removed the ring from the RS gaitor and attached the new black one.













I had a toxic fume filter warning light come on when it was idling in traffic for a while last week, so I ordered up a replacement set from Renault and some new Bosch coils. Planning to fit these next weekend when the coils have arrived. Shoved some injector cleaner in to keep it going until then.







Ordered some Renault mud flaps as it seems to like to pebble dash the back arches on the back roads.





Also ordered some R26R door handles to get rid of the chrome ones and I plan to paint them in anthracite to match the wheels / mirrors. I also have a replacement passenger side rubbing strip, as the previous owner seemed to have opened the door on to something. Will get those parts in for paint shortly.







Roads seemed to have dried up a bit the last few days, so went out a blast today with a mate in his E46 M3.










After getting home, had a quick check on consumption, which amused me





Thanks,
Martin

 

Thanks for the comments.

Ye hopefully the mud flaps should make a difference and they are still quite discreet, will get them on at the weekend as well. Aye normally got the TC off, even on the back roads home from work. Steps in far too quickly this time of year.

Yes I do like the yellow, something a bit different to the normal colours.

With daily driving I normally get between 21-23mpg to a tank which I think is pretty good for the performance. Not had it in to single figures yet...

 

So I got a few more jobs done today.

Headed out to my Father's double garage and he kindly lent a hand.

Fitted the new injectors and coils, then got on to fitting the front mudflaps and new door handles:




Also removed the front and rear stickers as they were a bit damaged. Will get new ones ordered up and then decide if I will fit them.






Getting there slowly.

Thanks,
Martin

 

Thanks for the positive comments.

Eggcakes, they were around £35 I think and I bought them from renaultparts.

 

Time for an overdue update

I recently replaced the PS2s with a set of PS4s. They feel a lot better but that could be due to the age / mileage on the older tyres.

I ordered a set of BC Racing coils for it.






I am waiting for new drop links and anti-twist links to arrive, then I can crack on with getting the suspension swapped over.

New engine mounts fitted at the weekend so that has made a huge difference as the old ones were shot. Due to French logic you have to take out the battery, battery tray, ECU and airbox to get to one of the mounts.






Having a beverage break




As the airbox was removed anyway, I re-fitted the ITG induction kit I had had on previously




Weight of airbox




Induction kit




Stripped out the rear seats, speakers and seatbelts





I still have to weigh the seats.


Fitted R26R fog light blanks, also removed the headlight washers








Fitted an R26R washer bottle as it is a lot smaller and only has the one pump.




Old




New




Installed




As the car currently stands.




I am not sure what to do with this but I will likely keep it as a daily / fast road car. I am planning to get it weighed / dyno'd at the relevant controlled premises in case I fancy doing some SLS rounds in it next year.

After Christmas I plan to refresh the brakes then see what about sorting out a cage.

Thanks for reading.

Martin

 

Thanks. No you swap over your existing pump and there is only the one pump inlet, so you bin the separate headlight washer pump.

I bought it with other parts but I think it was around £45-50

 

Sorry for the late reply. They are just normal blanking grommets I had in a set. 14mm springs to mind and you can get them at various places like Halfords etc.

Thanks, I am working on a new daily project at the moment so a few more things can be done to the R26 when it is on the road.

 

So a fair bit has changed with this. I started doing track days with it last year as it was no longer used as a daily. I have some photos on track at Knockhill thanks to John Stewart at Flat out Photography and a few others. I think I did 4 or 5 days and 1 of them was dry.

https://flic.kr/p/26uDj89

https://flic.kr/p/JqDgYY

https://flic.kr/p/26uDj1q

https://flic.kr/p/25sKcJY

https://flic.kr/p/26uDiXu

https://flic.kr/p/25bH7ZP

I upgraded the brakes to Brembo HC front discs with Pagid RS29 pads and did the usual braided hoses and fluid change. I also put new OE rears on as they were goosed.

https://flic.kr/p/JqDh85

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhso

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjN7

https://flic.kr/p/25bH7RH

 

I had done a few other bits like fitting the RS steering wheel and genuine R26R rear spoiler. Thanks to Paul at RPD for those.

https://flic.kr/p/25bH7NX

https://flic.kr/p/25sKdQq

https://flic.kr/p/25sKdQA


I then started stripping out the interior to save more weight. All airbags have been removed, stereo wiring etc although this is still an ongoing process.

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjxN

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjCY

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhvu

https://flic.kr/p/JqDh4s


Doors getting lightened

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhfu

https://flic.kr/p/25sKd8J

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhbS

https://flic.kr/p/25sKd3o

 

Dashboard out to help with this and get it ready for the cage install

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjmW

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjvo

Trial fit:

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhqu

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjsN

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhmw

I am hoping to get the wiring finished shortly with the help of a friend, then off to another friends for him to install the base plates for the cage and also fit some seat rails.

I also bought some Pro 1.3's with R888R tyres. How it currently sits:

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjbW

As it has been off the road for a while I treated it to some custom dials.

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjJE

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjFU

https://flic.kr/p/JqDhAu

https://flic.kr/p/26uDjES

 

Any idea what I am doing wrong with the photos?

 

I was using a desktop to post them Matt