Well, this is the 2nd FF 225 I've owned, only this one needs a LOT of work doing... I've had 5 other Renault's over the years going back to my 2nd car: Clio 16v PH1 in Silver Followed by a 200bhp 5 GT Turbo Dimma PH2 Clio 16v Some years later, a nice clean FF 225 Even more year later I picked up a fun runabout in the shape of a 182 - Spent a bit on it and got it tidy but wanted something with more power (Pic from the new owner of the car) Now on to my 6th Renault, this time another Megane 225 FF (2004) with just 49k miles and 3 owners. Like any new car I like to give it a quick wash, you know this is when most of the damage starts to show up but not bad on the outside at least The car has a lot of potential but after discussing things with the seller it turned out the car needed far more work than was originally expected (Purchased with the intention of doing the Belts and Brakes in the coming months but that list very quickly turned into the following.... Steering felt incredibly stiff and there was a distinct vibration coming through the car, even more so at low revs so we got it up on the ramp and that's where the fun started! Two seized hubs, I hadn't heard of this big problem but quickly found a resolution which was to buy two new bearings and thanks to my mechanic friend he managed to strip it all down and fit the new bearings. Next up was the brakes, to say they were close to needing replacement was an understatement, one emergency stop and they'd have probably broken up so this was addressed by buying brand new Pagid discs and pads all around, along with new pad pins from Ebay as the originals are a nightmare. Calipers are also all being stripped and painted in the coming weeks We also found a slight oil leak that appears to be coming from the sump so plan is to strip all this off, clean up and reseal but with the other jobs on the list we may do the rear mail seal. The vibration and a slight squeal noise pointed out the issue with the standard DMF - These I'm told are quite common so a new Single mass flywheel has turned up from RS Tuning along with an R26.R clutch and new slave cylinder. Cambelt, Aux belt and water pump also arrived as these are going to be done at the same time. Broken exhaust mount so have got a new one to go on. New oil, filter and spark plugs (all genuine parts and ELF oil). New engine mounts to also help remove some of the movement. Over all it's been a nightmare buy and I've never ever purchased a car with so many issues but the plan is to get it as good as physically possible with what feels like no expense spared as we're literally doing every job that we can find that needs doing properly using genuine or uprated parts. We also discovered some cracked and badly welded / repaired wheels so a new set of Bola CSR 18's in matt bronze have turned up and we fitted a brand new set of Bridgestone Adrenalin's too.http://cdn4.wheelbasealloys.com/product-images/CSR-MBr-F_19364_600.jpg These will go on once all jobs are done and I can get the alignment done at the same time. H&R Springs also on the way which will make a massive difference, and I'd like to put an R26.R spoiler on the rear too as it really needs something! I think that's about it for now, will update the thread once all the work starts later in the week but please wish me luck, the car has nearly ruined me already!
Wow - good luck indeed. It's not for me, buying a car with this many faults, but fair play to you. Welcome to RSMegane Nick - nice introduction - thanks for taking the time
Here it is currently all stripped apart: Flywheel was completely shot so glad we are doing that now Rear main oil seal was also leaking so that's being changed too So the list keeps growing, also ordered all new droplinks as the bushes were worn and stiff in places so this should tighten everything up nicely!
We've refurbed the calipers and done them in black, with some metallic silver dusted on, then new decals and properly lacquered so this is a big improvement:
Interesting thread pal. I like the brake calipers the way you have done them. Are you from the Wirral? The pic of the 182 is outside Taurus Motors not far from me in Pensby.
Its the standard Trophy colour Nimbus grey. What colours yours? Do you park it outside the old motorworld sometimes?
Thanks! No that pic was from the new owner, it was the only one I could find quickly :-) I'm down in Newbury, Berks
Thanks, hoping they'll look good - Just getting it back together today so should start to see some progress later!
yeah see that one all the time. I see a black one on Spital Rd a fair bit by the three stags going back towards the motorway. Mines always parked on Woodhchurch Road outside shops opposite sainsburies
Calipers are very nice mate. I am looking for a change, black with yellow letters. How much for getting them done?
We did them in house but it's not a hard job, if you can get them down to us we could do all 4 for around £100 for you
Wheels arrived so I fitted the new tyres (benefits of having a tyre machine and balancer), also coated them with CarPro DLUX to add proper protection against pitting and brake dust
This is after the car was taken off the ramp, showing the difference in height with the new H&R springs fitted in the 2nd pic
And here it is with the wheels fitted and suspension now settled! The car is running like new, everything now feels like it should and I'm starting to believe this is the car I thought I would be owning - not the neglected poorly thing it was a few weeks back! Sorry for repeating but the list of jobs complete is now: R26.R Clutch RS Tuning Flywheel New slave cylinder Castrol fully synth gearbox oil Cambelt Aux Belt Water pump Sump removed, new gasket New Elf fully synth oil and Renault filter New Spark plugs New rear main oil seal while the gearbox was off New lower and upright drop links New hub swivel bearings New CV boots Refurbed Calipers New Discs and pads front New Discs and pads rear H&R 25mm lowering springs All new engine mounts and gearbox mount Airbox mod with new panel filter New exhaust mounts New offside rear caliper 18x8" Bola CSR Alloys in Matt bronze Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin tyres Next to do HID Headlights (ready to fit) LED interior bulbs throughout (ready to fit) R26.R Spoiler Thorough deep cleaning and correcting stages when I get time Tints for the rear windows Remap Exhaust Injectors Intercooler Anything else I should add?
Pics to upload shortly but now we've done a few more jobs: Facelift rear light conversion HID 6K Headlights, (Terminator kit) LED interior bulbs all round LED Sidelights LED Rear number plate lights Passenger door handle now fixed as previous owner had made a mess of that once we got the door card off, simple fix to route the wire the right way and all sorted. Still thinking of the next few bits to do but it's really coming together now.
Sorry for the delay, will get some pics done soon!! The car has had a few more jobs done, new abs wheel speed sensor to fix a fault it developed. Air con regas so back to ice cold. Also had a remap with a quantum map and it goes really well now - just about 260bhp I'd estimate but it has transformed it
wheels look a little bit off ? what ET they have? thank you and very good you bring to life that Meggy
