Renault life. Van life

[Brigsy]

17 hours ago, loserone said:

This is superb and the only CS thread I was following.  Great build!

Cheers mate! Ive enjoyed building this one. Bank balance has not enjoyed it so much 😅

[sierraman]

If I was ever forced to deviate from Ford it would very likely be a Renault I’d have. Partly to irritate these that masturbate furiously over German cars that give it the ‘French Fucking Shite’ statement as they wait in the queue at ECP to pick some bits up to do a ‘suspension refresh’ on some shagged out old 3 series. 

[Brigsy]

Another one. Maybe not too autoshite this one but ill keep it on one thread.

Mk3 megane rs 250 cup, Its actually the mrs car this one. This was offered to us last year off the first owner who had it since new, we initially said no as we had owned one same colour previously and sold it due to not falling in love with it, but with 17k on the clock, decent options specced and a big recomission in 2024 with 3k spent on it for belts, servicing and new michelin ps4s all round we thought it was worth a punt.

Went to Norwich to test drive it which is fcuk loads of miles/4hours for us. On viewing it was even better condition than expected, like a new car. Rear seats had never been sat in so bit of a unicorn. 

Its lightly modified with 3" exhaust system, forge intercooler and mapped by rs tuning 325hp. Goes well, much better than the previous one which was stock power so quite like this one. 

It gets used lightly but have used it a fair few times recently and took it out on Sunday. Every time i drive this i feel like im driving a new car even though its 15 years old.

[Brigsy]

Nothing exciting to update really but this popped up on facebook memories earlier. 12.67qtr mile in the Extra van 1st June 2011.

Mega days looking back. 10 people in it for toilet run on the evening!

[vaughant]

On 14/06/2025 at 10:59, sierraman said:

Renaults are uniformly slagged off but the more recent ones are pretty durable. The Megane 2 and the Laguna 2 DCI were rightly slagged off as they weee appallingly made. But the Laguna 3 was vastly vastly better to the point they make a good reliable car. 

My MK3 'guna has been possibly the best second hand car I've ever bought, certainly for under a grand. 

Been pretty much faultless and I just looked last week at it turning over to 192K.

Here it is on the ramp passing it's MOT a couple of months back needing really just a tyre and a couple of sidelight bulbs. Did get a few advisories but nothing really major, it'll need discs and pads and I think it's leaking from a gearbox to driveshaft seal but all serviceable stuff.

2.0D chain driven engine and no DPF, cruise and 6spd makes it sit nicely at 80ish on the motorway and always gives at least 41 mpg, could easily do more if I cared about things like that a bit more. 

IMO they're one of the most underrated secondhand buys out there, quick enough, economical, handle well, totally solid and have a huge boot as well. 

I can't think of another car I could go out and replace it with that's any better unless I spend about £5-8k. More fashionable? Yes, but actually any better I'm not sure sure.

I might even concede it's better than my old 2.2 avensis that would only edge it as it was an estate but the Renault feels just as well made.

[Brigsy]

The mk3 2.0 diesel seem decent. Theres an estate one that i see regular, reg checked it one day as was interested to see what engine as has twin pipes on the back. 2.0 diesel and 260ish thou on clock at last mot, still looks tidy too.

[loserone]

Hey @Brigsy are you going to bring something up to Twixfest? It's like the opposite of a track day.

 

Unfortunately I don't think my Express will be back on the road but french tat is always good.

[sierraman]

On 02/07/2025 at 19:13, vaughant said:

My MK3 'guna has been possibly the best second hand car I've ever bought, certainly for under a grand. 

Been pretty much faultless and I just looked last week at it turning over to 192K.

Here it is on the ramp passing it's MOT a couple of months back needing really just a tyre and a couple of sidelight bulbs. Did get a few advisories but nothing really major, it'll need discs and pads and I think it's leaking from a gearbox to driveshaft seal but all serviceable stuff.

2.0D chain driven engine and no DPF, cruise and 6spd makes it sit nicely at 80ish on the motorway and always gives at least 41 mpg, could easily do more if I cared about things like that a bit more. 

IMO they're one of the most underrated secondhand buys out there, quick enough, economical, handle well, totally solid and have a huge boot as well. 

I can't think of another car I could go out and replace it with that's any better unless I spend about £5-8k. More fashionable? Yes, but actually any better I'm not sure sure.

I might even concede it's better than my old 2.2 avensis that would only edge it as it was an estate but the Renault feels just as well made.

Second that, my uncle had a 1.5 DCI for several years. Minimal if any trouble. 

[Brigsy]

On 03/07/2025 at 20:11, loserone said:

Hey @Brigsy are you going to bring something up to Twixfest? It's like the opposite of a track day.

 

Unfortunately I don't think my Express will be back on the road but french tat is always good.

Morning mate. Ill have to pass on this one as busy sadly, maybe next one though.

My Extra also needs a bit of work. I need to pull my finger out and get it sorted 

[Brigsy]

Took the Kangoo for a run out yesterday as not moved for a couple of weeks.

Hilariously short and fast.

[Brigsy]

Not much to update really. Got loads of non essential spannering bits to do but motivation is pretty low post holiday. Im in a drive it instead of spannering period and all getting plenty of use as an car/an van, daily driver or runs out.

Blue clio dci has been racking up the miles recently and up to 202k. It still amazes me how it will take 4x 18" wheels in the back with room to spare😅

Kangoo been out again too. The michelin cup2 are mega on hot days, grip for fun. Took it to a local meet and got a few people asking if id made it shorter.

250 has also had a run out. 

 

Ive got the megane r26 booked on for a full day at Anglesey in 2 weeks. It should be good to go but need to give it a once over this coming weekend. 

Thanks for reading!!

[Brigsy]

Updates

Dropped my spare set of compomotive mo6 off to be refurbed by Temas Wheel Corrections on Friday, and got some pics through today when finished.

Quite a tale behind these wheels. Compomotive made a few custom sets of mo6 for the pre production megane 225 for testing when a company called Ricardo developed the 225. The wheels were sold off after the 225's development was finished and renault used speedline wheels instead. I was told by compomotive they were made by them in 2001, unsure how many sets were made in total but not too many.

I had seen a set of them fitted to a megane r26 around 2014 ish at a meet and loved the look of them.

2020 - I was building the Kangoo compact and needed wheels, and wanted something decent, and seen the exact car with the comps on from all them years ago on a lads facebook profile. I pm'd him asking if he wanted to sell them..initially said no but a week later the gearbox blew and he broke the car and i got first offer.

It turned out that there was 6x wheels so bought all of them. I then started looking for another pair to make 2x sets. They are et66 18x8 5x108 so perfect fit, but odd offset makes them rocking horse shit to find.

One came up on ebay at random (actually couldnt believe id found one). It was on bids and i paid around a ton for it delivered - somebody else was bidding but i snipered it in last ten seconds.

So with one needed to make a set, i put the feelers out on various places including the megane forums and got a pm offering one. Typically was located deep in Scotland, 6 mile away from John o Groats which is as far north as it gets really. It was also collection only and free, i was not turning that opportunity down. I drove 16hour round trip to collect it in the blue clio van doing nc500 in the process. 

Turned out to be an epic road trip as weather was perfect and sun was out all weekend.

 

Tourist pic at John o Groat's

That was August 2021 and as im a bit of a wheel hoarder stuck them in the garage with a view to refurb soon. 

Note 5 wheels. I actually got 2 from Scotland but one is damaged beyond repair with 3x cracked spokes!

A few years passed and last week finally pulled my finger out, got them out the lockup and took them to Temas wheel corrections for a refurb. 

The ebay wheel was basically rough as old boots and had some metal filler on it for some unkonwn reason which flaked off. I actually was unsure if it could be made decent but has turned out real nice.

Before

 

During

 

Done. Went for stealth silver in a matt finish as i already have a set in anthracite, and a set in white.

 

Pretty excited to pick them up. Set of michelin ps4s tyres to fit for road use.

Thanks for reading!!

[Brigsy]

As im an absolute wheel hoarder i had a set of Michelin PS4S part worn in stock 2023 date stamp to fit so took them down to be fitted. Checked out wheels before tyre fitting, all looking great and fresh.

 

Collected in the kangoo, always a struggle to get 4x 18s in with the comedy loadspace 😅

 

2002 date stamp. Rears stamped with RS too which is a nice touch.

 

Cant believe how well they have turned out..i used to call these the s**t set but id say they are as good as the good set! Best refurb ive had done in years and £210 all in.

 

Ive got some Gtechniq c5 on order to coat them before fitting.

 

Thanks for reading!!

[Matty]

Fit as fuck them.

Bit of a thread drift but your obvs into wheels and into modifying. What's your opinion on these to go on an E86 Z4 coupe?

Style 108s it came on are miles past recovery by now and second hand BM staggered sets are ££s and a bit shit.

 

[tom13]

Love this thread. Kangoo is 10/10.

It's a bit like when people shrink the cars in photoshop to make them more cartoon like.

[Brigsy]

29 minutes ago, Matty said:

Fit as fuck them.

Bit of a thread drift but your obvs into wheels and into modifying. What's your opinion on these to go on an E86 Z4 coupe?

Style 108s it came on are miles past recovery by now and second hand BM staggered sets are ££s and a bit shit.

 

Look decent to me mate, i would run them

[Brigsy]

42 minutes ago, tom13 said:

Love this thread. Kangoo is 10/10.

It's a bit like when people shrink the cars in photoshop to make them more cartoon like.

Cheers mate. Somebody asked last week if id shrunk it in the wash 😅 

Ive still got no idea what renault planned on using it for. Class fun with meg engine though.

[artdjones]

37 minutes ago, Brigsy said:

Cheers mate. Somebody asked last week if id shrunk it in the wash 😅 

Ive still got no idea what renault planned on using it for. Class fun with meg engine though.

The shortie Kangoo takes 1 Euro pallet, the standard two, and the Maxi, three.

[Brigsy]

7 minutes ago, artdjones said:

The shortie Kangoo takes 1 Euro pallet, the standard two, and the Maxi, three.

Never thought of it like that, id say your bang on. I think payload is something daft like half a ton so not great but not bad for a small van.

[Brigsy]

Weekend update.

Done nothing on Sat due to raining all day. Woke up early today and looked dry so changed the oil and filter on the blue dci as due.

Sealey vac pump makes easy work sucking oil via dipstick hole.

4.6ltrs of fresh Valvoline 5/40 synthpower and purflux oil filter.

Done in 20 mins. Next oil change due 210k.

Started cleaning the interior on the yellow r26 ready for thr Anglesey trackday i have booked for next weekend,  and the heavens opened. Only managed glass clean and dash wipe down, will hoover another day. Its not been washed for a few weeks and due as brake dust all over the wheels and looks a bit unloved to be fair. Ill have to do it through the week if we get a decent day. The Gtechniq c2v3 that i applied a few months back still beads great though considering!

Thanks for reading!!

[Brigsy]

Updates

Pollen filter done on the blue dci. God knows when i changed it last😅

Must remember to do it in future. 5 min job.

Took the meg r26 to Anglesey for Cliosport festival last weekend. Full day booked on track on the Saturday, my semi slicks were getting a bit illegal for road use so had to go on road tyres. Pain in the arse fitting wheels and tools in with half cage.

6 hour drive down there on the Friday was pretty painful as usual, Wales is great its just actually getting there. Nice Airbnb cottage for the weekend

Got up early on Sat and arrived a Anglesey/Trac Mon early to grab a garage to share with my mate in his white r26. Technomagnesio track wheels with Nankang Ar1 fitted.

Had a great day, done around 160 miles on track and the car performed great. Bonnet pull failed to open at dinner time, it never uses oil or coolant and as bonnet was secure i just sent it.

Sunset pics at end of day before leaving.

 

Set off home early on Sunday am and only 4.5hours as no traffic/sat on cruise most of way home. 600 miles done in total and around £200 in fuel.

Unpacked car and proceeded to break into the bonnet. Bit of trim tool action seen passenger grill out and no clips breaking suprisingly.

After losing most of the skin on my hand trying to use a pick to flick bonnet latch, knocked this up which got the job done.

Opening the bonnet revealed the 2 piece cable had come unclipped at the joint. Another shit design thanks Renault. Fluids still on max as normal when checked.

Reconnected and clipped the pieces back together and working again. I then made zip tie improvements to the design to stop any future reoccurances

 

Its covered in rubber marks and brake dust but apart from that seems ok. The semi slick tyres are done all across.the wear marks so need to get them changed, apart from that good for another send.

[Brigsy]

Incar vid of few laps of Anglesey International layout in the morning.

https://youtu.be/KGcop8OAtq8?feature=shared

[Brigsy]

Prob should share this one with you lot.

Ive had my Clio 182 Trophy for a few years now. Bought it 2020 off original owner, in kit form as was in the process of engine upgrades

As bought. 43k on the clocks and to get it, i had to rebuild it to get it rolling/trailer worthy so could get it home.

In kit form in previous owners garage.

Anyway 18 months later after full rebuild of basically everything, wiring in new standalone ecu etc had it road legal.

Stock ish looks outside.

Engine bay/car is slightly modified* (Megane block, clio 197 ported head, j.e forged pistons/catcams rods. Nortech inlet and exhaust with garrett gtx 3071 turbo & Ecumaster Black running the show.  Transmission is Megane 2 rs 6 speed gearbox with gripper plated lsd, ttv twin plate clutch, bilsteins, roll correction geometry kit - list goes on and on i could fill the page.)

Mapped to 350hp/300ftlb as fuel system issues stopped furthur power. Should do high 400's eventually with more tuning.

Recaro CS seats are sexy.

Its basically the most modified limited edition Clio Trophy as most are standard or close to stock. The bodywork and interior are absolutely mint and in some respects its really a show car thats set up for track, but still have some fun driving on the street.

The Trophy club is excellent and they host some great events. I was asked if i fancied attending a meet at the Alpine f1 factory with guided tour for 20 year anniversary of the Trophy. Absolutely could not say no to that even though 500 mile round trip.

No time for prep whatsoever so washed on Friday am before setoff. Checked fluids, battery back on and drive, bit risky as last run out was several weeks ago, and its done 120 miles this year as i had the engine and box out to change clutch.

Arrived no issues and mpg great even cosidering 980cc injectors around 40mpg cruising in 6th gear.

The factory tour was unreal. A few pics from reception as strictly no pics allowed in the factory..the tech was insane.

Me and the mrs leaving the venue.

Went over to Petroyle restorations after the tour.

 

Great day, 500 miles done no issues. Its back in the garage now as absolute garage queen. Hopefully get it to the dyno for more tuning before summer is over.

[Rustybullethole]

Wow. 

Just that really. 

[Gaffer]

Holy shit I thought the Kangoo was my favourite but that trophy 😍 fair play sir, some very very nice motors!

[Matty]

33 minutes ago, Gaffer said:

Holy shit I thought the Kangoo was my favourite but that trophy 😍 fair play sir, some very very nice motors!

No favourites. I would like to buy all his vehicles 🤣

[Brigsy]

10 hours ago, Matty said:

No favourites. I would like to buy all his vehicles 🤣

Buy buy buy😁

 

Thanks for the love all. The Trophy is mega but i sometimes feel like i have to be too careful in it as its too nice if you get me.

We done some b road driving yesterday and lets say i was making progress and some of the roads had cambered/worn parts which is not good for a fairly low car. Its on bilsteins so pretty solid but still. I have a renault sport metal sump guard on it as a sacrificial, as the sump and gearbox are slightly lower / exposed than the oem engine and box. Sump guard is lower than the bumper luckily, lowest point of the car underside and apparantly there was a few sparks out the back with a touch of the tarmac briefly.

Quick look under today

Sump guard done as intended. Not first time i admit ive done it before, can see previous witness marks, its always on small rough b roads with camber. No other damage whatsoever so ill take that.

Fixed, quick coat of vht black.

Whilst up in the air i mocked up a 2ltr catch tank in inner arch. Location is not my first choice but nowhere else to go. Better than the protein beaker i had recently that everybody was taking the piss out of. Engine doenst breathe at all so wont be an issue/can get in to check fast enough. 

Typically couldnt finish it as the only an10 fittings i had were chinas finest and one broke when fitting, so have ordered better quality from Torques..

Also cleaned and coated my recently refurbed comps with gtechnic c5 wheel armour.

[bigfella2]

I wish my 182 was even half as shiny as that. Wow.

[vtec-e]

What a pocket rocket! Nice

[outlaw118]

Those RIMZ in anthracite are teh sex.

Carry on.