AS_BO's Silverstone Number 12

[AS_BO]

I've had the car a few weeks now and seeing as your all such a nice bunch of lads and lasses and I love the little Silverstone I thought I better start a progress thread. The car is still under warranty at the minute so minor mods only for now as well as some pic whoring as I'm a sucker for a clean car! iPhone only pics for now though as I desperately need a new camera - donations addressed to AS_BO's DSLR Piggy Bank please!

So plans for Steph are (the car is called Steph, those who've seen the plate will understand why) are to go very OEM+ with some upgraded audio, extras from Renault Cargo Net, Cup Spoiler, Diffuser, interior trinkets etc. then looking at springs, spare set of wheels to keep the black cup wheels looking good, uprated brakes and rubber and finally breathing mods + remap.

So a few pics from today. Some of you may have seen the issues I've been having with the car since I picked it up. It's booked in on Monday @ Renault to get looked at but a particular picture will help illustrate what I meant about the wheels. They're shocking! Due to the colder weather in the north east I haven't been able to machine the car yet but it has had protection which should hopefully see it through winter.

The body had a good coat of colli 476s last week so today was a maintenance wash + a bit of decontamination work. It's nowhere near upto my standard yet though. Roll on spring so I can sort the paint properly because right now it's full of minor swirls and micro marring.

If anyone could shed any light on the wheels that would be great. It's extremely rough to the touch with lacquer lifting all over the place. Reaction in the paint at the factory maybe?

Comments welcome peeps.

 

[MaartenKv]

Nice ride. welcome

 

[singlespeed]

Is that anthracite grey paint revealed on the wheel? If so, I'd hazard a guess that wheel has been replaced with a standard cup alloy at some point and its had fairly rubbish prep before a black spray job.

Are you decided yet with keeping the graphics? Personally, I quite like them

 

[AS_BO]

Is that anthracite grey paint revealed on the wheel? If so, I'd hazard a guess that wheel has been replaced with a standard cup alloy at some point and its had fairly rubbish prep before a black spray job.

Are you decided yet with keeping the graphics? Personally, I quite like them

You know what Neil you might be right. I haven't inspected them closely yet after cleaning them so I'll have a look today. If that is the case then I've got no chance of Renault replacing them if the previous owner couldn't stay away from kerbs. All 4 of them are like that though - really THAT bad at parking?!

Graphics I'm still unsure on, the stupid Mac Sport ones are coming off though that's a definite!

 

[AS_BO]

So an update then. The car is in at the dealers getting the work done that I established needed doing. I've had a phone call this morning stating that the water pump has gone, which is the drive belt whine/rattle is was getting and they are still yet I find out if the clutch release bearing is knackered. I'm positive it is based off the racket it's making!! Warranty have come back and said that the wheels aren't going to be covered but they will get an alloy repair specialist to sort them. Has anyone had any experience with them? My only concern is that the wheels won't match.

All in all I feel a bit deflated at this all. The car now has 4500 miles so about 800 miles since I picked it up but is this what I can expect from RS Ownership?! 2 major component failures in less than 3 weeks?! I want to express my feelings about it, what ya reckon? Go to Renault UK??

 

[Rob_McLav]

These cars are much more reliable than this so id do something about it. 4.5k miles and the water pump is shot? Thats bad tbh as far as im concerned but then im no mechanic

 

[AS_BO]

Update time - my car is still in the hands of Renault. Some piccies......... What's missing??

A run down of what's been agreed is :

All 4 alloys refurbished by body shop
Both the water pump and thrust bearing were knackered.
New water pump, timing belt and all associated parts
Full new clutch kit including the thrust bearing
OSF brake was grabbing so they are replacing that too.

I also followed up and spoke to RUK about it. They were concerned that the car had suffered those sorts of failures so took the situation on board and sent me a £100 voucher to spend in the dealers on servicing, parts, accessories etc.

Really glad that it's getting sorted but I'm clamming to get it back, they've had it 3 weeks!!

 

[Chicken]

What's missing??

Nothing, looks completely fine to me good to see it's getting sorted and getting a freebie

 

[maggi200]

I've seen worse on the road. Would be a great opportunity to get in there and clean everything!

 

[Chicken]

Would be a great opportunity to get in there and clean everything!

Only you would come up with that idea :lol:

 

[singlespeed]

Your half way to an F4R conversion :lol:


Glad its on the mend... and frebie as well

 

[AS_BO]

What's missing??

Nothing, looks completely fine to me good to see it's getting sorted and getting a freebie

You're right, it is French after all! Lol!

 

[AS_BO]

I've seen worse on the road. Would be a great opportunity to get in there and clean everything!

If I could Maggi I would. The car is gonna get a deep clean once it comes back + another coat of colli 476s for winter. I am also a bit of a clean freak mate so I know what you mean. However, I have been in to seal the wheels after they came back from the body shop so they are ready to go back on and protected for for winter.

 

[AS_BO]

Your half way to an F4R conversion :lol:


Glad its on the mend... and frebie as well

Hmmmmmmm....... F4R conversion....... Interesting......... [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]
Me too Neil, after driving the Clio dci about I get the appeal but it's not for me. I'll take an RS any day...... Roll on the day I get it back! Freebie was a bonus defo! Will go towards some accessories that I've been after.

 

[AS_BO]

UPDATE - it's back. Picked it up yesterday and I'm pleased to say that it's definitely sorted. It now runs the way it should've when I picked it up......... Quietly. Well as quiet as a K4M can be! I'll update with pictures this weekend once it's had a much needed clean!

 

[AS_BO]

Just a quick one. Hit 5K today. About 1300 miles in my ownership and loved every single one of them. Roll on the next 5K.

 

[LC]

Looking good love the silver stone edition

 

[Twingogangster83]

The Silverstone has BT too ?

 

[AS_BO]

The Silverstone has BT too ?

Yeah got BT, must have. Couldn't do without it!

 

[AS_BO]

Piccie time. Cleaned today, another quick layer of CarPro Reload. Tremendous spray sealant and it's doing the biz right now for me. Great water behaviour, literally just sheets off the car. I'm itching to deep cleanse and machine the whole car but I haven't got the time or the weather right now! Once spring rolls around I'll probably be treating it to GTechniq's sealants. Plans next are light upgrades - LED's, Silvatecs, and headlights. Can I have some opinions on headlights. HID's or OSRAM Nightbreakers? Anyway pics........

Wheels beading well

Gotta love carpet striping...... One of those touches that I always get comments on.

Wheels looking a lot healthier after the refurb. The paint is actually glossy rather than looking like it's been cleaned with a scouring pad!

Water behaviour of Reload. Nice and uniform beads.

And a nice reflection in the roof.

Comments welcome as always.