i have been having a few thoughts which are very tempting.
i have a black 5 which has had a few bits done and its in ok nick but this little thing in my head is saying return it to the way Renault intended. i bought it cos i wanted one that was looked after and a few bits played with, but the more i look at it and the more of these resto threads i read the anal collecting of mint standard parts appeals. (must be my age)
car in question:
thoughts and opinions would be appreciated
adam
Once upon a time you could replace with good OE for next to nothing or free. Now it'll cost epic amounts of money for parts or parts in really good condition. I'd clean/change up any little things you don't like, but start on that road to oe and watch the money run through your fingers..
It really depends what's needed, make a plan and be careful, some peoples idea of good is my idea of junk..
Like Dave said, start going OE and watch the money rapidly drain out of your bank balance, saying that its not expensive if you take your time in this. A lot of parts can be picked up at bargain prices but you need to buy buld lots or get lucky finding the items, my Raider was made on a serious tight budget and got very lucky with some hard to find items but they are out there if you want to spend the time doing so and well worth the end result
thanks for the replies, i was curious what people who had actually done o.e restos thought.
it would need mainly suspension/wheels as its on GAS coilovers and engine is the bit furthest from standard, but it has quite a few bits to sell. the interior is fully standard (apart form the flocked door cards) and its all unmarked (apart from the clutch pedal hole in the carpet)
It does "look" pretty standard apart from the engine bay and sometimes I think we need to keep the modified ones as they are as they are as much a part of the 5GTT scene/history as those that have not been touched. As for taking OE see above, there is more to do than you probably realise. For instance you would need a whole new body kit as it no longer has the dimpled finish. Maybe daft but where do you draw the line by going OE.
Mines o oe than yours but not close enough for me to even think about going totally oe.And also putting it back to totally oe would IMO make for a worse car,so what's the point.
Last edited by casper; 27-12-2012 at 15:20. Reason: f
does the phase 2 body kit have a dimpled finish?
its info like this that will help make my mind up as i would not remove the body kit as the paint and body are good.
i was thinking of it becoming more collectable in years to come.
thanks again
adam
Yes, you can't really see it in the photo's of mine (bodykit has a sheen rather than a shine) but in the flesh it's very obvious.
I'd keep it standard externally but keep the engine modded.
thats lovely!!
and with that then my plan/idea has fallen apart
That's exactly my plan but then again I do like shiny bitsOriginally Posted by TopCat
I'd keep it standard externally but keep the engine modded.
If your going fully OE don't expect to do it quickly especially if you want new parts. Parts are now becoming much harder to source, you only need to look at the amount of parts available on places like ebay or the classifieds on here compared to a couple of years ago. Ebay will become your second job but then again you do get lucky from time to time. Don't forget, and I am sure a lot do, do not just look at ebay.co.uk. I find France, Italy, Spain and other European ebay sites can turn up some little gems every now and then although the language barrier can be fun. For example I picked up a Nos oil gauge from Italy the other week and a Nos red carpet a while back. Neither was cheap I can tell you but once you start it can all get a bit ocd. Of course Mike (GT Turbo Spares) is also an invaluable source of parts. Personally I would slap a set of speedlines on, get the side stickers and enjoy driving it.
I have a set of speedlines with good tyres (uniroyals) if u are looking for some. They could do with a refurb but are in good nick.
My mrs bought me a set of turbines for my birthday so I have no need for them.
If you're interested PM me mate
that is some very valid points thanks.
i will look into a few bits.
the car does have side stickers its just the pic you cant see them.
the problem with speedlines is they are small for how the car is at the mo, the side exit is low and the big brakes wont fit.
O.E + ftw
Mine is largely o.e with details like side-decals, original stereo etc but running a modded engine with samcos/alloy bits, uprated suspension and 3" exhaust too
I run o.e speedlines and im lowered 50mm looks good imo.
Have the best of both worlds mate
Imo o.e should be kept for the cars that are 1/2 owner from new, low miles and original condition.
it has crossed my mind that the speedlines would look nicer than what i have.
i suppose the rolling diameter would not be to much different (and i do want to bring the back up a touch on mine)
Jonny i agree yours looks lovely and something i would be happy to use for inspiration.
thanks lads nice to have new ideas ready for the new year
Its all about the o.e exterior mate, unless your planning on showing the car as totally standard just keep it as is. If it were mine i would fit a decent set of tyres i.e. r888 on refurbed standard rims and enjoy it as is
i think this idea is winning me over.
off to the classifieds or the bay to hunt for wheels
What Brigsy said
it depends on what you want from your car realy and how you like it looking?my 5 was totaly std but i brought it that way,and then kept it that way.this the only way you will be able to put/keep it like the factory look i think.
with the way it looks then all you need is the wheels and stickers,that alone is not cheap to start on,then you have your brakes to sort also if you have bigger brakes.
as for the engine bay.......jezzz where do you start ££££ back to oe then your have a big job there id just leave it,even me,i tryed to get oe parts and it was either going to pay silly money or there just not avaible anymore.
Turn the boost up to 25psi and do some track days in it
I'm far from mr o.e but of it was my five I would leave it as it is, and if in a few months time your still pondering then sell up and buy something more o.e.
just wana say i think it looks nice mate
thanks matejust wana say i think it looks nice mate
dents!!!!! dont swear at me
rubbish pics but so you dont think i am full of bu.....t
If I wanted to go OE, I'd wait for one of these well looked after ones with minimal owners, tip top paint, and chuck my money at the person selling.. that's only gonna happen after I look everywhere for rot.. I don't mind welding, but it has to be somewhere that won't force me into the paint shop..Turn the boost up to 25psi and do some track days in it
I'm far from mr o.e but of it was my five I would leave it as it is, and if in a few months time your still pondering then sell up and buy something more o.e.
But don't expect it to be happy sailing, my black one came 100% OE from a 60+ year old guy with FRSH.. Heat shield was catching fire, all the hoses were old and knackered, alternator let go, as did the battery, I then found rot on the sills, the rear window rubbers gone, boot rubbers, wiring loom shagged, carb all corroded.. It goes on..
People make out OE cars are amazballs, but it's mostly still 20 year old sh1t that needs replaced.. Mine didn't let me down but I still had to go round it replacing, and before you know it you know it you have aftermarket parts going on as there fuk loads cheaper in many cases..
I think it also depends on if your using the car.... if its sat in a garage its abit easier to make mint.... if your using it everyday, keeping it maintained can be expensive and time consuming enough.
Not read all of this but personally I am goin to make mine as standard as possible outside the only non standard bit is lowering 30mm and the inside will be completely standard hopefully and just the engine bay will be different, all I need is steering wheel door and quarter cards then I'm starting on my bodywork which requires a boot as mine has no wiper and a scuttle as mine is dead
I have bought recently the K reg white GTT and am slowly taking it back to complete as much as I can OE. I have finished ripping out all mods and am almost ready to send it to the body shop for a full bare metal respray, not cheap but gonna be nice once done.
My other H plate Glacier is staying modified!
yea them pictures really show how **** and dented the five is lol hahaha looks nice mate.never been a fan of black but this looks goodthanks mate
dents!!!!! dont swear at me
rubbish pics but so you dont think i am full of bu.....t
mine is a 25 mile a day work hack that does the weekly shop and takes me and my daughter camping
i think oe wheels and that will do.
thanks for the opinions and comments, its interesting hearing how different minds look at things.
this is the first black car i have owned, it needs and flat and polish but my hands are constantly in a bucket of water keeping the thing clean
hopefully get to a few shows this year and meet a few of you which would be good
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