Rs Independent Specialist

17/10/2026

Mobile Coding Work – Clio RS200 Recaro Retrofit

A bit of mobile work this morning over at Joey's Speed Shop.

This stunning Alien Green Clio RS200 has recently had a set of Recaros fitted, which had left the airbag warning light illuminated on the dash.

Using our specialist software, we were able to correctly code the airbag system for the Recaro seats. The system is now fully configured with no warning lights remaining.

Another happy customer back on the road.

Thanks to Joey's Speed Shop for having us.

RS Independent Specialist

Specialist Diagnostics, Coding & Servicing for Renaultsport

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

🇩🇪 BMW M2 Competition - Track Preparation 🇩🇪

Our M2 Competition has been off the road recently undergoing further development and preventative maintenance in preparation for its next track outings.

The car is running AST 5100 coilovers. Originally equipped with 100N/100N springs, we found this setup to be too soft when pushing hard on track. After consulting directly with AST in the Netherlands, they advised us to move to a much firmer 160N/160N spring rate for dedicated track use.

As a result, we removed the full coilover set and sent them away for a complete refurbishment and rebuild to suit the new spring rates. A new set of springs were supplied by Regal Motorsport and the units have now been refitted.

We have also lowered the car a further 20mm. The original setup was configured for the 19” Competition wheels, but the car now sits on 18” ProTrack One wheels with Yokohama AD09s for the Nürburgring, with a spare set ready shod with full slicks.

Further works included:

• New front hubs / wheel bearings

• New BTCC-spec front discs with new bells from XC3 Engineering

• New Raybestos ST45 front pads, ready for serious laps at the Nürburgring and Spa

• New genuine BMW rear discs paired with Pagid RSL29 rear pads

The car was then sent to Joey’s Speed Shop for a full wheel alignment and corner-weighting. Joey worked his magic on the geometry to dial in a more aggressive, track-focused setup.

The final piece of the puzzle was the fitment of the Ridgeline carbon wing and boot plates, supplied by Jack at Clubsport Garage.

The car is now fully prepared and ready for TF laps at the Nürburgring and a full track day at Spa-Francorchamps, where we can really push it on the slicks.

Thank you to all our suppliers who helped us get it turned around.

RS Independent Specialist

13/10/2026

🇫🇷Renault Megane R26 - Track Car / Ring Car🇫🇷

PENDING SALE

We purchased this Megane R26 track car to cover some winter track days and keep the M2 off the road. As with everything here, everything is for sale at the right price.

A customer had booked a Nürburgring trip but didn't have a suitable car. He originally wanted a Clio 200, but after speaking with him we advised the R26 would be a far better tool for the job and for lapping the Ring.

In our opinion, it's an ideal base for a Ring basher - just needs a cage and a pair of harnesses to finish it off.

We gave the car a full once-over to ensure it was ready to go and put a fresh 12 month MOT on it.

Specification:

• Standard R26 with factory L*D

• New brakes all round

• Polybushed lower arms

• BC Racing coilovers

• 3" KTEC exhaust system

• Remapped to 270bhp

• Bucket seats with sliders and side mounts

• Stripped out rear

• Brand new 651 semi-slicks

A really well sorted, ready-to-enjoy track car.

Status: Sale Pending - Collection Wednesday.

Thanks,

RS Independent Specialist

12/10/2026

🇩🇪 BMW M2 Track Car 🇩🇪

- Engine Failure to Brand New Crate Engine -

This M2 track car came to us with a no-boost fault.
After initial diagnostics, we traced the issue to a failed turbo. The hybrid turbo was removed and sent away for a full recondition.

Once reconditioned and refitted, we ran the car for 30 minutes to bring it up to temperature, then carried out a fresh oil and filter change using Millers Race Oil.
Shortly after, the car developed an intake VANOS fault.

We ordered a new genuine BMW VANOS gear and rocker cover and fitted the new assembly, correctly timing the engine.

Again, the engine was run for 30 minutes to ensure everything was operating as it should. On a single blip of the throttle, the engine seized.

We immediately drained the oil for inspection and found significant metal filings in the filter, with the oil itself having a distinct silver appearance. That stopped play.

After discussions with DRW and WG Motorworks, we looked at our options and decided to price a brand new crated engine from Sandal BMW.

BMW were extremely helpful. The initial quotation for a replacement engine was £18,600. Sandal BMW submitted a goodwill claim to BMW on our behalf, who came back with a heavily reduced price of £8,600.

A new engine was ordered and we set about stripping the car and removing the failed unit.

Once the new engine arrived, we transferred all ancillaries and components over to the new engine and refitted it to the car. A lot of time and investment has gone into this build, but we now have a brand new factory engine paired with a fully reconditioned turbo - the right result for this car.

The next step is to complete the 1,200-mile running-in procedure, carry out its first oil change, and then progressively increase revs to ensure everything is perfect.

Then it's ready for its planned trip to the Nürburgring and a track day at Spa.

A big thank you to DRW and WG Motorworks for their help and advice, and to Sandal BMW for their support in securing a brand new engine.

Thanks
RS Independent Specialist

10/10/2026

🇫🇷Racing Blue Clio 197 - In For Inspection🇫🇷

We had this stunning Racing Blue Clio 197 in with us this week.

The car had previously been to other garages, but the owner was not happy with the diagnosis or the standard of work carried out.

He came to us for a second opinion and a thorough inspection.

After a full check over, we identified a few key areas that need attention:

1. Engine mount showing signs of cracking
2. O/S/F lower swivel joint with excessive play
3. Slight play in N/S/F inner track rod arm and steering rack bush

Parts have now been ordered and once they arrive we will get this one fully sorted and back to how it should be.

Another happy customer in the making.

Thanks for trusting us with your car.
RS Independent Specialist

09/10/2026

Some money and hard work gone Into this, but she’s back.

01/10/2026

🇫🇷Returning Customer - Megane RS265🇫🇷

Always sad to see a good one go.

A returning customer is preparing his Megane RS265 for sale and asked us to refit the original steering wheel.

We removed the aftermarket wheel, refitted the factory standard wheel and then re-coded the airbag control unit to suit, ensuring no fault codes and everything operating as it should from the factory.

Thanks again for trusting us with the car. Wishing you all the best with the sale.

RS Independent Specialist

30/09/2026

This nice Megane RS250 was a returning customer who purchased this car from us a few years ago.

Plenty of track days and trips to the Nurburgring and it’s still going strong.

After he fitted some Recaro black leather CS’s the airbag light was illuminated on the dash.

Also the aftermarket wheels didn’t have TPMS sensors in.

So we coded out the airbag light and TPMS sensors , and now he has a dashboard with no warning lights on.

Thanks

RS