djuk

Looking at buying one of these in the new year, more than likely the 1.9 variety. This is for a number of reasons - mainly because I need to cut back on costs and as such my "new" car on finance needs to go and also because I've wanted a 205 since I was 17 but could never insure one

Is there anything in particular to these cars that I need to be careful of, any significant facelift years, problems etc?

Thanks

David

Gutmann pug

In all fairness these cars are now mostly 12 to 15 years old. Due to the nature of the beast most have been driven hard and had a few owners. The best advice I can give is to find one which feels strong and has as much service history and invoices available as possible. I would also recommend purchasing from a more mature owner if possible. It wont mean he hasnt ragged it to death but it might mean he has had it maintained to a higher standard.
There are 101 areas to look for in any car but a damned good starting point is one which has a good strong feeling engine and box, and good body work. Everything else is a little hit and miss with a car of this type and this age IMHO

AudiMan

Had one a few years back, defo go for the 1.9, (bigger alloys, rear disks, half leather - oh and a lot quicker), engines are pretty strong although they are prone to burn oil, g'box's are also pretty bullet proof, body work = old coke cans, interior = tupperware, but they do rot ! so be choosey.
Only problems I had with mine was electrics.
Ian

Petem95

Go for a pre-cat facelift 1.9 if you can - this means 1991-1992 model. The later (1993-94) cat models are down on power and torque.

Fantastic cars if you can find a decent one. Main things to check - rear beam, signs of headgasket gone, the welds at the bottom of the door frames (these come apart).

Its also well worth getting it setup on a bosch diagnostics kit - only costs about 30quid and its resulted in huge improvements in throttle response, idleing and power with all mine.

Gutmann pug

Of course the best way to stop the interior from rattling is to strip it bare ..........





dont need much of an excuse to post a pic or two of my old girl

ellisg

Bodywork is the dear bit to fix on 205s. They were galvanised from 88 I think, so rust is limited to repair damage, inner wings, behind headlights and boot area. The lacquer has habit of lifting especially J regs. So if you can find a good bodywork thats a good start.
Rear beams tend to go after 130/150k, so most are worn/gone by now.
Phase 1 has grey bumpers/interior, phase 2 (H reg+) has black. Phase 2 is the one to buy.
Suspension knocks if worn(droplinks), easy enough to fix, good bargaining position. Check for noises.
You need some DIY mechanics or know a good mechanic, they are all old, been well used and not built that brillantly. They are reliable if well maintained.
Insurance is cheap, maintenance is reasonable, you do have to replace lots of suspension bits though.
They can be frustrating to own, then you drive them and all is forgiven.
Look at 10 buy 1 of them, be picky. Even Mi16s are cheap to buy at the moment.
Prices are seasonal, cheap in winter months go bizerk around easter easy off end summer/autumn

ScoobyJawa

Theres a buyers guide on www.205gtidrivers.com - read and digest, then buy and enjoy

iainmac

Big areas likely to trip you up are
1) knackered rear beams: easily spotted due rear wheels having negative camber and a sunken rear ride height (drivers sides usually the 1st to go)
2) kangaroo fuel injection: worn AFMs resistor tracks causing erratic fuelling (mind they did this as standard when new too) knackered hoses causing air leaks are also likely causes of poor running.
3) worn front wishbones/balljoints/hubs: all wear out and difficult to spot apart from a quick once over apart from a loose feeling when driving.

The rest is standard stuff: old mechanics/electrics as per any car of that age.
Cam belts appear to be as easy to swap (well as easy as cam belts get) once you have the procedures.
PS rear beam refurb can be difficult/expensive/pain in the harris.
Oh yeah exhaust manifolds crack too. Most pattern replacements loose HP.

rb5_336

my mi16 baby here



Sean

Gutmann pug

Where did you get the placcy windys from rb5? im told you save around 15KG's with them out, i fancy some of that.

rb5_336

You'll save exactly 6kg from 4 windows. The rear would save a lot too. I got mine from here And the fronts are tinted.

If ure interested in weight saving (ive saved 80kgs after stripping the interior) uoi see my thread here on 205drivers

Sean

Gutmann pug

rb5 My interior is already gone mate. She weighs 865kg which im pretty happy with but and extra 5KG here and there is worthwhile and makes it look more hardcore of course

Funnily enough i have just done a search, found that web-site and added it to my favs before I read your reply

ScoobyJawa

My standard beaut (non of this bast4rdised stuff ):

SCOOBYD00

A few years ago a mate had a 205 Mi16 conversion with a supercharger bolted on... that car shifted big time.... VERY fast but got the distinct feeling I was sitting in a tin can...
Would have one myself but most of them are rotten now as I can see.. even supposed *clean* examples.. I would either go for 'track-car' already done examples or check out the owner club cars... anything but avoid those 1K bargain sh1tters out there. Just my 2p.

rb5_336

What i mean is, after stripping the interior, ive saved a further 80kgs

Mine is down to 785, which is well light for 205 with an mi16 with a cage

Sean

Gutmann pug

rb5 .I have no idea how i could get an extra 80KG out of my car to make it the same weight as yours???? ... A few KG here and there maybe but 80KG I just cant see.

rb5_336

No big secret, and completely acheivable details here

Sean

Gutmann pug

Seen that thread before mate im a member on there. So how many of the weight saving initiatives have you done to your car then?

Edited to say i replied before I read all the thread, still reading

rb5_336

2nd to last page has the breakdown of my weight saving...

Item________________________Old Weight____New Weight_______Saving
Driver door internals___________3_____________0_______________ 3
Passenger door internals_______3____________0________________3
Driver Rear 1/4 Windows_______1.7___________1________________0.7
Passenger Rear 1/4 Windows____1.7___________1________________0.7
Driver Windows_______________3.7___________1.4___________ ___2.3
Passenger Windows____________3.7___________1.4______________ 2.3
Bonnet______________________12.5__________7.9_____ _________4.6
Slam Panel___________________1.1___________0.2_________ _____0.9
Radiator_____________________5_____________2.6____ _________2.4
Heater______________________11_____________0______ _________11
Inner Door panel______________2_____________0_______________2
Under Dash__________________11____________0_____________ __11
Dash_______________________4______________1_______ _________3
Battery_____________________10____________4.9_____ _________5.1
boot_______________________17___________6.5_______ _______10.5
Rims (SMR to OZ)___________36.4__________19.6_____________16.8

Total_____________________126.8_________47.5______ _______79.3

Gutmann pug

I bow down mate your a lunatic and no mistaking .......

rb5_336

All helps with the performance, there's more to come too



Sean

Dream Weaver

Sean

You should swiss cheese your bumpers and side mouldings now

As well as the slam panel, bonnet stay, valances etc. Looks odd, but would save even more weight.

Anyone ever see the American thread where they took a std Suzuki 1.5 litre car and completely stripped it down to near enough just a chassis. Did something like a 13 second quarter

Karl 227

Good luck in finding a good one

With regard to specific problems, you should be aware that you will have to make way for a lot of these

Gutmann pug

PMSL at Karl....german clutter

ScoobyJawa

Someone needs to wake up the dreamer

As is always said:

"VW invented the breed, Peugeot perfected it"

Karl 227

And then they rotted away

ScoobyJawa

Afraid not, galvanised panels (from 86, C reg on) so they didn't rust (unless dodgy accident repair). Pug were the first mainstream manufacturer to do this on mass produced cars too So you'll see more rotted Golfs I'm afraid

rb5_336

yeah lots more things to try as i said, although dont need to drill the slam panel as i have one of these little beauts

djuk

Certainly seems to be a bit of a following for 205s on SN

Have been to look at a couple this week but nothing that has convinced me 100% yet, looking hard to find a goodun.

Olly

Definately a Scoobynet 205 following. I'm with Scoobyjawa on this one, keep it exactly as Peugeot intended. Supreme driving talent ensure that no modifications whatsoever are necessarry

Here's Olly's. Just cannot bear to part with it, its been sat gathering cobwebs in my garage. So it's due to undergo a mild restoration during spring ready for a summer down the lanes.