New minge-bag motoring

[Morgan84]

The cambelt should be the first job really - if the belt goes,its goodnight vienna for the valves !

[Largactil]

  The Moog said:

Shouldnt those trainers be a) Moccasins worn .. in true AS stylee...

 

A fair point -

 

  Morgan84 said:

The cambelt should be the first job really - if the belt goes,its goodnight vienna for the valves !

 

  wackywacerwill said:

Wowzers, check out that goodies pile Now get greased up and give it some lovin'.

 

I've just got a 1.1 fiesta which had a previous giffer owner and the clutch on that does the same thing as the pug, is this just the curse of OAP clutch ride The 205 is by far the more enjoyable car out of it and the Ford despite, or more likely because of it's basicness. Really enjoying the updates and the pics too, good stuff.

 

Cheers Will - It's been on the receiving end of plenty of lovin' lately!

 

All of the jobs listed above completed the other week, plus a strip down of the starter motor to clean up / lube the pinion / shaft / bearing etc... Fitting the new clutch cable did help matters, but ultimately the clutch is borked, and will need doing at some point; I plan to try and hold off till MOT time in December and do it then... (at £38 for a new clutch kit, it's hardly going to break the bank )

 

It's running brilliantly now - Blatted down the M6 a couple of days ago, making the trip from Stirling to NW London in just over 6 hours, averaging 70mph / 40.6 mpg... Had a few 'interesting' moments in standing water - A lightweight car (~700kgs) fitted with 135/60/13 bicycle tyres gets somewhat out of shape when hitting an unexpected puddle at M Way speeds...

 

I did unhit with 'that' stick.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

 

Not convinced that the (eBay sourced) springs are correct, as the front was sitting so high, the front wheels were demonstrating positive camber...(!)

 

The dampers / springs have settled a little after the 420 mile drive down, but still rather sky high - You could sell ice cream cones from underneath the front arches...

 

Raising the front has been something of a double edged sword:

 

+ve

 

Steering much lighter

Ride much improved

Can drive over speed bumps (of which they are many down here) almost flat out, as opposed to crawling over so slowly that the local minicab drivers were almost rear ending you

 

-ve

Rolls like the QE2

Understeers like the proverbial

Braking performance marginally worse

 

We'll see how it goes - Might try and source some front springs from a breaker, and have my eye on a set of wheels on the bay of E... Minge-bag motoring is so appealing, I'm half considering getting rid of my S2000, and running it as my only car...

[Largactil]

  The Moog said:

Shouldnt those trainers be a) Moccasins worn .. in true AS stylee...

 

A fair point -

 

  Morgan84 said:

The cambelt should be the first job really - if the belt goes,its goodnight vienna for the valves !

 

  wackywacerwill said:

Wowzers, check out that goodies pile Now get greased up and give it some lovin'.

 

I've just got a 1.1 fiesta which had a previous giffer owner and the clutch on that does the same thing as the pug, is this just the curse of OAP clutch ride The 205 is by far the more enjoyable car out of it and the Ford despite, or more likely because of it's basicness. Really enjoying the updates and the pics too, good stuff.

 

Cheers Will - It's been on the receiving end of plenty of lovin' lately!

 

All of the jobs listed above completed the other week, plus a strip down of the starter motor to clean up / lube the pinion / shaft / bearing etc... Fitting the new clutch cable did help matters, but ultimately the clutch is borked, and will need doing at some point; I plan to try and hold off till MOT time in December and do it then... (at £38 for a new clutch kit, it's hardly going to break the bank )

 

It's running brilliantly now - Blatted down the M6 a couple of days ago, making the trip from Stirling to NW London in just over 6 hours, averaging 70mph / 40.6 mpg... Had a few 'interesting' moments in standing water - A lightweight car (~700kgs) fitted with 135/60/13 bicycle tyres gets somewhat out of shape when hitting an unexpected puddle at M Way speeds...

 

I did unhit with 'that' stick.

 

Before

 

 

After

 

 

Not convinced that the (eBay sourced) springs are correct, as the front was sitting so high, the front wheels were demonstrating positive camber...(!)

 

The dampers / springs have settled a little after the 420 mile drive down, but still rather sky high - You could sell ice cream cones from underneath the front arches...

 

Raising the front has been something of a double edged sword:

 

+ve

 

Steering much lighter

Ride much improved

Can drive over speed bumps (of which they are many down here) almost flat out, as opposed to crawling over so slowly that the local minicab drivers were almost rear ending you

 

-ve

Rolls like the QE2

Understeers like the proverbial

Braking performance marginally worse

 

We'll see how it goes - Might try and source some front springs from a breaker, and have my eye on a set of wheels on the bay of E... Minge-bag motoring is so appealing, I'm half considering getting rid of my S2000, and running it as my only car...

[Split_Pin]

What a difference a polish makes! Like these more basic 205's, still see a few around.

 

I'd get the correct springs though. The lighter steering indicates that the change in ride height has knocked the tracking and camber way off and the car will eat front tyres.

[Split_Pin]

What a difference a polish makes! Like these more basic 205's, still see a few around.

 

I'd get the correct springs though. The lighter steering indicates that the change in ride height has knocked the tracking and camber way off and the car will eat front tyres.

[Largactil]

  IainL said:

I'd get the correct springs though. The lighter steering indicates that the change in ride height has knocked the tracking and camber way off and the car will eat front tyres.

 

A fair point, but looking at Lankytim's new dizzler 205, the front ride height is actually the same as my car; so I reckon the springs may well be correct...

 

(Will still look into checking the tracking / castor / camber etc... )

[wackywacerwill]

S2000, pah.

 

I chucked a brand new second hand front hoop on it when I picked it up (osf front iirc ) as it was a tad skidded out so it may be cocking a wheel a little wayward.

Your front ride height observations are exactly the same as mine were and the altitude looks bang on the money as far as oe goes to me. Having just got a long legged dirt bike on the road I concur it's nice to be able to hit those pesky bumps at full tilt

 

Currently eyeing up a 309 dizzler for minge bag duties so may soon be back in the game as far as peasant spec motoring goes

[vulgalour]

I'll add my voice to the chorus of those saying your front looks right, these really are pretty sky high and wibbly wobbly as standard, as were pretty much all hatches of their type and age. The Polo was just the same, but feels safer and behaves more predictably since being lowered, even if speed bumps and craters in the road are a proper ball ache when out and about. I imagine the Pug is a bit more comfortable now too, what with the extra travel in the front suspension you'll have.

[Morgan84]

Maybe on wider lower profile tyres,it might corner a bit better - maybe steel wheels off the Rallye spec would do nicely,or the typical GTi wheels might suit it well. The lower spec petrol models were issues on almost space saver style tyres !

[Largactil]

  wackywacerwill said:

S2000, pah.

 

I know, I know...But it's nice to have, for some OMG TOPLESS RWD action up in Jaggythistle-land

 

  wackywacerwill said:

Currently eyeing up a 309 dizzler for minge bag duties so may soon be back in the game as far as peasant spec motoring goes

 

Top man! I did spot the one in question on the blue forum, and it looks like an excellent purchase. Look forward to hearing how you get on!

 

  volksangyl said:

I'll add my voice to the chorus of those saying your front looks right, these really are pretty sky high and wibbly wobbly as standard, as were pretty much all hatches of their type and age. The Polo was just the same, but feels safer and behaves more predictably since being lowered, even if speed bumps and craters in the road are a proper ball ache when out and about. I imagine the Pug is a bit more comfortable now too, what with the extra travel in the front suspension you'll have.

 

The Pug was much more fun to hoon with on the chopped springs, but unfortunately I dinged the downpipe clamp one too many times - Where I live in London is something of a rat run, and thus every single street in the vicinity is peppered with speed bumps. (Even the roads that don't have them are in a god-awful rutted mess). I was having to drop down to a very slow walking-speed pace to avoid exhaust to concrete interface, which gets tiresome every 100 yards...(!)

 

  Morgan84 said:

Maybe on wider lower profile tyres,it might corner a bit better - maybe steel wheels off the Rallye spec would do nicely,or the typical GTi wheels might suit it well. The lower spec petrol models were issues on almost space saver style tyres !

 

I may well have to do this - It's fine in the dry, but hitting significant standing water at 70+mph on the M6 last week was rather interesting*

 

The standard tyre size on the XE is 135/60/13 - The 205 Rallye wheels are fitted with 165/70/13's, so not much better (And rare as hen's teeth).

 

106 Rallye wheels should bolt on: 4 x 108 and 14x6J means you could run 185/50/14's if you really wanted... But the scene tax makes 106 Rallye wheels pricey, and tyres in that size would hurt the wallet a great deal - Difficult to justify on peasant spec transport.

 

(The Wellers on eBay the other day were tempting - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251072807791?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_806wt_1398 - But the date code on the brand new Pirellis indicates they were made in 1993 - or 1983 -, so it'd mean changing them before use, making it an expensive exercise).

 

Not keen on GTi alloys - Rather keep the peasant vibe...

 

(*Sphincter clenching)

[Morgan84]

Would Peugeot 306 wheels have the right offset ? PLenty of steel wheels available,which could be painted white for the rally style look,or just slap the hubcaps on them

[Largactil]

  Morgan84 said:

Would Peugeot 306 wheels have the right offset ? PLenty of steel wheels available,which could be painted white for the rally style look,or just slap the hubcaps on them

 

They would indeed, and that's a top idea -

 

(106 4 stud, 306, 309, 405, Partner wheels all fit - As do Citroen BX, Saxo, Xantia, Xsara and ZX and Mk1 Berlingo wheels)

 

Any recommendations for a friendly scrapyard in North West London?

 

(Or slightly further afield if need be?)

[Volksy]

IIRC my 205 Dizzler was the same ride height, i think that the front springs are shared with the GTi due to the extra weight of the Diesel lump.

[Largactil]

So the peasant Pug has been suffering from shocking neglect after all its TLC of late...

 

Ever wondered what happens when you leave a car parked in a London street for a month?

 

 

No, it hasn't been stolen - Just moved...But you can definitely spot the footprint it's left.

 

 

Anyway, after sitting stationary for 4 weeks, it actually started (once the dried-up carb saw some fuel) on the fourth attempt. Nice.

 

I then proceed to abuse it further, but driving it up to Scotland again yesterday - Having previously made two return trips, I know I shouldn't be surprised that it made it, but it does give me a nice warm fuzzy feeling that a car which cost less than a push bike transported me and all my crap 470 miles in relative comfort, achieving 43mpg along the way.

 

Having been moaning on about wanting wider wheels, I managed to finally source some - Some last minute eBay sniping scored a set from a 106...

 

 

Not 14"'s as I would have liked, but x2 new tyres and 5mm+ on the other two...The 175/ 60 /13's fitted are actually wider than 205 Rally tyres (and bigger than the 135 / 60 / 13's my Pug currently sports ).

 

Meant a detour via Bradford on the way up to collect, but £30 for x4 wheels, trims and decent tyres can't be bad...?

 

The clutch is hanging in there, but dying a slow death...While over in Dublin the other week, I was out for a pint with a mate who works for a local motor factor.

 

I mentioned the paper thin clutch, and he managed to acquire me a replacement for £45 using his discount - If you've ever wondered if you can carry a clutch on a plane as hand luggage, the answer is 'yes'....

 

 

It's the teeny-est clutch I've ever seen - Size comparison with a Moro bar (Surprisingly like a Boost bar... )

 

 

Think I'll try and get it fitted over the next few weeks - And replace the track rod end I bent, when I hit a motorway flood at 70mph +

[Wilko220]

  Largactil said:

 

No, it hasn't been stolen - Just moved...But you can definitely spot the footprint it's left.

 

 

 

Surprisingly little oil!

Love these updates. Do the new wheels make much of a difference?

[Largactil]

  Wilko220 said:

Surprisingly little oil!

Love these updates. Do the new wheels make much of a difference?

 

Thanks - It's not the most exciting car on here, but I'm enjoying owning it!

 

Stuck the wheels on last night, and it feels much more sure footed - Size comparison, with the original wheel on the right:

 

 

That said, I've come to the conclusion that the front springs I fitted aren't the right ones...

 

(Serves me right for taking the cheapo eBay option to save £40 over what my local factors wanted for them).

 

 

Car looks like it's rearing up, and the fronts are in positive camber - Understeers like a pig at normal speeds, and when you compress the front at speed (i.e. - Driving down a dip on the motorway), the positive camber is massively exacerbated on de-compression, making the car rather unstable until it settles.

 

Looks like I'll be acquiring some new springs...Buy cheap, buy twice rings true here!

 

On a more positive note, it turns out that the new clutch cable was at the end of its adjustment (and probably stretched a little since fitting) - A few tweaks with a 13mm socket, and the bite point is now mid-pedal and has a more meaty feel. Clutch changing can wait for a bit!

 

(Also sorted the air lock which had been present since changing the water pump).

[Volksy]

Here's a pic of my old 205 GLD, it had the same 'Arse Down - Nose Up' Stance by the looks of it.

 

[warren t claim]

Can I join in?

[Morgan84]

Are you sure the rear ride height hasn't been messed about with in a previous ownership ?

[Wilko220]

  Morgan84 said:

Are you sure the rear ride height hasn't been messed about with in a previous ownership ?

 

Not to my knowledge - and I've known the car for a lot of its life. It was used to cart a lot of heavy stuff around in though, which might have had an effect on the rear springs over time!

[Morgan84]

They have a torsion bar rear suspension;should be pretty tough at carrying loads.Very versatile little cars,and much nicer than the 106

[Largactil]

Eee gads; haven't updated this in getting on for 5 months...(!)

 

Simple fact of the matter is that the Peasant Pug trundles along, thriving on abuse & neglect, sitting for many weeks on end without turning a wheel... But starting right up, with a scoot of easystart blasted in the carb.

 

It's made the trip from London to Aberdeen many times, averaging around 40 mpg along the way - Haven't beaten my 5hrs 45 mins from London to Stirling yet, but it regularly manages around the 6 hour mark.

 

It almost met its maker in October (as detailed elsewhere) when Brent Council removed it for a parking suspension non-complience, which I couldn't comply with due to being out of the country.

 

At £255 to retrieve it, and no guarantee of a successful appeal, I seriously debated (with a heavy heart) walking away...

 

...but couldn't, so coughed up & went to Wembley to fetch it:

 

 

It's a sad old place, the pound - Some regular-type shite stored there, but I was advised I couldn't take pictures - did sneak one, though:

 

 

Anyway, thankfully my appeal was successful, and I got a full refund...Glad I persevered in the end!

 

Since it's near brush with DEATH, it's been up to Glencoe to emulate the Skyfall scene:

 

 

 

Was swapped for a non-shite car for a long weekend:

 

 

(The Pug might have struggled at Oulton Park / Anglesey... )

 

Was dumped in Aberdeen airport long stay for 3 weeks...

 

 

...to be disinterred in the morning, driven 130 miles south, and pass an MOT the same afternoon, with NO advisories...

 

 

(The mechanic actually said "buy a lottery ticket - It's sailed through with no issues!" )

 

So, legal till the 7th of December 2013... Will need to change the alternator at some point (charging at 13.5V instead of 14.2V), and the clutch is paper thin... But otherwise looking forward to another 12 months of poverty spec minge bag motoring

[Morgan84]

They always were pretty good,the only common failure items I can ever remember were corroded brake pipes,grotty brake discs and rear rubber mountings,but appart from that,always a good motor,and very rarely did they get bad tinworm ( of the ones I have seen personally )

[dollywobbler]

That black and white shot needs to be in the 2014 Calendar thread. Once it exists.

[Split_Pin]

Great motoring, I'd love to own a basic Frenchie at one stage in my life!

[Lankytim]

This thread really puts paid to any thoughts I had about needing a big car to do long distance cruising. It's great that you use this little Frenchie for such huge distances!

[Wilko220]

  dollywobbler said:

That black and white shot needs to be in the 2014 Calendar thread. Once it exists.

 

Brilliant stuff - and agree this car has to be an AS calendar girl one day!

[Largactil]

The Peasant-spec Pug has seen some hard use since MOT time, covering over 2000 miles during the past 6 weeks, and has now crept over the 79000 mile mark...

 

(I’ve personally stuck over 7000 miles on it, over the past 10 months I’ve owned it).

 

It really earned its spurs last week, when I packed the contents of my London flat into the back of it, and made the trip north to Stirling – I must have squeezed at least a couple of hundred kilos of my junk in, to further enhance the 205’s ‘shitting dog stance’.

 

 

(Pic taken when half unloaded!)

 

Enroute, I had a couple of stops to collect some eBay purchases – The stitching on the rear bench failed at some point in the car’s life, causing it to vomit its foamy guts out.

 

 

To be honest, I wasn’t all that bothered, but took advantage of a dirty but better condition replacement which appeared on eBay for £4.50.

 

 

Also, the MOT tester commented that my gearbox bearings were raucously noisy – A rare 4 speed 106 box appeared on eBay, and was won for £29. Bargain.

 

 

Unfortunately collecting these 'bargains' meant a few detours on the way up – NW6 to Chelmsford, Essex for the rear bench, then up to Scotland via Ellesmere Port.

 

(Cavette had done me a big favour, by collecting the gearbox for me from the eBay seller who demanded “COLLECTION WITHIN SEVEN DAYSâ€Â, but took 3 days to respond to e-mails ).

 

Setting off from Kilburn at midday, the little Pug never missed a beat, making short work of the light Sunday M25 / M1 / M6 traffic.

 

After visiting Cavette (Nice to meet you Billy ), and getting back onto the M6 northbound, I encountered quite a bit of OMG SNO, but without the KAOS. The 205 felt pretty stable, even over Shap where the snow was starting to settle in lane three.

 

536 miles covered in 8 hours, with 3 stops – An average of 67mph, which I don’t think is too bad for a 23 year old French hatchback, with a 950cc engine / 4 speed box and absolutely loaded to the gunwhales.

 

It’s now retired from the big city to a quieter life in Scotland – Although I’m sorely tempted to take it to Ireland with me when I move in April, and register it over there...

 

I feel it’s got plenty of life left in it yet...

[face]

Have you stolen Dr Who's dog?

[RobT]

To use a fashionable phrase, that car is truly 'EPIC'