Peugeot 205

[garethj]

Following on from this thread http://autoshite.commlm/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8592&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 what’s the story with Pug 205s?

 

I’d be after a diesel for a repeatable 45mpg, with hopefully 50mpg if I drive it like Hirst stole it.

 

Was there only one diesel engine?

Were they all non-turbo?

How many miles are they good for?

How about gearboxes, suspension, electrics?

Any rust traps?

Is there a 205 forum somewhere, or is ebay my friend for finding a car?

[wuvvum]

The 205s all had the 1769cc XUD engine. Some were turbocharged from about 1991 onwards, but most are non-turbos. The turbos make a fair bit more but they are surprisingly quick.

 

The 1769cc non-turbo engines seem to be the most robust of the XUDs and are good for 200K-plus if looked after - sadly the rest of the car will probably be disintegrating by then, especially the interior and the suspension. Electrics are OK in my experience (mainly because there isn't much to go wrong on most cars), and bodies don't seem to be too rot-prone. Suspension does seem to be a bit of a weak point on older cars though.

 

There's usually a half-decent selection of 205s on the Bay. Not sure if there's a specific 205 forum, but I would imagine the Peugeot owners' club site would have a 205 section?

[Guest]

Very good cars these the non turbo is nippy enough and handles well. The rear suspension/axle can sieze up and interior trim can wear badly. Late 80's ones can have paintwork lacquer peeling problems. Check sunroofs dont leak water by the handle-very annoying!. They dont rot much and dont forget to check the driveshafts for clicking/knocking on full lock. Ebay and Autotrader should be your friend here.

[Station]

[quentin wilson]Look out for leaks in the boot area from sorry, worn out tailgate seals, and inspect the seats for wear and tear on low mileage cars - this is a good sign that the car has been clocked[/quentin wilson]

[garethj]

[quentin wilson]Look out for leaks in the boot area from sorry, worn out tailgate seals, and inspect the seats for wear and tear on low mileage cars - this is a good sign that the car has been clocked[/quentin wilson]

*slap* But you'd get worse if you did that fat mockney twat

 

And breathe....

 

After some searching, there's a turbo version which seems quite sprightly.

 

[Milford Cubicle]

I'm still convinced you'd get more enjoyment out of a non-turbo, they are sprightly enough and much more economical judging by the road tests found on trigger's flickr page.

[Rocket88]

Don't buy one without power steering........

[garethj]

I'm still convinced you'd get more enjoyment out of a non-turbo, they are sprightly enough and much more economical judging by the road tests found on trigger's flickr page.

With an afternoon's pondering, I think I agree. And at the huge mileages these cars have by now, a new turbo is probably on the cards which sort of goes against cheap motoring....

 

And trigger's road tests are ace, I've just copied the one with the Charade, Fiesta and Visa diesel for bedtime reading

[peter9000uk]

Not sure where you are located Gareth, but I do know of an N reg NA 205 diesel going for sale. Pretty tidy on the body but I know it has done a few miles and the seats are a little worse for wear as the owner has a lively Jack Russell. I have never seen the car dirty as he seems to clean it fairly regularly. Let me know if interested and I will get his details, car located near Weybridge.

[Pete-M]

Don't buy one without a turbo... all NA diseasels are truly shit. No matter what they're fitted to.

 

Personally, I'd be buying the GTi. Fuck the fuel bills, are you really that tight?

[Guest]

I had a brief play with a non-turbo one and I thought it was absolutely fine, I'm not even into diesels and I was tempted to hang onto it. Lack of power steering wasn't a big deal either, it felt fine to me. MrDuke seemed to like it enough anyway!

 

Lest we forget:

 

Ultimately, I think most complaints about speed need to be put into context slightly - for an economical hatchback the diesel one is certainly above average, it's still 60hp in a lightweight body.

 

205s aren't for thrashing anyway, they're for driving around in a slightly careless manner whilst smoking a packet of Gitanes and listening to the themetune from 'Allo 'Allo.

[r.welfare]

With an afternoon's pondering, I think I agree. And at the huge mileages these cars have by now, a new turbo is probably on the cards which sort of goes against cheap motoring....

Oh, I don't know - all the 405 TD's I've had were still on the original turbo and each one had done 200k by the time I'd finished with them. Regular oil changes are the key. As you can get a full filter set (oil, fuel and air) for under £15 delivered via eBay there's no excuse not to...

 

I think you'll have an easier job finding an atmo 205D than a turbo, which came relatively late in the run (1991) and were really rather expensive when new (£11k+). Runout base diesels (M-reg to P-reg) all seem to have PAS so look for a late model to be sure. I seem to recall that the very last ones (Mardi Gras?) all came in a rather sickly blue/green colour which has real shite credentials.

 

Always best to find one with a decent service history, look out for extreme negative camber on the rear wheels (radius arm bearings gone), dirty coolant and elderly radiators (usually have a datestamp on the top). I don't know if the 205 is like the 106 in that it doesn't have a temperature gauge in the dash, which also doesn't help the HGF reputation.

 

Personally, I wouldn't turn down a 306 or ZX for the same price with the same engine - much the same applies fault-wise, but you do seem to get a newer, bigger car for much the same money.

[Gompo]

I've been in one, I'm pretty sure it was an NA and it went well enough. I spent a brief time looking for an STDT but after sitting in a GTI decided they were a bit too small for me.

[messerschmitt owner]

those XUD engines were fitted with proper men's turbos - rugged ones that lasted - none of this namby pamby girls' stuff fitted to modern engines!

[Milford Cubicle]

Non-turbo diesels aren't all that bad, especially in light cars. Instantly accessible power FTW.

[trigger]

And trigger's road tests are ace

Thank you They take a lot of time to scan and upload so it's nice to hear people enjoying them.

 

The bodyshop i worked many years ago for a D plate 205 Van that i used to drive about in once i past my test, It was a great little van, Very nippy for a non turbo, comfy and it handled well, I really rate them.

 

On the downside the gear change was a flumsy and the heater fan wasn't great IIRC but other then that it was faultless.

 

And they don't normally rust which is another bonus as well, I always fancied a late 1.8TD D Turbo model, I bet they are great fun.

[warren t claim]

For ultimate shite points you need a white 1.1 3dr with green seatbelts!

[Pete-M]

Bugger it. I'd have an XRAD. It'd have to be white though.

[Dukestar25]

Bugger it. I'd have an XRAD. It'd have to be white though.

... and it would have to be the van version with half-peeled off stickers from the previous company owner

[garethj]

Not sure where you are located Gareth, but I do know of an N reg NA 205 diesel going for sale. Pretty tidy on the body but I know it has done a few miles and the seats are a little worse for wear as the owner has a lively Jack Russell. I have never seen the car dirty as he seems to clean it fairly regularly. Let me know if interested and I will get his details, car located near Weybridge.

I’m in Bedfordshire. Can you find out a few more details – mileage, MoT, what’s wrong etc? Thanks!

 

Don't buy one without a turbo... all NA diseasels are truly shit. No matter what they're fitted to.

 

Personally, I'd be buying the GTi. Fuck the fuel bills, are you really that tight?

Not tight, but the difference between 30mpg in the Ginetta and 50mpg is the same as a grand payrise this year. With the rest of the family spending money like water, it’s a good time to be tight.

 

I had a brief play with a non-turbo one and I thought it was absolutely fine, I'm not even into diesels and I was tempted to hang onto it. Lack of power steering wasn't a big deal either, it felt fine to me.

 

Ultimately, I think most complaints about speed need to be put into context slightly - for an economical hatchback the diesel one is certainly above average, it's still 60hp in a lightweight body.

 

205s aren't for thrashing anyway, they're for driving around in a slightly careless manner whilst smoking a packet of Gitanes and listening to the themetune from 'Allo 'Allo.

I concur. I’ve had a bike that did 180mph, and while it was a laugh I didn’t feel that anything slower was necessarily a bad thing.

 

Oh, I don't know - all the 405 TD's I've had were still on the original turbo and each one had done 200k by the time I'd finished with them. Regular oil changes are the key. As you can get a full filter set (oil, fuel and air) for under £15 delivered via eBay there's no excuse not to...

Yeah, it’s just whether the previous 7 owners have done it....

 

I think you'll have an easier job finding an atmo 205D than a turbo, which came relatively late in the run (1991) and were really rather expensive when new (£11k+). Runout base diesels (M-reg to P-reg) all seem to have PAS so look for a late model to be sure. I seem to recall that the very last ones (Mardi Gras?) all came in a rather sickly blue/green colour which has real shite credentials.

 

Always best to find one with a decent service history, look out for extreme negative camber on the rear wheels (radius arm bearings gone), dirty coolant and elderly radiators (usually have a datestamp on the top). I don't know if the 205 is like the 106 in that it doesn't have a temperature gauge in the dash, which also doesn't help the HGF reputation.

 

Personally, I wouldn't turn down a 306 or ZX for the same price with the same engine - much the same applies fault-wise, but you do seem to get a newer, bigger car for much the same money.

Cheers for the info, dude. The 306 is quite pretty, but probably more things to go wrong? The ZX is hideous, I just couldn’t.

 

those XUD engines were fitted with proper men's turbos - rugged ones that lasted - none of this namby pamby girls' stuff fitted to modern engines!

ROFL Dunno how much a replacement turbo would be, just in case!

 

Non-turbo diesels aren't all that bad, especially in light cars. Instantly accessible power FTW.

It’s the 55+mpg that’s more interesting than instantly accessible power tbh

 

Thanks for the info, and a virtual slap on the back to Trigger – whatever crap I consider buying, he’s usually got a road test on hand.

[Volksy]

My early 205 GLD was a cracking car, had over 200k on the clock when it died, was very battered but coped easily with a daily 60 mile+ commute including the M6. Was fun to drive as well!