Pug 205XLD up for grabs

[MrDuke]

OK, this is a slight anti-climax, with lots of negativity, but bear with me...

 

As purchased from Hirst Executive Transport plc last year, a cheeky & lovable 3-dr 205 n/a diesel, in (mostly) dark red.

 

Good points:

Lovely, lovely XUD lump with 136k on the clock (just run in, then)

Pretty straight shell, galvanised so no rot spots

Some MOT

 

Bad points:

The doors will need replacing, as those who remember the original ad will know - they're from another car, in a different colour and inexplicably battered, in fact the driver's door doesn't seal properly as the window-frame's been bent at some point (before they were attached to this car) - worth sorting though, as they're the only panels with actual damage.

There's a tiny, pin-hole coolant leak somewhere, which only seems to lose water when the car's standing, not when it's running. I've tried unsuccessfully to locate it, but it doesn't cause major problems - I just top it up once a week or so.

The tracking is way out, and one of the driveshafts is a bit clunky, although they're simple enough to change.

The interior's a bit messy - I've replaced some of the pillar and boot trim, but there's still a few bits missing, plus the seats could do with a proper shampooing.

 

Really Bad point:

At some distant point in the past, a previous owner (or cowboy garage, more likely) has utterly fubar'd the wiring loom. A few weeks ago, the car became stranded in a car park when it refused to start, even after I changed the plug relay and tried jumping it etc... I had a diesel fitter friend look at it, and it turned out that the ignition system was perfectly OK, however when he removed the dash, the loom was totally shagged. Apparently, large chunks have been chopped out, and replaced by taping random pieces of wire in place, half of which had started melting and burning out.

The upshot was - he replaced the wires which the engine needed to run, and tidied up the rest as best he could (he was doing it after hours one evening, as a favour) - but there's still plenty of gremlins. Two days ago, I lost the front and back wipers, and the rear demister, plus various warning lights are flicking on and off with no apparent reason, so I assume that a proper re-wiring job will be needed.

 

All things considered, I still really like it - I blatted it back from work this afternoon along the A55 at a slightly illegal speed, and it felt great. However, having just moved house, I don't have the time to sort out the loom myself, and can't really justify spending moniez on repairs when Mrs_Duke will be needing to change it for a car with PAS in a couple of months or so.

 

I'll post up some photos when I have time/dry weather. Price is £220 with 6 months tax, or £120 without. If you want to drive it home without wipers, you're welcome, but I wouldn't recommend it If it doesn't go in a couple of weeks, I'll be cashing in the disc anyway.

 

Oh yeah, and first dibs go to Whitevanman although when he expressed an interest, he probably didn't realise what state it was in!

[Guest]

Here is one of the original pictures of it parked up in sunny Paris.

 

 

I liked that car, glad it's still about.

[Tayne]

.

[Guest]

That's Paris.

[Richard]

Should be the work of an afternoon to replace the wiring loom, if a donor can be found. I replaced the underbonnet loom on one to convert it from GTi to diesel and it didn't take long at all. Replacing the interior loom would be a bit trickier but cleaner.

[MrDuke]

There you go then - a day and a half would see the car in tip-top condition all round, I reckon. Unfortunately I don't have even half a day, let alone time to look for a donor, but it would be an piss-easy project for someone.

For the benefit of those who don't know, these are the best work-horses/daily hacks, bar none. While I was moving house, I was literally filling it to the ceiling with everything from furniture to compost bags, and it didn't even break a sweat, just kept steaming up hills like they weren't there. Awesome engines.

[dollywobbler]

I replaced the underbonnet loom on one to convert it from GTi to diesel.

 

If Autoshite did medals...

[HillmanImp]

If Autoshite did medals...

 

Here! Here!

 

It would take me 6 months minimum. It might not be that difficult but I would inevitably hit a slight snag, go in watch the Professionals on ITV4 followed by the Sweeney and then, as it was on Minder and then proceed to avoid eye contact with the car for 5 months and 26 days. Once i then looked at the problem again it would seem bloody obvious what the problem was the first time and I would get it sorted in no time.

 

Or might hit another snag, in which case Goto10.

[Richard]

I just did the easy bit. The GTi engine (which was buggered) was already out and somebody else fitted the TD engine after I'd done.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I think he deserves a medal for helping to convert a highly revered petrol car to diesel. GR15 4 winding up Pete-M.

[LimitedSlippedDisc]

205s are great chuggarounds. Had mine for about 2 years now and doing 60 miles a day in it. Economy of these old pug diesels is fantastic when in a lightweight body like the 205. I'm disappointed if I get under 55mpg out of mine. The best I had out of it was 65mpg when I took it fully-laden up to Fort William!

 

I've had to have a few things done - new radiator, wishbones, exhaust, brakes - but that's to be expected of a 17-year-old car and it's really paying me back now. Parts are cheap too.

 

They're also a right hoon to drive - you feel really connected with the car and what's going on. You can drive foot to the floor and have fun without risking a ticket.

 

Only downside is the tax which is robbery.