Why I swapped my 2015 BMW M135i for a 30 year old French hatchback - Peugeot 205 1.9 GTI - vid 1
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- Опубліковано 19 тра 2020
- I've just bought a 1990 Peugeot 205 GTi as my daily and given up my very nice and reliable BMW M135i in the process...
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The whole look of the car, proportionally, is brilliant. By far, the best looking small car EVER...
What a HUGE upgrade from that horrible BMW! I love it.
Great to hear you approve Nick!
Yup, everyone hates those! :) I'd be wary of crashing in that Peugeot - other people just aren't as predictable as you think they are...
They're not that bad.
Good around car the M135i.
I worked for ING car leasing so I have driven nearly all modern BMWs and owned as company cars for one year each and the 135i /140i /240i we're my favourites by far even against the many models such as the touring, M3/M4/M5 And the many x models which were the best long-distance cars by far, very nice place to be, front and back.
But I do have a soft spot for the gti as it was my idol car when I was young. But if I had the choose one to drive daily I would go with the M135i as I had many hot hatches in the '90s onwards and they are very poor to drive in the motorway /long distance and if you crash badly your in real trouble just look at A and B pillars. They just don't stack up to modern cars to be a daily maybe as a weekend toy but not daily.
The 1.9 speedlines are some of the nicest alloy wheels ever fitted to a hot hatch imho....
Same as the Bentley Turbo R.
Check out the split rim dimma wheels
I got a set for my 1.6 GTI, transformed the look. The 1.6 wheels were rubbish looking. Good memories.
@@cav4290 um.. not quite but they did supply all Bently with their rims
Bottom engine mount worn. Top ones are often ok. Beam look at the trailing arms near the pivot
No
Don't lower. It's perfect.
stuart hogg I lowered mine 20 old years ago, improves the handling massively. Easily reversed as long as the torsion bars don’t seize. Think it took my specialist 14 tons of force to undo the bolts of torsion bar to lower mine. Gulp, very close to seized.
They never got the design that right again.
Mmmm, 106 Rallye S1 or 306 GTi-6 were pretty close.
Couldn’t agree more, and I can’t think of a Peugeot before or since which just looked right from every angle.
@@SDH-g8g Indeed, the 205, 106 and 306 were the best of the bunch. I do want a 106 GTI-6 or Rallye, but I have had 9 205's and currently a 306 S16 and GTi-6 ;)
@@SDH-g8g Nah.....not even, closet in my book was its bigger brother the 309GTi 3dr
They never got anything that right again tbh
I've driven the 1.9 lt. 205 rallye for 10 years and it was the best car of my life (so far). One of the main reason was the low weight. Everything was light. Engine, gearbox and suspension was very good too.
205 GTi and Renault 5 were always my favorites. They will never get old
You’re a man after my own heart. I really hope you enjoy the little Pug and it’s not too much of a let down compared to modern cars. There’s a lot of nostalgia involved when buying a classic you’ve always wanted to own and as you say, it can be a bit of a culture shock when you first get in and drive it.. You must enjoy it, drive it regularly and imagine your back in the 90’s. There aren’t many left and yours has tons of character. It’ll turn way more heads than the BMW.. 👍
Yes i love it!!!
I owed both the 16 GTi and the 19 GTi from new, the 16 I had for 3.5 years and the 19 for 3 years, both never had the sun roofs as this makes the car scuttle in the the corners. both cars were very very reliable and all the problems you talk about I never had so can only assume it's the mileage plus the tinkering its had over the years. Do not lower the suspension as that handling will be ruined, it's what makes the car what it was, simply the best handling car in its day as confirmed by every magazine that tested those cars. The 19 will turn on a six pence and keep its line over the rough roads because of its suspension travel. The 19 had a different front and rear end suspension set up to the 16 making it a lot more predictable and less prone to spinning out, the torsion beam and anti roll bars were changed and on the front, the track was narrower and caster or the camber may have been changed, I know it made the 19 far more forgiving as the 16 was a very nervous and twitchy car to drive fast. With the 19 you could get the tail out and slide it around bends, the front just never let go at any speed it was like on rails even over pot holes where as the 16, if the tail went by the time you tried to correct it the car had spun, may have been OK for some that had track day or racing experience but for those of us that had none of that, it was very edgy on the limit. Wish I had kept it in a garage and never sold it, it was the best car to drive with its very high torque motor that you never had to thrash and its light weight body with great handling. Better than a Escort XR3 or RS that both had great mid corner grip out doing the 19 GTi but crap engines and suspension, better than the Renault Turbo with its turbo lag and go-cart handling that was useless on the roads although the thing took off once the turbo got going, and better than the Golf GTi that may have had a better build but was slower and just did not have the handling to keep up, build cannot make up for outright fun. That's where all the 16 valve motors lost out to, you had to thrash them to make them work and while any fool can do that in a straight line, its when you get out on the back roads that the Peugeot 19 GTi came into its own, that motor and the handling was the best.
I had a 1.6 GTI and two 1.9 GTI (both "Action" model). The latters with sunroof too. I'm planning to have my fourth 205 GTI (1.9 of course). I can only confirm what you wrote. Excellent car, blue miami my preferred color, unfortunetly not available in Italy at the time...
This is very interesting to me, as I've been a peugeot driver since the start of my driving life. I learned in the 205 1.4 GT (white, red trim stripes and GT badging) which definitely wasn't a GTi, but wasn't slow either. The description of the handling fits that trim fairly well too. the sheer grip in corners, on dirt tracks, in the wet,.. was astonishing. When the rear did go, however, it was brown trouser time. Same as the 206. That thing will do full spins if you overdo things.
Build cannot make up for outright fun... I love it :+ )
Any truth that the 1.6 had a better gearbox/gearing than the 1.9?
@@Qwertyuiop-gj1ir not in my book, the 1.9 had massive low down torque so would pull any gear hard instantly, it's that fact that made it so good on the road, almost could have got away with a three speed box.
I had one back in the day , great fun and full of character.Still look special today.
Still looks fresh.
Your enthusiasm for the car is contagious Jack...Excellent choice mate
Thanks Carl!!
A small car from the era when small meant small. Modern power steering just completely dulls any feel. The 205 was simple and mechanical so you can feel everything. Great fun.
I’m just coming to the end of a restoration on my 1.9, ive just ordered the new half leather replacement seat covers from from a french company called young timers, they also do the full leather ones👍🏻
Have you got a link to them
@@rabmccudden683 youngtimersclassic.com/gb/15-205
Ahhh the memories 🙏
Passed my driving at 17 and my first car was a Peugeot 205 GTi limited edition in Miami Blue. This was '94. It was s**t of a shovel. The handling, the looks.. amazing. Miss my Pug 😔
Check the spare wheel is tightly fitted. Had a 1.6 when I was 18 in the 90s. Loved it!
Agreed, this can also cause noises as the spare wheel moves in the hanger, the hanger is adjustable at the hinge point if remember correctly. This will provide a tighter drip on the spare.
Plenty of air too in that spare
😂
I forgot about the spare wheel in the cage under the car
I remember getting some air in my ax gt , it bottomed out cage opened up the spare wheel ended up in a ditch at the side of the road 😂😂
I’ve paused the video to check if someone had beat to this comment lol exactly what I was about to say. Examine the spare is in tight & in good condition
Also check ur exhaust brackets for sway. It could rattle too.
Congrats on the Pug! Look forward to seeing more on this car :) It always surprises me just how few good 205 GTi vids there are on UA-cam.
Oil leak probably starts on the rocker cover and makes it's way down... Don't mess with the ride height, got to keep it original, does wonders for the value 👍
fidget pants ...but not for the handling.
The bracket that is showing less thread is doing so because it has the exhaust hanger attached to it
aunty greg, did you have one? Good shout Greg.
An iconic hot hatch indeed! Loved these beauties back in the day, and watching this makes me realise that I still do :-)
Wheeler Dealers did an episode on the 205 GTi. Edd adjusted the beam on the back to standard ride height. Check that out.
except that was all wrong..
The boy racers used to flip the badges on the rear - it was a really simple way to upgrade to either a 6.1L or a 9.1L engine
😂😂 Did that, the 1.6 got a bigger upgrade
Takes me back to my youth, the must have hot hatch. Great to see this one
My dream car from when i was a kid. A freind had 1 with a 1.9 rebored to 2.0. I own a saxo vtr and im amazed on how similar their are. The holes under that you pointed out should have rubber caps. They should be dotted all round the floor pan.
Another highly entertaining video about the Influenzo...this is by far the best classic car series on You Tube at the moment and is cheering me up no end thru lockdown....love it, keep 'em coming please!
Thanks for the kind words Michelle! Great to have a female viewer who likes the series!
Nice addition Jack. Lovely thin A pillars.
Love it. I'm sure it will be fine mechanically using it regularly. I use my 89 Orion 1.6i Ghia in the summer as a regular daily driver, theres not a lot to go wrong with a 80s designed car!
I'm sure I remember people lowering the rears of these by pulling the torsion bar out and reinserting it at a slightly different angle. Am I dreaming!?
You’re not dreaming, same method on most Peugeot and Citroen hatches of the time.
Can also fit thicker torsion bars and anti roll bar in the beam to stiffen things up.
The beams are known to need attention when these cars reach a certain age.
Same for the 5 GT Turbo.
David Wilce No dream there, exactly how one does it with torsion bars (like with VW Beetles). The problem is that we only change geometry, the spring constant remains the same, same pre-load, and therefore by only lowering by changing the initial “bite” point of the torsion bar we might end on making the suspension touch too much on the bottom.
Did that with the Clio :-)
Yep, very common with Saxos / 106s in the 00's, slammed rear via torsion bar and lowering springs up front. Usually resulted in the 'dog squatting for a shit' stance haha
Superb purchase 👍🏻 I loved my Pugs. I owned two 1.9 GTI’s, the way it goes is like nothing else...
Thanks ! You just made me miss mine even more ! What a car that was !
What an evergreen your 1.9 GTI! The 8v engine is very reliable when giving her time to warm up and regular oil changes.
Going back many years my girlfriend bought one of these. I had an Escort RS turbo mk1 and thought at the time it was the dog's bollocks until I drove her Peugeot, I never wanted to stop driving it, Loved it...The only car to match it since was the Clio Williams I had
good selection of classics youve had then
There is one hot hatch called the Lancia delta integrale evo2 turbo. Small hatchback And it is a blast hot hatch..
@@carlosbarragan1673 But a higher platform on price. Beautiful car and now strong money. I'd say the Escort Cosworth is a good comparison.. Not a hot hatch though
I LOVE the driving position. Such a comfy sprawler!
This was really nice to watch. Brings about a feeling of nostalgia for me. Owned 2 of 'm, I learned to drive in it!
Good on you for swapping the BM for this little Pug. I've always had massive want for the 205. Unfortunate that prices have gone a bit nuts.
Had a pre Cat 1.9 in the late 80s was light and quick but R5 GT Turbo is the one I yearn for
I had a 1.6 Gti and a 1.9 gti
The 1.6 better handles the 1.9 faster on the straight
Also had the Renault 5GT Turbo and its the best of the three in my opinion only let down by being unreliable
The gtis have problems
Common Air flow meters stick
And vac advance units get contaminated making the car run like it’s done for.. a cheap fix so check first!
@@paulcahill125 5 turbos are reliable until people mess about under the bonnet. I had a stock 5GT in the early 2000s and it never missed a beat until my brother bought it and started modding it
Mine had the bright red carpets, which really suited the car. Another upgrade I did was change the front Amber indicators for the later clear ones, and the darker rear clusters, both make a huge difference and make it look more modern, oh and the rear wiper from a 308. Love the 205, although it doesn't like to drive slow without slipping the clutch. They are quite jumpy to drive when pulling away..but you shouldn't hear/feel any driveline shunt at all. The rear noise problem is common, and my axle needed fixed on mine...and it was obvious when you looked at how close the wheel was to the rear of the arch, I believe it's quite common, you'll be able to check on the forums for the exact problem. PS clear indicators go right on with amber bulbs.
love those three round dashboard buttons so 80's/90's ! great great car
When I used to drive these new around the Peugeot car park (as part of my student job washing the service cars) the driveline shunt was already built in... Love your channel.
😁😁😁 - thanks for the kind words too’
The opener Ahahaha one of those could be this, 150 kmiles and 30 yrs ago, so no worries 🤣
I can beat this. Up until 2 years ago I had a stunning Bentley. I changed it for a 1996 Peugeot 106 diesel.
Wow!! Nice swap. I bet the 106 is fu to rag around though!!
@@Number27 It's the diesel 106. It doesn't exactly 'rag around'...more like an asthmatic wheeze. But I don't ever worry where I park it, don't get abused in it, never get cut-up in it, it never gets vandalised, and it is comically cheap to run. For example, on the Bentley the head gasket went: £3,500. The Peugeot only cost me £500 to buy...
@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne I've spoken with someone on a car forum whose Peugeot 106 diesel had over 250,000 miles on it, ran with no problems at all, and regularly returned over 60mpg on a run. I have a bit of a soft spot for them because I learnt to drive in one, in 1995.
@@Zeem4 wow...this is great news as it means my Pug still has 190k to do to catch up....
Loved the Peugeot 205GTi, actually ANY 205. They were great little cars, full of character. Compared to all the dull SUVs of today they were a joy. I knew someone with a 1.0XE and also someone who had a 1.9GTi. Each end of the spectrum. They were both fun little cars in their own way.
Yes, all are fun!! Thanks for watching Grant!
My dad had the 1.6 GTI at first, that was pretty cool , but when he sold it and came home with the 1.9 and took my Mum and brother and me for a colin mcrae style drive, let's just say I nearly crapped myself. I'm 49 now but can remember the lovely red exterior and lovely interior too, class motor great choice
😂
On the knocking noise from the rear when cornering, could be the bolts securing the torsion bars to the beam, I had this on my 106 Rallye. Check for tightness, and apply loctite as they work themselves loose.
Spencer Barratt Rallye Steelie pic 👌
Yep they bolt in the side of the trailing arms
Wheeler Dealers had one where they reversed the lowered suspension. I'm sure you can find it on UA-cam!
Ah, the car of my early 20s....had one for 6 years in the 90s. Loved it and not too many problems other than a seized sunroof and passenger window which was prone to slipping out its track. Fuel injection gremlins towards the end though mainly due to iffy electrical connectors. Look forward to seeing how you get on with this one, brings back some great memories!
I owned one of these in the nineties. Still ranks as one of my all time favourite cars. I used to love the torque steer on traffic light grands prix!
To me it's a good decision to trade the 135 for a 205 just because I love old cars. It's a fairly decent hot hatch and much fun to drive. I had a 309 and I liked it very much it even though it was a bit flimsy, too. But they are light and nimble exactly for that reason.
The clunky noise from the back might be an insufficiently attached exhaust wobbling about and hitting parts of the chassis while cornering...
I had one 30 years ago, still my favourite car with great memories of driving fun. Todays hot hatches are probably the same size as a ford cortina estate of the same era, just too bulbous.
Totally agree!! Thanks for watching
I had a red G reg one of these in 1991 and absolutely loved it. I remember the steering being incredibly heavy on low speed tight corners but the engine was torquey and great fun. The only car I ever had more fun in was in 1994 when I bought a new Clio 1.8 16V.
What a superb car, looks fantastic and fresh even today. I think I've missed the boat on these given their current values but best of all the hot hatches of the era in my opinion.
Harry's garage has done a review ot the 205 1.9 GTI, I have to say he is right with his conclusion!
Is the spare wheel not mounted in a sort of cage under the boot in these, incase is loose and noise hearing
I enjoy watching your vids, i also own a 91’ 1.9gti and i’m doing a full restoration, love 205 gti’s, true classic
Greetings from Finland
Hello to Finland 🇫🇮!! Been watching Borderlands on Netflix! Cool country!
Love it. I owned a red one in the 90's and it brings back truly happy memories looking at yours.
I miss my little 1.6 205 GTI.
It does look like your trousers had an argument with your shoes at the start 😁
😂😂😂😂 . Half mast!
Hahahahahaha
I never had one of these, nearest car was a MK2 Golf GTI 8 valve model in jade green metallic. It was only four years old, one previous solicitor owner. Such a solid car, never ever felt like it would break down. Happy days.
Hi there, always wanted one of there and nearly bought one once. Have a look for the old wheeler dealer episode on the 205 Gti. Personally I would leave suspension stock but they show on WD how to reverse a lowered rear so that should help if you want to do it. Loving the channel!
Plenty of leather conditioner on the seats - they’ll come up beautifully
Not sure, feels like they’ve been reconnolised already i which case the conditioner won’t be absorbed much in any case
PSA used really poor quality leather until the last decade or so, conditioner can't perform miracles. I prefer the velour/alcantara type material they used on the 1.6s.
My mate had one of these back in the day with an mi 16 engine in it.
In France you could buy a 309 with the 16v in as standard, the 309 Gti-16.
Most people do know it as a 405 Mi16 engine but it came in the Citroen BX Gti too..
I had a 309 with the mi16 in it... Engine aside one of the best handling cars I've ever driven 😁
I had the same drive line shut with my 1986 mini and that was the engine mounts, so definitely worth a look at them,
Great car. I had a white H reg 205GTi 1.9 in the late 90s (another late pre cat model) which was huge fun. Had to spent a fair bit of money getting it sorted as had led a hard life but easily the best hot hatch of its era.
my mate had the 1.6 back in the day my god that thing could shift
Had a 1.6 back in the day ! Nothing quicker cross country !
I bought my 1.6 GTI because my 1.4xs broke down, I fixed the xs and stupidly/sadly sold it, still have my GTI though.
I had a 1.4 xs as my first car. What a thing that was. The twin choke carb gave it a bit of a VTEC-like boost. I guess probably even lighter than the Gti's. Sad that they don't really exist any more. Think I've seen maybe one for sale in the last few years. If I could find one for sane money, I'd snap it up.
Top choice - all the new cars are really very similar. Older cars make small daily trips lots of fun !, top video :)
Still remember my first drive in the 1.9 and since then had to have one in my life. Bought one later and loved every single minute.
Such a wonderful driving experience.
Wouldn't want to crash in one though 😬
You are a glutton for punishment.
But “tres amusant” as the Franglais would say.....
I had one in my youth; however, my driving skill and the car’s performance eventually led to an unscheduled excursion into a hedgerow.
Many of these did!!
Pants Tilmo yep, lift off oversteer, a cruel mistress until mastered... 🤷🏻♂️
Don't lift off simples😜
I had a lowered 306dt, it was almost evil in the wet. Always had to have the turbo in boost, not in boost, there was no power to correct the oversteer. Kept you on your toes😅
Brilliant video! I now want a 1.9 GTI more than ever!!!!
Looks so good and a brilliant colour 👌🏻
Great cars, just don't bend it as they don't hold up very well. Take it from one who was knocked into a comma by one! 😅
Did it bring you to a full stop?
Blocco A Spirale: A perfect riposte sir.
Will it depreciate?
Are you serious or just a troll?
Mikee S quite the opposite
Errrrr NO !
I'm being ironic you muppets.
A short story I hope your subscribers enjoy Jack!
Im from Oz. The very first Pegueot GTi I drove back in the 80's was a second hand Silver GTi 1.9 (we only got the 1.9 downunder) with Air Con BUT no power steering, with the 14 inch Pepperpot alloy wheels! Even though it is such a light super mini hatch back, this high mileage, clutch just about giving up, specimen, did not drive that well, very heavy steering, I wasn't overly impressed by it at all!
Quite a few years later I saw a beautiful little white 205Si 1991 model (XSi 1.6 and Hunchback of Notre-Dame model known elsewhere in the world) on a Second hand car lot. It had a 1.6, but not the 1.6GTi motor, but it was fuel injected, and had power steering! and steel wheels! But it was mint! low mileage. Tight clutch, great little gearbox, though only a strangled 1.6 motor, it drove like a little peach! For want of a better word Brilliant! I made a promise to myself if I ever saw one again, I would have it! I never did, very very few 205Si 1.6i's made it to Australia.
Great content as always, also a great car. I would have got out of my XR3 and into one of these back in the 80s, but not enough funds in those days. I very much hope you drive it a lot!
Dont lower it. Unless you want a ride like an ox wagon.
Sean O'Riley do it properly and it will out corner a dog...
What a car! Seen a couple of 1.6gti’s but never one of these in the flesh 😍
Love watching keep up the great work 👍
Thanks Chris!
great to see you made another great purchase, looks surprisingly good...never driven one but always wanted to...you mentioned a fiat uno - had one as a student, replaced my mini, loved it.
Had the 1.6 first and bought a 1.9 in 1991 which I still have ! Still in love after all these years
An Epic car in its day. Stunning colour, They wore very well for French quality, outside plastic trim quality was very good. Another fun purchase.My wife loved her GLD in the 90s.
Had a G reg, red 1.6 bought in 1995 for £4450 when i was 23. Red carpet, no sunroof. It is still the car i miss the most. Went from Kent to the west coast of Ireland in it one summer. It was absolutely brilliant at everything. Had it for 4 years.
Have a family now. Zafira Sri.
I could cry 😩
Ha!! Yes the Zafiee doesn’t quite measure up in terms of driving fun!
My wife had 205 GTI 1.9 back in ‘94. It was a 1989 model. She agreed £3500 for it but we did a HPI check which revealed it had been an insurance right off. The seller truly didn’t know and we negotiated I think £900 off.. The car ran like a champ for 3 years and we sold it for more than we paid for it despite the bad history. Definitely a very analogue car. It didn’t seem that fast initially even then but seemed to loosen up and get quicker over time. Thanks for the nostalgia!
Thanks chap..! Yes, not that fast!
Just came across your channel and really enjoying your content thus far. Keep up the great work, you've definitely got a new subscriber here 🍻
That’s great to hear, thank you Josh!!
My dream car as a teenager. Never was able to buy a decent GTI, but had a 1.1 which was also so much fun.
The strand cars were great too!! Amazing on a bumpy road!
Another great video! Wish we had these in North America. Enjoy Pepe!
Thanks Fella and hello to the US or Canada.. whichever you’re in!
Good to see someone else buying something that stirs the soul. Low mileage DC2 Integra for me. Fabulous N/A engine- 190hp/8500rpm. Well built & shades a 205 for me with the chassis & reliability as well. Seating position perfect & still incredibly capable today. No knocks or rattles either. 145mph & 6.5 to 60. Still the best of its generation to my mind
Fantastic, enjoy the Integra and thanks for watching Chris!
Always loved the 205 GTI. Firstly I'd check the exhaust and spare tyre for the cornering clunk. For a mild suspension upgrade I'd go for a Bilstein B12 kit which would front struts and springs and rear dampers. You can also swap the beam for a 309 GTI item. Height at the rear can be lowered by adjusting the beam. I've also heard of 306 GTI brake convertion and adding electric power steering using Corsa/Punto column motors 🙂
Great lockdown busting video thanks Jack you've got an absolute gem there. Regarding the noise at the back take the spare wheel out and go for a drive see if that makes any difference, it could well be the bracket moving under load.
Cheers Matthew!
Wow this reminds me of how much I enjoyed my 205 GTi in the early 90s. I could never believe how it went round corners. I remember that if you accelerate hard out of a corner the front axle just holds on and the back end would actually slide giving a 4 wheel drift that almost felt like it was rear wheel drive. Lovely, I hope you really enjoy the car. This and a 308, I'm trying desperately not to be jealous. Regarding the noise at the back, my car's rear wheel upright cracked and the wheel nearly fell off so watch out for that. I took it into the garage for a checkup and they wouldn't let me take it away because it was so dangerous!
Also when the clutch was worn the pedal got so heavy that it eventually snapped the lever (not the release fork lever inside the bell housing) that the cable operates to release the clutch, I can't quite remember where it was but it was easily spotted (somewhere near the top of the gearbox I think) if you follow the clutch cable, so another thing to watch. (Unless they changed to a hydraulic clutch or improved the design at some point?)
I had a Mk1 GTI but always admired these for the same reasons
My dad got one of these on test for a couple of days when I was a kid, it was white and I loved it after he handed the car back he went and bought an XR2I i was disappointed he didn't buy the pug! Love your new car Jack, keep the videos coming buddy 👍
Thanks Ryan.. an XR2 was not the better purchase!! But perhaps more solid!
@@Number27 yeah I agree, my dad loved his XR2 tho until it was nicked 🙄
What a car! I was fortunate enough for my friend to buy one 2 years old! It was rapid at the time and had full leather interior 👍👍
Great handling car. Had a 1.9 new in 89. You're doing a great job with your channel. Stats seem to be improving too. Well done mate
Thanks Will, appreciate the encouragement!
@@Number27 Difficult to find a unique angle, with car content. Keep it real, interactive.( Algorithm ) Modern classics are bang on trend. Imho
"Simplify, then add lightness" Colin Chapman worked this out way before most and the 206 1.9 GTI followed the mantra well
I was lucky enough to have one of these getting on for 30 years ago. I had the 1.9 and my now wife had the 1.6. They felt very different cars to drive. The 1.9 felt a lot softer, but with better damping. The 1.6 felt lighter on its feet and more firmly sprung, but under damped. The 1.9 had loads more low down torque, but ran out of go at the top end. It definately had trouble putting down its power in the wet. I had one or two scares with lift-off oversteer, especially in the wet. I managed to cure this trait by fitting upper and lower strut braces and a slightly stiffer anti-roll bar. I also fitted slightly wider 195/50 tyres Bridgestone RE71 tyres. All these were popular upgrades of the time and recommended by the Peugeot GTI club back then. I remember reading an article in their club magazine describing the difference as night and day. I'm nor sure I would call it that, but it did mean you could actually brake while cornering. Coincidentally my car also suffered from wet carpets. All the door seals were replaced to no avail. It turned out to be the front windscreen. I sold it in the mid nineties as I needed a larger car - I think I got about £2500 for it as there seemed to be 100s for sale then. It was immaculate. Enjoy your 205. Look forward to hearing more about it.
Thanks Nick, interesting to hear about the anti roll bar and strut brace tweaks!
Wrapping my head around you being so ecstatic about acquiring a French car.
I just klicked like and subscribed because of the title. You traded the BMW for a proper sports car. Good on you.
I looooved the 1905cc Gti engine that I had in my car. I still miss it everyday. And that saying I crashed it 20 years ago. Still I vividly remember the hard pulling engine and ferocious growl from the exhaust.
Thanks for subbing fella!! I’m loving the 205!! Def glad I got rid of the BMW
My brother had a white 1990 1.6 GTI, that was also quick. You are spot on about the driving position, it's awkward at best. My brother bent the accelerator pedal which made it a little better for him. The uptake is very on off, all in all a great car to drive though. Looking forward to the next episode.
My dream Peugeot 205 GTI - 1.9, right colour, beautiful, I can see why they are so sort after.
I've fitted dedicated Raid steering wheel which sits closer in mine as well as 5 door seat rails so the driver seat doesn't recline anymore but it sit a tad lower. And I think this improves sitting position quite nicely
Brings back memories - I had the 1.6 (before 1.9). Agree on your views on handling and I remember the resposivness (prob light weight) and eargerness to rev. I chose this over the more sensible golf gti ! I remember that this car was just very intuative to drive- even though the steering was heavy when stationary. Totally agree on your reasoning to sell the 135i - Thank you for bringing this to all of us. !!
Thanks Tee Keon, have a great weekend buddy!
Nice motors was lucky to have had both this and the golf back in the day good times