1995 Peugeot 205 1.8 D

[V8Tej]

I thought I'd share my new addition to the stable. I don't really know why I bought this but I knew at some stage I wanted to get my mits on an old skool Pug diesel before they all disappear. This came up and fitted the bill nicely. My first ever Diesel car in 22 years of driving and first car that does over 30 MPG.

It is in really lovely condition in and out and comes with all of the service history and every MOT from new. It's obvious it's had lots of money spent on it as it feels really tight and nimble to drive round town, and also straight and stable on the motorway at 70+ mph. It reminds me of the 205s I had around 16 years ago and I also learnt to drive in these (and 309 diesels) in the early '90s. It puts a massive smile on my face just to sit in it and feels very roomy for such a small car. I'd forgotten how fun it is to drive around in a tiny, lightweight car which feels like a go-kart. It's not as slow as I thought it would be and is actually fun to drive.

Strangely, even though it's had a lot of money spent on it, the timing belt was last changed 60k miles ago so I will not be driving it until I have time to change that. Nice to see they are cheap enough and easy to change. While I am there I want to give it a service, change one of the headlights as it looks slightly more misty than the other, and change the steering wheel (which is the only part of the interior that is showing wear).

After this is done, it will be lowered, have Rallye arches fitted, 15" steel wheels (in White), and be fitted with GTI Front & Rear valances. After that it should be a nice car to pile the miles on and I can rtire the E28 from daily (20k per annum) use. I've already bought all the parts bar the wheel arches.

I'm well chuffed with this simple bomb proof oil burner.

Some pics below and what I intend to do to it









How it should look once finished but wheels will be bigger.

[THE_Liam]

Love these, had one before. Want to do the same and get one before they all disappear!

[stonyray]

Looks well tidy, also whats with there being a dozen 205s coming out the woodwork now?

[V8Tej]

Looking better already. Got new Toyo T1R for bargain too ☺

[hcanimal]

Mondeo 15" steels?

[V8Tej]

No Citroën Berlingo I think.

[fastblatt]

That looks really good. Who needs alloys.

[shielsy68]

they where beautiful to drive

[Chris™]

This is great, loving the idea of a white rallye styled one with a diesel under the bonnet. Top daily

[stevietuck]

That looks really clean and tidy, but I am ever so slightly biased

[bumberding]

15' are too big for that. Will foul horrendously with anything in the back.

[V8Tej]

I did do thorough research on how big I could go with the wheels and 15 inch was looking to be a problem. So I bought them anyway

Although the wheels are ET18 they (rear) did not protrude from the arch as expected. They were actually fouling on the inner wing and suspension!! So after some 15mm hubcentric spacers, all was well. It drives really nice with them on, and is actually quieter and smoother than the wibblepoo worn down budgets previously fitted. I don't think it really needs any lowering on the rear as could give clearance problems, The front will only need about 20-30mm drop ans once the wheel arches are on it should look a lot better. I don't think it will need to be low to look good, something like this:





If it can look as close as possible to these CG images I will be chuffed

I've had 2 adults in the back as it is and had no rubbing. I also did a run to the local tip with car loaded full of heavy stuff and again no rubbing so hopfully all should be well. It's not intended to have any real weight in it and will largely just have me in it doing motorway miles commuting.

[pugmyster]

The 205 will look sweet when done..
I do have a full set of 5 genuine rallye steels.
That i will not bee needing
So they will be up for sale very soon.
Keep up the good work

[V8Tej]

Thanks mate I'll keep an eye out for the wheels if I change plans. I just took these which show more about the wheel clearance. They do not stick out more than the body even with spacers. These are 195/50/15.

[fastblatt]

I'm currently looking out for one of these (have been for a while) - must be 3 door - white and smaller petrol engine, 1.4 XS would be nice. Doubt I'll get one for the money I want to pay but I'll keep looking. Then I'll be copying you. It definitely is the best look. Are the wheel arch covers easy to get?
Mark.

[V8Tej]

Yep not the easiest car to find unfortunately. Finding one that is a 3 door, not Red (a personal thing), not in Ireland (I live in Berkshire), and has power steering is not easy. You have to grab whatever you can as soon as you see it. I was also on the lookout for 405 Diesel and had found one but the 205 was less distance to travel.

Nice to know I have inspired someone to create a 'look'

A XS model is great fun. I remember my one from 16 years ago. Lovely growly carb, short geared, fun machine The mods do end up costing as much as the car! I bought the car for £700 but have spent more than that that on it already! which wasn't the plan but I've fallen for this little Puglet and hope to have an enjoyable time piling on the mega miles

Wheel arches can be had from a website or an Ebay seller. Only 2 places that I know of. Website sells them for £90 delivered and Ebay chappie does them for £100 delivered. There seems to be a 3-4 week delay from either supplier so I need to order them asap.

[fastblatt]

I am the same about red cars too! Keep up the good work and thanks for the info.
Mark

[V8Tej]

At last a small update. Valances are finally on,just waiting for the wheels arches to be returned to me painted. Then it's a spot of lowering and pile on the miles. I've covered 6000 enjoyable miles in it already since December

[darrenh]

ive jsut bought my first diesel in 22 years of driving too! also late 1980s tech

see, the thing that surprised me is that back then there was so much hate for diesel engines, the noise, lack of power, tractor this and that.

mine is a 1.7 normally aspirated and has the same power as a 1.3 petrol, that said it has 1.6 levels of torque from nothing and gets a lick on with a fairly flat torque curve. now diesels are more de rigueur and will do 70mpg while tugging our retros round, its all good.

do you find that the acceleration is the same with a small bit of pedal as it is with foot to floor? weird sensation, its like the pedal is no longer an accelerator, rather foot adjustable target speed

[bumberding]

Amazing you've squeezed 15's under there.

Have you had passengers in the back?

Looks spot on by the way!