Discussion
The '6' has been back on the road for a couple of weeks now, and wow what a difference the suspension and axle refresh has made!
I took it for a couple of hours' drive to check out a 205 GTI-6 recently (I very nearly swapped plus cash but decided I wouldn't daily it like I could the 306, and prefer power steering). Over this spirited journey it averaged around 27 mpg. Fine by me for the fun and the '6' prefers E10 fuel over VPower.
The new discs, pads and fluid help tremendously too, and the engine is a belter. Reminds me of my younger driving days.
Then this happened..
Once the weather thaws out I may treat it to some PS3s, but the current landsail ditchfinders have plenty of tread on them. Just a shame I can't get any PS3s in the original dimensions specified for this car.
The 1.0 iQ needs to go now, I've been looking at Touareg V10 TDIs for a bit of a hoot but the road tax is putting me off. That and the potentially titanic servicing and repair costs. I've just always been fascinated by them and feel that the '6' and a V10 TDI would be such a charismatic driveway. 2 very different ways of going 0-60 in 7 or so seconds onto 140 mph, whilst averaging 25 mpg, although not all at the same time. If not that, another compelling workhorse to complement the '6' could be a V70 D5 185 with a remap, which would outdrag a V10 TDI and still make a similar offbeat warble.
I took it for a couple of hours' drive to check out a 205 GTI-6 recently (I very nearly swapped plus cash but decided I wouldn't daily it like I could the 306, and prefer power steering). Over this spirited journey it averaged around 27 mpg. Fine by me for the fun and the '6' prefers E10 fuel over VPower.
The new discs, pads and fluid help tremendously too, and the engine is a belter. Reminds me of my younger driving days.
Then this happened..
Once the weather thaws out I may treat it to some PS3s, but the current landsail ditchfinders have plenty of tread on them. Just a shame I can't get any PS3s in the original dimensions specified for this car.
The 1.0 iQ needs to go now, I've been looking at Touareg V10 TDIs for a bit of a hoot but the road tax is putting me off. That and the potentially titanic servicing and repair costs. I've just always been fascinated by them and feel that the '6' and a V10 TDI would be such a charismatic driveway. 2 very different ways of going 0-60 in 7 or so seconds onto 140 mph, whilst averaging 25 mpg, although not all at the same time. If not that, another compelling workhorse to complement the '6' could be a V70 D5 185 with a remap, which would outdrag a V10 TDI and still make a similar offbeat warble.
shalmaneser said:
My 205 gti6 had power steering? Just connect up the pump, I guess if the 205 didn't have power steering then retrofitting would be a bit of a pain. The ps rack was faster I think so a worthwhile upgrade.
My 205 was my only car for many years, did 20k+ post conversion, it was a noisy thing. Would be too much for me these days!
Ah yes I think it was an option.My 205 was my only car for many years, did 20k+ post conversion, it was a noisy thing. Would be too much for me these days!
I really need a car port or to move somewhere with a garage. While the 306 is rust-free, this snow doesn't fill me with confidence.
simonh9 said:
Michelin now make Pilot Exalto PE2 in the correct size again, which are brilliant all round tyres and similar to the PS3
https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Michelin/Pilo...
Ah thanks that's great, would keep the speedo nice and accurate. A chunk more than the PS3s but I guess that's down to economies of scale.https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Michelin/Pilo...
cavebloke said:
OP - What’s going on? The GTi-6 is on the Bay? Swapped for a Toyota iQ? Say it ain’t so!
Simon
It is! I've always had the iQ as the sensible daily, erm life's got a bit chaotic and I've had to get rid, in summary it's complicated; a mix of health and financial reasons mainly.Simon
And, the iQ's cost me £1200 in repairs this year so there's so many sunk costs in that, I have to keep it now!
I've been offered £3350 for the GTI-6 already, bidding is getting close to that with 8 days to go, so should be able to recoup most of the project cost.
Would like to get into something fast and German later this year if things improve.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285647563143
I had a couple of absolute timewasters interested in buying the '6', but they ended up being flaky.
So I decided to keep the 6 and turn it into a viable daily driver.
Also I had a crash in my iQ earlier today, a chap in a van pulled over left (without indicating left), then swung right (without indicating right) and I went into the side of him. I guess he expected me to be some sort of mindreader.
Sprained thumb (cue compo face!), wasn't very pleasant trying to rip what was left of my front bumper off, as breakdown wouldn't tow me because I was in a 'safe place' (any excuse eh?!):
Not sure what will happen with the insurance, but will see. Anyway, more reason to crack on with the Pug.
I've recently ordered:
Some stock headlights (£59):
Stock height front springs (£100):
Exhaust centre section with silencer (£104):
New exhaust cat (£103):
Once this lot's installed then it just needs window regulators and fresh tyres.
So I decided to keep the 6 and turn it into a viable daily driver.
Also I had a crash in my iQ earlier today, a chap in a van pulled over left (without indicating left), then swung right (without indicating right) and I went into the side of him. I guess he expected me to be some sort of mindreader.
Sprained thumb (cue compo face!), wasn't very pleasant trying to rip what was left of my front bumper off, as breakdown wouldn't tow me because I was in a 'safe place' (any excuse eh?!):
Not sure what will happen with the insurance, but will see. Anyway, more reason to crack on with the Pug.
I've recently ordered:
Some stock headlights (£59):
Stock height front springs (£100):
Exhaust centre section with silencer (£104):
New exhaust cat (£103):
Once this lot's installed then it just needs window regulators and fresh tyres.
Edited by Limited100 on Sunday 25th February 20:41
C5_Steve said:
Thumb looks painful, hope you're on the mend soon!
Pleased to hear you're hanging onto it, some bargains so far it seems to upgrade the Pug!
Should be alright cheers. Yeh not been too much of an expensive project. Likely be around £4k all in and I'll let it go for £3k minimum over the next year or so.Pleased to hear you're hanging onto it, some bargains so far it seems to upgrade the Pug!
integraf40 said:
Glad to see you're keeping it, they're obviously not the most refined car these days but still good enough as a daily. Have a blaze myself so good to see another getting the required love. I ended up putting a custom stainless on to replace my rotten system but it's a pain in the arse on the noise front to be honest
Nice, any pics? I hope this stock-type exhaust is nice and quiet, but the car retains its induction sound.Since mistakenly fitting stock springs to the front, the handling has been ruined!
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 2nd car, but I do so few miles, I thought instead to get the 306 sorted once and for all.
It's had new Michelin Pilot Sport 3s all round:
And is now getting treated to:
Bilstein B12s inc. dampers, Eibach springs and new OEM top mounts:
Full Piper stainless steel exhaust system:
Exhaust gubbins:
New window regulators:
Pug1Off short-shifter:
Then it should be a pretty decent daily driver. Other than these mods, I might consider cams in the future, ITBs but it does start to get very expensive!
I've been toying with the idea of getting a 2nd car, but I do so few miles, I thought instead to get the 306 sorted once and for all.
It's had new Michelin Pilot Sport 3s all round:
And is now getting treated to:
Bilstein B12s inc. dampers, Eibach springs and new OEM top mounts:
Full Piper stainless steel exhaust system:
Exhaust gubbins:
New window regulators:
Pug1Off short-shifter:
Then it should be a pretty decent daily driver. Other than these mods, I might consider cams in the future, ITBs but it does start to get very expensive!
Cambs_Stuart said:
Really good update, I'm sure the suspension will hugely help. I've got B14s on my Clio and they're superb. I did look at cams and ITBs, but it seemed like a lot of money to spend for another 30hp...
Nice, B14s are adjustable aren't they? I did look into Gaz coilovers but heard they are too stiff for everyday road use. I hope these B12s are a nice compromise. I had a B12 setup on my old 9-5 Aero and they were superb, made the whole vehicle feel more reassuring in all environments.Yeh a nice compromise might be just cams alone, which on a GTI-6 can take it from 167 to around 190 bhp. ITBs with the same cams, looking at around 210 bhp.
roadie said:
That's more like it!
I always liked the look of these back in the day. I feel the interior lets the pretty exterior down somewhat.
Yeh they're very basic inside, I sat in the back earlier and it's very cramped! The seats are pretty nice with leather/alcantara but the driver's seat is quite ripped up.I always liked the look of these back in the day. I feel the interior lets the pretty exterior down somewhat.
t.
zedx19 said:
Are you absolutely positive the springs are correct, it looks to be sitting high in my eyes? Just looked through some photos of one I had many years back, which was standard and on factory springs/dampers.
The springs are Eibach pros, which are 30mm lower than stock. Which springs were you using? Rear axle was lowered by 15mm, perhaps they need adjusting. I'm thinking something is up with the rear axle and Imaxl have used parts not fit for the GTI-6. The handling is very uninspiring, awful.zedx19 said:
Mine was on factory springs and dampers, I replaced the dampers at some point during my 8 year ownership, for some slightly stiffer ones recommend on the forum at the time. However, dampers didn't affect ride height obviously. Yours looks to sit higher than mine did, however I recall a friend changing the front springs on his and it suddenly sitting higher as well, he sold the car though so never go to the bottom of it.
I've never known a car to be so complicated to tune, my M5 was less faff! Hoping sorting the rear axle gets it driving properly again.Tim Cognito said:
Hmm, I had b6s which are the same as b8 but for lowered cars and they were lovely.
What size are the tyres? If they are 50 profile they will make the car look high. Can't quite tell from the photos, could be the correct 55 size.
50 profile, as Pilot Sport 3s aren't available as 55, so this is what GTI-6 owners typically get. I don't mind it sitting a little high, just want it to handle as well as they're supposed to as stock. A little better than stock would be a bonus.What size are the tyres? If they are 50 profile they will make the car look high. Can't quite tell from the photos, could be the correct 55 size.
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