Friday 11th December 2009

SOTW: Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6

This week we've gone all Gallic, so it's shed de la semaine

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Oh, for the sweeter, simpler time that was the 1980s. Back then, a 115bhp, 1580cc naturally aspirated engine, an impossibly sweet gearchange, and a pert, lightweight body was all a hot hatch needed to be king of the performance hatch castle.

Now, if your fast hatch doesn't have a turbocharger, at least 200-250bhp, or four-wheel drive (and preferably all three), it isn't even worth getting out of bed for.

This, presumably, is why the 205 GTi is such a sought-after motor. Very few modern hatches (with the possible exception of the Clio Renaultsport 200) offer such an absorbing, involving drive.

True, the 205 isn't the fail-safe handler that drivers of modern cars expect, but drive it with a bit of common sense, respect and intelligence and you'll have a whale of a time without becoming intimate with any hedges.

Not everyone drives them in that way mind you, so a fair few have met their maker at the hands of the over-eager, and a sizeable proportion of the 205 GTi population has also fallen into the clutches of the Barry brigade.

Which is why this particular 1991 GTi seems like such a catch. It's honest, unmodified, relatively low mileage and seems to be only cosmetically scruffy. In a fetching Miami blue and for just £795, what's not to like?

Advert is reproduced below:

1991 Peugeot 205 Gti 1.6 Miami Blue cheapest around! (1991)
114,000 miles
£795

Good looking 205 Gti in the best colour!

1991 Peugeot 205 Gti 1580cc
114k miles
Full MOT
Nice car always liked them in this colour and has the special edition full leather seats fitted also.

Drives well no problems from the rear axle or smokey engine tyres are good no sunroof leaks

Has alarm and immobiliser plus central locking

Bad points are:
Roof laquer has gone and could probably do with a respray being honest but it does polish up well as can be seen in the pictures
Passenger door has been tampered with near the lock which is a shame as in general it is a tidy example.
Tickover is lumpy when warmed through (common problem apparently)
Stereo does not seem to power up for some reason
Drivers seat bolster is worn

Viewing recommended and test drives no problem but please bring your insurance documents as test pilots are not welcome!

No offers or part exchanges please

SOTW part deux:
Shed has also found another 1980s gem this week. Aficionados of Shed may remember that last week we promised you a German barge. Well, here it is. It's a 1987 M535i and, while we know that's not a proper M car, the 218bhp, 229lb ft straight six and limited-slip diff makes it a worthy early bearer of the hallowed M badge.

We even rather like the cheesy body kit and pancake alloys. Inside, squishy velour seats and an auto 'box aren't quite what you'd expect of an M car, but they look to be in reasonable condition and this is an M car 'lite', so we won't pick too many holes.

Sadly, we can't really have it as our main SOTW, because with no tax or ticket it breaches Shed of the Week etiquette. And there are other downsides as well. This particular example has done a fairly hefty 196k miles and, most ominously, the vendor says that it requires "new front wings and some corrosion repairs to the rear arches".

It's a bit of a gamble then, but it's sure to set someone's wallet twitching. In fact we've had to physically restrain Garlick from taking a trailer up there and grabbing it for himself.

Advert is reproduced below:

BMW M535i Toooo good to break (1987)
196,000,
£800

6/12 CAR IS STILL FOR SALE! WAS ON EBAY AND SOLD FOR £810 BUT THE WINNER NEVER TURNED UP! THATS THE PROBLEM WITH TIME WASTERS ON EBAY.Up for sale is my M535 I bought this car as a restoration project for the winter but an E30 M3 came up so this has to go. It's a complete car that starts and runs, the interior is in fantastic condition the Recaro cloth is brilliant with no wear or tears. It has a switchable auto box full OBC and over 31 stamps in the service book! The overall condition of the bodywork is not too bad, needs new front wings and some corrosion repairs to the rear arches.The car has 196k miles I have the previous 7 MOT's there is no MOT or tax on the vehicle i do have a fair few invoices and the log book. Best thing to do is view the car and gauge the amount of work for yourself.
08/12 reduced the price as I need the space! All offers considered.

[hellrot_e34]

205 gti = flakey french money pit.... M535i = very cool old school rear drive pseudo classic!

Edited by hellrot_e34 on Friday 11th December 11:37

[BenjC]

If I wasn't booked up all weekend I would be in the car now on the way to buy the 205.

I have little doubt it will be gone by monday :0(.

What a beaut.

[soad]

I'd probably take the BMW, does look very tidy inside.

[Ray Singh]

Both really nice retro cars.

Some would argue that the Pug would be better in the 1.9 guise..... The jury is open on this one, but it cant be argued that the BMW is truly awesome.....

[Frimley111R]

BenjC said:

If I wasn't booked up all weekend I would be in the car now on the way to buy the 205.

I have little doubt it will be gone by monday :0(.

What a beaut.

Don't, it won't live up to the dream/your memories and you'll find it is just an old, flimsy, noisy hatchback. A few people I know found out that hard way. As much as I'd love to rekindle my love affair with the 205 GTI I know it'd end badly.

[rockystarr]

If oly the bmw was a manual......

[snotrag]

hellrot_e34 said:

205 gti = flakey french money pit.... M535i = very cool old school rear drive pseudo classic!

Edited by hellrot_e34 on Friday 11th December 11:37

Ha, have you even read the adverts?

The biggest problem with the 'flakey french car' is a bit of peeling lacquer and a radio that needs its wires jiggling'.

While good old reliable German car is an MOT failure, has terminal rust, an autobox that surely is on its final countdown...

[RobbieB]

Oh now they're beautiful. Good work PH, good work!

[TEKNOPUG]

hellrot_e34 said:

205 gti = flakey french money pit.... M535i = very cool old school rear drive pseudo classic!

Edited by hellrot_e34 on Friday 11th December 11:37

Money pit?? Parts cost half of fk all and are easy to source fit at home.

If there is a money pit there, it's most definitely German!

[PompeyM3]

Would it be wrong to think the 205 GTI was the best car that Peugeot ever made ?.

Both good sheds

[Matt_N]

snotrag said:

hellrot_e34 said:

205 gti = flakey french money pit.... M535i = very cool old school rear drive pseudo classic!

Edited by hellrot_e34 on Friday 11th December 11:37

Ha, have you even read the adverts?

The biggest problem with the 'flakey french car' is a bit of peeling lacquer and a radio that needs its wires jiggling'.

While good old reliable German car is an MOT failure, has terminal rust, an autobox that surely is on its final countdown...

My thoughts too!

[SVX]

and here I was thinking SOTW would put a HF turbo in the barrel for this week
The interior on the M bimmer, looks mint... I've played around with a couple of 205's but I reckon the HF turbo was the better drive. Diet Integrale!

[Justayellowbadge]

A good set of leather is pretty much worth the asking price of that 205 alone.

It's a steal, it's a deal, it's the fking sale of the century.

[BenjC]

Frimley111R said:

BenjC said:

If I wasn't booked up all weekend I would be in the car now on the way to buy the 205.

I have little doubt it will be gone by monday :0(.

What a beaut.

Don't, it won't live up to the dream/your memories and you'll find it is just an old, flimsy, noisy hatchback. A few people I know found out that hard way. As much as I'd love to rekindle my love affair with the 205 GTI I know it'd end badly.

As a 2nd car/toy/home mechanic project which is used for a 10 mile b road drive 4 days a week I think it makes perfect sense.

I have no aspirations other than the fact that it'll be a damn site better than 1.1 saxo of the same price.

[bob1179]

I love both of them this week. I'd love to get my hands on a decent 205.

As for the M535i? I already have a nice manual one, in diamond schwartz. I'll never sell it...

[Skylinecrazy]

Quite fancy one of these when my insurance has calmed down a little (late next year perhaps) so hope they haven't all gone to the scrapyard in the sky.

[hellrot_e34]

my brother had a 309 gti back in the mid 90 s, ok not a 205 but the mechanics and build are the same.... all the frigging thing did consistently was go wrong on a regular basis and that was when it was 5 years old... i would imagine now that parts availability is an issue and theyre also a pain in the ass to work on.... as far as hot hatches go why anyone would want one over a mk2 golf 16v i ll never know! as for the e28 and old school bmws in general, built like a tank, uber reliable, bits are readily available and pretty straight forward to fix if issues arise.

[off_again]

If that BMW had a manual I would get the money out of my bank account now....

I so want an old BMW with a big engine..... and for less than a grand - wow....

[kambites]

off_again said:

If that BMW had a manual I would get the money out of my bank account now....

I so want an old BMW with a big engine..... and for less than a grand - wow....

By the sounds of it, there's a very good reason it's less than a grand.

[mattman]

Lumpy running puts me off the 205 - had a 1.6 a few years ago with the same problem and it was a major pain in the backside, despite having "specialists" tinker with it.
still, a damn fine weekend toy for £650 after a bit of haggling?

Beemer sounds nice in principle, but like people have said - instant classic, just add money.... and more money...and a bit more... (repeat x5)