Peugeot 205 XR
Discussion
So I decided I needed a project car as a lockdown hobby, teach myself to spanner. I was looking for a car that wasn't rusty, cheap to insure (180 quid a year! The 75 is 600 quid...) and for parts, and most importantly not too far away! So I picked up this.
More photos to follow...
Externally a little tatty - could do with a bonnet respray, a few scrapes/dents attended too, and a good polish. Interior js immaculate ... though very basic. Keep fit windows, no central locking, no tachometer! Manual choke! I don't even know how a manual choke works...
Its on 137k miles, though the seller thinks the engine/box was changed at some point as there is some paperwork for a lower mileage car mixed in. It went off the road in 2010, was tinkered with a bit by previous owner in 2013 then put off road again, then tinkered with to get through an mot in 2020. I have ordered aux belt cam belt water pump oil filter air filter spark plugs front discs and pads 5l oil...for the grand total of £108. Damn parts are cheap. I'm a very amateur mechanic with little skills so fitting the parts will be a test but part of the fun. Intend to change coolant and brake fluid as well.
We think it is the 75hp 1.4l engine. Makes quite the noise for a 4 cyl and can spin the tyres and move quite quickly probably due to weighing only 790kg
More to follow...
More photos to follow...
Externally a little tatty - could do with a bonnet respray, a few scrapes/dents attended too, and a good polish. Interior js immaculate ... though very basic. Keep fit windows, no central locking, no tachometer! Manual choke! I don't even know how a manual choke works...
Its on 137k miles, though the seller thinks the engine/box was changed at some point as there is some paperwork for a lower mileage car mixed in. It went off the road in 2010, was tinkered with a bit by previous owner in 2013 then put off road again, then tinkered with to get through an mot in 2020. I have ordered aux belt cam belt water pump oil filter air filter spark plugs front discs and pads 5l oil...for the grand total of £108. Damn parts are cheap. I'm a very amateur mechanic with little skills so fitting the parts will be a test but part of the fun. Intend to change coolant and brake fluid as well.
We think it is the 75hp 1.4l engine. Makes quite the noise for a 4 cyl and can spin the tyres and move quite quickly probably due to weighing only 790kg
More to follow...
It looks like a good car. 3 door and a tidy shell and you can't really go wrong with these.
There are loads of interchangeable parts from other higher spec 205 and other Peugeot's. If it the 1.4 TU engine in your's, the Citroen Saxo VTS engine fits straight in, but it sound like yours is a carb model so its going to need a but of wiring, but should be plenty of info on the net. Or you can swap in a twin choked carb from a Citroen AX GT, if you can find one.
Another worth while up grade in fitting a GTi front subframe, this massively improves the handling.
I have a 205 XRAD van with a Peugeot 406 TD engine and gearbox fitted, GTi front subframe, 306 shocks, 207 brakes, 205 Rallye seats and wheels and a 205 D-turbo dash and a 205 auto bonnet. Its also running a charge cooler as well. A lot of Peugeot's and Citroen's around this time shared similar running gear. Enjoy
There are loads of interchangeable parts from other higher spec 205 and other Peugeot's. If it the 1.4 TU engine in your's, the Citroen Saxo VTS engine fits straight in, but it sound like yours is a carb model so its going to need a but of wiring, but should be plenty of info on the net. Or you can swap in a twin choked carb from a Citroen AX GT, if you can find one.
Another worth while up grade in fitting a GTi front subframe, this massively improves the handling.
I have a 205 XRAD van with a Peugeot 406 TD engine and gearbox fitted, GTi front subframe, 306 shocks, 207 brakes, 205 Rallye seats and wheels and a 205 D-turbo dash and a 205 auto bonnet. Its also running a charge cooler as well. A lot of Peugeot's and Citroen's around this time shared similar running gear. Enjoy
didnt noticed when they were dirty....Ordered a couple of replacement drive shafts ... the cv boots need replaced and given the driveshafts are so cheap (75 quid delivered for two!) figured i might as well just replace them.
Can't decide what wheels to get, seems new wheels are massively expensive but used wheels tend to be pretty tatty and not very cheap...
Can't decide what wheels to get, seems new wheels are massively expensive but used wheels tend to be pretty tatty and not very cheap...
Great choice for learning to spanner on, you'll have plenty of opportunity 
I first learnt to work on my own car (without my father's help) on a 205 XS (the slightly sportier version of yours). Armed with some basic tools and a Haynes manual I got to know the car inside out. First usual service items like you're doing and eventually a clutch and then an engine change. All good fun!
As someone else said there's loads of bolt on upgrades you can do using bits from other Peugeots / Citroens. For example, my current 205 has an engine from a Citroen ZX, rear axle from a 309 and front brakes from a 306!
I would consider the GTi pepperpot wheels for your car - always thought they looked good on non-GTi models (which is why I used them on my XS).
I first learnt to work on my own car (without my father's help) on a 205 XS (the slightly sportier version of yours). Armed with some basic tools and a Haynes manual I got to know the car inside out. First usual service items like you're doing and eventually a clutch and then an engine change. All good fun!
As someone else said there's loads of bolt on upgrades you can do using bits from other Peugeots / Citroens. For example, my current 205 has an engine from a Citroen ZX, rear axle from a 309 and front brakes from a 306!
I would consider the GTi pepperpot wheels for your car - always thought they looked good on non-GTi models (which is why I used them on my XS).
Great starting point for spannering. Had a 1.1 GL 5 door as my first car then a 1.6 GTi after that.
As for wheels, if it was mine, I'd be tempted with some 14" / 15" black steel wheels from a newer Peugeot / Citroen either as they are or with some slightly more modern wheel trims rather than alloys.
As for wheels, if it was mine, I'd be tempted with some 14" / 15" black steel wheels from a newer Peugeot / Citroen either as they are or with some slightly more modern wheel trims rather than alloys.
PrinceRupert said:
I realised that the spare wheel appears to be a matching steel so maybe the rat rod look with old steelies is fine for now, if that wheel is in okay nick.
Suggestions for things worth changing are welcome
How bad an idea are sub £200 JOM Blueline coilovers ...
i have them on my mk2 (previous owner fitted them)Suggestions for things worth changing are welcome
How bad an idea are sub £200 JOM Blueline coilovers ...
they are dogs
t get some decent shocks and lowering springs. Eibach / Bilstein combo is always good
PrinceRupert said:
I realised that the spare wheel appears to be a matching steel so maybe the rat rod look with old steelies is fine for now, if that wheel is in okay nick.
Suggestions for things worth changing are welcome
How bad an idea are sub £200 JOM Blueline coilovers ...
Clean, painted, black steel wheels look fine. Suggestions for things worth changing are welcome
How bad an idea are sub £200 JOM Blueline coilovers ...
So, on Saturday I got a second set of keys cut at Timpsons as I only had one set. It appears that the replacement key has broken the boot lock, which will no longer turn. I've taken it out the car and it is sitting on my dining room table, but still won't turn, using either set of keys. The new key works on the ignition and the doors. How very annoying. Anyone know of a way of fixing a lock...?
The other odd thing is I seem to have a central locking mechanism in my boot - one of these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t... - with a cable connected to the lock. Yet it doesn't have central locking. Perhaps it does but someone has lost the keys...?
Rear footwell carpets were damp this evening. Which is odd, as it is parked in my carport. Must still be damp from washing the car. It was definitely leaking through the sunroof, but the footwells are damp on the opposite side. So maybe it is leaking from somewhere else as well. Boot seems dry, so don't think it is coming in that way.
The other odd thing is I seem to have a central locking mechanism in my boot - one of these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_t... - with a cable connected to the lock. Yet it doesn't have central locking. Perhaps it does but someone has lost the keys...?
Rear footwell carpets were damp this evening. Which is odd, as it is parked in my carport. Must still be damp from washing the car. It was definitely leaking through the sunroof, but the footwells are damp on the opposite side. So maybe it is leaking from somewhere else as well. Boot seems dry, so don't think it is coming in that way.
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