1993 Peugeot 205 GRDT 1.8 turbo diesel

Summary:

Fast (ish), fun and cheap as cheese

Faults:

Both drive-shafts (in both cases due to CV boots splitting and shedding grease)

Starter problem (occasionally wouldn't start when hot) - ultimately turned out to be inherent wiring design problem, sorted with aftermarket relay.

Central locking periodically goes loopy - requires micro-switch contacts cleaning.

Some bars of heated rear screen have stopped functioning.

Speedometer over-reads (indicated 75mph=actual 70mph)

Rear speakers sound distorted.

General Comments:

The car is reasonably quick (0-60 in 9.5 with 1 person and ~empty fuel tank (measured) ), yet typically gives ~53MPG on combined country/A-road/motorway run.

Gives a range of about 500miles.

Handling is pretty good, although ultimate grip could be better, and non-power assisted steering is a bit slow.

Interior is comparatively low quality, thus is somewhat rattly, although hard plastics wear well.

Overall, it's the best car I've owned - (moderately) quick, pretty reliable, good fun and (almost) completely DIY-able repairs. Plus, no-one is likely to pinch it :-)

Oh, and pretty good headlights - better than many a more modern steer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th March, 2003

10th Jan 2004, 03:47

I have the same starting problem. Can you tel me which starter relay you changed?

Raytriplej@yahoo.com.

1993 Peugeot 205 Diesel Turbo 1.8 turbo diesel

Summary:

Economical, fun to drive and surprising quick, but poor reliability limits enjoyment at times

Faults:

What hasn't gone wrong? In chronological order:

When I bought it:-

The interior ventilation directional control jammed on window de-mist.

Rev counter did not function.

Since I've owned it:

Interior fan stopped working.

Off-side drive shaft snapped at 90,000 miles.

Intermittent starting problem (found to be due too bad starter motor connection).

Engine won't switch off (faulty fuel cut-off solenoid).

Various rubber hoses have perished/split (oil, water, fuel).

Drivers seat came loose from mounting as a result of rusty floor.

Central locking became erratic then stopped working altogether.

Passenger door locking mechanism jammed. Door cannot be opened.

Various oil leaks.

Nearside drive shaft making excessive noise now.

General Comments:

Despite being relatively cheap to buy (K reg/£900) its reliability and build quality has been quite disapointing.

However, the car is deceptively quick and has probably encouraged "enthusiastic" driving by many of its previous owners as it has with me.

It provides highly addictive in-gear acceleration, thanks to the turbo, which allows for safe overtaking and relaxed motorway driving. The ample torque eliminatates the need for high revs, and you don't need to exceed 4,000rpm to make very swift progress.

When entering a derestricted zone it easily leaves the XR2/XR3/Nova SR, that has been sat right on your arse, for dead (or possibly trying to navigate the plume of black smoke that you've emitted), without the need to down-change.

The GTI style seats are very supportive (when they are fixed to the floor - see above), and the power steering is perfectly weighted and very direct when on the move.

Very good m.p.g. can be achieved on long drives (up to 55+), though it is still very reasonable when driven hard, and probably never drops much below 40-45mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th February, 2003

14th Feb 2003, 09:31

I have a similar car as yours, complete with the similar faults. It truly is a fantastic engine wrapped with a crappy bodywork, although the design looks quite good. You just have live with all the downsides to enjoy the few good things, with TORQUE as the number one item. I will own as long as it lasts.

1993 Peugeot 205 grd Mi 16 super chipped and tuned

Summary:

Get it, you won't look back and for about £500 what have you got to lose??

Faults:

One oil leak.

Believe it or not nothing has gone wrong with it.

General Comments:

When I first had the GRD diesel engine I was extremely please with its all around performance its handling was great and the body work was in great condition.

It would start first time in and kind of weather first time every time.

This car never once let me down I couldn't have asked for a better car for only five hundred pound.

If you want a cheap car that will never let you down and that's cheap to run then get a grd.

I'm only 22 so I changed the diesel engine and I fitted a Mi 16 super chipped engine to it so its now faster than most cars around. I spent about five thousand pound on the engine and the upgrade, but worth every penny. this car will easily take on any other Mi 16 peugeot and come off the best each and everytime lol.

I have a one off body kit fitted and I have spent 3k on amps and subs for the car. I also added flip paint to it. I don't have any door handles they have been taken out and I've had them smoothed into the body work. I open the doors by remote control.

I have also added security film to the car so no one car break into it.

Going back to how it used to be it was a great car.

If you want a good car for very cheap money then this is the car for you without a doubt.

I paid five hundred pound for my car when it was standard, but since I have changed the engine and added a one off body kit the car is now worth just over £8,500.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2003

9th Jan 2003, 11:47

Interesting car, how can you afford to insure it?!

13th Jan 2003, 07:50

Fair question indeed... a 22yr old with one of these? I am 36 & I have a somewhat "modified" (275bhp at the wheels) 205 with th Mi16 engine (super chipping by the way... yields very little!) I use it as a track car & occaisonal weekend car & still the insurance made me think twice!

And I hate to disappoint him... it may have cost him a lot to modify, but it is not worth £8.5k. This he will discover one day if someone wants it enough and he has to claim on his (ahem) "insurance".

17th Mar 2003, 05:35

I can afford the insurance because I work for my dads haulage business.

All together including the cream leather interior which cost 2k the flip pain which costs 4k not to mention 3k of ice and 5k on the engine, I had mainly help to build this by my parents.

And my parents pay half of my insurance.

The car is worth around the 8 grand mark.

Thanks for your comments :)