1989 Peugeot 205 XLD from UK and Ireland - Comments

Not much... CD player got nicked and £100 of CD's.

119,000 miles and still rocking like your Dad's worst nightmare! Might not be a WRX but it is really a wolf in sheep's clothing. I've had ABOUT 115mph on the M69 (speedo only says 110 but it went past the end!) and I even left a 205GTi 1.6 staring at my exhaust!

Fans of the 205 please contact me on paul@pipemedia.net

This bloke has seen the light, the XLD is a performance car which is cheap to run. OK, I haven't managed 115mph in mine but overtaking isn't a worry with it, and you can leave anyone standing at the lights.

I posted the original - unfortunately the car is dead - blown headgasket - but it'll never be forgotten. My Astra is faster but it lacks the sparkle of the 205. Also, reading a book on cars made me mad - the manufacturer's figures for the 1.8XLD are as follows: 0-60 - 18.9sec, top speed - 89mph. My figures were 0-60 in 10.5sec and top speed went past 110mph on the clock.

I have a 1986 205 XLD, which is pretty original, but many parts were replaced from non-new sources.

I agree on the acceleration, but can't get mine to go as fast. I think that 106 is maxed out and as there is no rev counter I don't know when it's against the limiter.

I fitted GTi alloys which make the ride really nice, and make sure you have a rear anti-roll bar for better handling. It goes down the centre of the rear suspension bar.

New injectors at 120k miles made a fab difference to performance and a cylinder head makeover at 150k miles has produced a sassy if, now a very tatty old car.

The clutch is about to go at 160k miles and it's been good for 80k miles.

Like to get a sporty XS or 1.9 DT or GTi next.

I posted the review.

After being without a Peugeot for 10 months, we decided to buy a nice 1.8i Pug 405 which really is a big 205 with comfort. Actually handles better than the 205 which I did not expect.

Look out for my webpage ad coming soon... well if they allow it anyway :)

Learnt to drive in my 205 XLD, is only my first car but I love it to bits!!! Will have to give the 119MPH thing a go!!! Mine only has 55,000 miles on it so I'm hoping it will last me for quite a while yet!!

I have had my Pug 205 XLD (1990) for over 4 years now. I have done about 90,000 miles in it total now is an amazing 190,000 miles and it keeps on going. I don't seem to get over a 100 mph anymore but a solid 95mph and good acceleration still puts a smile on my face. I am thinking of changing it for a newer car, but I just cannot find one to match the Peugeot 205 XLD!!

(original poster)

Get something newer??? The only newer car you should be looking at is a newer 205! My 405 is ill at the moment tho... gearbox blew bits of the diff all over the place... been away from us for 2 weeks. Thing is that it shares gearboxes with the 1.9GTi...

Very upset!

I agree with the acceleration thingy although to see a gti off at lights, the gti must have been in reverse!

My 87 205 XLD died at 240,000 (h/gasket) and is the donor for a similar age GRD (I got a gti to see me through for the minute tho :O)

(Original reviewer)

GTi's are faster - Nottingham proved that to me this weekend!

I'm considering getting either a GTi or CTi (convertible) so see me through the summer and so as not to put so many miles on the 405... btw - email address is not as listed on review - it's now paulisaac10@hotmail.com.

I have a '89 GRD 1.7, I love it to bits... acceleration is brilliant for a diesel, top speed isn't very fast - only about 90mph at very most on a long straight road.

Hoping to get a later TurboDiesel (1.9l) and modify it a bit, higher boost, intercooler. Modify the injectors. Ported head. It may sound silly on a diesel (all you GTi heads) but you can't get more torque from a petrol. I want to make a fast diesel 205.. are you with me!!!

I've just paid £400 for a D-Reg XLD which has done 72 000 miles. I'm impressed with this " little" car and get about 75-80 m.p.g average. I've got a technical question:

When I accelerate past a certain point I get a sound that is similar to a worn wheel bearing or a worn c. v joint.

When I decelerate it goes away. It sound as if something is unbalanced. Is there someone out there who knows more than I do who could possibly help please.

I've got a feeling that it is a worn engine mounting.

What do you reckon?

Thanks.

Rian.

Off course I did the calculations wrong. I get about 50 mpg and not 75! Maybe if I push it some of the way...

My XLD has now done 246,000 miles and is still going strong. The only thing that's wrong with it is a small oil leek. It can still hit a ton, but only just. I think the 0-60 is about 12 or 13 seconds. Does every XLD have freakishly high suspension at the front? Mind you, they're great for rallying round you're mate's field! The fuel consumption's still good. That and the comfy seats make it the best road trip car ever!

November 2004. Just bought a 205 GRD, H reg with 63,000 miles on the speedo. I agree with the acceleration comments above, but was a bit worried about it doing 50mph in 2nd gear! I adjusted the throttle stop (under a black plastic "anti-tamper" sleeve") and it now only does 40mph in 2nd gear! That adjustment limits the revs so when the MOT station does the smoke test (rev the f*** out of the engine) it will be less likely to damage the engine. Mine's already fitted with alloys.

I bought it to replace a Cavalier 2.0i automatic which needed too much spending on it for the MOT.

Great little car.