1993 Peugeot 205 Diesel Turbo from UK and Ireland - Comments

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.

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.

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.

We have an L reg one of these which has now covered 128K with very few problems at all. Had the fuel cut off solenoid replaced and thanks to this web site now know that the intermittent starting problem is down to bad starter motor connections. Saving me a new starter motor!

My M reg Mardi Gras TD would recognise few of the problems and all of the fun. It really is a bit of a Q car when not dressed up like the STDT. Torque is just fabby.

Mine has 118k miles, and while the interior doesn't wear all that well, nothing major has happened mechanically except for the radiator needing replacement (£200) and the brakes needing attention at every service.

The passenger door interior release seems to be a weak point, but some passengers can manage it - all in the timing. On my previous 205 GLD I had a good play with this and found that holding down the rod which seems to link the lock button and the interior handle helps - so I fitted a bungee cord to keep it down and the problem was much improved. Sold that car at 240k (rear suspension went) so I'm expecting plenty more service from the Mardi Gras...

I just bought a D turbo, and I do agree. It is very quick. Although now at 125K the rad went bye bye, its holding at the moment with some rad fill stuff. plus I am getting a strange knocking sound from inside whenever pulling away. I have found out that one of the drop pin?? (connects the anti roll to the strut) is double the thickness of the other. But still otherwise I love that car.

I also have the non-turbo version of this car. It is a great little car except the intermittent starting problem. I will check the starter wiring, but if anyone could email me about how to sort is I would appreciate it.

Raytriplej@yahoo.com.

They really are great little cars. The TD engine is the best bit. Mine suffers from a few rattles, but the get up and go is there and inspite of putting one's foot down they are still very economical, easily 55mpg. cheap motoring.

A very good car. i have done 87000 miles. only problem is adjuster bearing. although cheap, but had to replace 4 times.

A very good car. i have done 87000 miles. only problem is adjuster bearing. although cheap, but had to replace 4 times.

n. r. rathore

I have a K reg 205 TD and it has been very poorly looked after. I have had to replace a lot of things on it however that's why the M.O.T's are there to keep the car road worthy, the people who owned it before me had never heard of grease.

Well as I said it's a 1993 and has only clicked on to 110K which is not a bad thing as there should be another 90K left in it when I have fixed it.

Problem are as listed below.

Broken coil spring, corroded to high heaven starter coil due to its silly location on this vehicle, both track rod ends replaced most all its rubber boots are a bit on the flimsy side. Sun roof rubber seal washers (got some from plumbing at B&Q) Watch the area behind the headlights and jack and window washer bottle reservoir as they tend to be neglected and in need of a clean. I had a 205GLD before this one and I am so please that there is a bit of speed and luxury in this vehicle. If you find one that's done 80 to 100K and is in good nick restore it these cars are going to become collectors/enthusiast pieces soon.

Thanks for reading this and love your PUG.

I have a 1991 J Reg 205 D-Turbo nearing 170K. This car has been in our family since new, so I know everything that has ever gone wrong with it. Not in the right order, as I cannot remember 15yrs back, but you can get the general idea.

• New radiator (fitted new Gti alloy one, cheaper and works fine £48)

• New alternator (£60 recon)

• New brake master cylinder (£22 new)

• New vacuum hose

• New boost pressure hose

• 3x solenoid stop valve (£20 new)

• 2x starter motors (£20 scrap yard)

• Nearside front wishbone (£60)

• Drop links both sides about 3 times (£16 each time)

• fuel injection pump (£60 Scrap yard)

• New brake pipes/hoses all round

• New washer pump (£3 new)

• Front washer jets (£4 new)

• New driveshafts (£80 each)

• Head replacement due to fools at garage fitting wrong cam belt at 80K (garage forced to pay up)

Other than routine maintenance thats all thats ever been replaced. 15yrs and its still got its original clutch and exhaust system. I known Fords exhausts to only last 2yrs and they just rust apart. The car has also managed to survive from three lorry crashes, two being major. The car had to be re-jigged back into shape on two occasions. Just shows the 205 really is a strong little fast car, and for 15yrs old it really hasnt had that much spent on it at all.

I just bought a 205 Turbo Diesel and having only done 30 miles in it I am surprised at the power it has for a diesel. One question: the cam belt was last changed at around 20-odd thousand miles. There's now almost 65k on the clock. Do I need to get it changed? I've had varying opinions about when to change, ranging from every 36k to 72k miles!

When do I need to change the cambelt on this thing?

I have had my Peugeot 205 XLD Diesel for about 5 years now, and I do like the fact that it has an 1800cc engine in a tiny little car.

A word of advice: If you ever have problems with the engine cutting out, it's most likely to be a leak in the fuel system.

Mine had literally a pin hole in it, but you could see air being sucked in to the fuel through the see through fuel pipe.

It is often particularly noticeable when I go uphill!!

And yes the drive shafts!!

If you get a strange noise coming from under the bonnet (a bit like a worn out alternator), the likely cause is a worn drive shaft.

I have had to replace both of mine (twice).

One other fault is the glow plug relay.

You will notice this if your glow plug light does not come on, or only stays on for a few seconds.

All in all, a great little car though, especially with all that hidden power lurking under the bonnet.

I have a 1996 Mardi Gras. It has always leaked oil even when stationary. I have taken the sump off and the problem is that where the copper washer on the drain bung forces the sump pan into some grooves in the captive nut.

There is a captive nut inside the sump and to allow the oil to drain out there are some grooves machined into it. The copped washer over time distorts the steel of the sump and causes this permanent leak. I have now straightened this out and sanded the face smooth once again.

I have a 1993 1.8 Diesel non turbo. Had a L200 animal before this badboy. I'm now getting 55-60 mpg instead of 25. Also the windows go up and down on the 205 unlike the 2005 animal.

I've had the 205 for 14 months and have had absolutely no mechanical problems with it at all. No oil leaks, none of the above mentioned problems. Starts first time, runs like a dream. Even the power steering is sweet.

Currently 149K on clock and just passed MOT with zero advisories.

The only down side is I have lacquer peel on the boot lid.