Hairy Moment

[Richie 32]

Had a moment in the 205 earlier today, lost the back end and span 180 on a roundabout. Then the car wouldn't start whilst i was facing the wrong direction.

 

I was going a safe speed for the island but the tyres on the back need changing. I was aware they were running a bit low but didn't that they would let go on me quite like that. I guess it was more damp than i thought. Despite it being a busy roundabout, people saw me and nobody got hurt thankfully. I've never once span any car or been involved in any kind of incident on the road, certainly scared me for a moment, although it was a very gradual spin.

 

Be careful out there folks!

[allye 530 3 Cars]

My 205d like to put it's arse out quite often without any warnig!! It's my 4th 205 and the only one to have done it! Each car has it's own personality I choose to believe. All my tyres are fine as well, it will do it more on an empty tank!!!

 

Ali

[welshpug 1,657]

I had that with my 205 on a few occasions when its rear tyres had decided to go rock hard (Firestones that had been on the car a few years...) never span it though, just managed to hold it broadside to the amusement of a police officer waiting at the lights

[SurGie 54]

Thus this is the main reason why im trying to get as much of the 50/50 weight distribution i can get, the back end of the 205 is too light for my liking tbh. This happened to me badly in 2005, i was lucky no other car was involved and was only going 30mph as well. Im going to use that second skin stuff to help gain more weight on the back as well as a few other things like having the battery etc.

[mickie 3]

ive hardly driven my 205 much really, its been off the road for so long.. but ive span mine out quite badly 2 times, one was because the front suspension arm bush was gone and the second time the beam bush was gone, now the 205 just understeers, which i find annoying and boring.. as my 323gtr 4 wheel slides, a lot more well balanced.. it annoys me that ive spent all this time on the 205 for it to not handle as well as the mazda323gtr..

Edited October 3, 2010 by mickie

[JRL 14 1 Cars]

mazda 323 are underated but its a 205 enthusiasts forum and nothing is better than a 205. I know how you feel though I have spent alot on my 205gtis suspension etc and my smart roadster just sticks to the rd whatever the conditions.

[Baz 421]

Tyre pressures can really make the difference too, so keep an eye on them! Going a few psi lower can help with grip in wet conditions.

[swordfish210 20]

Tyre pressures can really make the difference too, so keep an eye on them! Going a few psi lower can help with grip in wet conditions.

 

Really? I've allways found the opposite that higher pressures improve wet grip as the tyre heats up quicker.

[Veero 1]

Span my 205 years ago in Exeter, was only doing about 20 at the time. There was a mini roundabout with a nice little kink, so went over it and turned in quick not seeing all the mud on the road from tractor tracks, back end stepped out, so of course over corrected, it snapped back and went round the other way. Ended up going sideways down the wrong side of the road, luckily totally clear. Wheels gripped and headed back towards the kurb. Stopped with the tyre literally just touching the kurb.

 

Phew! Quick look either way, road's clear, compose, ignition, reverse and away! Bloody lucky. I couldn't believe how fast and far it went from doing so little speed.

 

That was on and old tired beam with FengShonk tyres. Shortly after went over to Eagle F1s and a refurbed beam, never had any issues like it since.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

Sounds like the beam on the old diesel is fedged! I refuse to spend any money on it though. I found some wood holding two of the fuel pipes apart the other day!!! It works so I left it.

 

Never actually span a car though, only in a field with the use of the hand brake!!

[omega 82]

"Im going to use that second skin stuff "

 

what is second skin?

[Baz 421]

Really? I've allways found the opposite that higher pressures improve wet grip as the tyre heats up quicker.

 

We are talking about on the road here though remember! Lesser pressure allows the tyre to move around a little, less chance of losing grip.

Edited October 3, 2010 by Baz

[screwloose 6]

Really? I've allways found the opposite that higher pressures improve wet grip as the tyre heats up quicker.

Eh? Lower tyre pressures result in the tyre heating up quikcer not higher pressures.

[Stevo309 0]

As the 205 is so light I think it is affected a lot by tyre pressures, especially at the rear. With my 306 and 309 it was less of an issue but I have noticed the 205 feeling very loose and willing to oversteer at higher tyre pressures. In fact when I got the car the previous owner was running 40 psi for some reason and it was frankly dangerous.

 

It feels much more planted at the rear at around 28psi although how you drive it helps too, avoiding the need to lift off mid corner or steer under heavy braking.

[S33GAV 0]

I've had the same thing happen at low speed going over a roundabout - had crappy tyres on the rear (hadn't got round to changing them). Lesson learnt - don't have cheapo s*it tyres on the 205!

[SurGie 54]

"Im going to use that second skin stuff "

 

what is second skin?

 

This STUFF.

[swordfish210 20]

Eh? Lower tyre pressures result in the tyre heating up quikcer not higher pressures.

 

No they don't. The lower pressure means the tyre contact patch will flex less as all the movment is done in the sidewall of the tyre. If you increase the pressure of the tyre the sidewall of the tyre will flex less meaning that under cornering any movment in the tyre is transfered to the contact patch. More movment in the contact patch increases the heat made by friction, thus heating the tyre quicker.

[mickie 3]

time to check tyres pressures then, i'll lower the damping on the front and up the rear.. not sure of what tyres are best.

[swordfish210 20]

time to check tyres pressures then, i'll lower the damping on the front and up the rear.. not sure of what tyres are best.

 

Michelin PE2's

[mickie 3]

getting more weight into the back end ? is this really going to help much ? its that bloody rear beam thats the problem..

 

has anyone ever corner weighted a 205 ? i'll bet 50p you cant get the back wheels 50/50..

 

wouldnt a good coilover conversion fix its lift off oversteer ? if you didnt like it oversteering.

[welshpug 1,657]

It'll go a long way to reducing it yes, the amount of control the damper can have when its working at 1-1 wheel rate is easier to obtain at a lower price than if you try and gain the same level of control with the standard damper position.

[peter 20]

Lift off oversteer is fantastic, the 205s that dont do it are usualy the ones with a heavier front end like the diesels and cast iron blocks.

 

But then again loo is for pro's

[stutto 0]

I spun my first car, a mini 850, on the first wet day after a dry spell. I was going round a long right hander with a bit of camber and ended up in the other lane, facing the right way for that lane. The transit driver waiting to join the road was amused. Luckily there was no other traffic.

[Rippthrough 98]

No they don't. The lower pressure means the tyre contact patch will flex less as all the movment is done in the sidewall of the tyre. If you increase the pressure of the tyre the sidewall of the tyre will flex less meaning that under cornering any movment in the tyre is transfered to the contact patch. More movment in the contact patch increases the heat made by friction, thus heating the tyre quicker.

 

If you're loading it the same then the tyre patch will load almost to the same level, whilst there's also more movement in the sidewalls, especially when rolling...

Can't say I've seen many tyres that heat up faster with a higher tyre pressure tbh, only on karts with no suspension and wide racing slicks.

Edited October 8, 2010 by Rippthrough

[screwloose 6]

If you're loading it the same then the tyre patch will load almost to the same level, whilst there's also more movement in the sidewalls, especially when rolling...

Can't say I've seen many tyres that heat up faster with a higher tyre pressure tbh, only on karts with no suspension and wide racing slicks.

Exactly..!

I've only got experience with historic racing but I know when it rains they all run lower tyre pressures in an effort to get heat in them.

Lower tyre pressure = tyre heating up more quickly. You never hear of a team putting more pressure in to get the tyre temp hotter more quickly.