Potential Car - Few Questions?

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

I am possibly going to purchase another 1.9 after continually missing and regretting selling my previous 205. For some reason I spent tonnes of time and money on it then when I got everything ironed out and sorted I went and sold it because i'm a complete idiot.

 

The one i'm looking at it local to me and I know the owner. It has had a lot of owners (14) but I know this is not unusual for these cars. The main points i'm wondering about is a few choice modifications it has received:

 

1)A full magnex stainless exhaust, inc manifold. This good? does it sound s*it? (I haven't driven it yet).

2)Spax coilovers

 

It also has a K+N intake but that can be easily reversed with an original airbox setup.

 

Would it be worth reversing all of this? It is a G registration (phase 1.5 I think) on 114k.

 

Rough estimates on its worth?

 

Cheers!

Edited August 17, 2015 by Bobbafett

[GLPoomobile 958]

I had a full Magnex on my very first GTI many moons ago and it sounded alright. Not too loud, not raspy, just a nice smooth deep tone. The back boxes had a tendency to develop a slight rattle though.

 

Never been a fan of Spax, not quite sure why, just personal opinion. Guess it just depends if they look to be in good condition, work OK, and whether the damping feels good to you (again, down to personal preference).

 

Both easy mods to reverse, and definitely worth it if the car is otherwise original as OE spec examples will probably continue to rise in value for a while yet. Getting the full OE airbox and hosing could be a challenge. Not the rarest of parts, but not exactly ten a penny these days either.

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

Well, I bought her this afternoon. Shell is in amazing condition, could only find a few small areas of rust. Underside is lovely, no rust on the boot at all.

 

Had a few issues on the way home but I think she just needs a good going over.

 

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[Anthony 1,003]

Looks pretty clean and tidy from the photos - enjoy!

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

Always loved them in white. I stopped to get fuel earlier and had a guy come over and start chatting to me about it; I forgot how much that used to happen when out in my old GTi! The suspension feels okactually, was a bit worried about the coilovers but it seems quite nice. The back end seems to come out with scary ease but I think that's just wet roads and bad tyres combined. Never had it with my old PH2 though.

 

The full Magnex exhaust sounds good, but it's loud. For me, very loud. It has a K&N on so that it might quieten down when I change back to original intake. I'll have to see how I fare with it.

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

Great stuff, looks tidy.

 

I think, if you haven't driven one for a while just gradually break yourself in to it. I nearly went backwards on one of my first outings after spending a full winter and spring working on it, and spending on it! It was a real fright and eye opener that i had/have to learn to drive it.

 

Be careful if you're getting the back end out on Day1 is what i'm trying to say! Lol

[ATK 140 1 Cars]

I'd keep the K and N for now - more room for working on the engine!

[Ams 23 1 Cars]

Nice purchase, I would love a white 205. Ironing out issues is where the fun is.

[Anthony 1,003]

The full Magnex exhaust sounds good, but it's loud. For me, very loud. It has a K&N on so that it might quieten down when I change back to original intake. I'll have to see how I fare with it.

The Magnex will be the noisy bit rather than the K&N I'm afraid.

[Hheppy 9 1 Cars]

Nice one, mine had a full Magnex and K&N on when I got it, ditched the Magnex for a standard exhaust, kept the K&N though.

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

It's great at full chat on the dual carriageway, but possibly a bit too much for me around town. It does kind of suit the car though in a weird kind of way; if any car is going to make a bit of a racket and be forgiven for such, it's probably a 205. I'll see how I get on with it.

 

One thing that is clear is that this one significantly faster than my old one. It's wild. Pulls like a f***ing monster compared to my Ph2 w/cat I had before. Was finding it hard to get traction in third tonight, and it's got decent tyres on it.

[welshpug 1,657]

what do you call decent?...

 

also how old are the dampers and was it raining?...

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

Toyo Proxes. Yeah it was a bit wet

 

It's got Spax all round. They're not very old I don't think.

[welshpug 1,657]

lol, proxes are poo, spax not great!

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

Cheers mate, they'll do for now. It's a weekend toy not a cutting edge race machine.

[ATK 140 1 Cars]

I have Toyo Proxes all round on mine and mines a weekend toy....they are utter s*ite in the wet so be careful!

 

Lovely looking car though bud.

[welshpug 1,657]

I'd rather be able to stop

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

My experience of Toyo's on wet/damp roads is very bad....

 

However, with a bit of heat and a very wide road/track they are controlable on the understeer, but, break heavily/bottle a corner fast on the road, and you'll be asking a farmer to tow the remains of your car out his park lol

 

They're cheap for a reason, but half decent in the dry.

 

I put yoko ado8r's bought in last years winter sale (65 a corner) on mine for this year, and they've made a very big difference, almost "transformational" to my confidence....especially going into corners......and i know my diff will help get my front wheels get grip to pull the car round.

 

But you can spend until your hearts content on them (as you know), but if your happy with what you have and know/learn it's limits just enjoy it. ????

 

Mines probably breaks better now too but it's not something ithat's stood out to me".

 

"White 205 GTI's Rule OK!" ????

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

My experience of Toyo's on wet/damp roads is very bad....

 

However, with a bit of heat and a very wide road/track they are controlable on the understeer, but, break heavily/bottle a corner fast on the road, and you'll be asking a farmer to tow the remains of your car out his park lol

 

They're cheap for a reason, but half decent in the dry.

 

I put yoko ado8r's bought in last years winter sale (65 a corner) on mine for this year, and they've made a very big difference, almost "transformational" to my confidence....especially going into corners......and i know my diff will help get my front wheels get grip to pull the car round.

 

But you can spend until your hearts content on them (as you know), but if your happy with what you have and know/learn it's limits just enjoy it. ????

 

Mines probably breaks better now too but it's not something ithat's stood out to me".

 

"White 205 GTI's Rule OK!" ????

[Bobbafett 49 2 Cars]

Ha yeah, I realise their wet performance now I've been for a blast tonight in the dry. Forgotten how much I love these cars, my jaw still hurts from smiling during my spin tonight!

 

So what would be some good tyre recs then? I had Michelin Pilot Sport 3s on my BMW and they were absolutely fantastic so considering sticking a set on the 205? Would like all round decent performance really with winter coming up.