To Convert Or Not To Convert.....

[gangles1987 0]

hi i've been lurking on here for a while and recently managed to register im looking for a bit of advice really I currently have a 205 gti 1.6 had it about a year now everything works as it should a little tatty but not a bad car overall I also managed to buy a 306 gti a few months back with a plan of keeping both and storing the 205 for a while and tidy it up a little neither of the cars are daily cars so being off the road isn't a issue. neither cars have very good histories with them the 306 has nothing......

 

now the question is im tempted to convert the 205 using the 306 but have a feeling standard engine 205 cars will be worth more money than converted ones as prices continue to increase I bought the car to keep for a few years and then sell on

 

so the question is do I keep both standard or use the 306 to donate parts for my 205 iv'e been trying to make my mind up for last few months and still unsure what to do lol any advice would be appreciated

 

thanks connor

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

Personally I'd leave the standard engine in the 205. Spend the money on refreshing the suspension and brakes, which will almost certainly be pretty tired by now. In standard form when in good order they are fun to drive, but not so much when they are typically on 20 year old dampers etc.

[gangles1987 0]

the suspension is pretty good to be honest new arms and shocks recently I was thinking maybe the money would be better off spent on bodywork and other little bits to make it a tidy standard car

[Anthony 1,003]

I think that you're right in that the market for standard examples is only going to get stronger.

 

However, there's no reason why you couldn't do the conversion and put it back to standard in future if you wanted to.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with Tom though - get the car mechanically sorted and up to scratch first and foremost, as they really are good fun even with the comparatively modest power of a standard 1.6 when they're in fine fettle. With 20+ years wear, neglect and penny-pinching they really do suffer, even if in isolation they subjectively don't seem too bad.

[gangles1987 0]

currently is got some coilovers on which im unsure of the brand so was thinking of putting the front end back to standard maybe im not a fan of the coilovers on the front to be honest.....

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

Bilstein B4 replacement front dampers. Either standard or Eibach -30 front springs. New top mount bearings and rubbers. Ensure all the front suspension bushes, balljoints and links are in good condition, check the steering rack for play in the passenger side rack end bush.

At the rear rebuild the beam with new bearings and seals, check the rubber mounts, renew if needed. Fit new rear dampers, 306 Bilstein B4's. Set ride height to suit the front springs.

 

I have done maybe half a dozen cars now to this set up or very close to it. They drive really well afterwards.

[gangles1987 0]

I haven't been a fan of how it drives since I got it to be honest .... cant really put my finger on it its just doesn't seem to turn in how it should and I can only think that its down to the coilovers on the front the rear beam has recently been rebuilt last year I think so cant be that where the issue lies and it definetly feels like the front that's not right :( I will look into some bilsteins and see how much it all works out at

[Anthony 1,003]

Cheap eBay coilovers will almost certainly be worse than standard, and even half-decent ones are likely to be running springs far too stiff relative to the standard rear torsion bars.

 

Tom's suggested setup works very well on road cars.

 

Also worth checking that the front hubs aren't ovalled thanks to some heavy-handed monkey working on them in the past, as that can cause the car to feel dreadful particularly on turn-in. It gives a distinct "snatch" as you turn in and load the suspension up, requiring you to change the amount of steering applied to maintain your intended line.

 

205's seem to be very sensitive to suspension wear and issues, and can sail through MOT's yet be absolutely awful to drive - wishbone bushes and the balljoint pin holes in the hubs in particular.

[gangles1987 0]

think I will get the front end up and check it all over in next few weeks and go from there then and see how it looks

[allye 530 3 Cars]

I'll be the devil on the shoulder then! Whats your goal or reason for having the car? I don't think many people own these to wait gor the value to go up? I loved both of my GTI6 205's, frantic, absolute occasion every time you drive it, punches well above its weight. Like Anthony says though you can always convert back to standard quite easily, with the car being non original any way it it wont affect value.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Nothing wrong with converting, the only ones I would say no too are the Ltd ed models and the first and last models in the range which demand a premium price anyway.

[MKrisz92 2]

Tom, why use 306 shocks at the rear? Whats wrong with the 205 ones? I was about to buy a set of normal 205 shocks, but I'll wait for your answer first

[welshpug 1,666]

they are the same parts.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

The ratings of the 306 dampers are better or used to be, now allot of manufatures have merged the part as the design is the same

[MKrisz92 2]

Sooo if I buy a set of Bilstein B4 shocks, there are no differences between the 205 gti and 306 rears? I'd would buy them off ebay, cant really see anything different about them :/

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Again watch out on EBay as there are allot of the early B4's around which are around 30 to 40% down rated over a std GTi damper, Best to stick with the 306 option

[sp_en_ny 17 1 Cars]

Hi Gangles,

 

I too am in the same position as you, I love driving my 1.9 cti and would love to do the conversion, but as mine seems to be completely original and clean looking everyone who see's it suggests keeping as standard and it does make you think twice.

 

Some good advice I received is do what you want to do that you will enjoy and keep enjoying the car, if you do the conversion keep hold of everything and if the day comes to sell include the original parts so it can be converted back to standard.

 

That's what I will do anyway.....

[Batfink 201]

Sooo if I buy a set of Bilstein B4 shocks, there are no differences between the 205 gti and 306 rears? I'd would buy them off ebay, cant really see anything different about them :/

 

I sell the Xsara ones just to be sure. Not had any complaints from customers

 

306/Xsara - B4 dampers

[sp_en_ny 17 1 Cars]

Batfink,

 

What is the difference between the bilstein B6 and B4 apart from a huge difference in price ? Are the B6 much better and worth the extra investment ?

[gangles1987 0]

ordered a few bits today bronze gear linkage bushes (seem fairly straightforward to fit) rear beam mounts wheel caps and few other cosmetic bits will get a build thread started at some point in next few weeks

[Alan_M 66 1 Cars]

Batfink,

 

What is the difference between the bilstein B6 and B4 apart from a huge difference in price ? Are the B6 much better and worth the extra investment ?

 

The B4s are a direct replacement for the standard GTi stuff (albeit with a slight 5-10% increase in damping AFAIK), the B6's are a shorter stroke damper with further increased damping. The B6s used to be known as the Bilstein Sprintline kit.

 

As for your last question, it depends on what you want from the car.

[Batfink 201]

If you buy Peugeot 205 B4 dampers they should be OE spec, so basically the same as standard.

The 306/Xsara dampers are a mild upgrade as they are designed for a heavier car but still ride very well over all road surfaces.

B6 dampers are 30% uprated vs the B4 dampers so much firmer though still designed for road use, its going to be a firmer/more sporty ride.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Batfink