In a quandry - time to let H853 DBD go after 12 years?

[ATK 158 2 Cars]

In a bit of an indecisive pickle!

My ultimate spec 205 GTI has always been a phase 1.5, 1.9 in cherry red non sunroof.

 

i always should have bought a red or miami blue from the outset

A very nice one of these has just come on the market for around £15k with lots of remedial work done qnd from my conversations with the seller it’s a totally sorted example which needs nothing doing.

My own 205 (steel grey) is getting a bit leggy - H853 DBD and some of you will have seen my forum thread documenting everything done to it over the last 12 years. Currently on 191k miles. I don’t really want to stick any more cash into it as it will never be a show queen - it looks good but has various car park dings and is a couple of shades of grey, and its obviously high mileage.
had it since January 2014, and its been garaged since 2015

good bits:

 

loads of replacement parts over the years - see my build thread
drives perfectly - everything works
starts on the button cold or hot
interior is excellent apart from drivers seat swab a little worn
new bumper mounts, welding under tank and full inner and outer sills around 2015
cambelt water pump and new radiator last year
no rot other than inner wings going crusty (see below bad bits) 
fully lanoguarded underneath

 

work list in my ownership:

 

31/01/2014 – Front Indicators – Ebay
31/01/2014 – Headlights – Ebay
31/01/2014 – Brake & Clutch Pedal Rubbers – Ebay
31/01/2014 – Boot Inner Trim – Ebay
31/01/2014 – Full Set of Car Mats & Boot Mat – Ebay
01/02/2014 – Driving / Fog Lamps – Ebay
02/02/2014 – Rear Window Seals x 2 – Ebay
03/02/2014 – Dash Switches & Trim Surround – Ebay
04/02/2014 – Refurbished Alloy Wheels x 4 – Chris Edmunds
04/02/2014 – Fog Lamp Surrounds – Chris Edmunds
05/02/2014 – Two Toyo proxy TR1 Tyres (Front) – Hollybush Tyres
06/02/2014 – LCD Clock – Ebay
07/02/2014 – Parcel Shelf Clips – Ebay
07/02/2014 – Boot Trim Clips – Ebay
07/02/2014 – 205 Rear Boot Badge – Ebay
07/02/2014 – Rear Wiper Arm – Ebay
09/02/2014 – Stone Chip Paint - Paint Code M0TA – Ebay
09/02/2014 – Front Mudflaps – Ebay
09/02/2014 – Rear Washer Jet – Ebay
10/02/2014 – 2 Day Full Bodywork Detailing, Machine polish, Bonnet wetsanded etc, Fitting new lights – Ti22
10/02/2014 – Rear Quarter Window o/side & Fixing nuts – Ebay
10/02/2014 – Door Hinge Pins – Ebay
13/02/2014 – Window Fixing Nuts – Ebay
14/02/2014 – Front Lamp Brackets – Forum Member
16/02/2014 – Numberplates, Tax Disc Holder, Rear Screen Decal – DMB Graphics
16/02/2014 – Peugeot Rear Boot Badge – Ebay
20/02/2014 – Rear Quarter GTI Badge o/side – Chris Edmunds
20/02/2014 – FULL SERVICE - Oil & Plugs, HT Leads, Door Pins, Lamps Adjusted, Full New Exhaust, Track Rod Ends & Tracking, New Clutch – Hollybush Tyres
21/02/2014 – Rear Light Lense o/side – Ebay
21/02/2014 – Interior Black Arch Trims – Ebay
24/02/2014 – Rear Quarter 1.9 Badge – Ebay
24/02/2014 – Original Clarion Radio Cassette Unit – Forum Member
25/02/2014 – Standard Exhaust Backbox – Hollybush Tyres
26/02/2014 – Heater Blower Rheostat Resistor Unit – Ebay
28/02/2014 – Exterior Trim Clips – Ebay

01/03/2014 – Dash Trim – Ebay
03/03/2014 – Rear Light Lenses x 2 – Ebay
03/03/2014 – Deposit for New Seats x 4 – Ebay
05/03/2014 – Exhaust Manifold Gaskets x 4, Downpipe Fitting Kit – Peugeot
06/03/2014 – Bilstein B4 Dampers x 4, Grp A Solid Rear Mounts, Eibach 7001 Front Springs – Kam Racing
06/03/2014 – Rear Quarter 1.9 Badge – Forum Member
07/03/2014 – REFURBISHED REAR BEAM – SSP Engineering
10/03/2014 – Set of AXO Rear Light Lenses x 2 – Forum Member
10/03/2014 – Rear Quarter GTI Badges x 2 – Forum Member
12/03/2014 – Bosh Vaccum Advance Unit – Ebay
12/03/2014 – Balance Payment for New Seats x 4 – Ebay
12/03/2014 – Ream Beam, Dampers all round, Front Eibach Springs, Solid GrpA Rear Mounts all fitted, new Exhaust Manifold gasket & downpipe fitting kit – Hollybush Tyres

13/03/2014 – LCD Clock – Ebay
13/03/2014 – Aerial Cable – Ebay
14/03/2014 – Boot Spoiler – Chris Edmunds
15/03/2014 – Rear Valance/Bumper Clips – Ebay
16/03/2014 – Mudflap Badges x 2 – Forum Member
17/03/2014 – Handbrake Cable Clips (Trailing Arm) – Ebay
20/03/2014 – New Set of Rear Quarter Badges – Forum Member
21/03/2014 – Bumper/Valance Clips – Ebay
23/03/2014 – Wiring Loom – Forum Member
23/03/2014 – 2 x GTI Mudflap Badges – Forum Member
24/03/2014 – Bosch ECU Temperature Sensor – Amazon
27/03/2014 – 1 x 1.9 Rear Quarter Badge – Ebay
27/03/2014 – Spoiler Retaining Clips & Screws – Ebay
31/03/2014 – Bosch Ignition Amplifer – Ebay
31/03/2014 – Durite Tachymetric Relay – Hawkins Motors

02/04/2014 – Supplementary Air Device – Ebay
02/04/2014 – Rear Screen Decal – DMB Graphics
02/04/2014 – Air Flow Meter – Amazon
08/04/2014 – SAD Hoses – BakerBM
11/04/2014 – Front & Rear Brake Pads - EBC Redstuff – Spoox
12/04/2014 – Rear GTI Boot Badge – PSCUK
20/04/2014 – Full Set of Car Mats – Ebay France
21/04/2014 – Lucas Near Side Headlamp – 205 Nuts
25/04/2014 – Head Skimmed, Head Gasket, New Throttle Body, New Thermostat, New Lower Arms (Wishbones etc), New Front Brake Pads (Standard) – Du Croq Slip
26/04/2014 – New Battery – Halfords
27/04/2014 – Bosch Ignition Coil – Ebay
27/04/2014 – Distributor Cap – Ebay
27/04/2014 – Rotor Arm – Ebay
28/04/2014 – Electric Window Switch – Ebay
30/04/2014 – New Steering Rack, New Rear Brake Pads (Standard) – Hollybush Tyres

01/05/2014 – Driver Side Electric Window Regulator/Motor – Ebay
02/05/2014 – Headlamp Connectors & Wiring x 2 – Ebay
06/05/2014 – Gearstick Leather Gaitor – Ebay
07/05/2014 – New alternator, starter motor, fuel filter & fuel pump – Hollybush Tyres
08/05/2014 – Boot Seal – Ebay
13/05/2014 – Boot Bump Stops x 2 – Ebay
13/05/2014 – Brand New SAD/Cold Start Valve – Forum Member
15/05/2014 – GTI Near Side Badge - New – Ebay
16/05/2014 – New Windscreen – Autoglass
17/05/2014 – Rolling Road Engine Tune etc – Willfield Motors
21/05/2014 – Wind Deflector – Forum Member
23/05/2014 – Fuel Pump gasket, Speedo Cable – Peugeot
24/05/2014 – Offside Headlamp, Indicator Mounting Bracket, Headlamp Adjuster Bracket, Front Grill, All Fitings – Ebay
24/05/2014 – Fuel Pump Ring Clamp – Ebay
24/05/2014 – Driving Lamp Support Brackets – Ebay
31/05/2014 – SIEM Driving Lamps - OEM – Chris Edmunds

03/06/2014 – Fuel Sender Screw Ring – Ebay
04/06/2014 – SIEM Driving Lamp Backing Shells/Holders – Ebay
05/06/2014 – Fuel Sender Seal – Forum Member
09/06/2014 – Dash Clips – Ebay
10/06/2014 – GTI Boot Badge & Book – PSCUK
15/06/2014 – Green Check Door Cards – Forum Member
15/06/2014 – Upper Dash Board – Ebay
15/06/2014 – Steering Column Trim – Ebay
20/06/2014 – 205 Boot Badge – Forum Member

23/06/2014 – Upper Dash Board – Ebay
30/06/2014 – 205 Boot Badge – Ebay
03/07/2014 – Upper Cam Cover & Bolts – Ebay
10/07/2014 – MOT, 2 x Rear Tyres (Toyo Proxy T1R), Welding to Offside Inner Sill, CV Boot Gaiter Repair/Replacement – Hollybush Tyres
12/07/2014 – Full Correction Detail to paintwork – Ti22
13/07/2014 – Wiper Nut Covers x 3 – Ebay
13/07/2014 – Mudflaps – Forum Member
16/07/2014 – New Wiper Nut Covers x 2 – Ebay
18/07/2014 – Clarion Radio Cassette Player – Spoox
19/07/2014 – Rear Saddle Mat – Ebay
20/07/2014 – Upper Dash Board – Ebay
20/07/2014 – Rear Tailboard Clips x 4 – Forum Member
22/07/2014 – Peugeot Rear Boot Badge – Ebay
22/07/2014 – Driving Lamp Surrounds - New – Forum Member
24/07/2014 – GTI Boot Badge & 30th Anniversary Poster Print – PSCUK
24/07/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel & Fixings – Ebay

29/07/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel – Imperial Autos
29/07/2014 – Rear Speaker Grill, 2 x Door Pockets, 2 x A-Pillar Trims and fixings – Ebay
29/07/2014 – AXO Rear Lenses - New – Forum Member
29/07/2014 – Sunroof Trim – Ebay
29/07/2014 – Mudflap Badges - New – Ebay

01/08/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel – Carz
01/08/2014 – Nearside Window Scraper/Weatherstrip - New – Spoox
01/08/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel – Carpanels4u
02/08/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel, Inlet Seal, Handbrake Trim Screw Covers – Forum Member
04/08/2014 – Handbrake Cables x 2, 8 x Handbrake Clips (2 types) – Forum Member
05/08/2014 – Boot Light Switch – Guy Perry ltd
11/08/2014 – Alpine Speakers - Front Set – Amazon
11/08/2014 – Alpine Speakers - Rear Set – Amazon
12/08/2014 – Rear Boot Spoiler – Ebay
13/08/2014 – U-Pol Black Texture Paint for Spoiler – Ebay
13/08/2014 – Rear Boot Rubber Seal – Forum Member
13/08/2014 – Fuel Pump Relay – Ebay
14/08/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Boot Panel – Peugeot Car Panels
15/08/2014 – Fitting of Handbrake Cables x 2 and replacement Klarius Backbox (backbox replaced under warranty) – Hollybush Tyres
20/08/2014 – Nearside Window Scraper/Weatherstrip - New – Spoox
23/08/2014 – Interior Mirror Cover – Ebay
27/08/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Panel – Autopanels

12/09/2014 – Exhaust Mounts – Ebay
21/09/2014 – Fan Resistor – Forum Member
21/09/2014 – Radiator Fan Switch – Ebay
21/09/2014 – Headlight Resistor Clip – Spoox
22/09/2014 – Thermostat Gasket Seal – Ebay
22/09/2014 – Thermostat – Ebay
30/09/2014 – AXO New OEM Rear Lenses x 3 – Forum Member

05/10/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Panel – Ebay
07/10/2014 – New Parcel Shelf Fixings & Cord – Ebay
13/10/2014 – Rear Black Slatted Tailgate Panel – Ebay
21/10/2014 – New NOS Boot Seal – Forum Member
21/10/2014 – New NOS Offside Weatherstrip & Heater Resistor Clip – Forum Member
30/10/2014 – New NOS Rear Tailgate Window Seal – Ebay

02/11/2014 – Osram Nightbreaker Headlight Bulbs – Ebay
09/11/2014 – New NOS Door Seal – Ebay
13/11/2014 – Siem Driving Lamp (Spare) – Ebay
13/11/2014 – 2 x NOS New Door Seals – FranceAuto
16/11/2014 – Prospark HT Leads – Ebay
16/11/2014 – NGK Spark Plugs – Ebay
16/11/2014 – Bosch TPS New – Ebay
17/11/2014 – GTI Boot Badge - New – PSCUK
18/11/2014 – Gearknob Tops x 2 Reproduction – Forum Member
26/11/2014 – 2 x new 205 GTI Rear Quarter Window Seals, Door Seal, Idle Screw O-Ring, 4 x Siem Screws, Rear Board Fixing Clips, Foam Ring and Fixing Clip – Forum Member
26/11/2014 – New Rear Quarter Window Seals x 2 – Autohas Von Eynern
27/11/2014 – New AFM Gasket Seal – Forum Member
29/11/2014 – New Door Seal – Ebay

05/12/2014 – New Bosch Fuel Pressure Regulator – Amazon
10/12/2014 – Electric Window Wire Plastic Seals for Door x 2 – Ebay
21/12/2014 – Repaired sunroof drains – Hollybush Tyres
29/12/2014 – Door Seal, 4 Seatbelt Bolt Covers – Ebay
29/12/2014 – Supplementary Air Device – Ebay
30/12/2014 – Trim Clips (A Pillar and Rear Quarter Interior Panels - New From Dealer) – Ebay

04/01/2015 – New Custom OEM Mat Set – Ebay
05/01/2015 – Brand New SAD/Cold Start Valve – Paralogu Bros

01/03/2015 – Wing Indicators & Front Indicator Bulb Holders x 2 (New) – Forum Member
02/03/2015 – Side Repeater Plug – Ebay

19/06/2015 – Bumper Bolt Set (new) – Forum Member
22/06/2015 – Rear Bumper Brackets – Forum Member
25/06/2015 – MOT & Service (Oil Change) – Hollybush Tyres

26/06/2016 – New Sills x 2, New Rear Bumper Mounts, Various Extensive Body Restorations – Body and Soul Autoworks
28/06/2016 – Coolant flush and change – Hollybush Tyres
05/07/2016 – MOT, Service, Oil Change – Hollybush Tyres

13/07/2017 – MOT, Service, Oil Change, new handbrake cables, rear brake caliper, gearbox oil change – Hollybush Tyres

01/05/2018 – FULL SERVICE - Oil & Plugs, HT Leads, Dizzy Cap, Rotor Arm – Hollybush Tyres
17/07/2018 – MOT – Hollybush Tyres

03/07/2019 – MOT – Hollybush Tyres

01/03/2020 – 4 x new tyres - Michellin Pilot Sport 3 – Hollybush Tyres
01/07/2020 – SERVICE - Oil & Filter, New Exhaust Backbox, Reconditioned Wiper Arms & Motor, Clutch Adjustment, new front speakers, new wiper stalk, new washer pipes – Hollybush Tyres

14/01/2021 – MOT & Service (Oil Change) – Tynant Garage
07/02/2021 – Passenger door courtesy light switch, inner wing bodywork repair – Hollybush Tyres
31/05/2021 – Radiator hose, full coolant flush and coolant change – Hollybush Tyres

11/01/2022 – MOT – Tynant Garage
19/04/2022 – Oil Change – Hollybush Tyres
09/05/2022 – New thermostat, thermostat housing and seal, petrol tank fuel pipes, new oil tower and filler pipe – Hollybush Tyres

09/01/2023 – MOT, new washer motor – Tynant Garage

16/01/2024 – MOT, oil & filter, coolant change, Cambelt waterpump and aux belt, offside rear brake hose, offside rear wheel bearing, nearside arch coolant pipe – Hollybush Tyres
08/10/2024 – Lanoguard Underbody Protection – Own Garage

05/01/2025 – New rear window, boot and passenger door seal, MOT, oil change, sump gasket, new radiator and coolant flush, new offside rear caliper, rear discs and pads – Hollybush Tyres

 

bad bits for honesty:

 

rear sills starting to bubble a bit but are solid
rear arch above trim has a little bubble each side
various car park dings
Rear boot and quarter paint is slightly darker in sunlight (rear end was painted when the sills were done and its not an exact match)
bit of lacquer peel around lock on drivers door
Inner wings need attention as they are starting to go crusty

annoying rattle at just over 1000rpm from what I think is the cambelt cover rubbing
rathee high mileage!

 

don’t have room or storage for two 205’s as got some other classics in the garage already

 

Whereas I hate “whats it worth” threads I genuinely don’t know where to price it if I was to sell it? 

 

Am I mad for considering selling it and buying my ultimate spec cherry red 205 that has just come up for sale?

 

 

[ATK 158 2 Cars]

Some recent pics

[ATK 158 2 Cars]

Sorry cant seem to upload pics but you get the gist

[ATK 158 2 Cars]

https://www.205gtidrivers.com/forums/topic/156908-body_work-1991-gti-steel-grey-detailing-progress-thread/?page=18

[Tom Fenton 1,634]

I think one of the various auctions is probably the way to sell these cars now. Value wise be guided by them I guess, I often see cars sell for both much more and a bit less than my estimate, more to do with the variability of the market and buyer. 
A bit of a shame if I’m honest as you’ve had it a long time, it is a bit like Rod Hull selling Emu, but I do get it, if you’ve reached the end of the road with it then time to move it on. 
I will add that I think you will really miss the sunroof, I own 205’s both types, my rally car with no roof is fine as it’s a tool for a job, but my graphite road car, non sunroof, I miss the sunroof massively.

[ATK 158 2 Cars]

Yeah I’m a bit torn between getting the inner wing patched up and using it more or less daily until it deteriorates (ie getting my use out of it) vs selling on now and getting my dream spec as a “forever” 205. Get what you say about sunroofs but I don’t have them in my Clio 172 Cup or fanily BMW and don’t miss them and it’s one less place for a 205 to leak.
 

Tricky choices ahead!

[Leslie green 162]

Id say go for the red one and save yourself a few years of work on yours assuming the red one really is as nice as you make out . The mileage is likely to hurt yours at auction as buyers are obsessed by miles it seems but those bits on the sills etc you describe are likely to be a lot worse when poked and then it will need a full respray so you could easily sink 15k into it and still not have a shiny red 205 

Edited May 3 by Leslie green