Matt H - 16v madness

Post by **Tim Leech** » Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:38 pm

Good to see my old car getting used well, the brakes are fab arent they! I had new pads fitted not long ago so they should have done about 1500 miles buy now.

Matt H · Post by **Matt H** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:56 pm

Well, after a rather complicated and long-winded plan to pick up the 205 from Wales after work on Tuesday night, I turned up to Mat's place just before midnight. My insurance swapped over at midnight, so I was all set to drive my first 16v-powered Pug 205 GTi!

What a great thing. It looks a little bit scruffy in places, but drives absolutely spot on.

Looking a bit worse for wear now after a long drive, and a miserable day of drizzle:

I thought I'd take a peek at the speakers... as they weren't sounding too hot. This might explain it!

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:18 am

Heavens! Which grave-robbing cowboy converted that?

You need to get yourself one of these to complete 'the set' Matt

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:13 am

Nah, too common. What he really needs is one of these:

That speaker rather explains why I was getting a few crackles...

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:41 pm

Mat wrote

Nah, too common. What he really needs is one of these:

I have never seen a 405 MI6 apart from in ads on Leboncoin! Does that thing in your pic feature the same BX 16v unit then?

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:34 pm

Well, the later 2 litre version of the engine. A bit more info here.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:12 am

There were quite a few 405 MI16s around here in the early '90s.
The earlier pre 1991 cars had the same motor as the BX16V.

I drove one and was very impressed. The 405 was an excellent car to drive, quieter than the BX and with superb ride and handling.

Its a very good looking car too.

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:17 am

I wouldn't mind a 405 MI 16 but many that are left have been 'tuned' with mixed results.
Wasn't there a 309 available in France with the BX16v engine too?

bxzx16v · Post by **bxzx16v** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:36 pm

Great car the 405mi16 had a 1990 1.9 one years ago very comfortable but not as much fun as the Bx , there is a couple on Pistonheads at the minute

Mark

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 2:59 pm

309 Gti 16V is the car that you are thinking of Todd. Not sold in the UK IIRC.

Mike P

Matt H · Post by **Matt H** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:37 pm

toddao wrote:Heavens! Which grave-robbing cowboy converted that?

You need to get yourself one of these to complete 'the set' Matt

Funny you should choose that particular picture... It was in the family a few years back:

Matt H · Post by **Matt H** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:34 pm

My car in the car park at work... I love it!

So far I've had a couple of small problems:

- The alternator belt has started to screech in the morning. Getting a little bit worse each time. Hopefully it will be a simple belt adjustment, or new belt

- Once after stopping the engine, I found the starter wasn't engaging. The negative terminal on the battery had worked itself a little bit loose.
- A slight misfire has appeared a couple of times. After changing the plugs and tightening the battery lead, it hasn't happened again, but I'm not holding out too much hope that it has been cured.

Other than that, it has been perfect. There is a slight wheel bearing noise that I need to take a look at... But it is seriously fun to drive. After going out for a run in it, the owner of the 1.6 on the left was absolutely stunned at how refined and smooth it is.

And at the end of the day, it is a spare engine for when the BX goes bang

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:36 pm

And so, the guilt begins...

Check that the previous numpty owner has tightened the alternator clamp bolt, and it's not just relying on the tensioner screw, I forgot that once on the BX. Other than that it's likely I didn't put quite enough tension on it after I did the cambelt. As for the battery clamp - not a particularly great design IMO. On the other 205s we've had I ended up putting a standard terminal on sooner or later, should have changed that too! I really hoped it would go longer than that without problems for you

Matt H · Post by **Matt H** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 4:57 pm

Seriously... These aren't problems, just minor annoyances

I don't resent putting fuel in it like I do in other cars, because I know that every penny of the (£57 from nearly empty) will put a huge smile on my face.

Although, it's quite funny. I might put every little niggle I find with it on here to make you feel bad

That fan motor is a little bit noisy, and don't get me started on that idle

I've cleaned up some of the bodykit, and am going to tidy up the wheel centres tonight... Will post some piccies. Not going to bother polishing the paint though. I quite like the patina! Pricing up a partial respray when I can spare the cash, and I might have sourced a better bonnet in silver.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:14 pm

Matt H wrote:I might put every little niggle I find with it on here to make you feel bad

Did I mention the little game I thought of? It's called 'how long can a valver engine last for with a brick on the throttle if you drain all the oil and water'. Might have to try that this weekend...