buying a 205 1.6 converted to mi16 need some advise

[denty28]

Hi all,

I'm about to buy a 205 and would like to know what you guys think of the price and the car etc as i'm a little bit out of touch with it all and i think i may of jumped in at the deep end without researching prices etc. It's all in good condition with about 80k and the price is 2.5 k the conversion was done by pug racing. does this seem like a good price? it was originaly the 1.6 and still has the 1.6 wheels.

Cheers

[chopper1192]

Get it professionally inspected - the quality of these conversions ranges from superb to really rather deadly. Few are professional conversions, so you're largely relying on the engineering skills of some spotty oik who thinks a rusty imported Skyline is cool, and few still of these DIY conversions use professional kit parts, relying on DIY bulkhead and engine mount bodges, which can affect the stiffness and integrity of the cars basic structure.

Then there is the quality of the car the conversion is nailed to, and these can range from usually not that bad (at best if we're honest) to rather lacy at worst.

Unless you are a competent mechanic yourself, and know the ins and outs of the quirks of each potential conversion type then you really must pay a pro to check it over, or you could be arse reamed at best, deceased at worst.

Finally, with the way 205s are vanishing, unless the conversion is carried out on one of the later catalytic fitted GTi's, which were pretty crap to begin with, they actually devalue the car rather than make it worth more, so be realistic when enthusiastically waving your money about and shouting "Mum, Mum, that's the one I want!"

Good luck.

PS, if it is a genuine Pug Racing conversion and this can be corroborated (the world is full of bullshitters) then it's likely to be as good a conversion as you'll find. I know the guy that runs the place, and he is a nice guy and a thoughtful engineer. That said, it could still be nailed to a shonky P.O.S. so you still need to be careful.

[denty28]

Hi mate,

Cheers for that, it's apprecaited and taken on board. I'l take my time and make sure i get the right one.

[chopper1192]

Also bear in mind a 1.9 Mi16 conversion on a 1.9 GTi will make no difference to the insurance in most cases as the capacity is the same. Stick one in a 1.6 and they'll call Securicor to come collect your premium. Mad and senseless, but there you go.