165 versus 205

[rhino]

Hi ladies n gents

I've had the 205 for a while now, and driven it up and down the country a few times and round the island hundreds of times. I now feel qualified to clarify how the 205 compares to the 165 that I had for a number of years and sold to get the 205.

The 205 is definately a 'more advanced' car, faster, safer, smoother, more comfortable and more practical...dare I say it also better looking purely from a 'less dated' point of view. A 165 from the front still looks gorgeous to me...but all other angles are a bit more of a disappointment all imo of course

The 165 (at least the one I had) was a more involving driving experience, raw and rewarding. I had however stripped it right out and dropped it 40mm on stiffer springs...but I get the impression that with the 205 in a similar state there would still be 'more car' between the driver and the road...if you know what I mean?

I look forward to driving the 205 as much as I did the 165, but for different reasons. With the 165 it was the almost 'go kart' style drining experience, the noise, vibrations and directness of steering. With the 205 I like getting into the relatively comfortable interior, sticking the stereo on (and not worrying about missing tell tale warning sounds) and driving around quickly and smoothly where safe. On the down side I get a lot more chavvy idiots having a go :

To sum it up

I miss the 165 for its rawness and at the end of the day more involving and rewarding driving experience

I like the 205 for its smoothness, comfort and speed...and the fact that it won't cost me £1000's keeping it reliable and well maintained

I don't think I want another 165, but at the same time I don't think I will have the 205 for ever.

My gf however wants the 165 back...better looking and more fun as a passenger.

A slightly pointless post I suppose...but in the grand scheme of things what isn't lol

[Wiggy]

good post and one I have particular interest. Seeing as I have both 165 and 205 and owned many more in the past I can honestly say that I prefer the 165. I love the 205 in many ways but the 165 just does it for me. My first 4 was a 165 many many moons ago and the one I have now will be with me forever. I would certainly sell the 205 over the 165, even if it does have 500bhp.

My 165 currently runs very hard and completely stripped out but for the last 18 months its been a nice smooth std ride with half leather, std suspension etc. I ran it most of last year with the std 165 engine and it could still take care of most idiots on the road. You can easily get the back end out unlike on the 205.

Now its more agressive, its more fun but in different ways. I miss the comfort of the std car but its a trade off for performance. Its now producing over 300 sat on coilovers and a complete set of 205 running gear. It handles much better but shakes me to bits...great. I've just made some custom sub-frames and fitted Recaro seats into her along with my harness.

When all said and done, its what ever you prefer and to me the 165 does it all. I love the drive, I love the retro looks, I love the handling, and I love that fact that you never see another even more 

[madgaz]

I've never driven a four other to the 165 so cannot comment on the driving experience.
I can however say that the 165 has to looks for me
I love the retro look. I love the fact that so few other cars even look similar to it.
I have the BMW company car (with free passage of the outside lane card in the glove box ) and this is way more refined even for a diesel. I dare say it has more power than the 165. It has leather, climate yada yada yaa but there is no better feeling than getting in the 165 and giving it a good blast on the back roads.
OK, so it's proberbly lacking in power but it makes up for that in sheer fun and balls out driving
Would I change the 165? Only for another
So Wiggy, when you're selling your heap let me know

[Wiggy]

Long wait there Gaz ....

I don't think the 165 will ever go, mainly because no one will give me what I expect for it.

Just removed the final bit of A/C from under the dash. You'd be suprised how much that unit weighs, has to be a good couple of kg's....All equals more free BHP

Did you not get that white import 165 you told me about???

[madgaz]

Did you not get that white import 165 you told me about???

It was actually Rhinos that I was looking at LOL
But no...never got it

I'm sure there will be another one around when I'm ready though

[Wiggy]

Shame fella, I know you really wanted it as well...

Keeps your eyes peeled m8, one may turn up eventually

[rhino]

Hey wiggy, any chance of some pictures of your 165 and 205...they both sound lurvly

The guy I sold the 165 to sent me this recently: -


hi karl
jason here had to track you down to let yo know the car is going well took her to a track day at castle combe race track tok it easy though

its nice to know it is being driven 'properly' and enjoyed by a fellow enthusiast

[Wiggy]

I need to get some decent pics actually. I have one I think on my phone of the 2 cars on the drive (not very exciting)

I'll get some sorted soon though...

[Wiggy]

Pic of the 2 cars on the drive as promised. As I said, its a crap picture. The 165 has had a few more mods since this including the coilovers, so it sits nice a low now.

[rhino]

mmm...they sounded lurvly and they look better drool

What coilovers did you fit to the 165 wiggy...when I had my 165 I was considering getting Leda to make me some coilovers...the more I look at your piccy the more I want a 165 again :

Nice orange colour on the faff...suits 500bhp perfectly!

[Wiggy]

Tein's with the EDFC

Just had the rear wheel bearing changed thinking it had gone, turns out the bolts aren't the right ones on the bottom of the hubs and there is play in them (they haven't used shoulder bolts) So, I'm on the hunt for a set to cure the movement.
Gotta fit my 205 diff soon as well and a new diff mount. Plpus I have a few mods to carry out on the rear subframe and air scoop for the diff.

[Redbeast]

so the 165 vs the 205 has two different cars squaring up and you love thm for different reasons.  if you could have some bits off one and the others off the other...

surely then sell up and buy a crate?!   

[Coyoteboy]

Everyone wants a crate really

Then they want to rip everything out of it and make it lighter

Whats the weight of the 165?

[Wiggy]

IIRC the jap spec 165 was the lightest of the 3 GT4's. No body kit and no sunroof.

Think it weighed in at 1340kg.....Sure someone out there will have a better idea and I've never had my weighed.

I've fitted Recaro seats now though, loosing the heavy std seats full of motors. The weigh a ton electric mirrors have also gone in favour of light weight carbon race mirrors.
I've also stripped it out completely from the drivers seat back and lost everything to do with the A/C, including the stuff under the dash that most people leave in (weighs a fair bit and its worth removing)

Couple more mods planned on the weight reduction side of things.

My Stereo has even been removed including all the speakers.

mines gotta be 12**kg now, easy....I hope...lol

[Coyoteboy]

Ooh so its not THAT much lighter then? I had mine weighbridged and it was 1440 IIRC and has AC/ABS/sunroof/elec seats etc. Still tempting to rip it all out to achieve lightweight elitist status but I fear for my ear drums and resale value