205 Roland Garos
Discussion
Evening all! I may start a reader's cars thread, but first... I wish to ask some advice.
A friend and I have started working on his 205. It's very tidy, a few smaller patches of rust, but most of the bodywork is in great nick.
We're giving it a quick strip down, tidy up, and mechanical overhaul/upgrade.
First question, was the Roland Garos suspension the same as the XS? I know the engine is pretty much the same (AIUI). If we were to upgrade, what is good to go for? I gather the GTI had entirely different subframes, so what are good options for a Roland? A little bit stiffer might be good (as I recall, it did roll a bit... It had done 80k) but it is a road car (although not a daily driver) not a track car. It may visit a track, and the road use will be on some cracking roads...
One quick pic or two.
A friend and I have started working on his 205. It's very tidy, a few smaller patches of rust, but most of the bodywork is in great nick.
We're giving it a quick strip down, tidy up, and mechanical overhaul/upgrade.
First question, was the Roland Garos suspension the same as the XS? I know the engine is pretty much the same (AIUI). If we were to upgrade, what is good to go for? I gather the GTI had entirely different subframes, so what are good options for a Roland? A little bit stiffer might be good (as I recall, it did roll a bit... It had done 80k) but it is a road car (although not a daily driver) not a track car. It may visit a track, and the road use will be on some cracking roads...
One quick pic or two.
In those days I was working full time on Peugeot`s but its difficult remembering everything.Firstly the engine code you quote means nothing to me? A 205 XS has a 1.4 TU3S engine,(K2B in the Vin number)with twin solex carbs,which has a lot more power than the normal TU3 engine.I cant see the carbs on your photo but its definitely a TU.The suspension will be normal 205 with may be stiffer shocks? Everything on a GTi is different so forget any of that stuff.If your Garos has the TU3S twin carb engine my advice is keep it as it is.We called the XS a poor man`s GTi because they were a very quick little car for a 1.4 and a lot cheaper to insure!.My advice is to make sure everything is in good condition and keep it standard.
Thank you. Engine wise, that is pretty much the plan. He is not after major mods, you're right, it's a nippy little thing as it is.
BTW, what I meant by AIUI was, As I Understand It.
Sorry, a bit ambiguous.
I've heard the XS is a cracking drive, but what I'm really curious is if Roland sat on the same kit, or was it different dampers/stiffer springs/anything else than the XS? He is certainly under the impression that it wasn't great, and could currently do with a quick refresh. Hence we're wondering about whether replacing with standard XS set up could be a simple, original (ish) improvement.
BTW, what I meant by AIUI was, As I Understand It.
Sorry, a bit ambiguous.I've heard the XS is a cracking drive, but what I'm really curious is if Roland sat on the same kit, or was it different dampers/stiffer springs/anything else than the XS? He is certainly under the impression that it wasn't great, and could currently do with a quick refresh. Hence we're wondering about whether replacing with standard XS set up could be a simple, original (ish) improvement.
Edited by Dimski on Friday 15th June 20:04
Your car is a 205 XS with a limited edition fancy trim kit and paint job.There can not be many around so keeping it original could retain its value?? Peugeot did this a lot with the 205 & 309 in those days.The "205 Lacoste" for example was a 205 GT with a fancy trim job and what was that super limited edition 309GTi with special leather and wood bits called??
Thanks again. As I've already said, we are not looking to modify beyond simple/easy/straight swaps, like XS springs & dampers instead of Garos ones. Or if they were identical, possibly just new ones.
The car had done 80-90k, so I don't think the original springs & dampers were in great nick, or at least that is what the owner believes. So IF we are changing them anyway, we'd like to know the best options. Yes, keeping the car original (ish) is important, but this is a car he/we wishes to use and enjoy, not a concourse garage queen.
The car had done 80-90k, so I don't think the original springs & dampers were in great nick, or at least that is what the owner believes. So IF we are changing them anyway, we'd like to know the best options. Yes, keeping the car original (ish) is important, but this is a car he/we wishes to use and enjoy, not a concourse garage queen.
As for the suspension?An important item to inspect is the rear radius arm bearings,these are notorious on all 205`s.As long as the suspension moves up and down without any squeaks or clicks and no movement is present in the arm they should be OK.Another option to consider is Bilstien Gas struts and rear shocks?If the struts are removed make sure the top mounting bearing is not seized.Another 205 problem that makes the steering stiff and feel odd.All the other checks are just normal bushes/ball joints condition and steering tracking.One thing I`ve noticed,your car has the wheels from a 1.9 GTi which are 15 inch? A 205 XS has 14inch wheels and the Roland Garos came with 14inch ally wheels.So if your car has 15inch wheels the ride height is wrong and fitting 14inch wheels would lower it.Those engines are as tuff as old boots and all you need is elementary servicing and a cam belt change.
Old Merc said:
As for the suspension?An important item to inspect is the rear radius arm bearings,these are notorious on all 205`s.As long as the suspension moves up and down without any squeaks or clicks and no movement is present in the arm they should be OK.Another option to consider is Bilstien Gas struts and rear shocks?If the struts are removed make sure the top mounting bearing is not seized.Another 205 problem that makes the steering stiff and feel odd.All the other checks are just normal bushes/ball joints condition and steering tracking.One thing I`ve noticed,your car has the wheels from a 1.9 GTi which are 15 inch? A 205 XS has 14inch wheels and the Roland Garos came with 14inch ally wheels.So if your car has 15inch wheels the ride height is wrong and fitting 14inch wheels would lower it.Those engines are as tuff as old boots and all you need is elementary servicing and a cam belt change.
Cheers! 
He has the original Roland Garos wheels in good condition tucked away, but was using the 1.9 alloys (Yup - 15 inch) for daily use.
Simes205 said:
Old Merc said:
what was that super limited edition 309GTi with special leather and wood bits called??
GoodwoodBe careful using the 1.9 wheels on that car - with the suspension differences (different rear beam etc) between a GTI and a Roland Garros/XS you might find slight fouling of the inside of the rear arch due to different width.
If you have the original wheels in good condition you're lucky - getting very rare now.
If you have the original wheels in good condition you're lucky - getting very rare now.
Old Merc said:
In those days I was working full time on Peugeot`s but its difficult remembering everything.Firstly the engine code you quote means nothing to me? A 205 XS has a 1.4 TU3S engine,(K2B in the Vin number)with twin solex carbs,which has a lot more power than the normal TU3 engine.I cant see the carbs on your photo but its definitely a TU.The suspension will be normal 205 with may be stiffer shocks? Everything on a GTi is different so forget any of that stuff.If your Garos has the TU3S twin carb engine my advice is keep it as it is.We called the XS a poor man`s GTi because they were a very quick little car for a 1.4 and a lot cheaper to insure!.My advice is to make sure everything is in good condition and keep it standard.
R.G and XS/GT models had a single twin-choke Solex carbs. Same as the AX GT.Rally and AX Sport had twin Solex carbs.
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