208 GTI 30th Anniversary
Discussion
After less than 6 months out of French hot hatches I'm back in one.
Having had many many Clio (172 172 cup, 182 cup, 197 'Meglio'), Saxo (All VTS) and 106 (S1 Rallye, S2 Rallye and GTI), I decided to try something very different and went for an elderly scruffy Mercedes C32 AMG (having been a Mercedes tech for 17 years).
But after less than 6 months, 19 mpg average was really getting to me (even though I don't use cars a huge amount), plus with a few motorbikes for road and race, along with a house that needs decorating and 2 little girls, I was never going to have the time or money to get the C class where I wanted it, so I decided to cut my losses and and get something newer.
I wanted a hot hatch and set a limit on how much I wanted to spend a month.
Didn't want a Clio as I've already had a fair few, the Clio 3 200 was a bit long in the tooth and I couldn't afford a Clio 4 200.
Fiesta St and Corsa VXR were really nice but just didn't spark my enthusiasm.
So I landed on the 208 GTI, reading reviews it seemed to be what I was after.
After scanning eBay, I stumbled across a 30th Anniversary on Autotrader
A deal was done and went to collect it yesterday from a couple of hours down the road and here it is:
Its a white 30th Anniversary 208 GTI
From my research, only 800 Anniversary models were made with 100 coming to the UK and only 20 in white
Being a 30th Anniversary it comes with:
Wider track
Stiffer suspension
Limited slip diff
Closer ratio gearbox
Peugeot Sport seats
Bigger wheels
Numbered plaque on the head lining.
Along with all the usual spec you'd expect:
Cruise control
Navigation
DAB
etc
So far really happy with it, its nice to be back in a little hot hatch
The car feels slightly nervous and a mega sharp turn in. Its way more modern feeling than the Clio 182 cup as my last hot hatch (unsurprisingly), but that was what I was going for, and I need to get more used to the turbo engine and where the power band is. But I've only driven it twice now, so I'm sure I'll adapt to it in no time
Will update with more pictures when I get a moment and the weather cheers up and keep you updated on all experiences
Cheers for looking
Having had many many Clio (172 172 cup, 182 cup, 197 'Meglio'), Saxo (All VTS) and 106 (S1 Rallye, S2 Rallye and GTI), I decided to try something very different and went for an elderly scruffy Mercedes C32 AMG (having been a Mercedes tech for 17 years).
But after less than 6 months, 19 mpg average was really getting to me (even though I don't use cars a huge amount), plus with a few motorbikes for road and race, along with a house that needs decorating and 2 little girls, I was never going to have the time or money to get the C class where I wanted it, so I decided to cut my losses and and get something newer.
I wanted a hot hatch and set a limit on how much I wanted to spend a month.
Didn't want a Clio as I've already had a fair few, the Clio 3 200 was a bit long in the tooth and I couldn't afford a Clio 4 200.
Fiesta St and Corsa VXR were really nice but just didn't spark my enthusiasm.
So I landed on the 208 GTI, reading reviews it seemed to be what I was after.
After scanning eBay, I stumbled across a 30th Anniversary on Autotrader
A deal was done and went to collect it yesterday from a couple of hours down the road and here it is:
Its a white 30th Anniversary 208 GTI
From my research, only 800 Anniversary models were made with 100 coming to the UK and only 20 in white
Being a 30th Anniversary it comes with:
Wider track
Stiffer suspension
Limited slip diff
Closer ratio gearbox
Peugeot Sport seats
Bigger wheels
Numbered plaque on the head lining.
Along with all the usual spec you'd expect:
Cruise control
Navigation
DAB
etc
So far really happy with it, its nice to be back in a little hot hatch
The car feels slightly nervous and a mega sharp turn in. Its way more modern feeling than the Clio 182 cup as my last hot hatch (unsurprisingly), but that was what I was going for, and I need to get more used to the turbo engine and where the power band is. But I've only driven it twice now, so I'm sure I'll adapt to it in no time
Will update with more pictures when I get a moment and the weather cheers up and keep you updated on all experiences
Cheers for looking
Cool little car and one on my watchlist. Are they similar to the ‘by Peugeot Sport’ spec?
What’s the ride quality like? I always loved my previous Pugs because of their comfort and can’t deal with really stiff suspension these days. I suspect the GTi Prestige might be slightly softer riding.
What’s the ride quality like? I always loved my previous Pugs because of their comfort and can’t deal with really stiff suspension these days. I suspect the GTi Prestige might be slightly softer riding.
loverofminkys said:
I believe that the 30th version just was rebadged as a the by Peugeot Sport. It is firm, but is also very comfortable and composed on most surfaces. I would definitely try and have a go in one if you can, they are quite a bit more 'special feeling' than the prestige or standard gti.
Nice one cheers. I had a brief test drive three up in a standard GTi and was fine with the driving position so that’s a plus. That car rode very well I thought even with the limited test drive. My wife's 64 plate 208 GTI had various issues, including a cam chain replacement at 15k miles, engine mount failure, various electrical issues and also broke down a couple of times in the 18 months of ownership. When it behaved itself, it was a cracking little car, had a ton of optional extras and was a nice place to sit. She traded it in for a Fiesta ST in the end, after losing confidence in the 208 when it broke down in the middle of a major roundabout.
chili1 said:
My wife's 64 plate 208 GTI had various issues, including a cam chain replacement at 15k miles, engine mount failure, various electrical issues and also broke down a couple of times in the 18 months of ownership. When it behaved itself, it was a cracking little car, had a ton of optional extras and was a nice place to sit. She traded it in for a Fiesta ST in the end, after losing confidence in the 208 when it broke down in the middle of a major roundabout.
Ouch! That’s no fun. As said above maybe the quality improved on later versions of the engine. Cheers for all the replies, always nice to see people interested in ones new purchase.
The colour is a pearl white, which I'm looking forward to seeing clean and in the bright sunshine
As people have already mentioned, I believe that the 30th Anniversary spec became the 'by PeugeotSport' spec in later models.
Couple more pictures, still not the best but better than the ones taken at KFC on the way home from collecting it.
Its a real blast to drive, a lovely place to sit, I'm really enjoying having the infotainment with Nav etc, working A/C is still a novelty for me at the moment and I really love the fact its just slightly special over the normal cars with the numbers plaque in the head lining
Fingers crossed it treats me well
The colour is a pearl white, which I'm looking forward to seeing clean and in the bright sunshine
As people have already mentioned, I believe that the 30th Anniversary spec became the 'by PeugeotSport' spec in later models.
Couple more pictures, still not the best but better than the ones taken at KFC on the way home from collecting it.
Its a real blast to drive, a lovely place to sit, I'm really enjoying having the infotainment with Nav etc, working A/C is still a novelty for me at the moment and I really love the fact its just slightly special over the normal cars with the numbers plaque in the head lining
Fingers crossed it treats me well
I purchased a 208 gti by PS last August. It's been absolutely great and no real reliability issues. Did have issues due to a dying battery as the stop/start and touchscreen were playing up. Soon as the battery was changed its been fine.
Previously had a Corsa vxr of a similar age and the Peugeot is better, however I suspect a performance pack VXR would actually be similar in concept but my last one was just a boggo one.
Considered a fiesta st Mk7 as well but the Peugeot won out in the end after testing most other hot hatch options.
Previously had a Corsa vxr of a similar age and the Peugeot is better, however I suspect a performance pack VXR would actually be similar in concept but my last one was just a boggo one.
Considered a fiesta st Mk7 as well but the Peugeot won out in the end after testing most other hot hatch options.
Edited by JonRS on Monday 10th May 21:32
As always cheers for the replys!
Was kind of hoping that spending more money than I usually do on a newer than I usually get car would mean this would be more detailing my journey with the car rather than fixing it, but here we are. I should have expected this continuing to buy French lol.
Anyway since buying the car I noticed that there was a thump when changing gears and the engine just generally felt loose when driving, so some new engine mounts (especially the lower engine steady) were needed.
I had some issues finding the correct parts as nothing seems to be listed for 208 and certainly not for the GTI, but cross referencing part numbers and hoping that all THP engines and DS3 etc all ran the same parts I ordered all 3x engine mounts.
Also since owning the car I noticed that the stop/start didn't ever cut the engine, I checked the battery and it had a date stamp of 2015, so probably the original, so I replaced that while I was there.
2 hours in between torrential rain this weekend and it was all replaced.
Now it drives so much smoother and quieter its transformed the car, the original lower engine steady was in very bad condition. I still have a very slight thump when changing gears 2-3 which is odd, but I'll do some more investigating. I've also noticed on very rough country roads there is a slight knock from the n/s which I suspect to be either a damper or a top mount. Can't find any play or anything visible, but will probably pull it apart after payday.
This morning on my way to work the stop/start started working again which was lovely to have too.
Another slight thing was the car came without a parcel shelf, so I got myself a replacement
2 hours well spent and the car much improved. Still absolutely loving it, thinking of heading to the Ace Cafe for French car night tonight and am off to Caffine and Machine this weekend. Just hope the weather isn't terrible for both
Cheers for looking
Was kind of hoping that spending more money than I usually do on a newer than I usually get car would mean this would be more detailing my journey with the car rather than fixing it, but here we are. I should have expected this continuing to buy French lol.
Anyway since buying the car I noticed that there was a thump when changing gears and the engine just generally felt loose when driving, so some new engine mounts (especially the lower engine steady) were needed.
I had some issues finding the correct parts as nothing seems to be listed for 208 and certainly not for the GTI, but cross referencing part numbers and hoping that all THP engines and DS3 etc all ran the same parts I ordered all 3x engine mounts.
Also since owning the car I noticed that the stop/start didn't ever cut the engine, I checked the battery and it had a date stamp of 2015, so probably the original, so I replaced that while I was there.
2 hours in between torrential rain this weekend and it was all replaced.
Now it drives so much smoother and quieter its transformed the car, the original lower engine steady was in very bad condition. I still have a very slight thump when changing gears 2-3 which is odd, but I'll do some more investigating. I've also noticed on very rough country roads there is a slight knock from the n/s which I suspect to be either a damper or a top mount. Can't find any play or anything visible, but will probably pull it apart after payday.
This morning on my way to work the stop/start started working again which was lovely to have too.
Another slight thing was the car came without a parcel shelf, so I got myself a replacement
2 hours well spent and the car much improved. Still absolutely loving it, thinking of heading to the Ace Cafe for French car night tonight and am off to Caffine and Machine this weekend. Just hope the weather isn't terrible for both
Cheers for looking
IntriguedUser said:
I really like these. Just a few things that niggle me.
1. The reliability issues of these prince engines, or maybe its overblown?
2. The model you have, and the PS model, have contrasting wheel arch paint, making it look like a jacked up cross-sport-suv-thing.
1. The reliability issues of these prince engines, or maybe its overblown?
2. The model you have, and the PS model, have contrasting wheel arch paint, making it look like a jacked up cross-sport-suv-thing.
the wheel arch trims are a reference to the 205 GTI I reckon.
shalmaneser said:
the wheel arch trims are a reference to the 205 GTI I reckon.
Never really thought about this being in reference to the old 205, that is a good point.
It would also explain the red carpet mats
Took the car across to Caffeine and Machine at the weekend which was a lovely day out, decent food and a lovely atmosphere
Also managed to follow a 205 GTI into the carpark which was certainly cool, but unfortunately didn't manage to park near him for a picture
Anyway got a couple of nice pictures
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