Hi just been reading about the thoughts on gt fours on the other thread i fancy one of these as my next car any info / problems please what to look for and upgrades

Thanks

I had an ST185 and loved it. Upgrades, turbo down pipe, fuel cut defender, metal head gasket and turn up the boost!!

Edited July 14, 200916 yr by Anthonyd

around 60k the rear suspension goes to shit apparently, and is around £900 to get fixed. can't remember exactly what the problem is but its worth looking into to avoid a big bill.

I've got a UK spec st205 mate - It's actually the front suspension (usually the figure of 8 joints and lower arms) that wear at between 60 and 80,000 miles. The banana arms at the front will also wear, but they usually last a fair bit longer. Cost-wise you're looking at about £600 for the parts, and they can be fitted yourself if you've got some decent tools - but bear in mind the balljoints on both the figure of 8 and lower arms can be absolute pigs!! My lower arm ones eventually gave when I used a 10 ton hydraulic balljoint separator on them!! You need to listen for any knocking or clunking from the front end - especially on fast take-off or over bumps as signs of wear! I've also found the pins in the front calipers can be almost as equal a nightmare to remove - Mine had to be drilled very carefully on a proper pillar drill in the end.

 

They're great cars and very easy to live with - Even giving it some stick, mine easily returns 25-28mph on a run, but to be fair, not much more than that if you try to be frugal! Insurance is cheap and performance is good - the 2lt 16v does feel very flat compared to the zed until you thrash it! they cover the ground in all weathers really well, but in my opinion, they don't excite like the zed does - although good looking, not exciting like the zed in looks, the engine isn't as much fun as the zeds 3lt, and the 4wd feels far safer, but just isn't as much fun! In short - a great choice of car, but if I had to choose, I'd always pick the zed! As long as I had something else to run around in when things go wrong!!!

 

Try http://www.gt4oc.net for any info

Theres your answer - from an owner - and apologies on the wrong suspension LOL I knew it was something with them!!

I've got a UK spec st205 mate - It's actually the front suspension (usually the figure of 8 joints and lower arms) that wear at between 60 and 80,000 miles. The banana arms at the front will also wear, but they usually last a fair bit longer. Cost-wise you're looking at about £600 for the parts, and they can be fitted yourself if you've got some decent tools - but bear in mind the balljoints on both the figure of 8 and lower arms can be absolute pigs!! My lower arm ones eventually gave when I used a 10 ton hydraulic balljoint separator on them!! You need to listen for any knocking or clunking from the front end - especially on fast take-off or over bumps as signs of wear! I've also found the pins in the front calipers can be almost as equal a nightmare to remove - Mine had to be drilled very carefully on a proper pillar drill in the end.

 

They're great cars and very easy to live with - Even giving it some stick, mine easily returns 25-28mph on a run, but to be fair, not much more than that if you try to be frugal! Insurance is cheap and performance is good - the 2lt 16v does feel very flat compared to the zed until you thrash it! they cover the ground in all weathers really well, but in my opinion, they don't excite like the zed does - although good looking, not exciting like the zed in looks, the engine isn't as much fun as the zeds 3lt, and the 4wd feels far safer, but just isn't as much fun! In short - a great choice of car, but if I had to choose, I'd always pick the zed! As long as I had something else to run around in when things go wrong!!!

 

Try http://www.gt4oc.net for any info

 

All true, I have just sold my ST205. Clutches can be expensive to replace as well, and a knock or bang from the centre of the rear on a hard luanch means a new diff mount will be needed.

 

300+bhp is easily achievable for very little, one more thing to add about suspension is the cost of upgrading. Standard shocks aren't too keen on having lowering springs fitted, so up rated shocks are normally needed and coil overs on a 205 cost £600 but require a lot of work to fit as the knuckles need to be swapped over. Direct bolt on cost £1.5k+

 

My advice, buy the best you can, st185 £1500+ should net you a good one with sensible mods although if the boost has been upped, check it's had a metal HG fitted. If it's had a FCD fitted walk away unless it has had A LOT of supporting engine mods.

 

st 205 £3-3.5k should get you a decent standard one, always buy on condition not age, £4k+ should see a decent modded one with 300+ bhp

 

HTH

Thanks for all that info it will be very helpful

my pal had one..........sold it tho as i think he didnt like getting beat off of me.lol.

 

Get a zed! Keep your zed! Love the zed!!