505 going to Germany

[505]

Well - I had 505 for a week now an here's how we're getting on together. It was described in the add as "well maintained by two enthusiast owners" so I guess someone must have crept up in the middle of the night and fitted the 4 chinese tyres!
A couple of niggles;
cruise doesn't appear to work.
the battery light flickers on for a fraction of a second very regularly.
tyres lose air (see above!)

So how is it as a car. Well first off, very seriously underpowered actually. On the autobahn I've given up trying to be fast. Constantly moving over to let diesel A6s, A-classes (!!!) Meganes etc past. Loads of noise but no guts. Even floored between 4000 and 6000 revs it doesn't seem to have much muscle. Seems to lose it's compose over 120mph. Maybe the cheap tyres, so I'll wait for the new tyres.

But... on winding A roads it's very good - would probably be even better with real tyres on it. It handles beautifully and is a lot of fun.

For all those who get upset every time a 260 gets scrapped - get used to it. From experience, about 20% will survive and that's a high survival rate for modern cars. Once they go under 2000 quid, they'll be bought for their V8 engines and Tremec transmissions. Look at the SD1 / Vitesse and Vitesse Twin Plenium survival rates. Mostly gone, robbed of their engines. Just have to hope no one develops a kit car using the 260 as a doner!

Ed

[peterv8]

Hi and welcome from Sweden!
The battery flickers on all cars so no worries.
Could be a switch on the clutch or brake pedal.
About the power I don't know, sounds like something serious if you get past by a megane, check if the throttle opens fully, could be a stretched throttlecable. If it isn't you could always supercharge it and cruise past the Audi's and Mercedes!
With a S/C you will get around 420hp, start saving!

[colintf]

Hi 505,

get the tyres sorted and then see what its like.

As Peter said, don't worry about the flickering warning light - most of them do that.

When was it last properly serviced? And where are you? Anywhere near Klaus in Bremen? You could compare 505 to his 260 then.

[505]

Hi 505,

get the tyres sorted and then see what its like.

As Peter said, don't worry about the flickering warning light - most of them do that.

When was it last properly serviced? And where are you? Anywhere near Klaus in Bremen? You could compare 505 to his 260 then.

Other end of the country to Bremen. 505 has a full service history, due an oil change now. I can't imagine a 4.6 would be down on power after 45.000 miles. You do have to press the pedal down true the carpet to get max power but it's still lethargic. Maybe I'm just spoilt. My pickup has a 5.4 with 300hp and the Jag has a 4.0 supercharged with 370hp.
I'm looking into better flowing heads. Most of the massive power increases we've been seeing over the last 10-20 years has been down to better understanding of flow and the resulting better heads. If I find something I'll let you all know.
Ed

[Stu C]

Yeah the cruise switch on the clutch pedal can be a bit sticky, kick the pedal up it seams to be a common issue on all 75/ZT's.

Echoing Peter there, must be an issue or something? As when i took my 190 to Germany, maxing it out certainly no Meganes and such were passing! And drfinalty when maxing out the V8 it was no slouch getting upto the top speed.

Not sure about what you mean with the scrapped cars though, certainly nothing to "get used to" thats for sure, least i sincerley hope not!