306 GTI-6

[Limited100]

The '6' has been back on the road for a couple of weeks now, and wow what a difference the suspension and axle refresh has made!

I took it for a couple of hours' drive to check out a 205 GTI-6 recently (I very nearly swapped plus cash but decided I wouldn't daily it like I could the 306, and prefer power steering). Over this spirited journey it averaged around 27 mpg. Fine by me for the fun and the '6' prefers E10 fuel over VPower.

The new discs, pads and fluid help tremendously too, and the engine is a belter. Reminds me of my younger driving days.

Then this happened..



Once the weather thaws out I may treat it to some PS3s, but the current landsail ditchfinders have plenty of tread on them. Just a shame I can't get any PS3s in the original dimensions specified for this car.

The 1.0 iQ needs to go now, I've been looking at Touareg V10 TDIs for a bit of a hoot but the road tax is putting me off. That and the potentially titanic servicing and repair costs. I've just always been fascinated by them and feel that the '6' and a V10 TDI would be such a charismatic driveway. 2 very different ways of going 0-60 in 7 or so seconds onto 140 mph, whilst averaging 25 mpg, although not all at the same time. If not that, another compelling workhorse to complement the '6' could be a V70 D5 185 with a remap, which would outdrag a V10 TDI and still make a similar offbeat warble.

[shalmaneser]

My 205 gti6 had power steering? Just connect up the pump, I guess if the 205 didn't have power steering then retrofitting would be a bit of a pain. The ps rack was faster I think so a worthwhile upgrade.

My 205 was my only car for many years, did 20k+ post conversion, it was a noisy thing. Would be too much for me these days!

[Limited100]

shalmaneser said:

My 205 gti6 had power steering? Just connect up the pump, I guess if the 205 didn't have power steering then retrofitting would be a bit of a pain. The ps rack was faster I think so a worthwhile upgrade.

My 205 was my only car for many years, did 20k+ post conversion, it was a noisy thing. Would be too much for me these days!

Ah yes I think it was an option.

I really need a car port or to move somewhere with a garage. While the 306 is rust-free, this snow doesn't fill me with confidence.

[C. Grimsley]

Starting to rebuild a fresh shell I had hanging about. You don’t realise the struggle to get the small trims and clips etc.



Carl

[cavebloke]

Great thread OP, you’ve kept me motivated whilst my rebuild has been in the doldrums. Hope the 306 keeps giving you fun and trouble-free miles!

C. Grimsley said:

Starting to rebuild a fresh shell I had hanging about. You don’t realise the struggle to get the small trims and clips etc.



Carl

Hi Carl,

I feel your pain! Let us know if you find a good source of brittle French plastic!
Cheers,

Simon

[PhillipM]

C. Grimsley said:

Starting to rebuild a fresh shell I had hanging about. You don’t realise the struggle to get the small trims and clips etc.



Carl

These days it's worth the time to model and then 3d print 'em. That way they're on hand with a short timescale!

[Limited100]

C. Grimsley said:

Starting to rebuild a fresh shell I had hanging about. You don’t realise the struggle to get the small trims and clips etc.



Carl

Wow, what are your plans for it, OEM or an ITB'd monster or something else?

Where did you end up getting the trim from in the end?

[simonh9]

Limited100 said:

Once the weather thaws out I may treat it to some PS3s, but the current landsail ditchfinders have plenty of tread on them. Just a shame I can't get any PS3s in the original dimensions specified for this car.

Michelin now make Pilot Exalto PE2 in the correct size again, which are brilliant all round tyres and similar to the PS3
https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Michelin/Pilo...

[Limited100]

simonh9 said:

Michelin now make Pilot Exalto PE2 in the correct size again, which are brilliant all round tyres and similar to the PS3
https://www.mytyres.co.uk/rshop/tyre/Michelin/Pilo...

Ah thanks that's great, would keep the speedo nice and accurate. A chunk more than the PS3s but I guess that's down to economies of scale.

[C. Grimsley]

Limited100 said:

C. Grimsley said:

Starting to rebuild a fresh shell I had hanging about. You don’t realise the struggle to get the small trims and clips etc.



Carl

Wow, what are your plans for it, OEM or an ITB'd monster or something else?

Where did you end up getting the trim from in the end?

I have a few cars from over the years that are spares cars so luckily at the moment I am ok but the plastics are so brittle it’s a really delicate process getting then out in one piece and refitted.

Carl

[cavebloke]

OP - What’s going on? The GTi-6 is on the Bay? Swapped for a Toyota iQ? Say it ain’t so!
Simon

[Limited100]

cavebloke said:

OP - What’s going on? The GTi-6 is on the Bay? Swapped for a Toyota iQ? Say it ain’t so!
Simon

It is! I've always had the iQ as the sensible daily, erm life's got a bit chaotic and I've had to get rid, in summary it's complicated; a mix of health and financial reasons mainly.

And, the iQ's cost me £1200 in repairs this year so there's so many sunk costs in that, I have to keep it now!

I've been offered £3350 for the GTI-6 already, bidding is getting close to that with 8 days to go, so should be able to recoup most of the project cost.

Would like to get into something fast and German later this year if things improve.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285647563143

[cavebloke]

Good luck with the sale. I’ve enjoyed your thread.

[Limited100]

cavebloke said:

Good luck with the sale. I’ve enjoyed your thread.

Cheers, had some viewings today, was amazing fun on the b roads.

[Limited100]

I had a couple of absolute timewasters interested in buying the '6', but they ended up being flaky.

So I decided to keep the 6 and turn it into a viable daily driver.

Also I had a crash in my iQ earlier today, a chap in a van pulled over left (without indicating left), then swung right (without indicating right) and I went into the side of him. I guess he expected me to be some sort of mindreader.

Sprained thumb (cue compo face!), wasn't very pleasant trying to rip what was left of my front bumper off, as breakdown wouldn't tow me because I was in a 'safe place' (any excuse eh?!):



Not sure what will happen with the insurance, but will see. Anyway, more reason to crack on with the Pug.

I've recently ordered:
Some stock headlights (£59):



Stock height front springs (£100):



Exhaust centre section with silencer (£104):



New exhaust cat (£103):



Once this lot's installed then it just needs window regulators and fresh tyres.

Edited by Limited100 on Sunday 25th February 20:41

[Limited100]

Also ordered some new wheel bolts as mechanic said current ones are dodgy. Here's the spec for future reference / anyone interested:

[C5_Steve]

Thumb looks painful, hope you're on the mend soon!

Pleased to hear you're hanging onto it, some bargains so far it seems to upgrade the Pug!

[integraf40]

Glad to see you're keeping it, they're obviously not the most refined car these days but still good enough as a daily. Have a blaze myself so good to see another getting the required love. I ended up putting a custom stainless on to replace my rotten system but it's a pain in the arse on the noise front to be honest

[Limited100]

C5_Steve said:

Thumb looks painful, hope you're on the mend soon!

Pleased to hear you're hanging onto it, some bargains so far it seems to upgrade the Pug!

Should be alright cheers. Yeh not been too much of an expensive project. Likely be around £4k all in and I'll let it go for £3k minimum over the next year or so.

[Limited100]

integraf40 said:

Glad to see you're keeping it, they're obviously not the most refined car these days but still good enough as a daily. Have a blaze myself so good to see another getting the required love. I ended up putting a custom stainless on to replace my rotten system but it's a pain in the arse on the noise front to be honest

Nice, any pics? I hope this stock-type exhaust is nice and quiet, but the car retains its induction sound.