306 GTi6, what should I look out for when buying?

306 GTi6, what should I look out for when buying?

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Big Fat Fatty

Original Poster:

3,303 posts

155 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
These seem to be calling to me at the moment, always fancied one and I need another car for the missus anyway so I put the idea to her (it's a thinly veiled attempt to get myself something small and fun).

They're 15 years old now but the majority are still fairly clean looking things. The only experience I've had with French cars was a particularly ropey 309 GTi I had years ago, can anyone give me some advice on the main issues to look out for on the 306?

Cheers

Supercell

110 posts

131 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
I've never owned one, but there are a couple of things I've read in passing that should be looked at if you're buying:

-The cambelt is prone to snapping if the service intervals are neglected. I think its quite a short interval for cambelts on that engine as well. If its snapped and repaired poorly, the engine will be quite tappy.
-Check the rear beam wheel bearings. If they are shot, the wheels will lean inwards at the top as you look from the back of the car like this /-----\ . Not a massive job, and quite common on the 106, 206 and 306, but you can get a full recon beam from "Imaxles" for approx £200-£300.
- The 306 used to suffer from door looms that wear through and leave you with no electrics, but not sure if it was rectified?

HereBeMonsters

14,180 posts

181 months

Friday 19th September 2014
quotequote all
All the interior electrics will be fked. The aircon won't work ("just needs a re-gas, mate"), the rev counter will fail at random times and the seat bolsters will collapse.

Ignore all of that, and they're great cars!

Old Merc

3,486 posts

166 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
I`m a 306 fan,best range of models Peugeot made particularly the 16V models.
Trouble is as you say they are over 15 years old and getting thin on the ground.Finding a nice clean one will be hard work but if you do I bet you will be pleased.
The regular "306 faults" have been mentioned,rear axle radius arm bearings,door to "A" post wiring etc,also the heater matrix is prone to leaking.(coolant in n/side footwell?).Mind you if you find one now that`s in regular use all these problems may have been sorted long ago??
The other things to look for would be the normal age and mileage stuff.Also stick to a standard one,avoid one that`s been played with and altered by a boy racer.
Start looking on the various Peugeot owners clubs classifieds??

gretsch drummer

622 posts

156 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
But even if the beam is a tad wonky, it isn't tooooo hard to rebuild it and not nearly the price imaxles rip people off by:




steve954

895 posts

179 months

Saturday 20th September 2014
quotequote all
Ok where to start! Once other checks have been done,

Most important Cambelt, Peugeot recommend 60k chances of it getting to this is very slim! 25-30k is what you should be looking at and budget £200-250 for a proper job including water pump.

Rattles coming from the head area which sounds like a sewing machine is evidence the Cambelt has snapped in the past! Walk away!

Air on doesn't work? Well don't fall for the needs a regass as the pipes that run under the radiators would have failed.

Radiators are prone to corrison if still on the original

Under the top engine mount where it attaches to the chassis is prone to cracking so listen for a cracking noise on hard braking and acceleration.

Rear beams can have problems look for adverse camber and creaking noises.

Clutches are really heavy this is normal unless the clutch is very new.

Center less wheels can be a pain to balance

Airbag like maybe on which is more than likely due to the connectors under the drivers seat.

There has been a lot of reported head gasket problems lately.

Two people I would recommend for work who have a specalist interest in these cars are
Carl chambers located in Suffolk
07889 082466 or cm chambers cars on Facebook

And cg cars of Leicester
http://www.cgcarsleicester.co.uk

Big Fat Fatty

Original Poster:

3,303 posts

155 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
You guys are legends, I'm keeping up the search for the right one now.

Pebbles167

3,417 posts

151 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
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steve954 said:
Ok where to start! Once other checks have been done,

Most important Cambelt, Peugeot recommend 60k chances of it getting to this is very slim! 25-30k is what you should be looking at and budget £200-250 for a proper job including water pump.

Rattles coming from the head area which sounds like a sewing machine is evidence the Cambelt has snapped in the past! Walk away!

Air on doesn't work? Well don't fall for the needs a regass as the pipes that run under the radiators would have failed.

Radiators are prone to corrison if still on the original

Under the top engine mount where it attaches to the chassis is prone to cracking so listen for a cracking noise on hard braking and acceleration.

Rear beams can have problems look for adverse camber and creaking noises.

Clutches are really heavy this is normal unless the clutch is very new.

Center less wheels can be a pain to balance

Airbag like maybe on which is more than likely due to the connectors under the drivers seat.

There has been a lot of reported head gasket problems lately.

Two people I would recommend for work who have a specalist interest in these cars are
Carl chambers located in Suffolk
07889 082466 or cm chambers cars on Facebook

And cg cars of Leicester
http://www.cgcarsleicester.co.uk
You listen to steve, he knows his stuff smile

Chr1sch

2,585 posts

192 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Wow thats all really good info, shame i bought one already lol

Mine has had a head rebuild by 'RichW' on the Gti6 forum who has a great reputation, but i must say whilst it doesnt 'tap' too much, it is bloody noisy (16 new valves, triple layer steel head gasket etc). Mine has a 3 yrd old cambelt on it but its only done 8k in that time, so i'll be getting that done asap post my first track day on monday...

I'd also say to look at rust - i'm surprised superficially how little mine has (none on the bodywork) but the chasis rails where people have buggered them incorrectly jacking them up are pretty manky...

I will add that they are fantastic fun to drive, mine came with Bilstein B8 dampers and Eibach Springs and its a fabulous setup if you can find one with it. (still fetch £300+ on ebay second hand)

There are various facebook groups i'd encourage you to join, lots of cars come up on there that dont appear online elsewhere, there's a nice silvery blue one for £900 at the mo....

Cheers

Chris


PhillipM

6,515 posts

188 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Check for rust around the inner arches at the rear and the sills under the b-pillar too.