Peugeot 306 GTi 6 vs. 106 GTi

[wackojacko]

m555 said:

wackojacko said:

106's seem to have very suspect gearboxes...

Why suspect? had one for many years, and tracked it too, never failed!

Apparently it's abit hit a miss with the Gearbox's I'm no French car enthusiast but I think it's the bearing on the main drive gear shaft or synchro's that become abit dodgy.


Not sure though.

[300bhp/ton]

wackojacko said:

Apparently it's abit hit a miss with the Gearbox's I'm no French car enthusiast but I think it's the bearing on the main drive gear shaft or synchro's that become abit dodgy.


Not sure though.

I think its just the linkage from the bottom of the stick to the box that often fails. A pity, but you can cable tie it to get you home.

[miniman]

I loved my 106GTi. Quite why I chose a Megane Coupe instead of another one is beyond me.

[m555]

106 GTI's are great fun, just dont crash, very fragile even at walking pace bumps

[FamilyDub]

DJC said:

FamilyDub said:

106 GTI for me, in the gold colour, whatever it's called.

I've been banned from purchasing anything gold which sadly includes the Blaze yellow!

I knew it was called a 'yellow', but couldn't get FIAT Broom Yellow out my head! I've always thought it's the nicest colour on the 106 GTI...

Go with the red (Diablo?) in your OP, then - that's nice too?





bias, much

[Splats]

m555 said:

106 GTI's are great fun, just dont crash, very fragile even at walking pace bumps

This is actually a very fair point. the 106/VTS is super fragile in a crash situation. At any sort of half-decent speed there is a very high risk of serious injury or death. I would imagine that the 306 would probably fare a lot better. I know it's not something we tend to think about but, having matured 10 years since I had my VTS, I'd imagine I'd feel a lot more vulnerable throwing one around now.

[busta]

300bhp/ton said:

wackojacko said:

Apparently it's abit hit a miss with the Gearbox's I'm no French car enthusiast but I think it's the bearing on the main drive gear shaft or synchro's that become abit dodgy.


Not sure though.

I think its just the linkage from the bottom of the stick to the box that often fails. A pity, but you can cable tie it to get you home.

You're both right. The MA gearboxes are weak internally with bearings and syncros being the main problems but the casings are also very weak which causes bigger issues as the bearing housings can wear significantly making rebuilds a bit hopeless. The gear linkages are also prone to wear letting things get a bit sloppy but in my experience this isn't a problem so much as a nuisance.

It's the biggest weakness on the 106/Saxo. Apparently the MA gearbox was originally designed for the metro.

[EDLT]

Splats said:

m555 said:

106 GTI's are great fun, just dont crash, very fragile even at walking pace bumps

This is actually a very fair point. the 106/VTS is super fragile in a crash situation. At any sort of half-decent speed there is a very high risk of serious injury or death. I would imagine that the 306 would probably fare a lot better. I know it's not something we tend to think about but, having matured 10 years since I had my VTS, I'd imagine I'd feel a lot more vulnerable throwing one around now.

A 306 isn't exactly a tank, it got three NCAP stars. Mind you the 106 just had a picture of a priest


I'd get the 306, its much nicer to drive more of the time.

[HurryUpAndWait]

I've not driven a 106 GTi, but have plenty of experience with it's bigger brother. In fact, I loved my GTi-6 so much, I couldn't bare to sell it when I upgraded to an M3 CS. After selling the CS and jumping back in the '6, though it felt slow at first, the steering is just so communicative, the ride so well composed. Lift-off oversteer is a joy that I suspect has been confined to the history books - remember these are from the pre-stability control era, and much better for it.

The '6 is also a pretty comfortable place to be. Leather seats & a supple ride make for relaxed ground-covering, especially since 6th is plenty long enough. If you want to indulge your inner hooligan, then drop a couple of cogs and enjoy blasting your way through the (motorsport-derived) gearbox keeping the engine in the power band.

It really is a hoot, even in blaze yellow... And I will never sell mine.

[PhillipM]

300bhp/ton said:

I think its just the linkage from the bottom of the stick to the box that often fails. A pity, but you can cable tie it to get you home.

Damn that sloppy gear linkage, look what it did!







And that's the updated reinforced gearbox!

[chevronb37]

Asolutely love my 306 Rallye. I looked at a 106 but couldn't find a decent one within budget and the extra space of the 306 does help. The 106 is probably more nimble but the 306 is communicative, compliant and sounds great. I think you'll love whichever you choose!

[Kiltox]

I imagine a 106 is a good laugh - currently shedding it up in a MK1 1.0 and it's quite fun to drive.

As said - gear linkage rods a weak point - currently looking for a cheap replacement for mine.

[DJC]

FamilyDub said:

I knew it was called a 'yellow', but couldn't get FIAT Broom Yellow out my head! I've always thought it's the nicest colour on the 106 GTI...

Go with the red (Diablo?) in your OP, then - that's nice too?





bias, much

I probably would, my 306 DT is Diablo and I love the colour

[darren9]

I had a 306 GTi a couple of years ago in blaze yellow, as soon as I sold it I regretted it so last night and went and bought another.

A V plate Ph3 diablo.

They're wonderful cars fast but without overpowering the chassis. lift off oversteer is a laugh, the brakes are well judged, the suspension is fantasic and the steering communitive.

Mine needs a few bits looking at - wheel bearing, tires are wearing and there's a judder under breaking but these can be sorted and at a grand its great value for a car which is capable on the road and track and as a daily driver.

[pidsy]

I had a diablo red 106 gti a few years ago and it was a great little car! Handled like a go-kart and the 1.6 16v engine is very nippy. Bit basic inside by todays standards but the half leather half alcantara seats are comfortable. There was a topgear special a number of years ago where they wanted to name the 106gti the best handling car ever (up to that point) but jc wouldnt let them cos its french.

[DJC]

Kiltox said:

I imagine a 106 is a good laugh - currently shedding it up in a MK1 1.0 and it's quite fun to drive.

Sold the Kia?

[Kiltox]

DJC said:

Sold the Kia?

Nope - need to do some unexpected work miles and that doesn't agree with the mileage limit on my PCP.

So rather than pay a penalty / give the car a haircut, I'm shedding it up

[MrBrightSi]

Both are great cars. I had a friend with a gti6 ammazing sounding car. I would go for the rallye varient of either.

[r1ch]

For out and out fun, the i'd chose the 106 gti anyday. The 306 is more practical, great chassis(sp?), and makes a great induction note with an aftermarket filter.

Had a 306 rallye for a couple of years, and while it was a very good car, i found it to be a little boring at times. Which in some ways is good because some people say thats what a hot hatch should be. Fun when pushing it, but when pottering round nice and compliant. Some days driving to work i'd think, i may aswell had a HDI as it didn't have a great sense of occasion to jump in, but then i've always had 205's which are raw by anyones standards so i'm a bit funny like that. A 306 feels like a bentley after a 205.

I'd throw a curve ball and suggest a 205 mi16. 160bhp in a shoe box. weeee

[VB]

106GTi is just as quick up to 90mph, but the 306 has a better sounding engine, nicer interior & a bit more room.

Just make sure the cambelt has been done & it's not a snapper- been repaired & is now 'ticking'. They tick a little due to the injectors, but anything that can be heard with the bonnet shut has been repaired & probably bent a valve guide.


If it was my money, I'd go unmodified jap.