Thoughts on a 206 GTI?
Discussion
Im looking for a cheap 2nd car for commuting and came across 206 GTI's within my budget. Does anyone own one? Any problems to look out for(apart from being French)?
Ive seen some nice examples for under 2k with 80k miles which seems ok. Insurance is also a lot cheaper than I thought aswel.
Is it worth buying one or shall I look for something else?
Ive seen some nice examples for under 2k with 80k miles which seems ok. Insurance is also a lot cheaper than I thought aswel.
Is it worth buying one or shall I look for something else?
The biggest problem is it is a 206. Dreadful cars and they really are the sort where for every dozen you might get 1 good one.
What concerned me was the price of some of the parts, the AC failed on my ex's £300, the clutch failed then shortly after the clutch cable, it always squeeked from the cam belt tensioner even after being replaced, water leaks in the boot and into passenger footwell.
Have a look at the JD power surveys you will find the 206 was consistantly at the bottom of the supermini pile below the likes of the Daewoos, Hyundais and other eastern manufactures.
What concerned me was the price of some of the parts, the AC failed on my ex's £300, the clutch failed then shortly after the clutch cable, it always squeeked from the cam belt tensioner even after being replaced, water leaks in the boot and into passenger footwell.
Have a look at the JD power surveys you will find the 206 was consistantly at the bottom of the supermini pile below the likes of the Daewoos, Hyundais and other eastern manufactures.
Honestly... My flat mate just gave his GT Limited edition away for £500 notes he paid £1800 for it just over a year ago and has spent about another grand on it since!
Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Get a 205 GTi for the price of a thrashed half to death chav'd up shoddy 206GTI you can get a mint one. You'll be a lot happier in a car that will drive a lot better, break down less offen, look cooler, handle better, not depreciate and cost a lot less to insure. Even the French hate the 206GTI.
If the 205GTi is a bit common for you how about a decent Clio Williams? The series one was a bit rushed and had build quality issues but easilly available for less than £3,000 and pay up to £5,000 for a well looked after series two.
Évitez les 206GTI comme une pute dix euros.
If the 205GTi is a bit common for you how about a decent Clio Williams? The series one was a bit rushed and had build quality issues but easilly available for less than £3,000 and pay up to £5,000 for a well looked after series two.
Évitez les 206GTI comme une pute dix euros.
Dubmaster77 said:
Honestly... My flat mate just gave his GT Limited edition away for £500 notes he paid £1800 for it just over a year ago and has spent about another grand on it since!
Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Were you shouting that in your head as you typed? Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
useyourdellusion said:
Dubmaster77 said:
Honestly... My flat mate just gave his GT Limited edition away for £500 notes he paid £1800 for it just over a year ago and has spent about another grand on it since!
Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Were you shouting that in your head as you typed? Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Dubmaster77 said:
useyourdellusion said:
Dubmaster77 said:
Honestly... My flat mate just gave his GT Limited edition away for £500 notes he paid £1800 for it just over a year ago and has spent about another grand on it since!
Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
Were you shouting that in your head as you typed? Look for....
Engine mountings,
Rear axle bushes.... They wear to the point of being frightening!
Coil Packs... Genuine ones are expensive.... Non genuine ones dont always work!
Signs of being crashed!
Also the fuel economy around town apeared to be shocking!
And not so great on the motorway!
Though his driving could have something to do with that!!
On the other hand....
My ex girlfriend had a 1.4 lx or somthing I thought it was quite fun to drive all in all.. I cant comment on my friends as it felt like a shed!!
I bought at the same time as him A 1998 BMW 318ti... It is a bit my first BMW... bit its not my first.. So im not worried!
The only thing i have had to replace was the thermostat and two front tyres... This year i have done over 30,000 miles.... Including 4 laps of the Nurburgring... and then on to the south of france
Average of 38 MPG!
£2000 would buy you a late spec sport with all the toys.... Dont listen to the haters...They havent driven one!! These cars handle superbly... Ok the intirior of the lower spec models is a bit low rent but you get the full BMW Driving experience! You wont look back!!
And im not even selling mine!
I owned my 206GTi for 3 years (from 21K miles to 75K) and it was excellent. Nippy rather than quick - it was the 138bhp model - but very reliable and a decent ride. The only thing that conked out was the lambda sensor (which had gone on every car I've owned, so no big deal there). Prior to that I had a Saxo VTS which is also worth a look if you can get a non-chavved one. If you've very very lucky you might be able to get a decent, non-thrashed 172 for around £2K, but you'll need to do a lot of searching. This looks OK on the face of it - a bit chavved but worth a look - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1960125.htm
We all make mistakes. Mine was buying a 206 gti when they came out.
Pretty quick, considering it is made from used french newspapers and white flags.
It decided 4 cylinders was too many within months of me getting it, and switched to 3.... The engine also always made a strange noise which I was assured was normal..
It also used to unlock its self - great when you live in London.
Add to this dealers that added dents whilst not fixing problems, and trim fell off.
Pretty quick, considering it is made from used french newspapers and white flags.
It decided 4 cylinders was too many within months of me getting it, and switched to 3.... The engine also always made a strange noise which I was assured was normal..
It also used to unlock its self - great when you live in London.
Add to this dealers that added dents whilst not fixing problems, and trim fell off.
I already own a stripped out 106 track car which im having to commute in atm. Im fed up of the stiff suspension, noisey exhaust and lack of anything refined!
I did look into a clio 172 and williams but its so similar to the 106 and I wanted to stear clear of these.
The 206 gti offered a lot in terms of leather seats, a/c, electric mirrors etc. It seems like theyre just as unreliable as my 106.
Only other thought was a Fiat Punto HGT Abarth? Id love an impreza wagon for the space but insurance is a killer for me!
I did look into a clio 172 and williams but its so similar to the 106 and I wanted to stear clear of these.
The 206 gti offered a lot in terms of leather seats, a/c, electric mirrors etc. It seems like theyre just as unreliable as my 106.
Only other thought was a Fiat Punto HGT Abarth? Id love an impreza wagon for the space but insurance is a killer for me!
Edited by Matt106 on Friday 20th August 12:01
snotrag said:
As said - a nice 205 Gti, a Clio 16v or Williams, or a 106 Gti or 306 Gti-6 would all be better buys. 206Gti is probably the least favoured of the bunch I reckon.
This would be my recommendation. A little bigger and a little older, but a much better car (and better looking in my opinion) than the 206 and the prices have pretty much hit rock-bottom now. Matt106 said:
Im looking for a cheap 2nd car for commuting and came across 206 GTI's within my budget. Does anyone own one? Any problems to look out for(apart from being French)?
Ive seen some nice examples for under 2k with 80k miles which seems ok. Insurance is also a lot cheaper than I thought aswel.
Is it worth buying one or shall I look for something else?
If you want performance and fun look else where. Even at this price range there are better hot hatches by far.Ive seen some nice examples for under 2k with 80k miles which seems ok. Insurance is also a lot cheaper than I thought aswel.
Is it worth buying one or shall I look for something else?
norman156 said:
snotrag said:
As said - a nice 205 Gti, a Clio 16v or Williams, or a 106 Gti or 306 Gti-6 would all be better buys. 206Gti is probably the least favoured of the bunch I reckon.
This would be my recommendation. A little bigger and a little older, but a much better car (and better looking in my opinion) than the 206 and the prices have pretty much hit rock-bottom now. Id sooner have a good 306 or 205 than any 206.
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