Which 306

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Tue 27 May 2003 13:51
Which 306 - Matt
Brother's just about to buy a 306 turbo diesel and has a choice of two:

1997 306 DTurbo, 3 door, e/w, e/s, 74k, alloys v.good condition but no ABS for £3600

or

1998 306 tdlx, 5 door, e/w,ABS,A/C,rain sens. wipers, 105k, not good condition but still drives well etc. £3700

What is the general consensus? How important are the extra miles - he loves the ABS and Aircon and doesn't mind about a few chips etc. Would be grateful for advice as the deal will happen tonight. Many thanks!

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Tue 27 May 2003 14:01
Which 306 - Citroënian {P}
Hi Matt,

I'm giving the advice often proffered by MiddleMan here, doing so as he knows what he's talking about.

ABS can be a very pricy thing to fail on a car, and is a definite MOT failure if it does go. A/C is another possible source of expensive grief.

If he's keeping the car for a bit and doesn't want the exposure to possible large bills, go for the DTurbo. I don't think 105k is a huge distance to cover for these cars, provided they've been looked after with regular oil changes and timing belt replaced made when required. Worth checking the 74k car as IIRC, 72k is a major service on the XUD engines, requiring timing belt.

Quick reply from me, I'm sure more learned opinion will follow along shortly.

Go for the '97
Lee
MINI adventure in progress
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Tue 27 May 2003 14:01
Which 306 - jonesy127 {P}
Look at HJ's Car-by-Car Breakdown re. 306 engines, particularly certain '97-'98 diesels...
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Tue 27 May 2003 15:07
Which 306 - roscopervis
DTurbo. It may not have ABs or Aircon but it is the more desireable car to have. I think that I would gladly forego those additions for a car with 30k less and will probably sell for more eventually. The condition is the key.
Check the timing bely has been done and that should be a nice car, plus less to go wrong on a French car.
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Tue 27 May 2003 16:58
Which 306 - Matt
Cheers guys - that's what I thought really however tempting those toys might be!
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Tue 27 May 2003 21:35
Which 306 - leatherpatches
DTurbo gets my vote. I would count the 30k miles as significant. However, I would say that both prices seem quite high. The '97 DTurbo is probably worth less than £3k and the high mileage '98 is certainly worth less.

The poster is right about the DTurbo being more desirable, but '97 could be old or new shape, whereas '98 is almost certainly new shape. This update does make a difference to price and desirability.

However, I would stick with lower mileage DTurbo. I would be surprised if this has no ABS as well - most did. However, I am sure you have checked this out.

Tell him to offer £3k max. for the car though or look elsewhere.
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Wed 28 May 2003 10:42
Which 306 - Matt
What is the difference between the Dturbo anf the Tdlx apart from sportier looking seats? Thanks again!
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Wed 28 May 2003 21:27
Which 306 - MikeC
I may be wrong but I think the Dturbo has a slightly more powerful engine than the LX (92bhp against 90). The Dturbo will have alloys and front fogs where as the LX probably won't.

Not sure of the exact ages of these two but according to data I have ABS was a cost option on both 97 Dturbo and 98 TDLX. And Aircon was optional on the 98 car (probably in leiu of a S/R) but not available on the 97 Dturbo. Therefore sounds like the LX your looking at has both of options specified.

The model change was in April 97 (P reg), I'd expect prices of the two be fairly similar anyway as the 307 has replaced the range and both are the 1.9TD not the newer 2.0HDi which was introduced in June 99 with a further facelift.

Hope this helps I think its fairly accurate?! A mate of mine had a 97 Dturbo and loved it, but I'd go for the ABS'd car - I've only needed it properly once but it saved me and a very large insurance bill large insurance bill!
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Wed 28 May 2003 23:14
Which 306 - Andrew-T
I don't think there will be a difference of 2 bhp between the two cars unless the 97 was a Mk1 and the 98 a Mk2. Most Dturbos were 3-door though some 5-door ones came later. The most noticeable differences I can recall (apart from the sport seats) is a top spoiler on the tailgate and a one-piece rear seat squab (i.e. not split).
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