I have just had a garbled message form daughter that I have been detailed off to give a used Peugeot 306 Diesel the once over on behalf of her boyfriend who is useless!
I have printed out the car by car breakdown from the HJ site so can see the recurring bits and bobs - so happy with that.
However, I thought she said it was a 1992 1.9 Diesel and this is not covered in the 306 dates, so assume that must be my error and the car is a 93 or a 94. Or was the 306 available prior to 93?
Can anybody enlighten me on the engine is it likely to be turbo - if it is is there anything I can realistically check at the roadside or during test drive?
I would be grateful for clarification of the above and any other inspection tips. This is not a car/model I am familiar with at all.
Answers befor 2pm would be really useful - after that I am on my own doing the deed.
Cheers
NormanB
Portsmouth
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Petrol models of the 306 were launched in April 1993 and diesels followed in June, according to Parker's. I suppose an earlier import is just possible, but seems unlikely given RHD and the fact that Mk.1s were built at Ryton IIRC. Production moved to France in 1996/7 when Ryton started building 206s. Car could be turbo (launched a month later) which will have PAS and the intercooler on top of the engine (and the 't' on the tailgate).
Most important thing will be some evidence of regular maintenance, especially the cambelt.
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Andrew
Thanks for yor reply, I can now confirm it is a 1993.
The other information you have provided is most useful. The inspection was delayed until 5:30pm (by daughter's boyfriend!!).
Cheers.
NormanB
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Just got back from the inspection visit and test drive.
Sound car with a 10 year old collection of shopping trolley scrapes. Tidy engine bay, no evidence of head gasket failure, cambelt changed 20K miles ago on schedule. The car drives well, brakes in a straight line and CV joints check out on lock to lock spin in the supermarket car park. Tyrs good all round and exhaust shows evidence of a blow from the welded seam on the foreward end of the pipe from back box - so it is about to let go! This is the 2nd owner who has had since car was 6 months. He has previously asked £1450 for the car but is now advertising at £995.
I am tempted to advise an offer of £800 with upper limit of £850.
Appreciate any advice - as I do not know the market on this sector.
Cheers
NormanB
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they're good cars.
Did you check for any sign of heater matrix failure?
If thats ok, then I'd do a deal and buy the car after whatever negotiation happens. its pointless to walk away from a good motor rather than spend another £50 or so buying a good one. You could easily visit another half a dozen cars and not find one as good, then curse yourself for you not buying this.
if you like it, then buy it.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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EEK! - but thank you!
No I did not check that!!
I take it that heater matrix failure is not uncommon in that model then!
I would appreciate any guidance on how to check this easily on this model.
Cheers
NormanB
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Would think worth what you intend paying.popular car.which if owner knows. may want. and stick to asking price.What can you get for a grand these days. Worth buying if as sound as you mention.?
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Was mech1
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Yes thanks for that.
I figure you are right and this guy is fairly laid back and is in no apparent hurry to cut a deal.
My role has been advisory in that I am supposed to know about cars - but I also know my limitations!! ;-)
If I was negotiating the deal it would be straight forward but I am just advising the third party - you can probably appreciate the difficulty. But thanks for your advice - sound!
NormanB
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Most reasonable private sellers will expect an offer within shouting distance of what they are asking, and (depending how many calls they have had) will meet you half way. With a car like this at a price like this, it's not worth fighting over £50 as that will only fill the tank once!
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Norman - it doesn't follow that the exhaust will soon let go. A diesel exhaust can easily last 10 years (my wife's 205DT did) because the innards get sooted up and protected against moisture. It may fail because of flexing of course, if the car has been driven hard.
Is it a turbo, and how many miles?
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Andrew
It is 90K miles and naturally aspirated.
I mentioned the exhaust pipe (not silencer) only because there was a small crack at the weld which was passing gas - and you could see the carbon trail on the pipe. I suppose it could be rewelded for a few pints.! Other than that the exhaust looked pretty sound.
Thanks for taking the time to reply - much appreciated.
NormanB
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With that mileage and description, Norman, I would go for it. A turbo would be a bit more fun, but at 11 years old it sounds a good deal. Change oil & filter every 6K, give it a good dose of diesel injector cleaner and watch it go!
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Make sure you check the radiator is not corroded/leaking and that antifreeze has been changed every 2-3 years.This is important for the headgasket. Apart from that just oil changes every 6000 miles/6 months and it should go on and on.
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Hello again - I just wanted to bring this thread to a conclusion and thank you for all for your kindness and sage advice.
The \'Laddo\' bought the pug for £925 the biggest defect is non working central locking and of course the plippers do not work either so I am off to research the archives on that in a moment.
But the car is basically sound and I am going to teach him some basic servicing and get the car into a \'known condition\' - oil and filters, give the coolant system a flush through (maybe even change the t-stat if I manage to get a haynes or it is obviously easy to get at- unlike the piggin Astra!!).
Funny he baulked at the cost of buying oil etc but today splashed out £350 for a radio cd changer without batting an eylid- had to smile - spending over a third of the cost of the car on a radio!
Thanks to all for your help. It is very much appreciated.
NormanB
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Isnt a citroen xsara the same car but cheaper? You can get an R reg Xsara for under a grand.
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The essence of good comedy is timing Ben, while you may be factually correct, as information for me and the 'Laddo' it is now at best, superfluous. But thanks for the thought and dare I say it the amusement factor! NormanB
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