Andrew's Classic 306

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 25 Feb 2023, 14:40

Bought this end of last year .. in really good condition, original paint and, rare for a hot 306, it also avoided the Max Power era. Less than half the Topic price too.

Oh and I love my classic Minis, Mk1 and Mk2.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 25 Feb 2023, 18:39

Oh I do like that 306 Andrew

And a warm welcome to the forum!

Unread post by **MattBLancs** » 25 Feb 2023, 22:23

Andrew121967 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2023, 14:40 Bought this end of last year .. in really good condition, original paint and, rare for a hot 306, it also avoided the Max Power era. Less than half the Topic price too.

Oh and I love my classic Minis, Mk1 and Mk2.

That's lovely, looks mint! Wondering if is maybe a tiny bit lower than standard? That spoiler was a factory option I think. As you say it's done well to escape any Max Power tat!

Check the rear seat belt mounts carefully!
viewtopic.php?t=72956
Also bulkhead and inner wings!
viewtopic.php?t=73059

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 25 Feb 2023, 22:54

Thanks for the welcome and comments

It maybe has been lowered slightly at the back but if it has its to a sensible height .

It has rear arch liners .. took N/S one out and it’s absolutely mint, looks like factory wax all over … pic attached .

Inner wings / bulkhead etc all excellent and virtually mint .. one tiny piece of welding done years ago in front arch.

Yep, it is a Peugeot aftermarket three legged spoiler .. seems to be a Marmite spoiler .. love or hate them. I love it !

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 25 Feb 2023, 23:05

Hi Andrew and

,

Glad to see Marc has sorted this and now you can tell all

Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 26 Feb 2023, 13:01

I've moved this into the Blogs thread given Steve's internet issues. @Andrew: if the title isn't appropriate, let me know and I'll change it for you.

I've cleaned up the thread to remove the no longer relevant comments regarding moving the topic and deleted the other thread that now that this one is in place.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 26 Feb 2023, 18:30

Looking forward to all you can post on tis superb car Andrew

Topic subscribed!

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 27 Feb 2023, 13:21

Ok, here we go then

Now in my mid 50’s, I’m not finding driving my classic Minis any distance much fun (to many aches and pains). The one car I regret selling was a ‘95 Miami Blue 306 DTurbo. So decided to try to find another 306 to use as a modern classic for longer distances to shows .

It quickly became clear that D Turbos in standard form are virtually non existent so then went onto look for a GTI-6. Last summer a Sigma S16 came up for sale on eBay and I went to look at that but was disappointed by its condition and performance. I then looked at a Phase 1 GTI-6, which could be a good car but needed a bit too much work.

A comment made on a 306 Facebook group regarding the Sigma S16, put me in touch with Paul, a chap from up Doncaster way who had another Sigma S16 and also a white S16. Paul said he was going to sell one of them, probably the white one, so I said I’d be interested. A few months went by (for various reasons) before the car was ready for sale but by later December it was. An eventful train trip from Norfolk to Doncaster ensued and a drove the car home, its longest trip in many years, having been pretty much in storage since around 2014.

The car is really original with only a couple tiny rust marks in front of the sunroof, extremely minor but I will have the roof painted in the Spring. Interior is very nice with only a minor hole in the drivers bolster and a bit of discolouration to the black leather.

Comes with a folder of invoices going back to almost when new and enough there to show, I think, all the previous owners.

It’s had a new clutch, cambelt kit and various other parts, fully serviced. The wheels appear to have been refurbed and has matching almost new tyres.

Since getting it home, I have given the paint a good cut and polish including taking all the lights out and seals off around the doors and tailgate to clean. I also re crackle finished the cam cover and fitted new seals.

It’s so comfortable to drive and has a great exhaust note. Really looking forward to getting out in it soon. It will lead a cosseted life now, it deserves that. It’s possibly the only white S16 on the road in the UK .. unless you know different

Unread post by **MattBLancs** » 27 Feb 2023, 13:31

With respect to tyres, it'll be on 195/55R15 from new, sounds like you are unlikely to needs some for a while, but be aware it's a funny size. 195/50R15 is a tiny reduction in overall diameter and miles cheaper (when I bought Uniroyal Rainsport tyres for my HDi (on same size Cyclones) it was something like £75 each for /55 or £50 each for /50 !! So had four of the smaller ones instead.

Have a look at the spare, being an early one it might be a fifth alloy (my 1995 "M" 306 sedan in posh STDT spec had 5) - my 1999 306 makes do with a steel spare (with strange additions to each wheel bolt hole to suit the flat washer bolts) and they have a hard life under the back in the wire carrier!

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 27 Feb 2023, 13:36

I think it does have a spare alloy, need to take it out to make sure it’s good. The wheel bolts are most unusual in style.

Thanks for the heads up in the tyres, an interesting point . As you say it will be a while but worth bearing in mind.

Unread post by **Orbit Motors** » 27 Feb 2023, 16:54

Hi Andrew and welcome!

Loving this 306, I'm not normally a fan of white but there are certain cars where it definitely suits, and the 306 is one of them.

That interior is well and truly funky 90s French and I love it.

Have a look at my blog thread going on with my naturally aspirated 1995 dizzler 306 if you wish, absolutely dog slow but I love it. You got a lot luckier with the wheel arch than I did as you will see!

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 27 Feb 2023, 18:15

Orbit Motors wrote: ↑27 Feb 2023, 16:54 Hi Andrew and welcome!

Loving this 306, I'm not normally a fan of white but there are certain cars where it definitely suits, and the 306 is one of them.

That interior is well and truly funky 90s French and I love it.

Have a look at my blog thread going on with my naturally aspirated 1995 dizzler 306 if you wish, absolutely dog slow but I love it. You got a lot luckier with the wheel arch than I did as you will see!

I’ll give your post a look for sure .. gotta love a P1 306

As I understand it, the lesser models that didn’t have arch liners really do suffer with arch rot. Whenever a GTI-6 or other top range is broken, the liners are one of the first things to be snapped up.

I’d agree that I’m also not normally a white car fan but as soon as I saw a photo of the S16 I thought ‘that looks the dogs ….’

Doesn’t really matter the model, they all handle the same and that’s part of what makes them a great modern classic, and very much underrated at that.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 27 Feb 2023, 19:03

Andrew121967 wrote: ↑27 Feb 2023, 18:15 Doesn’t really matter the model, they all handle the same and that’s part of what makes them a great modern classic, and very much underrated at that.

The times I've driven a 306 I've found the general handling and feel is very reminiscent of a 205 with anti-roll bars - I see the 306 as a bit bigger 205 with all the 205 character. Huge fun to drive and yes, underrated except by those who know them

I've owned several 205s in the past, including an STDT and a GTi.

Unread post by **MattBLancs** » 27 Feb 2023, 19:05

I agree with you both, don't really like white cars, but this does look well in it.

I think, and it's testing my memory, but should there be little S16 badges - on the doors near the side repeaters?

When you look at the spare, check the date code on the tyre too - mine is the original from 1999! Holds pressure ok but use of it not recommended!

Andrew121967 · Unread post by **Andrew121967** » 27 Feb 2023, 19:12

CitroJim wrote: ↑27 Feb 2023, 19:03
Andrew121967 wrote: ↑27 Feb 2023, 18:15 Doesn’t really matter the model, they all handle the same and that’s part of what makes them a great modern classic, and very much underrated at that.
The times I've driven a 306 I've found the general handling and feel is very reminiscent of a 205 with anti-roll bars - I see the 306 as a bit bigger 205 with all the 205 character. Huge fun to drive and yes, underrated except by those who know them

I've owned several 205s in the past, including an STDT and a GTi.

I’ve never driven or even been in a 205 but everyone who has had dealing with both 205 and 306 say the same as you Jim.

I did start to look for a 205 GTI to start with but they are too much money for my liking so went for a 306 instead, partly also due to fact I had a couple years ago.

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