Suspension sinks on Sundays! C5 X7 that works hard + 206 GTi HDi (and 406 Coupe and 306 HDi). - MattBLancs

[MattBLancs]

Internet research on Cat N insurance suggests it'll be cheaper, more expensive or some companies may refuse to insure it at all. Which is about every possibility other than perhaps something far fetched like "it does not need to be insured, just hop in and drive"

[MattBLancs]

My conclusion from that :

Agreed, struggling to find any of these 6 speed, more powerful variants though! Very odd. Wondering if there was some significant price jump over the 92bhp (5 speed) when new and, well nobody bothered!

[mickthemaverick]

This is quoted as 110bhp but has the pan roof????

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115988376832 ... R_7X7saTYw

[MattBLancs]

This is quoted as 110bhp but has the pan roof????

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115988376832 ... R_7X7saTYw

Ah yes, the rather, erm, well ugly to my eyes "Outdoor" spec!

And also, though not specifically mentioned, I'm pretty sure that's a five speed knob:

Maximum zoomage on the eBay picture

[MattBLancs]

Yes I'm a picky so and so!

(Also drab colour)

[mickthemaverick]

Not knowing anything about them Matt, is that the type of plastic body trimmings similar to the Cactus that defines the outdoor?

[MattBLancs]

Not knowing anything about them Matt, is that the type of plastic body trimmings similar to the Cactus that defines the outdoor?

Yes, as far as I can make out was a quick attempt to jump on the SUV bandwagon and was limited to the sort of blue-grey wheel arch + sill extensions. Don't think had jacked up suspension or any other nonsense (other than the name! "Outdoor", seriously!? In comparison to the normally indoor cars we've to make do with! )

From eBay advert with slap dash mark-up

Different alloys, has the part leather seats of the Allure spec

[mickthemaverick]

Well I agree, pretty hideous! I hadn't looked at more than the front view before you said they were ugly so hadn't appreciated the differences!!

[MattBLancs]

Well I agree, pretty hideous! I hadn't looked at more than the front view before you said they were ugly so hadn't appreciated the differences!!

I can't work out why they picked a different colour plastic to the grey of the bumper!?

If one of them came up I'd be working out how to either remove them or paint them body colour!

[CitroJim]

Same gear knob as on my Picasso

It must have been the angle of the picture I looked at where the red one was advertised that made the boot look quite spacious...

Pan roof is definitely worth going for

[MattBLancs]

Same gear knob as on my Picasso

Think it gets about, think my old C4 had the same too!

It must have been the angle of the picture I looked at where the red one was advertised that made the boot look quite spacious...

Agree, it photos well and looks quite big.
There is of course the possibility the Parkers boot volumes quoted being as good as the "pick of the range" engine gibberish I copied here earlier!

Pan roof is definitely worth going for

Yep, I'm sold on that front too!

[MattBLancs]

Ok, many many cars have been looked at online during the Christmas festivities!

Though originally ruled out as too big, current shortlist is as follows:

(1st choice) Peugeot 308 SW,
in particular the earlier generation(s) in which a seven seat option was available.

A massive array of drab coloured options then presents itself

Given my C5 is black, that colour is ruled out on a basis of "it'll look like a funeral directors car park" !

Here's our front runner:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285621334578?
plus points:
Posh Allure, seven seats, big glass roof, 112 bhp HDi and 6 speed manual, towbar, local.

Negatives:
BORING grey .
Seller sounds a bit of character! (Don't care so long as the car is as described, I'm not seeking to make a new friend! )
308 all seems to be in the £150 road tax bracket.
Diamond turned wheels are doing the inevitable.

On the 308 would have preferred the swifter 2.0 HDi (150bhp, 6 speed and only another £30 road tax (180 Vs 150 of the 1.6) but seems to be very rare.

Later 308 SWs don't have the seven seats option at all ( presumably to push folks towards 3008 / 5008 instead?)

(2nd place) the red 207 SW detailed above.
Fall back option, will become the preferred option if the 308 SW is found to be too large when we see it in the flesh / test drive.

Interestingly it seems to be sold with "12 months MOT" but has recently failed in November with a power steering problem:

Date tested: 14 November 2023. FAIL
Mileage: 94,563 miles

MOT test number: 6394 4187 2651

Repair immediately (major defects):
Electronic power steering not working (2.6 (c))
Electronic power steering warning lamp indicates a system malfunction (2.6 (a))
Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))
Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):
Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

So so work/expense for the seller there!

[CitroJim]

Maybe a boring Grey Matt but that 308 looks like it could be a good buy...

Very family practical and the whole package is easy on the eye...

No worries on that MoT fail you reported as long as all the work has been properly done to make it good again.

[MattBLancs]

Little Coupe progress, seeking a second less rusty upper spring cup, I saw this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145227787639?

Last night, me:

Good evening,

Please could you confirm if this item is for the full "strut" = spring and damper assembly OR for spring alone?
If for spring alone, could you tell me it this item is available separately? - the upper spring cup. Please see attached images.

Note this sits below the strut top bearing (Item 4 on the second image) and (with item 8 = a rubber "noise suppressor") the top of the coil spring itself.


Thank you,
Kind Regards,
Matt

Mark up of their picture from the listing

Further mark up from parts Asia site

Thought I had been more than clear there!

This morning I get this in reply:

Hello,

sorry we don't measure the original parts. You should check your old part number and look at the pictures. You will get what you see in the pictures. 
__________________________________________________UAB "Euro impex Utena" -  Naudotų Automobilių Dalys
Molėtų g. 96, Utena

________________________________________________

I've no idea what they think I want measuring!?! But nevermind.

So have decided to take them at their word

Hello,
The item I need is included on the pictures in your listing - so would be included. Thank you for confirming this.

Thanks also for the quick reply.

Kind regards,
Matt

What's your bets on what arrives? A bare spring? The full strut (including the part of the damper missing from their photos) ?
I am (foolishly?) Optimistic!

[CitroJim]

Fingers crossed Matt