306 XSi comments please

[chester drawers]

I may be forced into buying something cheap at very short notice and a 306XSi has appeared for not very much wad.

 

Aside from insurance group 23, non-functioning windows and a short MOT (I’m always wary of this) it sounds ok. Not been to see it yet. Aside from the perennial leaking heater matrix issue is there anything specific to look at with one of these?

[gearoil]

Rear beams.

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

I bet a good XSi is a lovely thing to own and drive, plenty of power but less complex than the GTi-6. Is it a Phase 1 or Phase 2? I think they are 8v and 16v respectively.

[cobblers]

My pal had one and it was really thirsty for a car that wasn't really all that fast, but was nice enough to drive.

[Talbotman]

A tidy Xsi is a good motor...if its a 2.0 8v not really terribly thirsty..torquey more than fast but great fun to drive..as mentioned check the rear beam for usual wear....the idle valves can get a bit clogged up and cause stallling..the electric windows arent working probably due to a snapped wire in the loom leading from the drivers door in to the a post. All the other consumables are readily available and cheap its in tidy nick and cheap enough go for it!!!

[retro80sboy]

really nice cars to be fair, had one briefly a couple of years ago, bought it for scrap value but it had a bit of an engine problem so just sold it on a made a quick 100 quid profit.

[garethj]

Knowing how they get driven, I'd check for crash damage - are all the wheels pointing in the same direction?

[meggersdog]

As mentioned before,there will be a broken wire or two.Removal of the door is simple giving greater access to the wiring loom.Don't try joining the broken wires back together solder an extra piece in.

[scooters]

windows an easy fix - all PSA 90s leccy windows are mince and need repairing at some point - my XM was shocking in this regard.

 

306 - ok but I would rather get a cheap Golf Mk2 Gti= more laughs for less running cost

[chester drawers]

Thanks for the constructive comments gentlemen. I'm not shy of wielding a soldering iron and heat shrink so sorting out the well documented wiring issues would pose no problem. The rear beam issues I certainly wasn't aware of so thanks for the heads up on that. It's a phase 2 btw.

 

What is a problem is my somewhat naive assumption that a "fully comprehensive" policy might entitle me to a visit from an assessor rather more quickly than a whole 8 days after I reported a light, ice-induced front ender. Presumably what appears to be a low mileage, unmolested 306 will have sold by then. Bollocks

[barefoot]

 

... my somewhat naive assumption that a "fully comprehensive" policy ...

 

There has never, ever been a fully comprehensive policy.

Back in my day, when there was a book, the book said either TPO, TPF&T or Comp.

[Gompo]

I'm a 306 fan.. not had an XSI but they're apparently a good drive. As others have said no real major faults. I can imagine the 3dr versions getting rare quite quickly as they are a bit of a Barry favourite.

[Owain-328i]

A friend of mine owns one of these at the moment, ive driven it a few times. 2.0 8v and its quite grunty i must say. Well equipped, half leather sports seats etc. He bought it this time last year, paid 1000 for it iirc, got 75k on it, and its a V reg 5 door, as a rough guide for you.