(04-03-2017, 07:55 AM)partybish Wrote: Thanks MY95, that's sound advice and I really should take that approach. If I was to go the other way, take a risk and buy something cheap (£5-600) with little or no records, what would you budget and do to it first as a precaution e.g. cambelt, aux belts, water pumps etc etc. I guess there could be untold wear to the engine but I've seen people pay for strip downs and rebuilds for around £1500.
Also any recommendations for good HDI specialists in the South (Surrey/Hants)?
No worries, id seriously advise against that - these cars need a lot of work with the age they are at already, and buying a one that hasn't been looked after will have a lot more problems.
Touch wood I haven't had any engine problems in the last 50k other than changing the Aux belt twice and cambelt once. Find a bad one though and you'll be constantly fixing the engine for various error codes. You wouldn't pay for a strip down, youd just get another engine fitted as they are cheap anyway.
If you were to buy a cheap one make sure its got some service history at least, the rear axle will most definitely need doing, alongside some other suspension components. Pretty hardy cars if looked after, mine gets used daily and its been really really good to me, took my parents to the garage the three times their 308 1.6 HDI Estate broke down when the AA came and towed it, just shows older cars can be more reliable if looked after and you have a good one.
RE HDI specialists, they are a very easy engine to work on and any garage/decent mechanic could work on them, the only HDI specialists are the forum tuners i.e. HDI-Tuning.
My advice is to buy on condition not model, you can put all the GTI6/HDI D Turbo bits into a 5dr anyway, bought mine because I knew it had been looked after since new, if you only wanted the looks of the GTI/HDI DT you'd only need to add the spoilers and wheels which can be had for under £100, more tricky is finding the 5dr HDI DT seats but that's possible as ive done it. You may as well buy a refurbed axle and some new uprated shocks/springs and refresh all the bushes if your planning on keeping it a while as they drive so well after.
As an example go for a car like these two that have had the last owner who has had the car for as long as possible, Y plates are cheaper for tax too (around £140 vs £230)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...asc&page=2
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/a...306&page=4
Inbox me if you want to ask anything.