GTI6 or XSI

[KevinTW]

I am after one or the other of these as a second car. Being 47 I can get the insurance cheap enough. The 5 door XSI appeals as it is easier for getting the kids in and out but I could live with a 3 door. MPG is not an issue as it will do less than 5k a year. I remember 205 GTI 1.6 being £400 a few years ago and look at them now. I would buy the car,run it and keep it a good few years adding minimal miles. I want an standard car. It looks like XSIs are £400 upwards and the GTI6 £1000 upwards. Any ideas? It strikes me that the GTI6 would appreciate more but the XSI is a lot cheaper to buy. I am not overly fussed about the performance but would like to get an appreciating classic I could use every day. What tyres do each type take as I have a dozen very good 185/65r14s in my lockup? Apart from being owned by maniacs what are the pitfalls? Any advice or help gratefully received.

Thanks
Kevin

[Eeyore]

Neither have 14s. Get the gti6 and have the best. Xsi will never be as good or appreciate as much unless it is truly truly mint low miler.

[7057sam]

gti6's as far easier to resale aswell.

But if just wanted a clean car probably get more for your money getting a xsi.

[Toms306]

GTi6 definitely, XSi's are cheap for a reason!

[Xsikid]

I had a phase 3 xsi 16 valve which I have to say was an awesome car, fairly fast with a few mods but now I have the 6 it's now putting a much bigger smile on my face. :-)) both are great cars

[KevinTW]

Neither have 14s. Get the gti6 and have the best. Xsi will never be as good or appreciate as much unless it is truly truly mint low miler.

I have found a GTI6 which is lowered. I would put it back to standard. Front springs are easy enough but what about the rear. Would it be a case of taking the arms off the torsion bar? I saw Ed China do this to a 205GTI on TV.I assume it involves a big hammer.

[Eeyore]

Neither have 14s. Get the gti6 and have the best. Xsi will never be as good or appreciate as much unless it is truly truly mint low miler.

I have found a GTI6 which is lowered. I would put it back to standard. Front springs are easy enough but what about the rear. Would it be a case of taking the arms off the torsion bar? I saw Ed China do this to a 205GTI on TV.I assume it involves a big hammer.

So tbh i wouldnt put it to standard height. A 40mm drop is a nice drop, improves it and looks better. So its essentially removing the bars but the 306 is pretty much the worst out of the entire range for seizing. I wouldnt suggest you do it yourself unless you have specialist tools, heat and a lot of time. 

Also that 205 episode of wheeler dealers was just terrible D:

[powerandtorque]

...but the 306 is pretty much the worst out of the entire range for seizing. I wouldnt suggest you do it yourself unless you have specialist tools, heat and a lot of time. 

You've clearly never tried a Xsara beam. Logically they should be no different to 306 ones, but I'm assuming that they must have been assembled in different places and absolutely no grease applied anywhere near the splines, as almost without fail they've been a complete and utter pig they've been so seized in place. Indeed, on a couple of occasions I've had to resort to taking an angle grinder to the tube, sacrificing it to save the 21mm torsion bars.

Anyway, if the beam in question has been partly apart before for lowering then it probably won't pose too many issues getting it apart now - only question is whether it was done "properly" by freeing both ends of the torsion bar or whether only one end was freed and it was lowered by the "spline" method. The later has other implications as you're opening a can of worms by disturbing the bearings/seals to knock the arm out and that a "quick" lowering job could very easily turn into a full rebuild when you realise what state the beam is actually in (which in most cases, is f**ked)

[Eeyore]

...but the 306 is pretty much the worst out of the entire range for seizing. I wouldnt suggest you do it yourself unless you have specialist tools, heat and a lot of time. 

You've clearly never tried a Xsara beam.  Logically they should be no different to 306 ones, but I'm assuming that they must have been assembled in different places and absolutely no grease applied anywhere near the splines, as almost without fail they've been a complete and utter pig they've been so seized in place.  Indeed, on a couple of occasions I've had to resort to taking an angle grinder to the tube, sacrificing it to save the 21mm torsion bars.

Anyway, if the beam in question has been partly apart before for lowering then it probably won't pose too many issues getting it apart now - only question is whether it was done "properly" by freeing both ends of the torsion bar or whether only one end was freed and it was lowered by the "spline" method.  The later has other implications as you're opening a can of worms by disturbing the bearings/seals to knock the arm out and that a "quick" lowering job could very easily turn into a full rebuild when you realise what state the beam is actually in (which in most cases, is f**ked)

yes youre right ive never tried a xsara beam. When i say the range... i meant the peugeot range.

[powerandtorque]

That's fair enough. Certainly I agree that they can be more of a struggle than 205 or 309 beams to pull apart, despite being best part of a decade newer.

[KevinTW]

...but the 306 is pretty much the worst out of the entire range for seizing. I wouldnt suggest you do it yourself unless you have specialist tools, heat and a lot of time. 

Thanks guys. My gut instinct was to go for a standard one anyway. If one comes up for sale point them in my direction.

You've clearly never tried a Xsara beam.  Logically they should be no different to 306 ones, but I'm assuming that they must have been assembled in different places and absolutely no grease applied anywhere near the splines, as almost without fail they've been a complete and utter pig they've been so seized in place.  Indeed, on a couple of occasions I've had to resort to taking an angle grinder to the tube, sacrificing it to save the 21mm torsion bars.

Anyway, if the beam in question has been partly apart before for lowering then it probably won't pose too many issues getting it apart now - only question is whether it was done "properly" by freeing both ends of the torsion bar or whether only one end was freed and it was lowered by the "spline" method.  The later has other implications as you're opening a can of worms by disturbing the bearings/seals to knock the arm out and that a "quick" lowering job could very easily turn into a full rebuild when you realise what state the beam is actually in (which in most cases, is f**ked)

yes youre right ive never tried a xsara beam. When i say the range... i meant the peugeot range.

[Toms306]

The standard ones mostly have knackered beams now anyway! Definitely factor a beam rebuild into 'expected' prices when buying a long term 306 nowadays.