28 replies to this topic

[The Matt]

Yes mate, it's near Wrexham, North Wales. Where in South Wales are you?

[electricfurnace]

Damn. I'm in Pontypridd, about half hour from Cardiff. You ever down my way? ;)

[The Matt]

Afraid not.  Don't really travel around much in that area.

[electricfurnace]

Thats a pity. If you were closer I would have bought that this weekend mate. Good luck with the sale though.

[The Matt]

I'll be at Bingley Mini show this weekend in it, if you're going there?

Or I'll maybe be able to arrange something next weekend for meeting up or something?  Halfway is still 1.5 hours each way for us both though.

[grumpy2]

Not what I had in mind and a total unknown for me so I couple of questions please.

What does the tax and insurance cost.
Is there a good parts backup network like the mini
What room is there to tinker and improve the car.

I'm after a little spring project and this could fit the bill. I'm only about half an hour away too.

[The Matt]

The insurance is ok for me. But I'm old.

Tax is 120 for 6 months.

Room to tinker.....masses.

A lot of people put the 2.0 GTI6 engine in (16v, 167bhp) from a 306. I also have a mate with a 3.0 V6 (200bhp) in his.

Parts are I far better supply than Minis. You can buy decent second hand gearboxes for 50-100 quid. Decent complete engine for 150-200 quid. Full interiors for 50-100 quid. Not that it needs any of that. Things like bottom arms (60 new), driveshafts (80 new), starters (80 new), alternators (80-100 new) are all readily available. Modded parts like silicone hose sets, uprated bushes, exhausts, air filters etc are all available new from mainstream suppliers too.

There's a shortage of shells, I think. A lot have been nicked/scrapped/crashed/rallied, so as much as the complete cars are harder to come by, mechanical parts are really easy to source.

There are a couple off little odd things that are getting expensive though. One example being the rear quarter badges. They got nicked off a lot of cars because they say 1.9 and GTI, so lads with 1.1 205s went around pinching them I guess. New quarter badhes would be like 60-80 quid....not that it needs anything like I've just listed. It's all there, all working and more importantly all in good condition.

[The Matt]

Another common problem with these is the rear beam. If you're buying one then make sure it's got some history with the rear beam. The bearings on the radius arm wear...sometimes to the extent that the bearing boss in the beam gets oval and out of shape. So the beam is then scrap. This one was refurbished by Skip Brown Caes (a 205 specialist) a few years ago. That was 800-1000 from memory.

You can also put 306 parts on them. 306 gearboxes 'fit' including the 6-speed...but that limits right hand steering lock. You can also fit heavier duty rear torsion bars to stiffen the rear. 306 dampers on the front, some Citroën ZX parts fit too. Like the rear arms can be fitted, which give negative camber at the rear.

They're a really tuneable car, butthis one is fairly standard other than:
Avo dampers, group N top mounts and 40mm lowering springs on front
K&N 57i air filter
Magnex back box
Rear beam lowered 40mm
195/50x15s all round instead of 185/55x15
Uprated gear linkages (standard included)
OMP Corsica wheel (standard included)
Group A engine and box mounts (not yet fitted)
Solid rear subframe mounts (not yet fitted)

[grumpy2]

What's ok on the insurance. I'm old too and pay £86 fir my mini on a classic policy. Is the pug eligible for classic ins? Not really interested in go faster tuning but fitting parts from other cars. In any case what make this special?! I remember they were well regarded back in their time but had no idea they have a current following

Just idly musing.

Cheers

[The Matt]

I pay 200ish at 36. Classic car policy but not limited miles.

[The Matt]

I'm taking this to Bingley tomorrow. Anyone interested can have a look there.

[The Matt]

Still here. Had loads of interest so far but no sale.

[electricfurnace]

I'll be at Bingley Mini show this weekend in it, if you're going there?

Or I'll maybe be able to arrange something next weekend for meeting up or something?  Halfway is still 1.5 hours each way for us both though.

Hello mate, sorry only just seen this.
I might be in Builth Wells soon - how far is that from you?

 

Otherwise where would you suggest meeting up halfway? Very interested in arranging this and hopefully buying.

 

Would you be able to re-fit the original steering wheel as I wouldn't want the aftermarket one.

 

Cheers,Alex

Edited by electricfurnace, 29 January 2014 - 02:46 PM.

[The Matt]

Looks very much like this is sold. Feeling pretty gutted about letting it go....must stop looking at my own advert!