405 Mi16 or 306 S16
Discussion
Looking for a weekend car that will be able to cover a fair distance comfortably, but with fun. I'm a fan of both the 306 and the 405 and have run both, but never the 16v-engined varieties. My budget, which is in Aussie dollars, gives me a 1993/4/5 Mi16 or about the same period S16 - I'll be looking more at the general condition and history, than absolute age.
Anyway, I'm after any hints, tips or advice from those that have walked this path before - what should I look for on the 16v engine, what are the signs that all is not well???
Thanks in advance.
Anyway, I'm after any hints, tips or advice from those that have walked this path before - what should I look for on the 16v engine, what are the signs that all is not well???
Thanks in advance.
405 Mi16 comes with a choice of 2 engines, the earlier 1.9 alloy block 160bhp, or the later 2.0 cast block 155bhp. The later engine is the same as in the 306 S16.
Both cars suffer electrical problems at some point.
The 1.9 can suffer from a nasty smoke habit on high milers, a sign the bores are worn and the only proper cure is new liners and can work out expensive. Only problem with the 2 litre i found is the little pneumatic actuators that control the inlet manifold tracts, the diagphrams tend to split and they stop working making the car feel unresponsive, you should be able to test these by checking if they work when you rev the engine hard from under the bonnet.
Cambelt changes are neccessary and listen out for a whine from the belt as it may be a sign the tensioner bearings are on the way out, if you change the belt its best to do the tensioners as well.
Other than that they are fairly strong and like to be revved
Both cars suffer electrical problems at some point.
The 1.9 can suffer from a nasty smoke habit on high milers, a sign the bores are worn and the only proper cure is new liners and can work out expensive. Only problem with the 2 litre i found is the little pneumatic actuators that control the inlet manifold tracts, the diagphrams tend to split and they stop working making the car feel unresponsive, you should be able to test these by checking if they work when you rev the engine hard from under the bonnet.
Cambelt changes are neccessary and listen out for a whine from the belt as it may be a sign the tensioner bearings are on the way out, if you change the belt its best to do the tensioners as well.
Other than that they are fairly strong and like to be revved
When I was looking at 306's I saw the occasional S16 even if they weren't as common as GTi6s. Never seen a 405 Mi16 - over here atleast they seem to be very rare. Based on that I'd go for a 306 - preferably a GTi6. That said, I wasn't bowled over by the examples I drove, but it's probably just personal preference
I take that back, theres one on autotrader (ok, not much use to you in Oz....)
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Seems like a lot of car for £995.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/
Seems like a lot of car for £995.
Thanks for the responses. Neither S16s or Mi16s are particularly common over here either, its just that for the money I've got to spend, there's bugger all else worth driving, unless you've got a wallet capable of running a smoky ol' Merc. V8s are generally trashed and anything Japanese has been riced.
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