HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE

An expert’s view DARREN SPOONER, SPOOX MOTORSPORT

“We’ve been servicing, modifying and racing Peugeots for years. My favourite era is the 1990s, and among the cars produced then, the 106 GTI stands out. It’s the one I would have over the two Rallye models. Being lighter but with a powerful engine, it can keep up with a 306 GTI-6. Even so, the Rallyes were very good, and you don’t really have to do anything to them to have fun. The S2 was brilliant out of the box, but I prefer the S1’s terrier-like responses. Rust is the number one enemy of Rallyes and Gtis. It breaks out everywhere, so don’t be fooled by a nice paint job. For the Rallyes, original parts including air boxes and the S1’s red seatbelts are hard to find.”

Buyer beware… ■ ENGINE

The 1.3-litre engine in the Rallye S1 is tough but the timing belt should be changed every three years. The Rallye S2 and GTI engines are also tough but suffer with clogged Pico injectors. The woodruff key on the bottom crank pulley can break, then the pulley wanders and throws out the timing, allowing valves and pistons to collide.

■ GEARBOX

On Rallyes, the crown wheel in the gearbox can come adrift, the cross pins can break and the gearbox casting is poor. It’s not strong enough to withstand the stresses as the clutch is released and the power comes in, and it suffers metal fatigue as a result.

■ SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

Expect bushes to be tired, brake lines to be rusty and dampers and springs to be on their way out, but original or upgraded parts are plentiful and inexpensive. Check for rear tyre wear on the inner shoulders, a problem caused by worn rear beam bearings.

■ BODY

Check for rust on the rear quarter inner wings, boot floor and front jacking points (where former owners have jacked the car incorrectly and split the sill seams). It also breaks out on the inner front wings – on the nearside where the ECU and washer bottle are located and on the offside where the fuse box is. Check for rust on the inner faces of the boot walls by poking inside the rear arches.

■ INTERIOR

Expect seats and switchgear to be falling apart.

Also worth knowing

The 106Gti.co.uk website is full of valuable advice and tips on essential jobs ranging from fixing the 106’s dodgy, factory-fit alarm to changing the engine mounts, which can become loose with age. Much of it also applies to the Rallye models. For parts, try spoox.co.uk and 106parts.com.

How much to spend

£2000-£3999

Choice of runners, project Gtis and exhausted track cars.

£4000-£5499

More 1998-reg Gtis in better condition. Beware thrashed track cars with brace bars, big air filters and semi-slick tyres.

£5500-£9999

Nicer cars (including a 1996 S2 Rallye for £7995) but expect to pay £10,000 for a low-mileage 1998-reg GTI.

£10,000-£15,000

The best 106 Gtis and Rallyes, including a 1998 Rallye S2 with 98,000 miles for £12,995.

One we found PEUGEOT 106 GTI, 1998, 80K MILES, £2999

Honest GTI with many major new parts including timing belt, water pump and starter motor. Some minor welding and a little rust but worst part is the peeling lacquer: it needs a respray. Otherwise, a good value-for-money example.