Project or Scrap?

[skadster]

Wasn't sure what part of the forum this would best apply too. But it may become  project and photos will be included, so I thought it best too post here. (mods move if applicable please)

My old car is knackered and a friend offered me his old 306 1.9D for pretty much scrap money. 

The car though reliable for him, hadn't been looked after to the best of his ability. The car had been run without oil  until he noticed, and when refilled was filled a fair bit over the max line. This I assume was why the engine kicks out a fair bit of white/grey smoke after starting and when revved. The car also has a very loud knocking, a lot louder than I would consider a normal diesel knock.


Unfortunately this disregard for car maintenance also seems to have applied to the rest of the car too. Two days after driving the car, the drivers side strut spring broke and took the tyre with it. Thankfully not at speed.

I've since had the wheel off and had a look at the damage done. Clearly it needs a new spring, but looking around the car wheel well, it's going to need a lot more than that. Both struts look gubbed to me. Inner and out tie rods look gubbed too. Will also need new pads and discs.

The rear end has a suspension bar between both rear wheels that looks pretty much rusted out, and the bars that appear to support the fuel tank look in pretty bad condition too.

I've no experience with Peugeot's, but could probably do the repairs myself. But, I'm honestly wondering if it's worth it considering the car has only a months MOT on it. I know people on here can't decide for me, but I just wondered with the expertise on here if peeps would have a gander and throw a few comments at me regards what they would do.

I have bit of difficulty with my health so really need a car. But I don't want to plough hundreds upon hundred into a car that's pretty much gone. 



Oh, another thing I noted. The car has only done about 1200 miles since it's last MOT, but the brakes are in such a state of disrepair, I'm surprised it even got through with them on the car. 

Pics incoming.


Vid of smoke. Crappy quality doesn't quite capture the density:


https://www.dropbox.com/s/1826uof2b842pc...o.mp4?dl=0


Various pics of  inner wheel well brakes etc..


https://www.dropbox.com/s/2mxhlv082htlsl...2.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/ofgazkgryf3bug...6.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/7g07mj9oto4vlb...9.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/5twysa1smc9an4...1.JPG?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/lmzhf5jf3q85h5...o.jpg?dl=0


https://www.dropbox.com/s/z5kyivsswqz4st...o.jpg?dl=0

Hope these links work.

[Nexus]

Don't think I've seen pads/discs that bad for a while!

The obvious bits would be the discs/pads and two new springs fitted. However as you said yourself, depends on the moolah you wish to invest in to it. Unfortunately I'm not a diesel owner myself however for me I'd be keeping a close eye on the condition of the emissions/white smoke etc and to how extensive any damage is to internal engine components.

You could technically fix up the suspension and brakes on a budget however the engine's condition may be something to consider in the long run. Hopefully some diesel owners here can shed some light for you on the white smoke.

[PaulOH]

Why not put it through the MOT now and see what they say.
Should it fail - your description suggests it may well - then you can tot up a list of problems and repair time/costs - a "what´s it going to set me back" analysis. It seems like you know the difference between what you can do cheaply yourself and what you would have to pay big money for to keep it road legal.
If you´re going to be into the type of spending that would otherwise net you a tidier, potentially more reliable car, then the decision is easy enough.
The valid ticket is the starting point for all other decisions - without this being a cost effective prospect (which the MOT results will tell you about) then there´s no point in throwing good money after bad.

[Mighty306]

Crikey, it looks like the car has been parked in the sea! I don't think it's worth thinking about sorting the brakes n other stuff until you know the engine has some life in it. What led to it having no oil in it? Don't know much about diesels but with a petrol engine white smoke might indicate a head gasket failure. The load knocking sounds ominous too considering it was run without oil. Check for HG failure first. Oil not turning to mayo, no oil in coolant n cooling system not pressurised by combustion gases?

[Eeyore]

At the price of 306s I would go out and find another. You can probably find a better one that only costs a few hundred at best which is probably how much you will have to spend on that for springs, beam, welding, brakes all round etc.

[Dum-Dum]

Replace the spring and run it into the ground till the MOT runs out then just buy a new one, the difference between a good 306 and a shit 306 is just a couple hundred quid these days.

[PaulOH]

What did you do in the end?