1999 Peugeot 306 Meridian HDi 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Proof that fun and diesel can be combined!

Faults:

Radio reception terrible.

Airbag warning light flashed occasionally.

General Comments:

Bucketloads of torque, throttle response of a good petrol engine, and 56 mpg. "Real road" performance is not a million miles away from the Rover 216GTi I had before, and the car will do around 750 miles before the 13 gallon fuel tank needs refilling.

The HDi engine is brilliant, and works amazingly well in this light car. The car also handles superbly, and is surprisingly good fun to drive on a twisty road. The engine's massive and useable torque means even a quick hot hatch needs a hard thrashing if it is to pull away from this car on a twisty road.

Faults have been minor, and not worthy of major complaint. A pretty, fun and amazingly economical little car which can do so much more than the boring commute for which many people will buy it. Insurance is a steal as well.

Put your anti-diesel prejudices aside and try one. A little tip - on the test drive, stick it in 5th at 70 mph, nail the throttle and try to get your head around how quickly it tops the ton, what kind of machinery has just shrunk in the rear view mirror, and how you're still doing 50+mpg. I still can't believe I've fallen for a diesel!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th October, 2002

23rd Nov 2002, 13:42

I am very interested in buying a 99/00/01 306 HDi DTurbo, please could someone let me know whether it has a trip computer (showing mpg etc) and also what the gauge in the rev counter is for, is a turbo gauge for the diesel? if so why have I seen it on 1.8GLX petrol versions? Also does the HDi Meridian and DTurbo have standard side airbags?

Thanks, I've driven the 406, 90 HDi Rapier and 110 HDi LX and they were both fantastic I hope the 306 is as good.

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1999 Peugeot 306 HDI 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Very reliable!

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

This is a great car, very reliable and the second one that I have owned. The turbo makes the car perform well, however driven sensibly the fuel economy is very good - 42 MPG+

For the past five and a half years I have driven two of these cars, one up to 80K before getting rid of it. Besides replacing components that I expected to wear out, I have had no major failings with either car.

It will be interesting to see if the 307 is as good!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th September, 2002

5th Jun 2006, 11:23

I've had the 306 HDI for over a year now and couldn't ask for a better car! It is good looking, economical (if driven sensibly) and with enough power to satisfy!

1999 Peugeot 306 LX 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Economically friendly

Faults:

I had to get the back part of the exhaust replaced, because it started to come away from the underseal.

General Comments:

This car in my opinion is one of the best cars I have driven. It is very economical, I only put about £30 of petrol in it every fortnight, and I do about 400 miles in that time. This is very reliable and it is a very comfortable ride.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th August, 2002

22nd Mar 2005, 08:20

I wish I was getting that sort of mileage out of mine. Maybe I should drive more conservatively, been getting about 270 miles off £30 which is good going in my view for a fairly quick 1.4.

1999 Peugeot 306 Rallye 2.0

Summary:

A pocket rocket

Faults:

New radiator added at 34000 miles.

New handbrake cable fitted.

General Comments:

The car is superb and great fun. It has something different about it that makes it stand out in a crowd. Its performance and handling are exceptional and the car really lives up to its name.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th June, 2002

1999 Peugeot 306 Rallye 2.0 petrol

Summary:

A practical performance car and a good one at that!

Faults:

This car has been an absolute "god-send", nothing mechanical has gone wrong. All in all you would find it hard pressed to complain about the reliability or build quality, which have been excellent.

General Comments:

Performance wise, which evidently is what you buy a "Rallye" for, it's crushing at lower speeds, few cars have low down acceleration like this, it is quite phenomenal, however it does kill the fuel, but who cares??

Handling is spot on, very direct and best of all it over-steers which is a very rare quality on front wheel drive cars.

As I have already mentioned, fuel economy is not great when the car is "driven", but if you can refrain from "lead" footing it you can return something respectable.

The interior is rather spartan, nevertheless functional and has so far been hard-wearing.

In conclusion you will not regret buying, in my opinion, a future classic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th January, 2002

26th Jan 2004, 09:03

I own an N reg Dturbo, I too experience wind noise at high speed, especially from the drivers side wing mirror. Although it's a diesel at the end of the day, its the sheer torque that's impressive here, matching the GTI-6's. The high level of torque is especially useful on the motorway when overtaking, the dturbo out-accelerates many of its petrol counterparts, say from 70mph to 90mph+ in very short time. Overall, an exceptionally sporty, fun car to drive, with very few problems to report, although not as economical as advertised (maybe its my heavy right foot). Also the early diesels require a service every 6000 miles or 6 months, the costs can start build up...