1986 Peugeot 305 gld review from UK and Ireland
"Bullet Proof"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Tracking needed.
Fuel pipe perished from tank to steel pipe.
General comments?
I was looking for a cheap diesel to travel to work as I can run up to over 120 miles a day on some trips at least 65 a day. Mainly to keep the miles down on my D4D Avensis Estate, which I need for the Caravan, trips.
In the free-ads I spotted it 3 owners from new and garaged, A 1987 305 GLD Estate with tax and mot, I was on it like a shot as I had heard from other people on the rugged ability of the old Pug Diesel Engines like last a life time just keep the oil and water right and she'll never let you down arrived at the house and saw the PUG parked up in the garage it looked clean the old bloke drove it out, he said I've had this for years he kept polishing it. He told me the history and when I asked about the cambelt he said just changed it 3 mths ago at 119,000 miles it had 119,600 showing on the Speedo, he said not due for another change at 150,000 Mlles. Reg if it had aT Plate you would not dis-believe.
I dog it up and down to work average 44 mpg. I've changed the oil and filter and fitted a new exhaust. Use about 1 litre of oil every 1500miles I've asked Castrol what they recommend to reduce consumption, will let you know. Top Speed around 90/95 Its fitted with 1765 engine with a massive 43 kilo-watt of power around 60 horses, but the low down torque is fantastic pulls like a train, I cruise at 70/75sometimes faster! Its as sweet as a nut and quite, lovely engines these pugs must have been the best diesel of the 80s by far. I blow past these modern cars they look and wonder how the old Pug just blasts pass. Wish it had turbo there again if it had it would be in its grave.
The tyres are like rocking horse poo 155x80x14 and skittish make were Kanghang or something one was an old Motorway, but I've just replaced these with 165x70x14 which are off the shelf and cheaper. Got tracking done steering is much lighter now even with the wider tyre. And a lot easier to drive. Change in gearing was around two and half percent for the better revs up to top whack muck quicker.
Just Fab the way she starts turn on wait till the orange heater light goes out then count to 4 (the old guy said this is the way) then start whoom first time every time sweet as a nut no fumes you would think the engine has covered a couple of thou not 122,456 as showing now.
Rust is non existence due to the thick Waxoyl all over the place must have been done when it was new. Rear wiper has packed up trying to sort this out.
Brakes are smooth and powerful need plenty of pedal pressure to squeal the tyres, but with no ABS this is good.
The old guy looked sad when I drove it away it must have been his pride and joy for the last 12 years definite tear in his eye as I revved it hard and blasted away.
Loads of room in the back with the seats dropped its like a van! Unique rear suspension like a lorry creating a nice big flat rear load area, why don't modern estates use this idea? Typical Pug good chassis.
Running a lot better now that its had the cobwebs blown out of it these are made for thrashing and that's what it gets plenty of canning, the engine is unburstable on the rev up. Bullet Proof.
Now on 126,700 and running excellent on semi sync using half a litre every 1700miles excellent.
Search for New and Used Peugeot 305s available in the UK
Click here to advertise your car
Recommended reviews
| This model of Peugeot is the perfect concept of an automobile: efficient, no-nonsense and reliable. |
| 1986 - 305 SR Automatic 1.6 Carb A great old car for retro cruising |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1986 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 119000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 126000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 20th November, 2004 |