1995 Peugeot 306 D Turbo 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Economical, fashionable, comfortable, bargain!

Faults:

Consumables (front tires don't last too well).

2 wheel bearings.

Central locking solenoid.

Erratic central locking/alarm.

Minor electrical niggles.

General Comments:

I almost hate to say it, but this has got to be the easiest car to live with I've ever owned and probably the cheapest to run. If it wasn't for the short service intervals (6000 miles) I'd rate it higher, but for a car of this mileage it goes to show servicing works.

Having run a motley collection of French hot hatches I had doubts about going diesel, but insurance was becoming prohibitive in London and I do big miles in the summer lugging scuba kit and a mountain bike about so the extra mpg was also a factor. Days into ownership the performance worries were quelled and at motorway speeds I'd say the diesel torque makes it as quick and easier to drive. Away from the lights it's slower, but there's still some fun to be had when the turbo starts to blow.

Trim levels are typically French and get tatty/fall off. Brakes were awful in the wet due to poor previous maintenance (all Peugeot dealership work). This was soon sorted by an independent garage.

Use of a Peugeot dealership for body repairs after some idiot ran into me whilst I was stationary didn't inspire me. Extra dints on return and missing panel clips and screws once this had been sorted. No wonder Peugeot are slipping sales wise.

Handling is excellent with the current Pirellis, but the previous Goodyear Eagles wore badly and got very scary at times.

Fuel consumption is not as good as they'd have you believe, but I still get 45 mpg with my lead boot driving. Did get it below 40 once with 3 up, full sets of diving kit and pedal to the metal.

Insurance renewals always bring a smile after my previous GTi's and even with 2-3 services per year running costs have been cheap.

Comfort levels are OK although I prefer longer legged ergonomics. Still I drove from Orkney to London in one go once only having to fill up for the last hundred miles and could still walk afterwards despite a recurring back injury.

Looks wise I still think that this was one of Peugeot's best and hasn't dated. Less mumsy than the newer 307!

Having been superceded by the 307 bargains can be had and I'm definitely looking for a newer HDi diesel to replace it with - but only when this one stops being so reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2004

1995 Peugeot 306 XR 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An absolutely horrid car

Faults:

Everything possible went wrong with this car:

The sunroof leaked and no-one could fix this.

All the exterior light bulbs fitted too loosely so constantly went out on the motorway, resulting in much thumping of the lights on the hard shoulder.

Only one brake channel worked - which meant the car wouldn't brake in a straight line and was generally extremely dangerous.

Radio fuse blew a couple of times.

Driver's window winder clicked and screeched.

Constantly over-heated, without apparent reason.

The doors catches didn't work, resulting in scratched shoulders.

It was riduculously heavy on petrol no matter how it was driven.

General Comments:

'part from all this is was quite nippy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2003

1995 Peugeot 306 XNd 1.9 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Virtually free motoring for the dull

Faults:

Stereo has had an intermittent power connection. Stops working then requires the security code.

Stereo controls sometimes malfunction and require unit to be switched off and on again to rectify.

Brake discs required replacing at 50,000 miles.

Heated rear window failed, but has been successfully "bodged".

Glow plugs failed at 80,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car has been almost faultless. With the exception of the above, nothing has gone wrong.

It's still on it's first clutch, exhaust (entire system) and rear brake shoes. Everything still feels tight and new.

Suspension is very good, giving a nice soft ride without being too sloppy on bends.

Performance is about as good as non-turbo diesels get i.e. very poor, but it is torquey and smooth and goes well round town and on the motorway. However, overtaking on normal roads is for the brave only.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2003

9th Apr 2004, 15:06

Here is an update on my original review: -

Car has now done a couple of hundred miles shy of 100,000 miles.

The intermittent fault on the stereo got worse until one day it went off and never came on again. New stereo from Halfords fitted - problem solved.

The exhaust began to blow and eventually started sagging. I decided it would last until it's next service, but regretted this decision when it snapped in the middle allowing the, still connected, rear section to pivot on it's mounting and embed itself into the middle lane of the M6 at 85 mph! Everything rear of manifold replaced for £110.

Original clutch is still alive, but feeling decidedly tired.

Suspension seems to have suddenly become quite clattery on uneven road surfaces. Not what it was (superb).

Engine still consumes absolutely no oil whatsoever. Only difference from new is that, although engine starts instantly, first time every time, from hot or cold, the starter motor needs to be kept spinning for a fraction of a second longer or the engine will immediately stall.

The switch that detects when the driver's door is open is dying and the "water in fuel" warning light has started coming on every so often.

I have mentioned almost every problem over 100,000 miles and nearly ten years. Wonderful wonderful car - just goes on forever.

9th Jul 2008, 03:36

I have a red Peugeot 306 XNd and think it's a good car. It's my first and I found that insurance was OK, being only a group 4 it's cheaper than it's rivals to both own and run.

I learned to drive in this car (yes I took lessons in it - no duel controls!) and found it very easy to drive - plenty of torque, good handling and a nice gear box ("big gate" as I've heard it called leaves less room for mistakes, and it's smooth too).

First gear is a little short, it will only take you up to 10mph but that's not really a problem. Other than that ... I'd add a sunroof.

I still have my XNd, it had 89,000 miles on the clock when I got it and I've just taken it over the 90k mark. The XUD engine will go further than 200k with ease, it's one of the most reliable diesel engines ever! Just don't expect blazing 0-60 times.

This car isn't quick off the mark, although it has a good top speed - 100mph can be reached easily on motorways although you should stay legal of course :)

One thing I will point out is that the gear boxes in the diesel models are taken out of the petrols, so the ratios aren't as best suited to the engine as they could be. This car could probably go faster with a 6th gear but who really cares? This isn't a performance car, more like a nice drive.