1996 Peugeot 306 XNd 1.9 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Goes like a snail, and boringly basic

Faults:

Glove box was broken when I got the car. Held together with tape, but not for long.

Radio did not work.

Drivers side passenger door was stuck shut where the catch came off.

General Comments:

The XNd is the most basic diesel 306 you can get; it has no creature comforts, but always starts, runs well, and won't let you down unless you really abuse it.

Mine was a P reg in red, I bought it as a learner driver and it did me well. I took lessons and passed my test in this car, it's very easy to drive with no surprises. When I passed, I quickly upgraded to something with a few more features; the lack of central locking is an annoyance on the XNd.

If you're looking for something fast, this is definitely not the car for you. 0-60 in a good 18 seconds, and a top speed of around 100 although you can push it to 110.

50-60mpg on motorways, however the gear box is not suited for motorway cruising.

Nice and cheap to insure and run, with little to go wrong - bad electrics are a Peugeot/Citroen trademark, so not having any is a good thing for people who don't want the bother of fixing things as they stop working on a weekly basis.

These cars are regarded by many as "old bangers" now, and being French they have depreciated a fair bit. This means you can easily get hold of a higher model with more features for the same money. If you're OK with intermittent electrical faults, then I would recommend another model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th March, 2009

9th Mar 2009, 05:52

Distance 96 miles in 12 years? or 96000?

9th Mar 2009, 16:48

Distance was about 96,000 I can't remember exactly... good for year. Not sure if this was genuine as the car had a mysterious past - good service history up until the last owner (the one I bought the car from) then it was involved in an accident and quickly repaired. This was fairly obvious in hindsight, but I was a new driver and didn't know much about cars... never again.

15th Jul 2026, 18:48

It may be a basic car, but it is very reliable and mechanically sound.

I’ve known many owners of the diesel 306, and the vast majority of them surpassed 150,000 km without issues.

What impressed me most was a taxi driver who still had his after 700,000 kilometers.

If any car built after 2020 can match that, I’d be curious to see it.

1996 Peugeot 306 D Turbo 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

This 306 is absolutely epic!

Faults:

I had one blown fuse for the dash board dial display, due to an incorrectly fitted DVD player screen, because I used the wiring from the cigarette lighter to try and power it.

Hand brake had no effect, due to worn down shoes and leaking cylinders, which have all been fixed.

General Comments:

This car is the best Peugeot ever made, there is plenty of feel to the steering and the ride is phenomenal.

There is a lag to the power, but then the turbocharger spools up. There are several modifications such as a Pipercross Viper induction kit, Mongoose full exhaust system along with uprated Cam shafts and a balanced and lightened fly wheel, and the turbo boost adjuster kit with the front mounted intercooler kit.

Then did I mention to harness all those 170 rampaging horses, the car is lowered by 80 millimeters with strut and chassis braces custom made by a friend of mine.

Also with a boot this size and still doing 50 miles to the gallon, you can even call it practical.

God I love it!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th September, 2008

10th Apr 2009, 04:31

I have a D turbo on a P reg. I've had it now for 4 years. It's got 161000 miles on and it is mint. It has never not started.

My girlfriend wants me to get something newer, but I say I won't because I love it too much.

It's a phase 1 (with the sporty bumper) in Miami blue, my mates think I'm crazy but I don't care, I'm gonna try and get another 160k out of it. Long live the Dturbo.

3rd Jul 2010, 19:27

Have owned a '97 D-Turbo phase one for around 4 years now.

Excellent engine - the PSA XUD engine was widely recognised as the very best small vehicle diesel unit around, and Peugeot did a wonderful job of turbocharging it. Power delivery is very smooth and progressive without any flat spots. Torque is very impressive - 60 to 90 MPH in top gear is surprisingly swift, making motorway overtaking very safe and effortless. Feels like a MUCH bigger engine than it is at motorway speeds.

Bodywork has lasted extremely well, though I don't know whether that says more about build quality or just the previous owner's TLC.

All the electrics are still working perfectly, power windows, sunroof, remote entry etc. I have heard that Peugeot electrics can be unreliable, but that hasn't been my experience with this car.

Steering and handling are excellent, especially considering the extra weight of a TD engine over an all-alloy petrol engine. The 306 has a bit of a reputation for lift-off oversteer, but I've never been able to provoke anything too dramatic - perhaps the extra weight of the diesel engine actually tames it a little.