Faults:

Lower bushes disintegrated at about 100k.

Air bag warning light repeatedly faulty.

General Comments:

Most of the mileage I do is on rough country lanes not billiard table smooth motorways, given the pounding the car has taken it's stood up really well.

Most of the work carried out on the car has been routine stuff, regular oil changes, brake replacements and eventually the lower wishbones (can't complain though they did well). The only niggling thing was the airbag light which took repeated visits to the dealer to sort out (under warranty).

On the road the car is fantastic, the engine pulls superbly and responds well. The handling is great too and the car is above all fun to drive providing the driver with good feedback that instills confidence in the car.

The downsides? The brakes - they really could do with more bite, there are times when the car appears to struggle to shed speed (and brake pad wear can be high). The only other vice is the lift off over-steer, but once you've encountered it once you're ready for it in the future - the car really does just snap away and you've got to be quick with the opposite lock and throttle to get it back.

Overall it's a fantastic car that has served me well over the six years I've had it, fun to drive, reliable and pretty cheap to run - I'll be looking to replace it soon, but I have no idea what with, there doesn't seem to be anything out there that has all the qualities of my trusty 306...

Faults:

'Cat' converter needed replacing at 80000miles. Although it was only the pipe leading from it, I was still quoted £218 for a new one. this problem was resolved thanks to ebay!

The passenger door creaks and cracks when opened or closed, something to do with the inside mechanism.

Airbag light started flashing at 81000miles.

The boot lock is very temperamental

General Comments:

The car is very sporty looking, but only after its lowered, side mirrors replaced, spoiler and fog lights added (as this model doesn't come with that option). front spoiler, side skirts, and alloys as well as the exhaust changed.

However, such a heavy car and not enough power from the 1400 engine is really making me want to change motors. But I still love this car, so my advice will be for any young lads who like the car to invest a little more money on the LX, as its faster, more sporty looking, already lower, and still about the same on insurance.

Certain things about 306's I don't like are;

. the wing mirrors (far to big, awful shape. definitely invest in M3 mirrors).

. the split glove boxes (pointless)

. side repeaters (urrrgghhh! crystal clear side repeaters are the way forward).

Faults:

Where do I start?

The usual.

Brakes.

Ball Joints.

Glow Plugs.

Anti-Roll bar link arms.

Also the electrics.

Heater/Blower.

Rev Counter.

Dash Bulbs.

Fuse's often blowing.

Then the big one, the engine. Apparently the oil pump lost it's will to live (owner included), result? No oil being pumped around so the engine seized with the crankshaft breaking.

£1050.00 later 2nd hand engine plumbed in and running fine.

General Comments:

Mine was a duffer from day one. Looking through the service history I should of known this, but went ahead and bought it for £4000 with 66k on the clock. Previous service bills were around the £600 mark. Whether this was due to the previous owner wanting these things done or Peugeot saying they needed to be done I don't and will never ever know.

Also the brakes on these DTurbo's are laughable. They are really really poor, must be something with French cars as my old Citroen AX GT's were appalling and so are the Clio's after I had to rent one when the engine died in my 306.

That saying there are a few plus points.

The handling is the best part about this car, it is brilliant. Running on standard alloys and suspension it's the best car for handling I have ever owned (and I have had a few).

The heater (when it works) is cracking, I always use the auto setting, brilliant, set the temp and it will adjust the power of the fan for you.

Interior size, with the back seats down I can just about squeeze in the same amount of photography equipment as my boss with his Volvo V70 estate.

At the end of the day it's an average car. Handles well, but that's really about it. With everything that has gone wrong with this car it has left a bitter taste in my mouth, one of which I would like to get rid of.