Faults:

The most common problem is difficulty starting, caused by a pressure drop in the Common Rail system (high-pressure pump) or, more frequently, by the low-flow electric pump in the tank ceasing to function.

The connectors on the control unit (ECU) often become corroded or fail, causing the car to stall or not start, which can often be fixed with a contact cleaner.

Engine overheating.

As with most 306s, the needle bearings on the rear axle suffer wear, causing noise or wheel drop, which becomes more pronounced over time.

General Comments:

The car is from the early 2000s, during the heyday of diesel engines. Many say that the best diesel engines of this era are the best, and the one fitted to this car proves it.

It has enough torque and power to move a mid-size car like the 306 well, with more than decent performance and fuel economy. On the highway, you can easily exceed 160 km/h without noticing much, except for a bit of engine noise. Reliability is like any older diesel; it only overheated a few times, but nothing more.

It's quite quiet in the city, very easy to drive, and has enough space for five people. The materials age very well over time; like all Peugeots from the 90s and 2000s, it's a relatively luxurious car for being mid-range (today's Peugeots are of questionable quality). It has a good level of accessories, including ABS and central locking. Although I wanted the convertible version, this one was a bit cheaper at the time, and I ended up liking it.

Like all 306s, it had a rear axle that readily absorbed weight transfers and changes in acceleration, allowing the rear end to slide when needed. The turbodiesel engine made it slightly more prone to understeer, but overall, the 306 HDi is a very effective and enjoyable car to drive.

In my opinion, it was one of the best cars of its size at the time. And these diesel versions, especially the turbocharged ones like this, can still hold their own today. In fact, I only sold mine two years ago, and it had very few problems.

Faults:

The design and aerodynamics are not as great as needed.

The A/C has gone bad at high temperatures.

General Comments:

Works great.

The price is very good (if used).

Economic.

Great engine.

Comfort.

Faults:

Head gasket blew up at 80000 KMS. The overheating that resulted has damaged the cylinders and valves. The car required a complete overhaul, which costs around 1500 USD.

Manual gear performance very poor and not accurate. Needs frequent change and adjustment of clutch disk.

Ball bearings and belts for A/C compressor and dynamo requires change at 60000 kms.

Bad noise results from the gears when reversing.

General Comments:

Good performer, especially in hilly roads.

A/C is not effective at an elevated ambient temperature around 40 Deg. C.

Faults:

New exhaust backbox.

Alternator pulley went at 110,000.

Clock / temp light died.

Temp (outside temp) is about 10 degrees too high, which causes A/C to kick in all the time, resulting in an empty A/C reservoir.

General Comments:

I liked the handling of the Citroen ZX, and the 306 shares the same chassis.

I was attracted to this car because of its powerful engine (90HP), economical performance and low insurance group (5).

The car has plenty of torque pulling away up a hill, but the first gear is short and causes you to go into 2nd soon, and when the turbo engages about 1900-2000 revs, it pulls away well.

I've always thought the car needs a 2.5 gear, because going up a steep hill in third, it struggles because the turbo hasn't engaged, and if I drop it into second, the turbo engages and causes it to rev very high.

The Meridian spec features dual electric mirrors, remote central locking, half leather interior and leather steering wheel. 4 electric windows, colour coded bumpers and trim, spot lights and rain sensing wipers.

The car handles well round corners, and the comfy seats in the Meridian model keep you in your place.

The steering wheel seems a bit small, but nothing serious.

The car doesn't have super acceleration, and will beaten by a 1.6 hatchback at the lights, but this 2.0HDI will end of overtaking it when things start speeding up.

As far as economy goes, since Nov 08 I've averaged 43.6MPG over all types of driving. This has worked out at 11p per mile (I've documented all fuel usage since Nov).

I've installed a towbar, and towed a bike trailer to London from Bath and back with a moped on it, and averaged 50MPG for the whole journey, not bad at 70MPH.

Comfortably seats 4, though have had 5 without too many complaints.

The car flew through its last MOT with just a bulb, and I'm sure it'll be running well for another 25000 miles.

I bought the car for £1600, and I'm sure I can put 20,000 miles on it and sell it for the same, since this is a highly sought after spec, and I've had the cambelt changed too, which always helps sell a car.