1996 Peugeot 306 XSi from UK and Ireland - Comments

This car is total crap, the build quality would be outshone by Datsun. I have had so far:

The door lock knob on the inside fell off.

All the foam in the drivers seat has shifted so you are sitting on a metal bar.

The car drinks more oil than a medium sized oil tanker.

The alloy on all 4 wheels has begun to peel off.

The clock has stopped.

The ABS light keeps coming on.

The windscreen wipers have mental fits now and then.

The automatic choke doesn't always work so on a cold day it won't start.

The dealers did not stamp the service book when I had it serviced, when questioned they said they do not trust their staff to enter a customers glove box without permission!!!!!!!

Please don't make the mistake I did, my car is under a full Peugeot extended warranty and of the above listed faults, only the wipers were fixed under the warranty.

It's crap.

Perhaps after a BMW M3, you were expecting just a little too much.

Sorry to hear you`ve bought a banger of a 306XSi. But sorry, you are well off the mark when describing the car and dealer services you have received. I`ve had mine for over 5 years (2nd owner) from 25k (`95 - M plate) and I haven`t had one bit of bother with it apart from the usual wear and tear problems.

Maybe next time you buy a car you`ll check it out fully and let your head make the decision. Sorry but it needed to be said.

You may have bought a mutton dressed as lamb car so check it out next time before you hand over your cash.

I have never owned a Datsun (Nissan) but to compare it to the manufacture of the Peugeot makes no sense. Nissan make far better built and relible cars than BMW - check the surveys.

You've been unlucky. A guy at work runs a 96 N 8 valve XSi which has been absolutely caned for 125,000 miles, and still drives brilliantly. It has only needed routine servicing, a radiator and an exhaust manifold. It's even still on the original clutch!

The only thing that gives the mileage away is the knackered drivers seat.

I agree!!! I bought a 1998 XSi when it was less that 2 years old - here is what has gone wrong in the time I've had it.

1) Air con condenser and pipes costing £500 odd

2) Accelerator linkage jammed - replaced

3) Electric window mechanism broke - replaced

4) Alarm has a mind of its own - too expensive to replace!

5) Automatic windscreen wipers erratic to say the least.

6) Exhaust- how much???

I will never buy another Peugeot.

I used to have a Nissan - then I bought a "Quality European" Peugeot 306...

I should have kept the Nissan.

I agree with your opinion that a 306 is a crap car - my partner has a 205 which is equally crap - so its obviously the marque, not the model!

Pugs really seem to vary. My '98 306 GLX is a dog, and seems to have something new go wrong every week. As does a friend's S16. However two other friends have 306's (one XSi and another GLX) both of which have been faultless. We also have a 106 that has racked up 86k and is reliable as the seasons.

Luck of the draw I reckon.

You used to own an M3 but you sold it to buy a 306, and you're moaning about the problems?! What did you expect?!!

I also own a 306 (a 2000 registered XSI) and it's had a few faults, but nothing that the garage hasn't fixed under warranty.

Moral...If you buy French, don't moan about it rattling!

Pug 306glx hdi estate

w reg 2.5 years old, 120,000miles, company car, 1 careful owner (yea right).

Car is nice to drive, rain sensing wipers are erratic to say the least (motor replaced under warranty).Cabin plastics feel flimsy, glove box size useless, relay cover a bad fit.

Seats v.comfy, just about enough room for family, air con spot on, engine pulls like a train between1500-4000rpm.Car looks nice when its clean.