1997 Peugeot 306 XSi review from UK and Ireland

Bought the car with several faults:

Locks were broken into.

Mirror switch broken.

Incorrect indicator stalk.

Knocking from o/s/f track rod end.

Sticky/Grinding wheel bearing o/s/f.

Ineffective brakes.

Heavy/creaky clutch action.

Major exhaust leaks.

Rough idle - stalling - hunting.

Barely legal front tyres - illegal spare.

Problems during ownership:

Blew a fuse while fitting head-unit, tripping the alarm, upon replacing the fuse the alarm went off. Thus I don't have an alarm, central-locking or stereo until I get the alarm reset.

Brake caliper o/s/r did not release handbrake properly, fault showed up after M.O.T as I had all pads replaced. Suspect I bought the car with this fault.

Centre pipe started knocking on heat-shield and centre box starter blowing, heat-shield was moved and box welded up.

With most of the faults now ironed out, the car is even more fun to drive than when I bought it, although it can be a pig to drive in traffic.

I bought a 306 for the handling, and that's exactly what I got! With 2 new Goodyears spinning at the back, and the old budget-performance Federals in charge of delivery and turning at the front, it neither over nor under-steers too much and is completely malleable, with a dabble at the brakes on a corner that tightens up, the back end straying slightly. Back on the power and there's often no need for opposite lock, even on a bumpy little b-road.

The standard brakes being Brembo discs all around, they take a little warming up to be at their peak but do not fade, much, and I often find myself easing off the pedal as the pads warm, so as not to lock up! I don't even have heavy boots.

It rattles a lot inside, but I don't mind, it would be better if I had a working stereo to mask it though, and it isn't always practical to use the exhaust note for that purpose.

At 31 mpg (combined) (I get more than this), it can be a little thirsty, and being a group 12 car, my insurance at crusty old 19 years is... Extortionate.