1996 Peugeot 306 XSi review from UK and Ireland

Power steering box fluid leak.

ABS ECU fail.

Cam-belt cover gasket break, which caused oil to spill out into the engine bay. This when contacted the exhaust rose to ignition temperature and went up in flames while driving down the M1.

Exhaust Down-pipe and CAT joint corroded and broke under the strain.

Rear wiper motor fail.

Performance is good, but not as good as it feels it should be, it pulls hard, especially when you hit 4100RPM. This may seem reasonable for a power band, but the XSI is a very high revving engine as cruising at 80Mph you are running 4000RPM in fifth. So it could really do with the extra gear the GTI-6 has, but it does mean that whatever speed your at you have instant power as it is running high revs.

Handling is good due to very little body roll, it has a tendency for under-steer as 306's are renowned for there sloppy front ends, but overall it is a great handling car, only let down by the tires it has. I replaced the Goodyear Eagle tires as they seem very bad on length of life. So I went for another expensive tire in the Pirelli P6000, unfortunately the side walls on them are very soft, so it tends to make the car feel unsteady on road.

Overall a fantastic car, I would definitely buy another one, it is a shame I picked one up with some expensive problems so quick. I would definitely consider buying the 16v version of the XSI for the extra poke or the GTI-6 for the extra gear. The advantage of the 8v is the insurance, it is dirt cheap for a very powerful car!!!