1994 Peugeot 306 s16 review from UK and Ireland

Radiator corrosion/leak.

All the ball joints/links on front suspension had to be replaced.

Front disks replaced three times before I discovered that the calipers tend to stick on one slider only, causing uneven pressure on the disk, then warping.

Ventilation system broken- cannot select all variations.

Clutch worn out at 80,000 miles.

Electric window mechanism broken, several attempts to repair this unsuccessful- only replacing the entire mechanism cured this.

Induction diaphragm nipples snap off, causing the variable length induction manifold to cease operating with huge decrease in power output at low revs.

All shock absorbers worn out and replaced.

Bad corrosion around sunroof opening, not visible externally until roof opened.

Terribly prone to rust on leading edge of bonnet at stone chips- much worse than any previous car.

Speedometer failed at 95,000.

Plus points are the almost superhuman composure on high speed bends and the peak torque band at 3-4000 revs.

Minus points are the inherent frailty that is almost designed in to all the components and the high cost of the resulting maintenance.

Handling/grip is transformed by fitting new, slightly uprated shocks and lowering the car by around 20mm only- any more than this wrecks the comfortable ride and ruins the otherwise excellent bump-steer resistance.

Brakes are a little disappointing, but fitting cross-drilled disks with only small diameter (about 3mm) holes made an enormous difference at very low cost (£100 for the pair)