1998 Peugeot 306 XSi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Warped front disc's x3 23,000 - problem with wobbly alloy causing brake to 'knock-on' - 'solution' puting it to the rear fixed it.

Stepper motor 45,000 - erratic idle.

Engine rebuild - not cars fault stupid dealers not tightening up plugs after 40,000 service.

Water pump - this went at about 50,000 miles.

Exhaust - holed at 55,000.

Broken engine location point in chassis (don't know when) - mount punched through 'chassis' only identified after engine out.

Gradual Coolant loss - from the start never solved.

Handling - fantastic, the only car I think that drives better is a Subaru STi. Steering feel much better than an STi's. The car felt safe at speed, you never felt out of your depth. This is what Peugeot do best - leave the normal hatchs to VW..307 : (

Living with it - not so good, lots of problems despite being fastidious with oil, tire pressures, coolant, letting the car warm up etc. Fuel consumption so-so for a 2.0 petrol. Looks like a proper hot hatch. Took some getting used to the 'elastic' rear suspension - a lot of passive rear steer, the harder you cornered the more the back end helped.

Looks - fanastic, the body really hugs down over the wheels - very little air between body and wheels.

Problems - from ex 306 owners and this site I'm not the only one to have problems. Clutch pedal is way too heavy.

16 (135 BHP) valve is the car to have over the 8 valve one.

Ride and steering a litter hyperactive on the motorway.

Hi... I have a 98 306 XSi with a cracked chassis rail near the front right engine mount. What did you do to get it fixed and how is it handling now.

How long do you think I can go without doing anything?

Cheers

Guy

Good review although I would disagree that the 16 valve offers much over the 123 bhp 8 valve. I've had both, and found the older engine to have a much meatier midrange and has a far faster throttle response making heel and toe downchanges much easier. It loses out a bit at the top end, but when you really bring that lively tail into play, you want instant oomph to pull it straight again. I found the 8 valve was more able to deliver it more often, with the peakier 16 valve engine needing to be in just the right gear to avoid hurried applications of opposite lock.

The 8 valve is a bit slower outright, although like most cars the 306 put on a bit of weight come facelift time, and with all older XSi's having the 8 valve unit, this helped minimise the difference.

The 306 XSi is a corker in any form though.

Guy.

The problem I had on on the RHS (from the drivers seat). On sudden application of throttle I would hear a clonk noise from the engine. The fix was to take the engine out and weld a plate where the engine mount had punched through. I didn't notice any handling difference. I hope this helps.

You are spot on with the clutch, its is appalling, HOW do you drive this car smoothly,

I tried driving in bare feet because my shoes were muddy, it actually hurt my feet because the clutch pedal dug into my foot, I had to push it that hard

Actually this car has very few redeming features which is why after 6 months with my first ever car, i am moving onto my second car.

Has anyone been able to soften this clutch?

At every service the car went in for I asked for them to look at the stiff clutch, everytime they said it was acceptable as 'they all do this'.

I now drive a Golf mk4 which has a much lighter clutch.

I have had my 306 xsi for 3 months and all I can say is I love it!

I am an 18 year old girl learner and I drive my car as much as I can. I too thought the clutch was heavy when I first drove it, but after getting use to it I think of it as being the same in every other car.

I too though have had the problem of the diagnostic light coming on every time I turn a corner or use any of the electrics, but it seems to be a common problem. Also the problem of car doors being opened onto the body work because of the shape has too affected my body work.

Overall I think this is a lovely car and I hope to keep it for as long as I can.

If you're a learner girl then it's a good car to learn on. U just have to remember that few cars handle corners like it - don't think that all cars stick to road like it, very few cars have chassis as sorted as this one! Whilst I had it it was a great fun car.

"Stepper motor 45,000 - erratic idle"

What exactly did it do?

I'm having idle problem also, but I'm driving the year 2000 version 1400cc.

My 306xsi suffers from the engine cutting out when I slow down, it does not happen all the time, but when it does it is a royal pain! I have had it checked out twice before, but no-one seems to be able to tell me what causes it or prevent it from happening. Recently the engine has taken to refusing to start up again when it has cut out, it just seems dead like a flat battery (but I had a new battery fitted only a week ago) and it is still cutting out. It is going in to the garage again next tuesday and I have written chapter and verse to the mechanic about it. Apart from this irritant, it is a great car to drive and brings a smile everytime I drive it hard round corners!

(author of survey)

I hate to say it mate, but I would go for a German or a Japanese car.

I've owned a Passat (also '98) and a mk iv Golf - TDi 150. Not much has gone wrong with either, also if you go for specialist you save money.

Granted my 150 Tdi doesn't corner as well as the 306 but it hasn't broken down 3 times either - on balance it's a better car!!

I have just brought a 306 xsi 16v, I love it except for the gear box which I think is notchy in every gear, don't know whether anyone else has suffered this. I had a golf before the 306 but much prefer to drive the 306, its great fun.

I bought my 306 XSI Phase 2 in September and I couldn't be more pleased. I love the acceleration, looks and as most have said, the handling. I have had no problems with it yet, although having read the reviews on this site and others I am hoping mine is as clean as it looks.

In contrast to those who have rubbished the clutch, I love it. I find it incredibly easy to drive smoothly at slow speeds and the stiffness of it merely adds to the driving experience.

Previously, I had a Golf and when looking for a new car it took a lot for me to choose something different. I now know that I made the right decision.

The only thought I have is if the XSI is this good, then perhaps I should have got the daddy of 306’s, the GTI-6.

All in all, the XSI is a fabulous car with lots of character and whilst not being a hothatch per say, you could do a hell of a lot worse.

Hi, I've owned my 1994 306 xsi for just over two years. and so far I have had both cooling fans break, a thermostat sensor on the back of the block break, cracked coil tower, hydraulic fluid leak from steering ram, the ABS light comes on when turning left or in reverse, but only when the lights are turned on (still unsolved) and another annoying fault which I think is caused by the idle stepper motor so when the car is cold it over revs, and when it is warm it sticks at 3000rpm when changing gears. I have ruled out pretty much everything I can on this prob, but need some help...anyone?

My email is "the_mysterious_banana@hotmail.com" if you can help me it would be much appreciated.

Oh and the handling as everyone says is fantastic and yes the clutch is heavy (i just changed the cables and it lightened up) but would say my old 87 prelude 4ws 2litre handled a lot better.

I just, but my 306 saloon car a few days ago. I think the car has a very heavy clutch like most of the reviews noted when. I went for a test drive I found it a bit discomforting, but was convinced by my friends that it just takes getting used to and that it would soften after use and buy my mechanic that I would get used to it, this day four and all I have is a sore left calf muscle. Apart from that the electrics are very bad the heat gauge is bad I can hear the fuel pump when my music is turned low having said that I'm still waiting to see if things would improve, but by the look of things I'm going to trade it in for another car.