1999 Peugeot 306 D-Turbo from UK and Ireland - Comments

Leaking injectors which were replaced under warranty. Other than that, no problems.

The 306 HDi D-Turbo is a great car with sporty looks and spirited performance that, particularly in the mid-range, gives more powerful petrol cars a fair run for their money.

Its also rather well equipped with all of the following as standard: analogue climate control, ABS with EBFD, power steering, rain-sensitive wipers, electric windows, remote central locking, CD player with steering column remote control, 4 airbags, great-looking 15" alloys, sports suspension, rear spoiler, front fog lamps and sports bumpers/side-skirts.

Fuel economy is excellent, even when driving with a heavy right foot the gauge seems reluctant to budge. Which is a good thing as the satisfying kick from the turbo at a little under 2000 revs encourages the use of that right foot. Pick-up in 2nd and 3rd gears in particular is excellent thanks to the high torque available immediately at the start of the turbo-band.

One of the best things about this car is the ride and handling. The steering is excellent with superb feedback and the sporty suspension means you can really throw the car into corners with it always remaining sure-footed.

The only minor niggles I have is some wind noise on motor-ways which seems to be a common issue with the 306, and parts of the dash look a little dated, but other than that the combination of petrol-like performance with diesel economy and sporty looks is a great formula.

I also own a similar 306 HDi DTurbo - can't fault the equipment, in fact mine has a sunroof as well as the air-con. The economy is not bad either 46mpg, although this is poor compared to the published figures of 52+.

What I can fault is the build quality, it seems to have a wealth of creaks and hard surfaces, particularly on the door trims. My previous 306 1.9DT was one of the first generation models and generally seemed much better built.

I also find the road manners of the HDi somewhat "rude", again in comparison to the 1.9 DT. Whilst the handling is far superior, the ride is harsh, presumably to achieve the good handling. It also has a tendency to steer where it wants to go, particularly on lorry tracks in motorways.

I'm actually thinking buying an early 1.9 DT as overall they were the better cars - and what happened to sports seat squab of the earlier earlier cars, you sit on the squab of the later cars rather than in it - poor development I believe!

I have just bought a 306 HDI Dturbo a couple of weeks ago and I must say I'm mighty impressed. I may be a bit over enthusiastic as my last car was 405 therefore I've never had anything that's had a bit of a kick.

First impressions are great looks, superb kick from the turbo, but most of all the handling for me has been the most impressive aspect. I have been searching about on the Internet for any other owners of this car who may have posted any comments and came across this helpful site.

I will keep checking back here for anyone else who has posted any comments about this car and who may know and have more experience about it than me.

Cheers.

Andy.

I have recently just upgraded from a 306 D Turbo to the newer 2.0 HDI D Turbo. I find with all D Turbos although they grip the road well around corners you can feel every lump and bump through the steering wheel.

Can't fault the performance though pick up is good, pulls all the way through the gears and is as quick as all its hot hatch rivals.

Overall, looks great and drives great!

Matt.

I've recently bought a peugeot 306 HDI d Turbo, can't fault the car so far! I'm wondering if any one can help I'm looking for a service and repair manual for x-reg (2000) 2.0. can't seem to find one any where. If any one knows where I can get one can you let me know Richard_Galea83@hotmail.com. Does any one know how to reset the service light?

In response to all those who claim that their HDi/1.9 dt is a match for the 'hot hatch brigade',how can you compare 0-60 times of 12.4 seconds to around 8? I have had many cars including 2 GTi's and mondeo V6's, and my previous Citroen ZX td, while pokey would not have compared with a proper performance car. The only diesel car I have driven which could get anywhere close to a good petrol car was a Vectra 2.2. Of course, the very latest diesels are far better and can compare well, but let's all keep our perspectives in check shall we and admit that most diesels are a poor relation! (and no, I'm not Clarkson sounding off!)

12.4 seconds 0-60 is the standard figure, but look at the 50-70 times and they are similar to the GTi-6 for in gear acceleration.

Also, with about £500 you can get the car remapped, put on a decent induction and exhaust system and horse power goes up to 120-130 with 0-60 times below 10seconds.

Spend a further £300 and get a front mount intercooler fitted for 140+ bhp and 0-60 below 9 seconds.

Spend £500 and get a charge cooler fitted, dyno tested to 165bhp at the wheels (ie a bit more at the crank) and 295lb/ft giving a 0-60 of about 7.5 seconds with mid range power similar to a 6 second car. The best place to feel fast is out of 50mph limit M4 roadworks - I beat a Range Rover Sport (just) and my car only cost £2500 + £1000 mods and has covered well over 100K, the last 30K with me and its only broken down nine times which by Peugeot standards is pretty good!

'its only broken down nine times which by Peugeot standards is pretty good!'

Quality comment!!...but very true.

I got an ECU remap for under £200 (done via car's diagnostic port so no visible difference to the car) for my HDi D-Turbo 90bhp. I can't recommend this enough. In terms of the car being a match for GTi's I'd say it wasn't really before tuning, but is now.

Peugeot 2.0 HDi 90PS Tuning Specifications:

Standard Power =90bhp

Optimized Power =120bhp.

Standard Torque =205Nm

Optimized Torque =260Nm.

This made all the difference. I thoroughly recommend it - and it's a £300 saving on a Superchip. To compare 0-60 times with this car misses the point as it's the in-gear acceleration that makes it special (especially after it's been tuned!). The issue with the 0-60 times is that 1st gear in this car is rubbish (not a unique problem for a diesel). I did try a 0-60 (about 12 seconds), and after having it tuned it managed it in 10 seconds - but this was on a very wet road and slightly uphill, so I expect it would be able to get under 10 seconds in good conditions. I've fitted a K&N air filter element for about £40, and tightening some slack in the accelerator cable also made a difference to it's responsiveness. Tightening the cable (if necessary) is very easily done - it's right there under the bonnet.

I agree with the comments about the older 1.9TD's though - although they're actually slower than the 2.0HDi's they feel faster because the way the turbo kicks in is more pronounced. On the HDi's it's smoother (but less fun). The older models also had a better lift-off oversteer effect - you could easily adjust the direction you were pointing mid-bend by subtle adjustment of the throttle, but they seem to have engineered this out with the newer ones in favour of more understeer which is a shame.

I used to have a 1.9dt.. and I loved it has as my first car when I was 17... its got me 100miles for ten pounds of fuel, even with me pushing it to the max everyday... it never really let me down until I blew the bottom half of the engine... I now own a 2.0 hdi which has been remapped to 125 bhp, with an exhaust and a pipecross induction kit.. the engine sounds lovely when I push the thottle, its not that encomical anymore... but the power is great and it goes 120mph... I'm thinking of getting the front intercooler dun.. but I'm not sure..; overalll the look great. hdi's have better handling. its like a lil remote control car..

I have a 1.9 d turbo which is 120bhp and it is rapid awsome response and blows a lot of cars away it was taken to the derv doctor in derby I'm getting a front mounted intercooler next which should take it to around 135-140bhp that's pretty impressive considering the standard power of 92bhp.

Had my 306 hdi remapped by Angel Tuning about a month ago now and really has made all the difference, now with around 125 bhp. I too am wondering about having an intercooler fitted - would be interested to hear how yours goes after it's visit to the derv doctor. Think they charge 700 quid for it though - seems pretty serious money, but maybe it's worth it. Look forward to hearing how it went.

I recently bought a 1.8 1999 Peugeot 306 but having a problem I want to seek advise for owner of the same car who has idea and reason why it stopped all off a sudden on the road and after 5 min it get back to normal...please advise what might be the problem my e-mail is rafsohk@yahoo.com.

I own a 306 1.9DT 3dr just standard at moment had all new sub-frame bushes to stop that knocking sound, New water pump full service, want full stainless, but goto admit as standard it is a little pocket rocket, I own a 307 Hdi, but ultimately prefer the 306 DT. any ideas how much this derv doctor costs?

I have the 306 HDI, and seriously thinking of the remap. Where are you getting it done for 200? have found sptuning on ebay, but that's the only one.

One more thing..I'm purchasing a K&N induction kit for it at the end of the week, and was thinkin I'm guessing its best to get the remap done with the kit on rather than off? and if that's the case, wouldit be best to get the intercooler fitted first before a remap?

Any comments greatly appreciated.

I have a D Turbo and am wondering if any one knows of any places round Glasgow, and how long does it take?

pug106d@hotmail.co.uk

Cheers.