2000 Peugeot 306 GTi-6 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Clutch became snatchy and noisy at 4,000 miles. Replaced under warranty and no problems afterwards.

Airbag wiring problem caused the warning light to blink constantly. This was never properly fixed.

Button fell out of the central locking remote key.

External temperature sensor in passenger mirror replaced twice and still wildly inaccurate.

Rattles and squeaks from glovebox, footwell trim, parcel shelf, seats and steering column.

Two major oil leaks, one of which wrecked an engine mount.

Two ignition coil failures resulting in the car running on 3 cylinders on two separate occasions.

Engine would sometimes "hunt" at idle, revving itself between 800 and 1500 RPM in traffic. It was also prone to stalling when cold. Dealer could not find any faults.

Sometimes difficult to start from cold with the engine grinding over and over before spluttering into life. Other times it would start first go.

Irritating gearbox whine from about 2,000 miles which was apparently "normal"

Probably the best hot hatch ever made, but a total dog of a car to live with.

Too many stupid problems, inept dealers (I tried three and they were all the same), and no backup whatsoever from Peugeot's so-called customer service people.

It was a very quick car, but you needed to work it very hard to get at the performance (it would actually rev to almost 8,000 RPM). The handling was amazing and I still don't think the 306 has been equalled for driving fun, even by Peugeot themselves. The eye opening turn-in and the lift-off oversteer characteristics of this car are simply not available anywhere in this market any more and made the GTI-6 the match of much more expensive machinery on a good B-road.

Would I buy another? Sadly, no. Much as I miss its dynamic ability and it's elegant styling, I need a car which works at least 95% of the time, and with dealers who can at least find and fix problems when needed. The GTI-6 fails miserably on both counts. Proves it's not just the British car industry that comes up with fantastic concepts and then destroys them completely in the execution.

I sympathise with all the mechanical problems experienced as mentioned in your review, but I think it is only fair to point out that this is only your personal experience. Although it does seem that you have had more than your fair share of problems, I would just like to say that I have owned a GTi-6 for 3 years now, with no problems, and what a fantastic car. I have just got to the point now where I am looking to trade it in for a newer vehicle, but it is so difficult to find anything to compare! I will probably end up keeping it for another 3 years until some new hot hatch appears on the market. No competition at present.

I would agree with the comment above as I've owned one for the past year or so and I have had no problems at all.

I'm assuming that you brought the car brand new from the problems you have described and a likely cause may well be your pushing the engine to 8000 RPM when it hasn't been driven in.

The engine was run in extremely carefully. The running-in rules for Peugeots are vague at best - the handbook just casually suggesting you avoid heavy throttle openings and allowing the engine to labour for the "first few hundred miles".

My own rules were not to take the car over 3,500 RPM or use more than about half throttle for the first 500 miles, then increase the revs by around 500 RPM every 100 miles after that.

I also had the oil and filter changed at the 10,000 mile inspection services as well as the 20,000 mile main services which Peugeot's say is adequate. I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks any engine, let alone a high revving, high specific output one like this will run reliably with 20,000 mile oil change intervals is deluding themselves.

Well it does seem that you have done everything you possibly could have so I will have to offer you my sympathy.

I know what you mean about Peugeot's servicing requirements and I don't know anybody who owns one that sticks to it, especially the cam belt intervals (WTF is that all about???).

If you're not already a member have you come across www.306gti6.com??? it's a good site and if you have any problems the guys on their can usually help.