2015 Peugeot 308 Access 1.2 Pure tech turbo petrol
Summary:
I should NEVER have sold my previous reliable Mazda to get the Peugeot!
Faults:
The car broke down 4 months after filling it with fuel. Did not overfill and anyway, can you overfill a car these days? Put in HIGHER than recommended octane. Drove 10 feet then had to push it into the street which was VERY difficult to steer! I opened the fuel rail and let out a few drops and that fixed it, but this should NEVER happen. Completely stupid and this engine is in the current model that costs over 50K!
The engine drops and drinks oil needing 1L every 1,500 km. This is a common issue with this motor. The motor has been well cared for and has only done 90,000 km (mostly highway).
The glove box light doesn't work and seems unable to be fixed.
The clutch squeaks loudly on engagement sometimes.
A major Peugeot dealer couldn't care less when I rang to ask if the timing belt had been changed.
General Comments:
CONS (Where do I start?)
Clutch is very grabby and must be released s-l-o-w-l-y in 2nd gear either from 1st or 3rd gear if you don't want to go through the windshield. Makes for a jerky drive.
Gear stick has long throws and the worst feel of any manual I have ever driven, especially into 4th... yuk! There are huge gaps in the ratios; especially between 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Gearing is very tall, and combined with the thrummy 3 cylinder below 2,300 rpm means 4th is useless under 75 km/h, and 5th under 90km/h. Forget 6th unless you have VERY high speed limits.
The French can't be bothered to move anything for RHD so the fuse box is in the non lockable glovebox, which means it can carry virtually nothing, the radio control is on the left, the fan dial is on the left. The lever for the bonnet is in the frame of the left door. Too bad if you are parked (or break down) next to something and can't open the door.
The tailgate has a weird rubber button that takes several attempts to open, and once you do the tailgate is very heavy, especially to close. The parcel shelf doesn't move much out of the way either.
The accelerator response is extremely doughy.
The A pillar completely obstructs some roundabouts.
The torsion beam rear end means the back hops around all over the road.
PROS
Brilliant on fuel, only 6.5L/100 km in city and suburban driving only. You'd easily get < 5.5L with only freeway driving.
Great power once moving and in 2nd gear.
Very quiet and relaxed on the freeway, which is really the only driving the 308 is suited to.
Looks great and far more expensive than it is.
Huge boot, and back seat is extremely easy to fold down, unlike a previous Mk4 Golf that required removing the 3 rear head restraints and moving the squab BEFORE folding the seat.
Fantastic steering with no torque steer and probably the smallest turning circle in its class.
Being the base model, the climate and audio controls are easier to use than the touch screen that all reviews complain about.
Air conditioning is the most powerful I have ever used in any car. Heater is good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 23rd November, 2023
17th Jan 2024, 07:15
Sorry I had a typo on my own review of the Peugeot 308. I meant that the car broke down 4 months after I bought it on an occasion when I filled it with fuel. After filling it I drove about 10 feet when it stalled and couldn't be started. It's a shame as the car has the potential to be really good. My advice is to steer clear and get either a Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla in this class. Don't get a turbo and don't get a 3 cylinder!!!