1996 Peugeot 306 XSi 2.0

Summary:

A car built of Lego would be more reliable

Faults:

This car is total crap, the build quality would be outshone by Datsun. I have had so far:

The door lock knob on the inside fell off.

All the foam in the drivers seat has shifted so you are sitting on a metal bar.

The car drinks more oil than a medium sized oil tanker.

The alloy on all 4 wheels has begun to peel off.

The clock has stopped.

The ABS light keeps coming on.

The windscreen wipers have mental fits now and then.

The automatic choke doesn't always work so on a cold day it won't start.

The dealers did not stamp the service book when I had it serviced, when questioned they said they do not trust their staff to enter a customers glove box without permission!!!!!!!

Please don't make the mistake I did, my car is under a full Peugeot extended warranty and of the above listed faults, only the wipers were fixed under the warranty.

General Comments:

It's crap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th January, 2001

5th Mar 2001, 16:39

Perhaps after a BMW M3, you were expecting just a little too much.

27th Mar 2001, 15:05

Sorry to hear you`ve bought a banger of a 306XSi. But sorry, you are well off the mark when describing the car and dealer services you have received. I`ve had mine for over 5 years (2nd owner) from 25k (`95 - M plate) and I haven`t had one bit of bother with it apart from the usual wear and tear problems.

Maybe next time you buy a car you`ll check it out fully and let your head make the decision. Sorry but it needed to be said.

You may have bought a mutton dressed as lamb car so check it out next time before you hand over your cash.

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1996 Peugeot 306 DTurbo 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Frugal, good image, needs TLC

Faults:

Nightmare to own from Day 1.

Peugeot dealers tried to rip me off for a major service, very quick to point out what needed doing, however they didn't complete the service (I noticed the air filter hadn't been replaced)!!

Problems so far, front suspension arm bushes need replacing (tip: Peugeot only sell the full suspension arms which cost a fortune, go to Citroen and get some bushes from the ZX, they are exactly the same and get them fitted by an independent dealer.)

Radiator needed replacing, leading to a blown heater matrix, this is 'dash out job' and takes around 6 hours in labour alone.

New rear cylinders, brake discs and pads. Rear self adjusters kept 'unadjusting' themselves!!

General Comments:

I like the styling and the ride, it also goes well after I had a performance upgrade from Allard Turbosport (based in Monmouth UK). I recommend this upgrade if you want a little extra poke every now and again.

This car just seems to be full of niggles, maybe it is just my bad luck. I had a 8 year old Metro GTi before with 90,000 miles on the clock, and it never missed a beat!!

Cars are trouble...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th December, 2000

3rd Mar 2004, 02:53

They get more reliable the day you stop using Peugeot dealers to service and repair them. I have never known a manufacturer with such an appalling dealer chain, and I've driven Fords and Alfas before - says it all really!

I took my 306 D Turbo in for a timing belt replacement and was told the front brake pads and discs needed changing as a matter of urgency, and they'd do it for £140 extra. I'd fitted a new set myself less than 1,000 miles previously, incidentally using genuine Peugeot parts from a non-dealer source for £50! When I challenged them, they said the paperwork had got confused with another car's. This I could have accepted, but on a separate visit I was then told the alternator needed replacing. As the car started fine every morning I opted to leave it and then promptly forgot completely. A year on, it's still on the same alternator and still starts and runs just fine.

Like you, I was also charged for work not completed. The fuel filter which was supposed to have been replaced wasn't, and after being billed for four glowplugs, I noticed two were rusty and had therefore not been changed. I am lucky in that I have some mechanical knowledge, and cannot only spot these things, but carry out basic maintenance myself, which is what I now do.

The fact is the 306 is a great car which is ruined by incompetent and expensive dealer "servicing". I'm sure this has a lot to do with the problems you experienced. My D-Turbo has now done 105,000 miles and is still as good as ever. In fact it's probably more reliable now than it was when it was under warranty and therefore serviced by the Peugeot dealer. Yes, it's inconvenient to do the work yourself, but at least you know it's been done right.

Another thing worth pointing out - genuine and OEM Peugeot parts are also available from several independent sources for less than half what a dealer would charge. My local supplier can do me a genuine oil filter (sometimes in a Citroen box, but what the hell, Citroen use the exact same engine), and 5 litres of the original fit Motaquip semi-synthetic 10W/40 oil for less than a tenner. They're not difficult cars to work on either.

28th Jan 2005, 14:34

Like the other guy says, avoid Peugeot dealers as you can get parts and servicing considerably cheaper elsewhere. The only situation I have found my Peugeot dealer to be any use is for diagnosing hard-to-diagnose problems, as they can have access to useful information. After using them for diagnosis, take your car elsewhere for repairs!

27th Jul 2005, 10:18

Sorry if this sounds like an advert, but I'm just trying to make a point, Motaquip are Peugeot (Motaquip are Peugeot's parts people, like Motorcraft and Ford) and they share a site at Tile Hill in Coventry, so Motaquip boxed Peugeot parts are identical to "Peugeot" parts, except the boxes and part numbers...

Save yourself serious dosh, and visit a Motaquip as apposed to a Peugeot dealer!