Faults:

'Cat' converter needed replacing at 80000miles. Although it was only the pipe leading from it, I was still quoted £218 for a new one. this problem was resolved thanks to ebay!

The passenger door creaks and cracks when opened or closed, something to do with the inside mechanism.

Airbag light started flashing at 81000miles.

The boot lock is very temperamental

General Comments:

The car is very sporty looking, but only after its lowered, side mirrors replaced, spoiler and fog lights added (as this model doesn't come with that option). front spoiler, side skirts, and alloys as well as the exhaust changed.

However, such a heavy car and not enough power from the 1400 engine is really making me want to change motors. But I still love this car, so my advice will be for any young lads who like the car to invest a little more money on the LX, as its faster, more sporty looking, already lower, and still about the same on insurance.

Certain things about 306's I don't like are;

. the wing mirrors (far to big, awful shape. definitely invest in M3 mirrors).

. the split glove boxes (pointless)

. side repeaters (urrrgghhh! crystal clear side repeaters are the way forward).

Faults:

Where do I start?

The usual.

Brakes.

Ball Joints.

Glow Plugs.

Anti-Roll bar link arms.

Also the electrics.

Heater/Blower.

Rev Counter.

Dash Bulbs.

Fuse's often blowing.

Then the big one, the engine. Apparently the oil pump lost it's will to live (owner included), result? No oil being pumped around so the engine seized with the crankshaft breaking.

£1050.00 later 2nd hand engine plumbed in and running fine.

General Comments:

Mine was a duffer from day one. Looking through the service history I should of known this, but went ahead and bought it for £4000 with 66k on the clock. Previous service bills were around the £600 mark. Whether this was due to the previous owner wanting these things done or Peugeot saying they needed to be done I don't and will never ever know.

Also the brakes on these DTurbo's are laughable. They are really really poor, must be something with French cars as my old Citroen AX GT's were appalling and so are the Clio's after I had to rent one when the engine died in my 306.

That saying there are a few plus points.

The handling is the best part about this car, it is brilliant. Running on standard alloys and suspension it's the best car for handling I have ever owned (and I have had a few).

The heater (when it works) is cracking, I always use the auto setting, brilliant, set the temp and it will adjust the power of the fan for you.

Interior size, with the back seats down I can just about squeeze in the same amount of photography equipment as my boss with his Volvo V70 estate.

At the end of the day it's an average car. Handles well, but that's really about it. With everything that has gone wrong with this car it has left a bitter taste in my mouth, one of which I would like to get rid of.

Faults:

Air-bag light is either flashing or stays on.

Rear brake cylinder developed a leak.

General Comments:

This car offers a great mix of performance and economy. The 92bhp 1.9 turbo diesel unit is superb. It may only do 110mph flat out, but the 144lb/ft of torque means that overtaking is impressive. Ordinarily in diesel cars you rev the engine and it sounds like a tractor, but the 306 D-turbo makes a cool whistling noise.

The handling is excellent. After buying the car I changed the standard 14" D-turbo wheels for 15" GTI-6 alloys with 195-55-R15 Pirelli's. The car now corners at impressive speeds, but watch out for that lift off over-steer. It is also very good on jumps. It is very entertaining to drive on back-roads.

My biggest complaint about this car is that the brakes are absolutley rubbish.

The styling hasn't dated and in my opinion it is a far better looking car than the 307.