1998 Peugeot 306 XSi 2.0 16v

Summary:

Highly recommended - though splash out on GTI-6 if you can afford it

Faults:

Air conditioning leaks and is too expensive to fix.

Front fog lights have leaked and the reflectors have rusted, and now consequently don't work.

Air bag warning light flashes intermittently.

Failed MOT on seized rear brake compensator - cost £200 to fix.

Front suspension coil spring broke at 95k costing £200 to replace both.

General Comments:

Excellent handling and pretty quick too. Great fun to drive and turns head.

Creaky interior which rattles a lot.

Easy to dent - mine has loads down each side from people opening car doors onto it - my old Golf did not suffer from this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2005

9th Feb 2005, 15:57

The airbag light problem is probably the wiring harness under the drivers seat. Why the airbag wiring should run along here I don't know, but it does, and with repeated fore/aft movement of the seat, it breaks up. This explains why the problem is intermittent, as sometimes the seat will catch in just the right place to remake the connection.

Peugeot clearly used the minimum amount of cabling they could get away with, and it puts too much of a strain on the connections long term.

Any auto electrician should be able to resolder the connections for a minimal cost. Both my 306's did it, as did several others I knew of. Common fault, but thankfully easily sorted.

5th Jan 2007, 12:52

£200!!! you were ripped off. my 306 xsi failed it's m.o.t because of seized brake compensator. The cost of repair at garage was £30.

1998 Peugeot 306 XSi

Summary:

The definition of a hot hatch make sure you find a good one

Faults:

Warped front disc's x3 23,000 - problem with wobbly alloy causing brake to 'knock-on' - 'solution' puting it to the rear fixed it.

Stepper motor 45,000 - erratic idle.

Engine rebuild - not cars fault stupid dealers not tightening up plugs after 40,000 service.

Water pump - this went at about 50,000 miles.

Exhaust - holed at 55,000.

Broken engine location point in chassis (don't know when) - mount punched through 'chassis' only identified after engine out.

Gradual Coolant loss - from the start never solved.

General Comments:

Handling - fantastic, the only car I think that drives better is a Subaru STi. Steering feel much better than an STi's. The car felt safe at speed, you never felt out of your depth. This is what Peugeot do best - leave the normal hatchs to VW..307 : (

Living with it - not so good, lots of problems despite being fastidious with oil, tire pressures, coolant, letting the car warm up etc. Fuel consumption so-so for a 2.0 petrol. Looks like a proper hot hatch. Took some getting used to the 'elastic' rear suspension - a lot of passive rear steer, the harder you cornered the more the back end helped.

Looks - fanastic, the body really hugs down over the wheels - very little air between body and wheels.

Problems - from ex 306 owners and this site I'm not the only one to have problems. Clutch pedal is way too heavy.

16 (135 BHP) valve is the car to have over the 8 valve one.

Ride and steering a litter hyperactive on the motorway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th December, 2004

4th Jan 2005, 01:46

Hi... I have a 98 306 XSi with a cracked chassis rail near the front right engine mount. What did you do to get it fixed and how is it handling now.

How long do you think I can go without doing anything?

Cheers

Guy

17th Jan 2005, 05:32

Guy.

The problem I had on on the RHS (from the drivers seat). On sudden application of throttle I would hear a clonk noise from the engine. The fix was to take the engine out and weld a plate where the engine mount had punched through. I didn't notice any handling difference. I hope this helps.

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