Faults:

The electric Bosch engine unit.

Petrol rubber pipe leaked.

General Comments:

A fun to drive car with exceptional steering capabilities. The car literally irons curves with comfort and assurance.

The engine although economic and powerful, is not sports like. It lives too well in the low revs and doesn't provide enough power at higher revs. The car definitely could use a more powerful engine (maybe the 16v does the job).

Faults:

The clutch cable had stretched over time and ended up popping out of the plastic retainer body on the pedal when the floor mat interfered with it. Lucky I had tools to fix it in the car, but another example of floor mats causing a potentially dangerous problem. The replacement part was only £17 from a Citroen dealer so no complaints, but I have heard it is a much more difficult and expensive job for Xantias (dashboard removal).

The car really does not like 95RON unleaded, it runs much better with Super where I can find it, so when I can't I use Millers Octane Plus-c which for £3.50 a bottle boosts the octane up to acceptable levels, Japanese turbo owners might find this useful too.

General Comments:

Still handles superbly, I've added a strut brace, Yokohama rubber and Powerflex PU suspension bushes, and I only realise how good it is when I drive other cars.

The 306 looks nicer, but even the GTi6 doesn't feel as quick. Maybe if I try one that's done 50,000 miles it might be loosened up, or opt for a Rallye and throw out the back seats (the Citroen weighs less). The S16 is now becoming sensible money to buy, but just as hard to find.

For £3000 what else goes as well, handles and stops like the ZX. The only thing I would change is to add a turbo version, like the old 405.

Faults:

Rear wiper seized up causing the motor to burn out. New exhaust lasted only 2 years. Tyre wear very heavy. Cassette tape player works intermittently. External guttering system blocked by a couple of fallen leaves meant leaking into passenger footwells. Leaking radiator hose (car in the garage right now!)

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable car to drive that is fabulous on twisty roads, excellent mid range power. Lots of niggly faults and expensive spare parts though. Not as much fun as my AX GT.

Faults:

One coil developed an intermittent fault at high temp. The engine has a coil for each spark plug so the dealer part was only 38.00 GBP. Compare that with a blown coil on an Astra SRi I owned, 160.00. Front discs worn, 52.00 for PSA part, but ATE power discs (grooved) are only 2.00 more and do not require insurance notification according to the manufacturer (my insurer agrees), so that's what I'm fitting.

General Comments:

Oustanding handling, good acceleration, sharp steering, great engine, it doesn't look as good as its Peugeot cousin, but that means it's cheaper to buy second hand. However it is quicker (I've driven 306 S16 and GTi) and only the new 306 with its six speed box really has it beat. I actually look forward to long drives where I can use it, especially off the motorways where you can use the chassis for what it was designed, cornering.