1996 Peugeot 306 DTurbo 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland
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
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!
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.