I've just parted with the 306 XRDT (L-reg) which I'd had for just over 2 years. I loved it to bits, but in the end the expense to maintain it and certain faults outweighed the positive aspects, so it had to go.
When I got my car it had done loads of miles - when I sold it, it had 147500 on the clock! Despite that, it started every time - and never broke down once. The driving position was quite comfortable, it had a really good stereo for it's age, and it had a lovely big boot. And I really loved the fact that once it had hit that turbo you were OFF!!!!
Cheap insurance was another plus. As were electric windows, roomy cabin and the fact that I could do about 400 miles to a tank.
Now for the downfalls..... The power steering only worked sporadically - ie it ALWAYS worked when you took it to the garage, but as you were parallel parking in a really tight gap, it would suddenly go off!
The alarm/immobiliser/remote key feature didn't work when i got it and renault couldn't even hazard a guess at how much it would cost to fix it - the button key alone would cost £75!
Then the central locking stopped working and would have cost well over £800 to fix - apparently the cables pass near the hinges of the doors and opining and closing the doors wears them out, so the whole system needed replacing (needless to say i managed without!).
A warning light for "water in the oil filter" was constantly going on and off on the dashboard despite changing the oil filter several times and checking that water wasn't getting in it. The other dashboard lights only worked when they felt like it!
Basically the car had a terrible electric system - and the auto electrician I took it to said it wasn't unusual in 306's.
A few more things.... Anyone standing behind the car when it started up was enveloped in a cloud of diesel smoke!! Also in damp weather, it was very chuggy for the first few minutes.
Soggy suspension - I live in a country area with winding roads, and going round corners felt like being in a boat rather than a car at times!
The brakes are terrible. With a car this powerful, good brakes are essential and it lets the car down.
Quite dated styling as they didn't really update the looks enough.
No airbags on this model, even though it's the top-spec diesel.
Parts are expensive and mechanics don't like working on them, leaving you with a hefty labour bill.
The gear linkages were prone to seizing up (making the gearbox very stiff , changing gear becomes quite dificult) and I had to get them taken apart and cleaned several times. The clutch is stiff - you needed to press it really hard.
In summary - it was a good, reliable cheap car to run and it held it's value well, but I wouldn't get another one.
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Advantages: Great little car, economic and reliable, the turbo is excellent and great fun.. Disadvantages: Not the fastest of the lights! and a can be a bit smokey starting it first time in the morning.
Unkoolneo 26.02.2004 (26.02.2004)
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Review of Peugeot 306 D Turbo
Advantages: Great little car, economic and reliable, the turbo is excellent and great fun.. Disadvantages: Not the fastest of the lights! and a can be a bit smokey starting it first time in the morning.
Unkoolneo 26.02.2004 (26.02.2004)
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Review of Peugeot 306 D Turbo
Jun 25th, 2005
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