For a relatively humble car, the Peugeot 306 has had an impact not only on me but on thousands of other people. It was a vehicle that had as greater reputation for being a cracking diesel as it did for being a stonking hot hatch. In fact, so great was the impact that I ended up owning four of them in various different flavours.
After my 309, I was sold on Peugeots. When the chance to have a company car came up, first on my wish list was a 306. Unfortunately I was still quite young and the insurance companies were not on my side, so again I had look for the most potent model that was still insurance friendly. Enter the 1.8XT. With only 105bhp from its 1.8 8V petrol engine, it was a tad slower than the 309, but as a package the car was so much better.
First up were the looks. The rounded body and voluptuous hips were a million miles away from its slab sided predecessor, not only did this car have functionality it had beauty too. Inside also, Peugeot took a massive step forward with the quality of its materials and design of its cabin. The dash top glove box, covered with the same fabric as the seats on the XT, was a novel feature that proved useful (although when air bags became the norm on later models this disappeared).
The whole car was wider, which not only improved the interior space, but transformed the way the car handled. Gone was the slightly rolly polly body control, replaced by a flat footed but still game chassis that still had the ability to entertain as well as comfort the passenger. Even the XT, which could only really be described as a regular model sat on a set of 175 x 14 tyres, went round corners in a way that shamed many a hot hatch of the time.
My tenure of this particular car only lasted eighteen months as this vehicle seemed to have the engine from hell. After going back under warranty for engine bottom end bearings, engine management and several other issues, I had to suggest that I swap it. Again though, I was sold by the handling so there was only one car to have, an XSi.
With 123bhp this had usefully more grunt, along with all the sporting paraphernalia that I had desired since my first Astra. That said, it was still quite subtle, and in its Diablo Red metallic colour (arguably the best colour for a 306), it looked smart. Handling again took a step forward with revised damper rates, stiffer springs and wider tyres, but in true Peugeot fashion, this was done without ruining the handling. The two litre engine was a gem and being an eight valve lump had plenty of low end torque, even if it didn’t rev its heart out.
As it turned out, it was also the best built 306 I’d own, never once during my time of ownership did it rattle or squeak. It did have its downsides though and like many a Peugeot owner of the time I would have quite happily taken a sledge hammer to the push button keypad that operated the immobiliser. This was another car I wish I could have kept, but this was only in hindsight as at the time there was one car I wanted more, the GTi-6.
The GTi-6 was a true revelation and the first properly quick car that I’d own. Performance compared to my other 306’s was in a different league and the six speed box was more than just a novelty. Handling was broadly the same as the XSi, if not slightly lighter on its feet although this may have been something to do with entering any particular corner around 10MPH quicker than I had done previously. The steering was fluid and spoke to you in a way today’s electrically assisted systems do not. It was a real driver’s tool and had qualities that I have been unable to find in more modern machinery.
I ended up owning that car for nearly four years, I loved it that much, until I was told that I had to change it (company car policy). The problem was I didn’t have a clue as to what I was going to get to replace it, so I went for something completely different. More about that in another blog.
The 306 itch never left me though and the time I bought another one I had opted out of the company car scheme down to the government changing the taxation rules. Also the house hold car count had grown to two, one performance car and one shopping car. This time the 306 was the shopping car.
The XS I ended up acquiring by accident. I had a plan to build myself a “light weight” 306, something cheap and cheerful. I asked a friend who dealt in category C and D write offs, if he could find something suitable on which I could create my shopping come track day car out of. A couple of weeks later he gives me a call saying he’s found a black car that looks a bit tasty for a couple of grand, virtually no work needed and not actually written off. When I get the chance to see it, it turned out to be a 1.8 16v XS, a model I’d never heard of.
Doing a little more investigation is turned out to be a little bit of a sweet spot in the 306 range. Built as a run out model, it came fitted with the free revving 115bhp, 1.8 16v lump from a 406. Body kit (as with most late 306’s) was the same as the GTi-6, as was the widened track rear axle. The best bit was group 5 insurance. On the road it didn’t disappoint either, being suitably feisty and handling with the same sort of aplomb as the 6. So good was the car he found that I decided not to strip it, instead keeping it original.
Sadly though, it was now where near as well built as previous models I had owned, and after a couple of years, my love affair with the 306 was over. The new airbag seats were no where near a comfortable, giving me back ache, and there was an incredibly annoying rattle from the back of the dash. It was time to move on.
I will look back on my 306 days with great fondness, it was a fantastic all rounder and one of the most entertaining cars I will probably ever own. Sadly though, Peugeot followed it with the 307 and 308, cars now where near as good, despite being better built. One day they may make a return to their former glory, but for now I am happy to have the memory of four of their best models.
