Pug 306 1.9 Turbo Diesel

They go forever (a long way over 100k anyway) if kept well serviced. Some dealers are apparently terrible, but the ones I've had experiences with have been fine. They go OK, when they were introduced they were one of the better Diesel engines on the market, they ride and handle well, don't rust. Interiors are a bit dull and relatively cheap but seem to wear OK. Of the 4 we've owned there have been no electrical problems.

I like 'em.

My gf had the misfortune of owning a tidy 2 owners from new, 105k one 96 on a P plate. 1.9DT There was ALWAYS something going wrong with it. When it was going fine you were worried and waiting for something else to break :-(

We had a power steering pump fail and the pully flying off (luckily went down and not up which would prob. have taken something else with it!!). A turbo and intercooler replaced as well.

Sold it recently with 115k on clock with interior door panels flapping, lost both door 'buttons' for the locking.

Alarm and immobiliser problems, ended up disconnecting both (keypad immobiliser)

Overheating - had a new Pug head, and associated bits which cost £1200 - but was thankfully covered by warranty from garage.

COMPLETE disaster. We must have been unlucky BUT it was enough so that we'll never have another french car. Currently have two (older) Audi 80's, both with more miles and are COMPLETELY different cars to drive (thankfully!), both feel like they're virtually new and have NEVER failed to start/stop/get us to where we're going! (Until 2morrow probobly if my luck takes its usual course!)

There must be hundreds of people who like these Pug diesels but I'm afraid we've been scared off,

Just our 2p worth

They're usually mechanically fairly relaible, IF its had reasonable TLC in the past. The engine and box are capable of well over 120k but they must have:

a) Fresh 50/50 coolant every 2 yrs, else the HG will blow at around 120k+ and if you dont spot it immedialely and stop the head will warp or the pre combustion chambers will drop out and lunch the bottom end too. The HG will probably start to leak at around 160-200k anyhow but they 'all do that'.

b) fresh oil every 6k, preferably every 4k.

c) A close eye kept on the cooling system hoses- typical french quality (lack thereof) on the damn hose clips which rust and fall off.

Front suspesion wishbones / joints / bits of trim droppping off / occasional CDL and other secondary electrical failure / intermittentness and sluggish PAS are all par for the course tthough.

Find a good indepenandant french specialist and have it checked over every 6 months before a small problem turns into an expensive one, and they'll virtually run forever...

Tim..

Probably had the wrong spec plugs fitted first time round - the ones for the NA engine won't last 5 minutes in a TD.

/john

I've got the un-turbo 306 SND version and have done about 57K motorway miles over 2 years or so. I got mine on 120k and apart from a new clutch and a crash (!) there's not been any problems. ( I've Changed the oil every 6k'ish, the coolant once and I've changed the cam belt.. ) It's still rattling and squeeking away happily at 176k..

The worst aspect of it really is the seating, which is basic and not as comfy as my new focus. It's noisy as well, but I wear ear plugs ! It's also very slug like with out a turbo.. but bearable once it gets going. The mirrors are a bit stupidly small so be careful when changing lanes on the motorway. The interia has always been quite scruffy and resists all atempts to clean it up ( the seat fabric I mean )

The best thing is the fuel economy and the fact that they don't seem to rust at all. The handling is actually pretty good too, I personlly am not yet convinced that the focus drives so much better than the 306, like every one seems to reckon. The 306 is possible more sure foted on the motorway TBH.

I have been tempted by 306 TD's I've seen for sale , they should be plentiful and extemly good value IMO. Check for heavy clutch operation.. the cable dries out. Also fill the coolant only half way up the tank to help prevent leaks. Breaks and tyres seem to last forever on my 306, which is maybe one real advantage of a non turbo. My colleage at work gets less MPG from his 306TD than I get. It might be worth you considering a non turbo 306 as well ( if you can live with the agony of back pain and the slowness :) ))

SP

I'm on my third 306, having owned an L-reg (TD), an M-reg (Diesel) and now a V-reg (HDI). Having had each of them serviced regularly I've had no trouble with any of them, except minor electricals that can be lived-with, some exhaust bits ... oh, and severe external body damage on the 'M' caused by me driving it into a field and writing it off. ;-)

The HDI one I'm on now is great. The handling is excellent and it doesn't seem to matter how I drive it, I still get around 550 - 600 miles out of the 60 litre tank (whatever that is in MPGs). I think 624 is my tank-miles record. In my judgement, it performs about the same as a nippy 1.6 petrol car.

They've all started perfectly in the cold and after 2 weeks of being stationary when I've been away on holidays.

(especially Dickens in the North West!) They were unhelpful, expensive and slack. Independent garages are always better.

Finally, the low insurance group on the diesels is a bonus.

I've got an 1.9 XUD9TE - getting 500-600 on a full tank depending on how hard it gets caned. Personal record was 700, but this is bearing in mind that the tank can take another good 5 litres if you brim it. (and if you've got the patience with the way the b'stard filler pipe makes the fuel foam)

/john

Good heavens. I know what you mean about the filling thing. One time it kept clicking-off so badly that I almost had the nozzle completely away from the edge of the car, squirting it into the tank like a watering can. "Safety First", etc...