306 Cabrio

[tul66]

Thinking of buying one of these. Being new to Peugeot, are there any problems specific to these cars that I should be looking out for?

Cheers.

[JazzJPH]

I can vouch for the 1.9 D Turbo 306. It is an awesome motor.

However, why would you want the cabriolet version? Just why?

[tul66]

I'm after a cheap cabrio for the summer that's all. Are there any issues with engines, electrics etc that you can advise me of?

[JazzJPH]

Not really, I think as long as you get the 1.9 D Turbo I can tell you that mine didn't let me down after the 46k miles I put on it. sold at 180k I think, can't remember really.

Anyway the only problems I had were:
Dash lights - the unit comes loose and the dash lights turn off so you can't see at night. However this is a simple take it out and tighten it up job. Nothing to it.
a little smoky on startup, but that's nowt. In the end my turbo seal was going, check that when you're buying.

So in a nutshell I'd say when you go to look at one:
1. Check service history and MOTs (make sure advisories are present if stated on MOT)
2. Ask if there's any recurring problems and if they know of any problems
3. Check engine bay for oil anywhere, or an over clean engine bay is hiding something (you know, black wax everywhere)
4. Check oil in water and vice versa
5. make sure you find out about when the timing belt and clutch were done. And check the clutch, (release slowly, etc. etc.)

I might be stating obvious things you already know, but still. I'm sure another lad on here can tell you how to test the clutch properly if you don't know.

[Gibbo]

IIRC the 306 cabrio only came in a 2 litre petrol version.

I hope to be corrected but when I was looking a few years ago I could only get the 2L petrol. A went for a 1.4 Escort instead, cheaper to insure and run.

They're nice, but very heavy on fuel and a heavy car. It doesn't have a roof bar so has the floor pan strengthened to compensate.

Make sure that it comes with the appropriate emergency kit if the roof electrics fail.

And with the roof down check down all the holes where the roof folds in for rust, any signs of a badly fitting roof where the water has run off it and inside.

And make sure the power steering is bob on.

[stevoxsi]

Power steering and air-con are the things to look at.

[Gibbo]

After some research I believe they did a 1.8 petrol towards the end of the 306 range (i.e. W to 52 plates)

[JazzJPH]

Fair enough. I did no research and just assumed they picked random 306's from the line, chopped the tops off and threw a curtain on

[stevoxsi]

Can you imagine the noise of a 1.9td with the roof down???

[JazzJPH]

It'd be a beautiful sound.