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Peugeot 308 'Allure' trim ride quality

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12K views 38 replies 15 participants last post by  Wiganken  
#1 ·
I am looking at buying a 308 and I notice that the vast majority of Peugeot 308s that are for sale are the 'Allure' trim level. I notice that the 'Allure' trim comes with 45 profile tyres and the 'Active' trim comes with 55 profile tyres. Lower profile tyres usually give a harder ride with more road/tyre noise and they are not usually the best for our UK roads with pot holes and speed bumps. I believe 45 profile tyres would be great for cornering and racing but not for a smooth ride. I really would like the 'Active' trim with the 55 profile tyres to give me the smoothest ride but this is limiting the choice of cars for sale. On 'Autotrader' I find only 4 'Active' trim 308s for sale compared with 95 'Allure' trim 308s within a 100 mile radius of my address. Does anyone know why there are a lot of 'Allure' trim 308s for sale compared with 'Active' trim 308s? Is it because people find the 'Allure' too hard a ride and want to 'get rid' or is it just that the majority of 308s sold new were in the 'Allure' trim in the first place? Can anyone comment, either way, on the ride quality of the 308 in 'Allure' trim with 45 profile tyres please?

Thanks in advance.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the feedback. Although only two replies so far they both confirm what I suspected: - That the 'Active' trim is a better, smoother ride than the 'Allure' trim.

I hope other 308 owners can add to this thread to give their opinions. It will help me to decide.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I have a 2016 Allure with 17" rims & 45 profile tyres, the ride is perfectly fine, it has improved slightly by fitting Michelin Cross Climate + tyres which also tamed the lively Puretech 130 performance.

You still have the 308 handling trait of the back end step out on certain corners but you get used to it.

Reason for plenty of Allure trims for sale is it's a popular high non sport trim spec having plenty of toys.

I'd rather have an Allure over Active.
 
#7 ·
Pearly White - Your comment "it didn't make financial sense to buy an Active and spec it up with options" may be the reason that I am seeing lots of "Allures" for sale and not many 'Actives'. It may be that most people bought 'Allure' trim rather than 'Active' trim on economic grounds. I suppose it is possible to buy a used 'Allure' trim model and (if I find the ride too hard/noisy) get the wheels and tyres changed to 16" wheels and 55 profile tyres but this will cost ÂŁ (any ideas anyone?). Also it would count as a modification so I would need to tell my car insurers and also the DVLA. I may finish up with an 'Allure' model and find it 'acceptable' but, for now, I'll wait and see if an 'Active' trim comes on the market.

Further responses are welcome and thanks to everyone for the input.
 
#9 ·
I think the ride of the Allure is good very good on a long journey,i would describe it as comfy with a slighly firm edge,the stock Michelin SP4s have quite a firm wall as they are sport tyres i'll be changing mine soon for a different make for a smoother ride a test drive will rule out any doubts
 
#10 ·
I had an allure as a courtesy car while my GTi was being serviced.

It felt like a magic carpet compared to what I'm used to. There is one road on the way to work that I normally don't exceed 20ish due to the poor surface. The Allure was still get comfy at 30.

I was very impressed with the car and though the suspension and ride were well set up and balanced.
 
#11 ·
I did a quick check as to how much it would cost to change the wheels/tyres on an 'Allure' from 225/45 R17 to 205/55 R16 as fitted on the 'Active'. It works out at about ÂŁ600 including buying and fitting. This is a lot of money (and trouble) so I reckon that if I did buy the 'Allure' (because there aren't any 'Active' models for sale) then I would have to accept the ride quality of the 17" wheels/tyres. It is for this reason that I am finding your comments very interesting so thank you all.

I don't reckon I will get many responses from 'Active' trim owners as it is looking as if there aren't many out there. The vast majority are 'Allure' owners.
 
#16 ·
#17 ·
As long as you get genuine Peugeot wheels which are type approved then ÂŁ600 cost and selling the old wheels with tyres are the only issues. No need to tell insurers or the DVLA.
Peugeot Service Box will tell the insurance company they wasn't the wheels it left the factory with - if they wanted to they could refuse to pay out as they haven't been told about the change of original wheels.

My car left the factory with optional extras but because there factory fitted there listed on Service Box & the insurance company are happy - I checked when I took the policy out.
 
#21 ·
Mr. Lee - Take your point re telling insurers. I agree it is not worth the risk of not telling them.

Paul-R - I imagine it will be the same brakes calipers on both 'Allure' and 'Active' trim spec cars so, as long as one fits Peugeot wheels, then they should fit.

Thanks for all comments. Your input and other research I have done has put my mind at rest that I will be OK buying an 'Allure' spec 308. I'll still monitor this thread though.
 
#25 ·
The reversing camera was an option on the Allure, not possible to fit on the active because the loom isn't there.
I went into some detail when researching the purchase of mine as I wanted the reversing camera.
Then you find some sellers don't mention it, some claim it has one when it doesn't, complete minefield.
But if you see a picture of the back of the car you can usually see the little bump of the camera at the top of the number plate.
 
#23 ·
Am i the only one with an active who wants to upsize?

Trying to get my hands on a set of 17inch GT-Line as i think the standard ones that come with the active look terrible! :lol:

As soon as a breaker shows up on ebay they get sold instantly, really hard to get hold of!!

Agreed with andy above that i wish i had an allure or above myself, the DRL's look loads better built in to the unit and i quite like the chrome window trim too!

But i'm still happy with the active, belting little car its been so far!
 
#24 ·
My father has an Allure model equipped with 16 inch wheels, 205 55 R16, AFAIK the BlueHDI diesel's come with 16 inch wheels and the petrol's get the 17 inch wheels.

I tested out a 1.2 Puretech 130 with 17 inch wheels and it felt pretty good and more supple than other cars I tested out, it didn't feel drastically more uncomfortable than my father's diesel equipped with 16's.
 
#27 ·
I EU you can factory option 16 inch wheels with Allure, which I did. Try looking for an Allure with 16 in wheels, could have also been dealer-fitted.

I agree with better ride, and also cheaper tires. Low profile tires should be cheaper, less rubber, lighter, but I think tire manufacturers offer them cheap as OEM to get them on new cars. Then they proceed to charge more for replacement, and the "boy racers" happily pay, thinking dearer must be better.

And be very careful changing wheel sizes, with the offset. Some Euro wheels marketed for 308, which were sold as winter specials through Peugeot dealers, gave clearance problems. My dealer had trouble convincing me that he had to order a different wheel to the one in the Dezent flyer for 308, but he was right.
 
#32 ·
Mr. Lee - I know that the Michelin Cross Climate + tyres have a good reputation and so I will bear them in mind. They are not cheap at around ÂŁ102 each but still cheaper and less hassle than changing to 16" wheels plus tyres to fit.

Thanks for the suggestion.