Comments on: 2008 Peugeot 308 Review

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:38:37 +0000

Hi garth,
the bumpy ride is in comparison to my old car (Magna TJ) which would soak up the small bumps so you don’t even notice them. In the 2.0L HDi Peugeot the suspension feels a lot harder/stiffer and you do notice every small bump in the road, things that are loose in the boot rattle when you go over small bumps and the car bounces a bit. The car has 16″ alloys (stock standard). I haven’t had any problems with the car and absolutely love the torque of the diesel engine (makes up for the loss of the V6 magna). I tried several cars before narrowing it down to a 308 or a TDi VW. The 308 won on styling, good highway performance and to my ear the diesel engine sounded a lot quieter inside the 308 than the VW did. Yes I would buy another 308, but would probably opt for the XTE if I could afford it to get the stereo with a hard drive.

By: Garth

Garth — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:10:30 +0000

Hi Mark,
I read your Blog and have a couple of questions you talk about the “very bumpy ride” can you explain, is it because of the tyres or suspension? Is the 308 you bought the 2.0 LT HDI with automatic transmission? Have you had any problems what do you think of the car overall? I look forward to your response.

By: Garth

Garth — Mon, 11 May 2009 10:01:42 +0000

Hi All,
I am researching the Peugeot 308 range of diesel cars intending to buy one before the end of the financial year. So you could say that I am very interested to know if the current 308 range has inherited the same problems / issues as the 307 & 206 models had. Any help would be greatly appreciated. “Real engines don’t have spark plugs”

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:37:40 +0000

I bought one of these HDi turbos and love everything about it except for the lack of a USB input to the stereo (no excuse for this in 2009) and the very bumpy ride (feel every small bump on the road).

By: Massimo B

Massimo B — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:01:23 +0000

Hello! Seems long time this review has gone asleep!!! Well it is time to wake up, waiting for the 308cc :-DDD
Anyway, I’m just writing from europe, and found this review very honest and very little to argue ;-)
I bought the 110kW 1.6l twin scroll turbo petrol last october, just to say this engine is made after PSA and BMW collaboration, whell the engine is the same available on BMW’s Mini Cooper S!!!
I still amazed how cheaper european cars are down under! Mine costed about 40,000 AUD… you guys shouldn argue on pricy european cars, just love your dealer’s special prices!!! Also love your tyres coming as sporty as 225/40, in europe come with 225/45. They are use to change tyres brand.. PZero at first release, than Continental SportContact3, now it seeems to be solde wearing GoodYear tyres!!!
Yes the gearbox is sometimes stubborn, need some hard kicks to quick change between the 2nd and 3rd… consumption has to be agreed is about 8-9 l/100, hardly less. Someone said about the black bumper in front.. well, have you noticed that bumper has disappeared in almost all new cars? I have to say i’m happy with and works well to protect from hard touches :-P
Bye guys…

By: Robey

Robey — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:29:21 +0000

Hi all,
We have just ordered the XTE diesel in Babylon red & I cannot wait for its arrival, mid November!
I own a V6 406 & many other Pugs & have had little or no problems with all of them.English built Peugeots had electronic problems but then again what English car hasn’t ?
They are built for Oz conditions, better than the local stuff I believe.
Greg

By: Glen

Glen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:19:21 +0000

The 308 2L HDi has nearly the same torque as a Commodore (320Nm vs 330Nm) and uses about half as much fuel (5.5L/100km vs 10.8L/100km). The 308 can tow 1700kg braked but unfortunately the max tow ball down weight is only 68kg. Peugeot needs to increase their ball weights.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:12:13 +0000

josh.s email regarding waiting for a 308 xse turbo petrol is right I have been waiting for my new 308 5 months and still have not got it but i can’t wait.

By: Quiet1

Quiet1 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:08:14 +0000

Thanks Jimmy…

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:44:41 +0000

And by the way, the XSE Turbo uses the same engine as the XTE so I think you could refer to this review for the performance of the XTE petrol.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:42:12 +0000

Quiet1, jump onto the seats of the XTE and XTE HDi and give them a test drive, and you’ll notice the difference between the two – the XTE tends to stay at high revs for a while before the gear shifts, whereas the for the XTE HDi the gear shift is more smooth. You get more torque on the HDi too. Once you have driven the HDi you’ll love it. Try to bargain with the dealer to get a good price ;)

By: Quiet1

Quiet1 — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:33:54 +0000

Can someone review the 308 XTE model and how it stands up against the 308 XTE HDI model reviewed here.
Given the price diference between the two ( about $3,000)and diesel being more expensive which would be a more wise model to drive??
I’d personally go for the petrol one but have heard negative feedback about the gearbox used in it..
Is this true??

By: Phillip

Phillip — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:22:03 +0000

Thanks Steven. I meant in my post that the 307 3-door didn’t sell well, which is understandable given its ungainly looks. It is one of the only European mid-size hatches I can remember that looked better as a 5-door.

I’m glad that Peugeot are importing the 308 GT, although I was hoping for a lesser model 3-door with a diesel engine. You can buy them in Europe but alas (like most European brands) we only get a small selection of models in oz.

By: silky

silky — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:20:03 +0000

it sure is different look, interesting front including the bonnet, hould have asked the guy to pull over!

Jimbo, your happy mate, good buying :)

By: StevenC

StevenC — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:29:02 +0000

Hey Phillip
Actually they might bring out the 308 GT ( 3 Dr) soon, I asked the dealer and he said it would come over later this year. Also there was a 3 dr 307. I think it was called the XSi or something.
To Silky, I quite like the look of the lights. From what most say its a like or hate thing. I really like it.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:29:00 +0000

Like the 207, I think the 308 looks better as a 3-door. It’s a pity that Peugeot Oz are not giving us this option as the 306 3-door sold well (the 307 didn’t but then it was a horrid looking car).

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Wed, 21 May 2008 07:09:24 +0000

Silky, When it comes to the 207, I like the superb handling and the fuel economy the most. The engine is rather responsive for its size too. A 1.6L Petrol pushes 1.3t around with the performance of a 2L. When it comes to dislikes, it has a tiny glove box and it does not have ESP even then it still gets 5 stars. And she is about to turn over 10,000km any day now.
Why the curiosity, are you fishing for faults or recommendations?

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:35:05 +0000

What Alborz no mention that the 1.6-litre petrol turbo you drove is one of BMW award winning engines for 2008 ,come on babe put a little insert in there for me….pweaseeeeeeee

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:19:26 +0000

I love the look of the 308 inside and out. I agree with the writer that the designers ran out of crayon around the back of it.

By: silky

silky — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:59:38 +0000

as an aside, I saw my first 308 today, what did you guys think about the front and its lights?