Comments on: Peugeot 308HDi Touring – Long term update

By: simxs

simxs — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:17:10 +0000

Nice car. Practical and stylish (to some eyes). Pity the handbrake is still in the LHD position, as it is with many Euro cars.

Regarding “the complete lack of body roll due to excellent torsional rigidity built into chassis”: body rigidity, though admirable, has far less impact on body roll than the roll-stiffness of the suspension. Also, if there really was a “complete lack of body roll” the author must have been cornering awfully slowly. Even a Ferrari has some body roll.

By: Cary

Cary — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:52:08 +0000

Larissa,

European cars are generally more expensive, in terms of maintenance and parts. I know a workmate of mine has recently bought a renault scenic and he had to buy a special type of tyre just to fit on his renault, apparently it’s a different width size. He even mentioned on his first price quote that 1 tyre would cost him $400.

I’m not too sure about insurance cost, but a quick call to nrma for a quote should tell you what you will be facing.

By: Larissa

Larissa — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:19:42 +0000

Hi, Josh,
Thanks for the comments
Just came back from a test-drive . I liked the 308 touring. My only concern is the glass roof. Does it make the car hotter than a metal roof? I could feel the inside curtain was getting really warm inside (and its not the hottest weather)
Also, is it true about increased prices for service and parts? Also, I heard that Insurance cost more for European cars?
Thanks, would appriciate your feedback

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:43:35 +0000

Fantastic car, we’ve clocked up almost 24,000KM so far. Eats the corners, my only complaint is the rear can feel a little heavy when switching directions at a fast pace – you’ll only pick this when you come from and try to drive it like a hot hatch! The front tyres are ready for replacement, but I think this is due to a poor wheel alignment; they have worn unevenly.

First gear is a little short and lets the car down off the mark. There is no point trying to drag, but it’s difficult timing the lights so you don’t have to come to a stop!
The diesel engine doesn’t like to run at low revs, so you’ll find yourself often changing to first or gently balancing the clutch in shopping centre car parks.
These gripes are minor compared to the overall driving enjoyment.

3 adults, a full load of luggage and one tank of diesel from Melbourne to Sydney via some fun driving roads. 4.3L/100KM when cruising on the Hume. What more could you want? This is with 340Nm of torque too!
Beautiful car.

By: Mumble Duck

Mumble Duck — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 09:35:23 +0000

I’d like to know how Peugeot’s styling will go in a couple of years. I mean they looked good from 1999-2003ish they looked alright. But now they look restrained and are becoming more and more UGLY.

By: Cozz30

Cozz30 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:18:47 +0000

I like this vehicle due to the incredible versatilty it has. A non-SUV 7 seater would always be my preference. However as a potential family car it’s a shame that the curtain airbags don’t extend all the way to the third row. Nor are there air con vents for the third row. I found the cupholder to be unusable in the front due to the weird centre console setup. For those reasons I’d choose the Odyssey or Citroen Picasso.

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:09:27 +0000

Booter, are you sure it was the current 6 wagon with DSC? We have no problems in the dirt which is similar to snow. How do you know the Pug wouldn’t be the same? Looking at the interior shots, I would prefer the Mazda anyday. At least the plastic bits of trim will still be in place after the 4 year warranty runs out!

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:36:50 +0000

I would much prefer a lovely set of rectangular headlights (like on my sister’s 323) with a proper black plastic grille comprised of 3 neat black slats and the word “Peugeot” so I could tell what kind of car it is.

Below the grille, I think it would be nice that there be a body coloured bumper with a central indent that the number plate goes into. Below that, furthermore, an air intake comprised of 3 neat sections, the outer 2 being narrower than the wider one in the middle, would also be quite nice.

Now, that’s my kinda car!

Only kidding.

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:29:05 +0000

Still looks awkward, esp. from the front and rear quarter view.

The superglass large roof rocks!

Plastics quality, fit and finish not up to similar priced premium Japanese/Euro brands.

Looks like floor could do with a bit of vacume-clean, not a rental car you know! :-)

Cheers

F-0

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:17:51 +0000

!I am with everybody else, this type of wide-mouth front end design is just plain FUGLY

audi started it, others have followed, hope its just a passing short-lived fad?

Cheers

F-0

PS/ Whats with all the NON-AUTO anti-spam words>?

By: Frontman

Frontman — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:49:23 +0000

Mad Max, The “unreliablility” of Peugeot isn’t that big an issue. The lack of qualified (ie people who know the cars) service people could be. If you can live with the styling, front is trying to draw from their F1 cars and live nearish to a dealer, then these aren’t a bad choice, Peugeot is one of the Four European mainstream brands that didn’t pack up and go home last time it got tough in Australia, they stuck it out during the 80’s so deserve a look in. Another alternative (petrol & five seat only) but due to hit the market at a comnpetitive price is Mondeo…

By: booter

booter — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:49:35 +0000

drove my friends mazda 6 wagon down mt hotham last year in snow and it was scary, driven in the snow many times but were never taking that car again, it just couldnt cope. full of cheap plastic too.

driven the 308 in question and the glass roof and comfort levels for the price are great. would be an easy choice car to live with, if your happy with the looks that are a bit to forward for most aussie tastes.

By: CJ

CJ — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:18:26 +0000

Mad Max, check out the Mazda 6 wagon first. Diesel six speed manual is a good thing. Just bought one, petrol though, as the wife is sick of changing gears. Loads of kit for the price and great to drive, plus Mazda reliability and resale.

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:38:57 +0000

I’m with you guys, the wide-mouth front end design is ugly.
Audi have this but break it up with the number plate sitting in the middle of it. Unfortunately Mazda 3 has gone the same way as this Peugeot.

By: mad max

mad max — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:22:09 +0000

Anthony, I am seriously looking at a 308 Touring. The only thing that concerns me is the long term reliability. The Peugeot’s have been a bit un-reliable over the past few years and I was interested if anybody at CA has heard if the reliability has lifted with these newer models. Other than that, I like the look, versatility the Touring offers and the performance from these HDI engines.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:22:05 +0000

I love the look of these cars. No manufacturer would have the guts to copy it full-strength.

Hans, I think you’ll find that cruise and radio controls are located on stubby column-mounted stalks quite close to the steering wheel.

By: Yanzo

Yanzo — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:13:14 +0000

i’m with nemisis, you have so sense of style, it’s an ugly car

By: Hans

Hans — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:57:26 +0000

Did they give you the 6 speed manual or auto? Is the overboost function available in both transmission? What about a particulate filter? Any hint of turbo lag? There aren’t any buttons on the steering wheel for adjust radio volume etc. Is that a good or bad thing?

By: PROJET - L

PROJET - L — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:06:20 +0000

Pitty the rear end looks like one of those back yard
kit cars made from fibreglass. The window is not
intergrated into the shape and the lights are just downright amateurish. They only look good in Rouge Lucifer (Devil Red) as it hides the lights, leaving only the window to grate on the senses.
Should be accepted by the Aussie public much easier based on its fantastic practicality which the French do so well.
There has been a car on the market for some years that does all this car does and more. Thr Renault Scenic II which CA tested a year or so back.
Too left field and French for most Aussie trogladites though.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:34:17 +0000

A very tempting review, this has to be my ideal car … Any idea how the glass roof would cope with some light Sydney hail?

Just read the NRMA rate the i30cw CRDi above the diesel Golf, for all-round value and practicality … May have been a different story up against the Pug! I think I can only afford the Korean though …