307SW known problems please

[shaggymoose]

I'm thinking of getting a 307sw but am unsure of whether to get a diesel or petrol, can anyone spend a minute or so letting me know about known faults please?
Parkers website says noisy wheel bearings are 150 sheets a corner so that's one down!

[Piston Broke]

Welcome Shaggymoose!

Alas, the 307 has quite a rap sheet of problems that crop up regularly from car to car, with occasional cars being total dogs. That said, I know several owners who've had no problems at all and speak highly of their 307s - choose carefully, test drive very thoroughly, get a decent warranty, and invest in in AA/RAC inspection.

I'd be inclined not to trust Parkers as far as I could spit them in this regard.

Petrol or diesel? That's really down to which you prefer. Personally I find all but the 2 litres underpowered - the diesels aren't mega powered, but tend to deliver their power in a much more accessible way. Drive them back to back and you'll see what I mean.

Most of the diesels fitted to the 307 were inherently fairly reliable themselves, although the emcon equipement can give rise to issues. However, this is pretty common these days whichever make you buy.

Your four main diesel options are:

1) 1.4 75ish BHP (DV4TD) - probably underpowered in such a car, unless you really aren't bothered.

2) 2.0 90 BHP (DW10TD) - the most common variant, and not a bad mover. All but the later versions don't have the FAP, solid flywheel with no DMF to fail so it's probably the most relaible too.

The on expense come cambelt change time is the bottom pulley, which has a set service life and is designed to be replaced with the belt. Unfortunately, this makes the job over £600 at a Peugeot dealers so many folk don't bother replacing it. The danger then is that the old pulley will fail, sometimes catastrophically, and can do a lot of damage as it goes, so inpect the service history thoroughly. Nevertheless, a good example of this version is probably the best value 307 diesel.

There is a 110bhp version of this 2 litre, but the extra complication isn't worth the extra outlay, IMHO.

3) 1.6 110 BHP (DV6TED4) - a later engine variant and moderately powerful certainly brisk enough to make it ntertaining. Not too bad reliabilty wise, although the FAP system on later versions will require occasional expensive maintenance. Probably the nicest all round version and the one to go for if your budget stretches to it.

4) 2.0 136 BHP (DW10BTED4) - so rare as to be almost non existant. Quick, with a ballsy mid range, but the few that about are usually top dollar. This engine saw service in the 407 and isn't generally too bad, but as well as the FAP maintenance expense as she ages they're prone to expensive DMF problems (The DMF is a special flywheel designed to insulate the gearbox from the high torque as it takes up drive).

Of course, paying to joing CPUK is the best accessory you can buy for your 307

Let us know which you plump for.

[shaggymoose]

Thank you for for your time and information.

I think I will spend a lot of research in finding a car without FAP or DMF before spending my hard earned but i will let you know what one I choose and will of course pay for the memebership.

[frank]

all 2.0 hdi 90 bhp models dont have a dmf or a fap filter, the bottom pulley is not part of a cambelt chnge either and can go at any time, normally starts as a low down rattle, ok if court on time if left will destroy the engine, they can be brough from places like gsf for about 60quid nowadays. although a good driver it is fairly underpowerd, but reliable.

the 110bhp version does and doesnt have the fap, if it has rhs in the vin it has a fap if it has rhz in the vin it doesnt, all rhs engines have the dmf aswell and the rhz doesnt. out of the 2 engine vesions the rhz is the most reliable but the rhs is the best driver. the rhs engine being the most exspensive to maintain and service.

the 1.6 110 bhp engine i wouldnt even entertain, although it has a lower road tax bracket and the mpg it gives is good. engines suffer from oil leaks from the cam carriers and is an exspensive repair.

i definatly wouldnt have the 136bhp, the problems they have is unreal, egr valves, turbos, general french electrics make the the one to avoid. but having said that they are pretty fast if thats yor thing.

wouldnt even bother with a petrol unit, all under powered for the car.

out of them all id have the 2.0 hdi 90 bhp

[Piston Broke]

The pulley on the HDi90 is recommended for replacement at the 96k cambelt change by Peugeot themselves. It's projected service life is the same as the belt. I've not got any 306 service bulletins, but the 406 bulletins I have for the same engine confrim this, as does Honest John, not that I'd normally pay him too much credence! I have the full technical document Presentation Moteur DW10 Sans Exchanger - any paid club member wanting a copy just email me at the 07 registrar addy and I'll zap it across (about 2/3 of it is in original French, but it still makes sense).

There are 2 different types of pulley, and they can fail at the drop of a hat, but are usually pretty sound if they are binned with the old belt. IIRC the pulley design was changed from c.2002 and the later cars use the cheaper version (sometimes referred to as the 'Citroen' type) at something like £45-50 instead of £85-90 for the older one. Pattern pulleys can be had cheaper, but it's not something I'd risk on a car I owned myself.

We run DV6 powered cars at work in a very hard environment (some 307s & 308s, mainly Ford Foci with the same mill) and they've actually proven to be very durable, although I'd agree that a good low mileage HDi90 would still be my choice if that were my main concern. Having owned several examples of each engine, the DV6 is still the one to go for IMHO - the extra driveability, economy, increased service interval, cheaper tax etc all combine to make it nicer to live with.

Edit - Just checked, it was Sept 2004 when the pulley changed.

[shaggymoose]

Cheers guys, once i find a nice one i will post what i've chosen

[bluehaddock]

Problem with the 1.6 110 bhp engine is the fact that the turbos are extremely prone to failing

[Piston Broke]

Only those with the Garret between 2005-06 across all PSA models, Ford and Mazda with that unit. It wasn't especially common, but cropped up enough to be noteworthy.

I don't know if they had some issues with quality or design back at Garret during that period or what, although a fault with the EGR could also lead to turbo failure on the early units. Touch wood, it seems to be resolved and the later model years seem ok - You'd be pretty unlucky to find one now as most have been fixed, and any that haven't gone pop yet probably won't.

This is really very low down on the list of things to fret about if you're buying a 307.

[honeymonster]

We run DV6 powered cars at work in a very hard environment (some 307s & 308s, mainly Ford Foci with the same mill) and they've actually proven to be very durable, although I'd agree that a good low mileage HDi90 would still be my choice if that were my main concern. Having owned several examples of each engine, the DV6 is still the one to go for IMHO - the extra driveability, economy, increased service interval, cheaper tax etc all combine to make it nicer to live with.

Hi, this is my first post and looking to buy a 1.6 hdi sw.I know a couple of years have past since this post but just wondered if Piston broke still stood by your opinion of the DV6 ?
Also wouldn't the 1.6 hdi 90bhp be the best option as this is good on ecomony and doesn't have the FAP or DMF ?
Thanks in advance
Jim

[Piston Broke]

Greetings Honeymonster.

I still stand by my high opinion of the DV6, so long as it's been maintained by the book. Earlier models could suffer camshaft carrier oil leaks, and dicky turbos, but there's won't be many left now that haven't suffered the failure and been fixed.

Yeah, the 90BHP version has it's upside, but you'll find the 90BHP 2 litre is better equally good, if you can find a good one after all this time. I find it a little underpowered in a 307 or 308, but that's just my personal preference.

It was a cracking day at the CPUK National Rally yesterday, sadly lacking only in 307s, so be nice to see a few on display at next years!

[honeymonster]

Yeah, the 90BHP version has it's upside, but you'll find the 90BHP 2 litre is better equally good, if you can find a good one after all this time. I find it a little underpowered in a 307 or 308, but that's just my personal preference.

Hi ,Thanks for your quick reply,when stating the above about underpowered are you refering to the 2.0l 90bhp or both 90bhp.1.6l also.
I drove a 2.0l yesterday and i agree,it did seem quite gutless.
Many thanks

[Piston Broke]

Both 90's feel a bit gutless, but if you've found a decent, well maintained 2 litre 90 then it's toughness personified and worth a punt. At least the 2 litre does have some urge when flooring it through 4th and 5th at motorway speeds, where the gearing is at its sweet spot.