Dumb and dumber - the 307 exhaust saga continues

307 went in at last for creaking rear door, new glovebox lid (old one's
handle snapped off) and, for the - I lose count - fourth attempt, I think,
to fix the squeaking, clunking exhaust.

They didn't have the part they needed for the exhaust.

Despite the fact that it's been booked in for several weeks, awaiting the
glovebox lid. Despite the sharp words we've had over the issue, along the
lines of, "You'd better fix it this time or else."

So I take it in and they don't have the part.

Is it really too much to ask to have a car with a normal exhaust pipe? fifth
time lucky perhaps? PERHAPS it would be easier to keep the exhaust and fit a
new 307 to it...


Androo

 

All sounds rather sadly familiar. Did they succesfully fix the creaking
rear door? If so what did they do? Sounds like it may be the same problem
I have - see a few posts down.

 

Yes, they did successfully fix the creaking. Don't know what they did;
probably just tightened it up so hard it'll break shortly.

It's going to have to go back anyway since the new glovebox lid looks like
it was fitted by a child. It staggers me that anybody could fit something so
badly and think it's okay. My dealer is clearly desperate for me to buy
anything other than a Peugeot next time. I'm sick of the sight of them.

Androo

 

Peugeots are good cars, it's just a shame about the dealers. I had
similar experience with 3 different Pugs. Warwick Wright (in my case)
were a waste of space. I had more knowledge about the cars than they
did. Only one mechanic who I dealt with direct at their Edgware,
London branch knew a bit about what he was doing and genuinely tried
to help. His service manager was never even there half the time and I
waited weeks on end for a bog standard part. He claimed each time that
my 306 had a clutch cable part that was not on other 306s so it was
hard to get hold of!! I ended up selling the car in the end without
ever getting the part.

 

As I've said before, the 406 we had before the 307 was superb. I suspect I
have this impression because in seven years it needed almost no work apart
from part of the water pump replacing and a new suspension bush. So we
didn't see the dealer much.

The 307's persistent faults and the dealer's ineptness make you think about
other aspects of the car that you don't care for, whereas if it had been
well-built, utterly reliable and the dealer knew what they were doing, I
might not dwell on the terrible ride quality and the crashing rear
suspension. Especially since it must have been like that when we test drove
it. Maybe.

Mostly, the rest of the car is excellent: the engine is smooth and lively,
the brakes are the best I've ever tried on any car, the handling is fine,
the interior spacious and attractive, the seats excellent, the safety kit
excellent, the car good value, well equipped and good looking.

It's hard not to think fondly on the 406's superb ride-quality and
refinement. And forget the awful seats, non-ABS brakes (on our early one),
lack of aircon (again not standard back then), poor safety kit and
crash-test performance. It was comfortable and reliable above all else; the
307 you could say is neither.

A 307 with better ride quality and refinement, that's built like the 406
was, would be a great car. Perhaps that'll be the 308 then...

Androo