RE: Peugeot Sport 308 GTI 270 | Spotted
Discussion
I tried one - a dealer demo - a few years ago when they first came out. The economy of a modest 1.6-litre engine when pootling about combined with the power of an old-skool 4-litre nat-asp engine when wanting to press on was appealing.
However, having everything on touchscreen was annoying and the turbo lag/throttle lag was awful. The headrests were also curiously shaped and uncomfortable.
Even in 1st gear the throttle lag/turbo lag was shocking below 1700rpm, making it downright dangerous to try to opportunistically dart into gaps in busy town traffic.
However, having everything on touchscreen was annoying and the turbo lag/throttle lag was awful. The headrests were also curiously shaped and uncomfortable.
Even in 1st gear the throttle lag/turbo lag was shocking below 1700rpm, making it downright dangerous to try to opportunistically dart into gaps in busy town traffic.
dirty doug said:
Rev counter goes the 'wrong' way...
Like any Aston, the new BMW clusters and a Fiat X1/9!Although I've speed-read this thread, has anyone mentioned the odd (ghastly) 2 tone paint option? It's bizarre:
And the engine... it's the Prince engine co-developed with BMW, and notorious for eating timing chains in all its applications.
The instrument binnacle... odd too. I'm 6ft, and find that if I adjust the wheel to where I'm comfortable with it, it interfered somehow with the instruments. This is based on a rental I had last year, which also had the EGC gearbox. I didn't get on with the box at all, but that was before I switched my daily driver to be an auto. Something I'd maybe try again before I made up my mind.
Edited by BFleming on Wednesday 18th September 19:03
In the car industry, good ideas are very quickly copied.
Rather like Jaguar's rotating gear selector, Alpina's nipple gear change, I have yet to see anyone copy Peugeot's small low steering wheel and suspect I never will. Can't imagine it has sold a single more car, but has put a fair few off. It's one of the many examples of the French being different just for difference sake. Pity.
Rather like Jaguar's rotating gear selector, Alpina's nipple gear change, I have yet to see anyone copy Peugeot's small low steering wheel and suspect I never will. Can't imagine it has sold a single more car, but has put a fair few off. It's one of the many examples of the French being different just for difference sake. Pity.
I've driven the 270bhp version and I would echo what others have said. The touchscreen is really fiddly and distracting and the steering wheel is a bit marmite, but the rest of the car is phenomenally good. It feels so much quicker than the figures suggest. Once you get it off the line, the in-gear acceleration is hugely impressive. Hard to believe that it's just a 1.6!
Whilst it's priced below the Golf GTI, it actually has a better power-to-weight ratio than the Golf R and S3.
Whilst it's priced below the Golf GTI, it actually has a better power-to-weight ratio than the Golf R and S3.
C70R said:
Presumably you missed the point where I said you could buy a Golf GTi (a better car by every measure other than horsepower) for the same money on Autotrader, and a year older Golf R for the same money again?
Personally I’d buy another Megane rs and drive with a big smug grin on my face knowing it’s 10 times the car a burger gti or r could ever be Can't believe no one has mentioned it has massage seats at the front as standard.
Gotta love the French.
I test drove one a couple of years back but ended up getting the 208gti by Peugeot sport.
It really is a looker in the flesh, looks quite purposeful from the back with the dual exhausts and just that red lip at the front to give the game away.
Agree about the gear shift though, it felt loose and the gear knob was too big for my small hands. I bet you'd soon get used to it though.
I loved the tiny steering wheel, felt like a go kart and the seats had loads of adjustability so it was easy to get a good position.
Definitely a car not to be judged until driven I think.
Gotta love the French.
I test drove one a couple of years back but ended up getting the 208gti by Peugeot sport.
It really is a looker in the flesh, looks quite purposeful from the back with the dual exhausts and just that red lip at the front to give the game away.
Agree about the gear shift though, it felt loose and the gear knob was too big for my small hands. I bet you'd soon get used to it though.
I loved the tiny steering wheel, felt like a go kart and the seats had loads of adjustability so it was easy to get a good position.
Definitely a car not to be judged until driven I think.
Strange dash layout and rubbish touch screen infotainment irritate EVERY time you drive it. I had a bongo 308, and it was a pretty good drive, but the problems mentioned meant ultimately I couldn't wait to hand it back.
The things VW have absolutely nailed on the Golf (driving position, slick infotainment), Peugeot are light years off the mark.
Hence the used market hates them and values drop like a stone.
The things VW have absolutely nailed on the Golf (driving position, slick infotainment), Peugeot are light years off the mark.
Hence the used market hates them and values drop like a stone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYAePHDMWwg&t=...
This shows what they're properly capable of at the ring.
I got rid of my year old 208 GTI, in part due to the crap aftersales experience and fragility of the car. It did its last gear change at 15,000 miles and was off the road for 6 weeks sat at the dealer whilst they arsed around with numerous repair attempts, finally replacing the gearbox. I sold it immediately afterwards.
Re. the THP engine. It felt strong and performance was good, as was economy when being sensible. But long-term, I'm not so sure. MINI dumped using this engine years ago, I suspect partly because of reliability issues from what I've read.
The 250 BHP version over the 270 doesn't use the larger Alcon brakes so wouldn't be so costly to run. Either way, dealers can't shift them and good deals were to be had when I considered upgrading to one 6 months ago. I wouldn't consider running one without an extended warranty though.
This shows what they're properly capable of at the ring.
I got rid of my year old 208 GTI, in part due to the crap aftersales experience and fragility of the car. It did its last gear change at 15,000 miles and was off the road for 6 weeks sat at the dealer whilst they arsed around with numerous repair attempts, finally replacing the gearbox. I sold it immediately afterwards.
Re. the THP engine. It felt strong and performance was good, as was economy when being sensible. But long-term, I'm not so sure. MINI dumped using this engine years ago, I suspect partly because of reliability issues from what I've read.
The 250 BHP version over the 270 doesn't use the larger Alcon brakes so wouldn't be so costly to run. Either way, dealers can't shift them and good deals were to be had when I considered upgrading to one 6 months ago. I wouldn't consider running one without an extended warranty though.
GTEYE said:
Strange dash layout and rubbish touch screen infotainment irritate EVERY time you drive it. I had a bongo 308, and it was a pretty good drive, but the problems mentioned meant ultimately I couldn't wait to hand it back.
The things VW have absolutely nailed on the Golf (driving position, slick infotainment), Peugeot are light years off the mark.
Hence the used market hates them and values drop like a stone.
Which is why they make they make a great used by at this money. Yes the infotainment is frustrating but don't let that put you off what is a great underrated hot hatch - all for 13K!The things VW have absolutely nailed on the Golf (driving position, slick infotainment), Peugeot are light years off the mark.
Hence the used market hates them and values drop like a stone.
Reciprocating mass said:
C70R said:
Presumably you missed the point where I said you could buy a Golf GTi (a better car by every measure other than horsepower) for the same money on Autotrader, and a year older Golf R for the same money again?
Personally I’d buy another Megane rs and drive with a big smug grin on my face knowing it’s 10 times the car a burger gti or r could ever be Honestly, of those who slate "French car bashing" on PH, I bet none has spent significant time trying to get comfortable and use basic features in a typical modern French hatch. The French just don't understand how to design interiors - and it has nothing to do with the quality of materials.
I've driven a fair variety of cars, and the 308 is simply let down by basic ergonomics and usability. I didn't manage to gel with the interior over several drives, and that's VERY unusual for me, even in modern cars. My 2019 BMW is a dream, which took 20mins to get to grips with, by comparison.
I'm sure this 308 is a fine car when driven at 8/10ths and above. But for the remaining 98% of ownership, it struck me as a royal pain in the ass.
Ron99 said:
I tried one - a dealer demo - a few years ago when they first came out. The economy of a modest 1.6-litre engine when pootling about combined with the power of an old-skool 4-litre nat-asp engine when wanting to press on was appealing.
However, having everything on touchscreen was annoying and the turbo lag/throttle lag was awful. The headrests were also curiously shaped and uncomfortable.
Even in 1st gear the throttle lag/turbo lag was shocking below 1700rpm, making it downright dangerous to try to opportunistically dart into gaps in busy town traffic.
PH collective wisdom will tell you that this is French "character", and that a Golf (which doesn't fail on these basic requirements of being a car) is "dull" by comparison.However, having everything on touchscreen was annoying and the turbo lag/throttle lag was awful. The headrests were also curiously shaped and uncomfortable.
Even in 1st gear the throttle lag/turbo lag was shocking below 1700rpm, making it downright dangerous to try to opportunistically dart into gaps in busy town traffic.
It's classic PH. Just like when the car everyone here 'wants' is released, and nobody buys it.
Hmmmm, these don’t really do anything for me. The interior really lets it down for me and the useless infotainment is hugely annoying especially in a daily car. I appreciate that they get good reviews from the likes of Evo but I stifle to find much to get excited about.
I’m no VAG fanboy but I do kind of get the Golf GTl fan base; they just seem to do everything well without being annoying.
I’m no VAG fanboy but I do kind of get the Golf GTl fan base; they just seem to do everything well without being annoying.
My other half has a 65 308 diesel I often use, so I can't comment on the performance side of it but the small wheel higher dials is quite cool, you do get used to it and I imagine with a good chassis and engine the little wheel would make it feel very flickable. The interior also feels well screwed together and is really comfortable on long trips. I do hate the touchscreen though, absolutely everything is done through it, I quite often adjust the climate controls on my commute as I'm a fussy bugger and it drives me mad. I can't see how having your eyes off the road for that long is safe at all.
BFleming said:
Like any Aston, the new BMW clusters and a Fiat X1/9!
Although I've speed-read this thread, has anyone mentioned the odd (ghastly) 2 tone paint option? It's bizarre:
And the engine... it's the Prince engine co-developed with BMW, and notorious for eating timing chains in all its applications.
The instrument binnacle... odd too. I'm 6ft, and find that if I adjust the wheel to where I'm comfortable with it, it interfered somehow with the instruments. This is based on a rental I had last year, which also had the EGC gearbox. I didn't get on with the box at all, but that was before I switched my daily driver to be an auto. Something I'd maybe try again before I made up my mind.
I quite like the 2 tone paint, so much so that would be my preferred choice to own.Although I've speed-read this thread, has anyone mentioned the odd (ghastly) 2 tone paint option? It's bizarre:
And the engine... it's the Prince engine co-developed with BMW, and notorious for eating timing chains in all its applications.
The instrument binnacle... odd too. I'm 6ft, and find that if I adjust the wheel to where I'm comfortable with it, it interfered somehow with the instruments. This is based on a rental I had last year, which also had the EGC gearbox. I didn't get on with the box at all, but that was before I switched my daily driver to be an auto. Something I'd maybe try again before I made up my mind.
Edited by BFleming on Wednesday 18th September 19:03
I feel like i need to go and drive one now to see if i can get on with the infotainment system and the small wheel/dials situation.
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