Peugeot 308 GTI - used bargain?

[Graeme900]

Looking for something practical and yet severely pokey and the 308 GTI looks a used bargain compared to anything else. I recall EVO mag liked it a lot when they ran one.

Anyone owned one and care to give a view?

[seabod91]

Seem decent cars for the money. Are the brakes not brembo from factory and cost an arm and a leg though?

[valiant]

Had one a few years back and they were excellent cars.

Excellent handling bit with a compliant ride - Peugeot generally knows their stuff here and it shows. No Germanic nonsense of rock hard suspension + low profiled tyres = accomplished handling. Was a joy to take down the back roads.

Interior. Make sure you're ok with the binnacle over the steering wheel looks. Some people simply can't get on with it but I had zero issues. Seats are superb.

Engine. No real shortage or power but won't match the likes of M135s or S3s in a straight line but you'll leave them for dead on the twisties if they are running stock suspension. Engine has also been thoroughly overhauled by PSE so better cooling and stronger internals. Zero issues with mine.

Gearbox. A weakness to be honest. Can be a bit notchy and just doesn't feel that nice to use. Not helped by the weirdly shaped gearstick that doesn't sit comfortably in your hand. A minor thing but there you go.

Brakes. Alcons all-round and they are phenomenal. So much feel and give you a lot of confidence but, and it's a big but, they are phenomenally expensive to replace, dealer fit only (hence the price) and I'm not even sure if Peugeot even hold them any more. Main issue is the pistons corrode and then cause sticky callipers damaging both calliper, disc and piston itself. However, there are now a plethora of aftermarket solutions that are cheaper than main dealer Alcon parts (but still a bit pricey) but most issues can be sorted by replacing the pistons with Godspeed ones for a few hundred quid. Then it's just normal wear and tear.

Two tone paint was an option which was, er, unique and very much love it or hate it.

Very underrated cars which never really grabbed the headlines like a new Golf GTi would but that means cheaper prices to buy and brakes aside, wasn't particularly expensive to run.

Miss mine and was one of the most rewarding cars I've owed.

[ZX10R NIN]

Great cars some people will tell you to avoid because of the brakes but they are not as bad as the internet (but they're not cheap) would have you believe.

On average a set of discs will last around 45k before needing a change, there are lots of aftermarket options that are more wallet friendly.

Buy one

[Graeme900]

Thanks. Very helpful. It’s in the running then I think. A test drive will sort out whether the gear change and instrument/wheel position is an issue.

[2172cc]

My friend has 270bhp one and really rates it. I've driven it and its an extremely competent car. The small steering wheel and unconventional dash arrangement does take a bit of getting used to but as I had a 208 GTi previously it was familiar to me.
Watched this video on YT this week of a modified one going round the Ring with Misha driving.
The BMW M2 had trouble keeping up with it
https://youtu.be/kdhsUJvQ_3Q?si=d-fa9hUiZNlv1Mww

[CG2020UK]

I’m a huge fan of them!

I’d echo a lot of what Valiant said but I much preferred the manual to my Golf GTI I had.

Seats are fantastic only annoying thing is they come with massage seats and not heated.

Love cars have a video on YouTube of the 308GTI lapping faster than an RS Megane or I30N despite a much better ride and nicer interior.

[macron]

Stage 3 with 368bhp from a 1.6? Goodness, highly strung! Shows what can be done though and they are a bit of a bargain. Brakes aside!

[Leftfootwonder]

These were never on my radar. If they're anything like the 306 GTi-6, I could be tempted.

[AddyT.]

A friend of mine back in the day had a JDM Impreza STI (another story for another day) and most recently has one of these and loves it. That I know doesn't mean a lot but they do know their cars so seems like a good option.

[Graeme900]

Thanks everyone. I’ve had to discount a number of hot hatches because our needs are quite specific. Must be 4 door, must be manual, can’t be a Ford (that’s the Mrs) and obviously must be at a certain price point. I’ve also had mk7 golf r so not particularly interested in that or the gti.

[TameRacingDriver]

I've considered one. Another party piece is their lack of weight (under 1300 kgs which for the size of the car is impressive) and standard fit LSD. They'd be at or near the top of my list if I needed a car that size for sure, especially given the price.

[Don Roque]

The cost of getting the brakes refreshed always comes up whenever these are discussed but what's actually a realistic price for getting the job done?

[macron]

https://www.peugeotforums.com/threads/308-gti-rcz-...

Or godspeed get a good write up

https://godspeedbrakes.co.uk/products/308-gti-fron...

Need the pistons doing too I believe.

[Graeme900]

Thanks. Interesting job and worth researching