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Peugeot 307 SW (2002 - 2008)

What's Good

Having given the 307 MPV looks but zero MPV practicality, Peugeot's ace was a stunning 307 station wagon with a full complement of up to seven forward-facing seats, each with their own three-point seat-belts. The rear five seats all double-fold or remove. A third of the car's total body area is made of glass making it very light and airy unside. (All 307s come with a huge 'athermic' glass sunroof which reflects the sun's rays plus standard air conditioning). Engine choice starts with the 90BHP 2.0 HDI, rising through the 110bhp 1.6 16v, and 110bhp 2.0 HDI, to the 136bhp 2.0 16v. Good looks and seven properly belted seats will sell this car. Prices from £13,660 for five seat 1.6, and from £13,990 for seven seat 1.6. On sale from April 2002. New DV6 TDE4 1.6 diesel from May 2004. Develops 110bhp at 4,000rpm, 180 lb ft torque at 1,750rpm with overboost to 192 lb ft from Feb 2004 and from May 2004 also new DW10 BTED4 2.0 136bhp diesel with 240lb ft at 2,000rpm and overboost to 250lb ft which is long geared at 35mph per 1,000rpm in 6th. All SWs very good to drive. EQUAL BEST LOOKING, BEST HANDLING SEVEN SEATER YOU CAN BUY WITH THE FORD S-MAX.

Facelift with similar front to 407 from August 2005. New models include 180bhp Feline. Also new EU4 2.0 16v 140bhp petrol engine. 2nd row seats now individually sliding, fully-folding, and removable. 6th and 7th seats remain £199 extras. However the sliding centre row seats transform the car into a genuine 7 seater in which 7 adults up to 5' 9" can travel in reasonable comfort. 2nd row seats are very comfortable. Quality greatly improved from 2006 facelif and the 307SW with 2.0 HDI 136 is superb to drive with excellent handling, roadholding and power delivery.

Long Term test of 2006 model 307SW HDI 136 at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=202


More at www.peugeot.co.uk

Last updated 16-5-2008

What's Bad

Rear seats are optional extras at £165 each, but rearmost seatbelts are standard.

There seem to be problems of leaks through the frame of the big sunroof of SWs. 1.4HDI SWs were advertised, but were not UK market cars.

Otherwise, see 307 hatchback which, sadly, was 4th from Bottom of 100 models for reliability in Auto Express 2002 survey. 307 3rd bottom model in 2004 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Production ended April 2008.

What to Watch Out For

See 307 hatchback.

Fault in indicator stalks very common on 307s from May 2001. Many owners force and break them. Free fix available in France from December 2002, in UK from 2003 -2004.

Have also been power steering malfunctions.

Reports of rear windows of 307s shattering, possibly due to stress cracks from tailgates being closed from one side.

Clutch failures increasingly common. Clutch judder can develop on 2001/2002 HDIs, caused by wear in internal damper of dual mass flywheel. Needs replacing with modified unit to solve the problem. Dual mass flywheel failure now common on early 2.0HDIs and the flywheels may last only 25,000 miles.

Problem of 1.6 and 2.0 16v diesels slipping into limp home mode put down to throttle butterflies sticking or their spindles wearing prematurely causing them to stick. The throttle position sensor identifies this and sends a message to the ECU to limit the engine to limp home mode.

Can develop a minor wiring harness fault that causes the heater fan resistors to fail.

Recalls

October 2005: 307 owners received recall notice, "Within the Peugeot quality programme it has been identified that it is necessary to reinforce the sealing of the electrical connection of the power assisted steering system on your vehicle, under certain conditions the repeated entry of salt water into this connection could cause short circuits which, in extreme cases may lead to the start of a fire in the engine compartment."