Peugeot 307 SW (2002 – 2008) At A Glance
Makes sense of the 307. Up to seven forward-facing seats. Good to drive. Decent diesels.
Pre-facelift cars still had quality problems
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Child seats that fit a Peugeot 307 SW (2002 – 2008)
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Real MPG average for a Peugeot 307 SW (2002 – 2008)
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Reviews for Peugeot 307 SW (2002 – 2008)'s top 3 rivals
Ask Honest John
Which is more comfortable and quiet, the SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Golf Estate?
"My 10 year old Peugeot 307 SW, which I have enjoyed, needs replacing. Both the new SEAT Ateca 1.4 petrol DSG (18-inch wheels) and the new Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.5 petrol DSG (16-inch wheels) suit my needs on paper as regards to space and driver assistance packages. I've driven the Ateca and I'm waiting to drive the Golf. Apart from space and specs, a quiet comfortable ride is very high on my needs list. Without the ability to test drive the two vehicles "back to back" on the same roads I expect to find it hard to compare between them. Logic suggests that on wheel/tyre size alone the Golf should be the winner for comfort and quietness although there are clearly other factors that effect ride comfort. I would very much value your opinion as to which vehicle is likely to be the most cosseting."
SUVs have bigger wheels than cars, usually by an inch or two, but what's important is the amount of tyre between the rims and the road. Atecas can come on 16-inch ‘Design’ alloy wheels with 215/60 R16 tyres; 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres or 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels with 215/50 R18 tyres. But the big thing here is that the Golf as VAG's latest 1.5 ECO engine and though the 1.4 TSI 150 is good, it isn't the latest engine. The Golf will probably be on 16-inch wheels with 205/55 R16s.
What small estates have seats in the boot?
"I have a Peugeot 307 SW which I love as it has a spacious boot, isn't too large, economical on long journeys, nippy round town and can get extra children in the boot seats for short journeys. It's done 108,000 miles and is diesel and I don't do the miles I used to do so need to replace it with a petrol. Are there any similar small estates which have additional small seats in the boot? All the newer cars seem enormous."
A new 308 1.2 Puretech 130 SW, but only available as a 5 seater.
"I have heard reports of the 1.6 diesel engine fitted in Peogeots, Citroens & Fords to suffer from damaged turbos due to lack of correct maintenance and not selecting the correct oil type. Subsequently the oil gullies become slugged up and blocked. When was this engine improved and how can it be identified? Are there any other similar engines that suffer from the same issue?"
If you buy one of these, the first thing to do is to change the turbo bearing oil feed and oil return pipes because once these get blocked with sludge or carbon the bearing will fail. If you are still not getting enough oil pressure, drop the sump and change the sump strainer and oil pump.
Will the 307 SW spare wheel cradle hold a full size spare?
"I recently bought a 2007 Peugeot 307 SW. When I lowered the emergency steel spare wheel to check it I found it was filthy dirty and very rusty. I have got hold of a matching alloy wheel with a standard 205R16 tyre on it. Do you think it is fine to hang this on the winch system? It is a little heavier!"
If it fits the cradle, no reason why not. Consider putting it in a thick plastic garden waste bag to keep it cleaner, but remember it's in a very hostile place so dirt and damp will still get onto it so best to inspect it every six months or so.
More Questions
Driving Peugeot 307 SW (2002 – 2008)
Friday 10th February 2006
It was a bit embarrassing being asked to long-term test a facelift Peugeot 307SW when I was already long-terming a Ford C-Max. But it has made for quite a useful comparison.
For a start, the 307SW is a genuine 7-seater. The fact that the centre three seats individually slide as well as double fold means that with a bit of co-operation most families of seven can make sure everyone has enough legroom. At 5 9 I can arrange the seats so I am comfortable in all seven of them.
And thats the 307SWs unique selling proposition. It is now the one and only station wagon with seven forward-facing seats that can comfortably accommodate seven.
It lacks a few things my C-Max has, such as cruise control and optional satnav. Its not as easy to get in and out of. Nor is it quite as comfortable.
However (makes a change from but), Peugeot seems to have been working on the engine.
It should be exactly the same 136PS PSA 16 valve diesel as the C-Maxs. Yet it doesnt feel the same.
Whereas in the C-Max, torque comes in with such a wallop it can spin its front wheels in 2nd, the Peugeot takes its time. And now Ive just about got the engine run-in its proving to be as smooth in its power and torque delivery as the always excellent 1.6 16 valve diesel. Add to that the superb ride quality, the wonderful Peugeot steering feel, and the handling, it really has become a pleasure to drive. And it seems to stretch a gallon of the smelly stuff a bit further than the C-Max too.
Then it blotted its copybook. Okay, Id been in a hurry and Id done what I advise my readers never to do. Id started from cold, driven half a mile and switched off to buy some stop lamp bulbs. Then I started again and drove a mile or so to fit them. Then I started the engine again, third time from cold and depollution system faulty came up on the dash together with a lack of power. I drove through the lack of power, ignored the warning and as soon as I had the engine properly warmed up on the motorway the warning went out.
One thing is for sure: there is not another MPV anywhere in the world that outhandles the 307SW (not even the Mazda 5). It drives, grips and gives even more pleasure than the 307 hatchback. And with the 138PS (136bhp) 2.0 litre 16v HDI its geared to give 35mph per 1,000 rpm in 6th, so you can cruise all day at 90mph and around 2,500rpm. In fact, its so high geared that you need to use lower gears for lesser speeds: 5th is more appropriate for a 50 limit, 4th for 40mph contra-flows, and 3rd for 30mph limits. So while its a fantastic tourer and people mover, with that ultra-tall 6th it probably isnt a very good caravan tower.
Inside, just like an MPV, you get three individual sliding, double-folding, removable centre-rear seats and two folding, removable forward-facing rearmost seats, which are sold as optional extras. Unlike an MPV, you also get a wonderful full-length heat-reflective glass roof that brightens up the interior on a sunny day and can be curtained off with an electric blind when the sun refuses to shine.
Its a 7-seater that goes and handles like a sports car, yet only chucks out 148g/km CO2 and averages 50.4mpg on the combined cycle. And it has the very neat feature of door mirrors which automatically fold when you lock the car. What more could you want?