Dilemma...

[CaptainJapseye]

My 406 is now declared dead after the saga described here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23848
The continuing leccy gremlins along with no MOT and requiring work with an impending timing belt change means I had to be unemotional.

However, I've found a slightly less tidy but seemingly better maintained estate of the exact same spec and year with a recent belt and clutch change with a full ticket. Lots of recent history too.
I could improve it by putting the wheels off my old one on along with any bits of trim/interior that would tidy it up. Plus I could rob whats left of it for any possible impending disaters.

Really I should be put off em for life after my experience, but I did enjoy the old bus right up until it bailed on me.
Lightning can't strike twice, surely? And with a shed full of bits I'd be well prepared for any future shenanigans.
Just feel I've invested too much time learning a bit about the damn things to let it all go to waste!

[steve_earwig]

Where's the dilemma? That sounds like a plan to me, especially if you have the storage space (btw try to keep the old car as long as you can as you're bound to need something unexpected...)

Or you could always give up on 406's and buy something completely different. And then start the learning curve again as it presents you with a whole host of completely different problems...

[GingerMagic]

As Steve says, its a no brainer - you know about the 406, and one with a years ticket that can be improved with better parts is a good idea.

I think my 406 is fixed/improved from about 8 other 406s...

[Doggy]

Keep the faith! My two 406's have been really reliable over nearly 8 years and 170k miles between them, (not to mention being cheap to run and enormous fun).

I honestly can't imagine what else could match them for their combination of long distance comfort, performance, reliability, value for money and economy.

[CaptainJapseye]

Ok, that one had gone...
Walked in on Saturday lunchtime and saw the price was no longer on the screen, walked into the office to see the new owner handing over the folding and picking up the keys.

However I've found a possible at another local specialist (the *only* other local specialist in fact!) Recent clutch, long MOT and still in daily use by them, hence wasn't there when I popped in today on the offchance...arse!
Going to have a gander tomorrow eve, hope it's a good'un!

Think I've found a new home for the Xsara too, tho part of me can't help thinking replacing this agricultural old workhorse is tempting fate, but I'm not sure I'm done with 406s just yet.
Wish I could find an old XUD one - best of both worlds.

[CaptainJapseye]

Back in the zone!
Picked up a hdi 90 estate this evening, Xsara's off to it's new owner at the weekend. Saved my arse over chrimbo and although I'll take a hit, it's a damn sight less than a hire car would have shafted me.

Few bits I need to swap off the old one, front seats being the most pressing (drivers one is decidedly bollocksed!) and a few bits of trim here and there so I'll be scouring the knowledge base shortly.

After that, it's a case of sussing out what's best value salvaging for future savings - so far off the top of my head I'm thinking engine ancillaries/pumps and any thing else I can easily whip off from the engine that crosses over from the old 110 to a 90.

Other than that, any suggestions? What should I be looking to extract that I can feasibly stow in a few cardboard boxes in the shed before I send the remnants of the other one to the scrappy.

Anyone need a 110 engine? It's a peach!

[CaptainJapseye]

Been fettling the new shed a little over the weekend...

Fixed the MFD as all 3 bulbs had blown. One dipped beam was out so I fitted a couple of those flash (geddit?!) osram nightstalkers (fink that's what they're called!) ;) and saved the evicted bulb as a spare.
Swapped the 2 week old bosch wiper blades from the dead'un.

A 50 mile+ journey on B roads revealed another problem, thankfully easily solved as I'm 99% sure it's a deformed rear tyre. Vibration/resonating noise from the rear that becomes really noticable at 50mph - possibly accentuated by the estate's rear space acting as a sorta boom box. Swapping the wheels over tomorrow before I have to do another trip out of the the city.

Rear doors don't lock/unlock with central locking, and although it otherwise works fine on the remote, the drivers door lock is properly mangled and won't unlock manually, feel I should sort that with bits off the now donor (sniff!) 406 even it it means an extra key - good to have options of getting in that don't involve electrickery!

Anyone got a decent silver front bumper up for grabs cheap?

[highlander]

I fitted a couple of those flash (geddit?!) osram nightstalkers

[Welly]