Thanks for all of the info/help and sorry for causing a few arguments/disagreements.
Update on car - clutch was replaced 80k or so ago, brakes done all round recently, cambelt changed 4k ago, needs both front tyres replacing, passenger elec window aint working but owner may replace, aircon is perfect, gearbox is smooth, turbo lag is understandable for age and the fact that it is a diesel (cruises along at 2000rpm at motorway cruising speeds), T and T until Feb/March 2011 and only failed last MOT on headlight aim (no advisories). He regularly services (oil and all filters) it himself using the ramps at work. Never had any problems in all the time he has owned it. Very big car brain, has a v.rare BMW M Sport coupe (year 2000 I think) which is immaculate with v.low mileage so I know he looks after/likes his cars.
Sounds as though it's got a good history, I'd just go for it!
1996 406 1.8LX Got a bad case of hydro lock!
1996 406 Executive 2.0 Turbo XU10J2TE No longer hangin' on in there
1997 Honda CB500V
2003 Volvo V40 1.8 GDi SE killed by a nutter in a beemer 5 series
2008 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X
"Always look on the bright side of life, dedo, dedo dedodedo"
That sounds a cracker go for it mate, this place is a really good source of info and offers of help too so I reckon you are on to a winner.
Dont worry about the Banter on here it is normal and not meant with any malice, some people just have different ways of expressing their feelings than others.
Hi everyone,
on the face of it this car is an extreemly good buy. My concern is however that none of the known weak areas have required attention. This can therefore go two ways, it will either go on for ever, or everything could go wrong at once. I still believe that this car is not for someone on a tight budget, requiring as it would dealer attention.
I mentioned my 406 as an example of the fact that even though it has far fewer electronics, those it does have are proving troublesome. On later cars, with more electronics I would expect more trouble. I will now retire below the parapet, and hang up my tin hat.
Regards,
Nuffield
Sounds like a good un to me -- not that I know much. Or are you describing it in a positive light because you want us to say "yes"?!
If it helps you any I've had my 406 HDi for five years now; I normally just wait for stuff to wear out or break. This year it was brakes, last year it was tyres, year before it was a pulley. It has never let me down (though it as come close twice).
(If it feels a bit lethargic before the turbo gets going then I can recommend an air filter.)
The 406 XUD I had before, however, was a complete lemon (but I still always managed to get it home).
My 1998 1.9TD estate has 235,000 miles on the clock, no major problems and since I`ve been running it on bio-diesel for the last 6 months is actually running better and only cost me £400 .#
I change fuel filter every 1000 miles and apart from that just the usual weekly checks on oil and water levels that you do on any vehicle .
I actually bought it and my 30Dturbo both through Ebay and they are both fine . you know the history of the car and have a mechanic for servicing , its worth a go , dont forget a testdrive both A/B roads and motorway for your peace of mind.These early diesels have hardy engines and very little electronic gubbins to go wrong.
best of luck , Archangel
ps , just changed front tyres on mine : Costco , Michelin Energysavers 195/65x 15 £70 all in (balancing etc)
Replacement !
1998 2.1 TD LX Estate Red 196,000 TURBO DIESEL XUD11BTE "Alice " 200 k just hit yesterday 17/2/2012 not bio yet , smooth box , lovely runner
1997 1.9 TD GLX Estate Black XUD9TE " Norma " now sold
grelvin wrote:clutch was replaced 80k or so ago, brakes done all round recently, cambelt changed 4k ago, needs both front tyres replacing, passenger elec window aint working but owner may replace, aircon is perfect, gearbox is smooth,
Sounds good!
turbo lag is understandable for age
No, it's the fact it's a HDI. I can't stand the horrible turbo lag on those cars (even my Golf TDI's ~0.25s lag gets to me), but apparently it's something you get used to
He regularly services (oil and all filters) it himself using the ramps at work.
Sounds very good!
<steve_earwig> I think this forum is more about keeping our cars going with minimal outlay than giving our cars more reason to go bang
I can't complain about about the HDi engine, i did 60k in mine and was always reliable and would recommend these to anyone, but you do have to expect the occasional Peugeot electrical niggle
1997 2.1 TD Exec (Sold)
1997 3.0 V6 Coupe S (Sold)
2001 406 HDi 110 GTX (Sold)
2002 406 Coupe HDi SE (RIP)
2003 406 Estate HDi 2.2 SE (Sold)
2003 406 Coupe HDi SE (To be sold)
2001 406 Coupe 3.0 V6 SE
2003 406 2.2 HDi SE
Nuffield wrote:the xud engine is much cheaper to maintain and far easier. I would advise him to buy an xud, it will last for ever with servicing, and does not need a computer at every toss and turn to trace its problems.
Driving an HDI 90, 9 years old, 170,000 miles. It's never missed a beat, nuff said
Hi Country Pug, thats just about run in!
My xud xantia has done in excess of 250 thousand, and I have kept the engine in case I have probs with the 406. In the last eight years that car had one headgasket, and that was an old composite one, not the metal laminate used now.
Regards,
Nuffield
Nuffield wrote:Hi Country Pug, thats just about run in!
My xud xantia has done in excess of 250 thousand, and I have kept the engine in case I have probs with the 406.
For sure the xud is a great engine, my dad owned an 89' 405 with the xud, it was finally scrapped after covering over 500,000 and the head gasket was replaced once in that time. My point is that the HDi isn't a bad engine, certainly not something to be scared of if it has been looked after
i used to drive xud peugeots, but my hdi is really a better car, its smoother and quieter than an xud the old engine these days really shows its age agianst newer engines, its only really worth comparing against a vw sdi engine in which case id have the xud. On the HDI know theres a load of scary electrics but i havent had any problems from the engine, nor has my neighbour whos car the same age, and trim as mine is at 230k with no trouble from the engine, i have had the airbag light which was simple to fix, a blown headlight bulb, and an electric mirror that went mad, but in most cases electrical problems on peugeots are loose connections, it could be worse though buy an alfa and enjoy proper electrical issues.
i was inside an alfa 156 at the auctions, even though the cover under the steering wheel fell off when the door closed and the rear air vent fell into its own hole when i tried to move it, and the climate control for the passenger side just had the number 88 on solid. i think i can understand why someone would buy one, i heard that v6 start up and it makes all them problems not matter, i wonder does a v6 have the same effect on a 406