Hi All

[selectcase]

HI everyone

I done have a 406 yet but am looking for an estate - my wife and i have had 205's,306's etc but now with a growing family a bigger car is needed, her 306 turbo-d has been a brilliant car so i am hoping the hdi engine is a good as the old 1.9td is - any advice on what to look out for is welcome

cheers
will

[teamster1975]

Welcome Will and congrats on your new arrival!

[highlander]

Hello there, welcome along!

Personally, I'd go for a 2.0 litre HDi 110. The estate is a big car, and the 110 HP engine has more power than the HDi 90. The 2.2 HDi has even more power, but has the potentially troublesome diesel particulate filter (FAP).

Shop around a bit; the different trim levels are all available on used 406s with very little price difference nowadays; you can pick up an Executive trim car for not much more than a lowly LX or GLX.

When you go to look at one, check for signs of water ingress as this can ruin your whole day - the 406, when it does let in water, typically does it through the rear light clusters (so check there's no water in them or in the spare wheel well), or through the door seals (check for water in the drivers' side footwell).

Definitely also ask the seller about the timing belt (cambelt) - has it been changed, and if so, at what mileage? The cambelt should be swapped out every 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. You don't want to let it snap.

Good luck shopping for your first 406; let us know if you find one, and we will expect to see some pictures

Cheers
Graeme

[steve_earwig]

Hi there, welcome

The 2.2 HDi has even more power, but has the potentially troublesome diesel particulate filter (FAP).

There is now the possibility to delete the FAP (and map the car to 180bhp )

The HDi is a far more complicated engine than the old XUDs and consequently costs much more to fix when it goes wrong, the recommendation these days is if you don't clock up huge motorway miles go for a petrol.

Other than that, as above run screaming from any damp and check everything works. Knocking from the front end is probably ARB drop links, they're made out of chocolate but cheap as chips, rattles from the top end on HDis is probably worn injectors - not the end of the world but the only cure is new ones, which kidney will sir be selling?

[puggy]

Hi Will and welcome

[Doggy]

Hi will & welcome

The 2.2 HDi has even more power, but has the potentially troublesome diesel particulate filter (FAP).

There is now the possibility to delete the FAP (and map the car to 180bhp )

- all for about £50 these days.

I've done 140,000 miles in my last two HDi's, with virtually no engine work bar servicing. They're basically the same lump as the XUD, with common-rail direct injection, hydraulic tappets etc.

As the others said, check everything works, try & find out if the cambelt's been done or haggle it's cost if the vendor can't prove it.