A few questions about the 406..

[outwit]

Hello, this is my second post but i figured i'd list my questions in one rather than dotted all over the place i hope that's okay.

Basically i want a 406 HDi (90) but i don't know much them! I'd appreciate if someone could shed some light for me.

1. I've noticed the 406 HDi can come with either a 90bhp or a 110bhp 2.0 engine. I am after the 90bhp one but am i right in thinking both engines have a turbo?
2. Can you get a black half leather interior for the 406? As this is really the only thing i've changed with my 306 and it's lovely!
3. On some of the dashboards i've looked at there is a horrible walnut trim! Can this be removed or swapped over?
4. Is the rear suspension a torsion bar like the 306?
5. Any pointers of things to look out for when buying a 406?

And i think that's it.. Thanks in advance and i hope to join the 406 world soon

[HimBigChief]

1. I've noticed the 406 HDi can come with either a 90bhp or a 110bhp 2.0 engine. I am after the 90bhp one but am i right in thinking both engines have a turbo?

Yep.

2. Can you get a black half leather interior for the 406? As this is really the only thing i've changed with my 306 and it's lovely!

You can get black full leather. I have also seen half leather on some of the later ones for sale on eBay recently.

3. On some of the dashboards i've looked at there is a horrible walnut trim! Can this be removed or swapped over?

It can be removed and resprayed (see above pic)

4. Is the rear suspension a torsion bar like the 306?

Nope, seperate spring and damper units.

5. Any pointers of things to look out for when buying a 406?

Click here...

[outwit]

That's great, thank you

[Doggy]

2. Can you get a black half leather interior for the 406? As this is really the only thing i've changed with my 306 and it's lovely!

You can get black full leather. I have also seen half leather on some of the later ones for sale on eBay recently.

Later S & SE models have half leather

3. On some of the dashboards i've looked at there is a horrible walnut trim! Can this be removed or swapped over?

It can be removed and resprayed (see above pic)

Again, later S & SE models have plain trim in place of the fake walnut.

[eoin27]

I like the fake wood. Not splashed all around the place like rovers of old, it suits the car. Having said that i prefer what Himbigchief did to his trim.

I would suggest the HDi 110 as the 90 is a big underpowered, especially coming from a 306 diesel turbo. The 110 is more economical also. Leather is nice, but the velour trim in the 406 is exceptional and very comfortable.


If you find one with over 90k, make sure the timing belt is done. Check all electrics (on d9s especially). And yes, the 406 is very aesthetically pleasing.

As i'm sure you know, the diesel peugeots give little trouble when maintained.

[outwit]

Thanks for the infomation guys. I would rather have 110bhp HDi but i think the insurance will be a little too high for me, I'm 19 and unfortunately i don't have any no claims due to being a named driver I am in the process of getting my own policy though, and oddly enough, the 306 HDi (90) is cheaper to insure than the 406 HDi(90) which suprised me a little as the 306 has a more "chavvy" image I've heard people have gotten good gains from a remap with the 90 though so that might be an option if i do find it a bit too slow..

I've seen the terms D8 and D9? What's that reffering too?

[Doggy]

D8 is 406-speak for the earlier models with slatted grilles. Were replaced by D9's, (with black mesh grille), in 1999 - more or less at the same time as the introduction of HDi's. (This is a simplified version of events, for those who still have a life).....

[swiss]

AKA Mk I and Mk II, AKA Phase 1 and Phase 2 etc. D8 is generally quoted as being '95 to '99.

If it's got a coloured, slotted grille it's a D8, if it's got a honeycomb grille and/or is referred to as HDI/HPI it's a D9.

And if you can hear it coming from a mile away, it's mine and, yes, I'm working on it...

Don't forget to tell you insurer if you remap or make any other mods. Otherwise you may find yourself liable. You can of course tell the company 'like that when I got here, guv' but that's at your own risk. Also, have a search, there's a guy somewhere on the forum advertising insurance specifically aimed at modded motors.

Finally, HDI remapping is readily available with a little Googling, but won't come cheap

[EDIT] Dammit, Doggy. Just too damn quick for me :p

[Doggy]

IYSWIM

[swiss]

Has anyone posted this before?

It reckons the D8 is twice as reliable as the average score

Xsara scored best Frenchie though

[mjb]

Average Mileage 55242.62

I take it that means average mileage of those surveyed... in which case I'm utterly shocked it's considered so reliable. I reckon reliability can only start to be gauged over 100k. Before that I'd say it's all about assembly quality, not the quality of the design and components

I'm still very undecided about owning a car that's Italian built Yep, betcha didn't know that! I didn't until I started associating myself with the coupe fanatics... The 406 Coupé was actually assembled at Pininfarina's plant in Italy

[swiss]

It has a Pininfarina badge on the side...

*runs*

[mjb]

Yes, yes it does


I have a serious love-hate relationship going on with this thing, don't I?

[DaiRees]

I knew they were styled by pininfarina but I dodn't know they were actually made in Italy , If anything that makes me want one even more!!

Got a bit of a hankering for an Alfa GTV at the moment....