Peugot 406 - 1999 - yay or nay?

silverwex

Hey,

Just need a cheap and, relatively, reliable car for the next 6 months to get me to work and back. Looked at a LOT of cars today but found a 1999 406 for e1350.

NCT'd to end of next year, running grand, 97k on the clock.

Garage owner said he'd take my Megane in p/ex for it - maybe give me 300 - 400 off price of Peugeot (my car is in bits!).

Anyone drive a 406?

My mate told me that they have dodgy gearboxes and they are a French car after all - I know all about Renaults!

Thoughts?


Cheers

Anan1

I had a 1996 Peugeot 406 2.0 for a few years and loved it. It did have an electrical problem that was a bit of a nightmare to get sorted, but in retrospect I think I brought it to the wrong place to get fixed. They're very comfortable and very easy to drive fast on poor roads. I ended up selling it to a friend who put another 30,000 miles on it without incident.

silverwex

Thanks Anan, have you heard of anyone else having success with one?

Also, one thing, when we took her for a test spin today, the speedometer didnt work. We wondered if the garage did this by purpose... (less mileage on clock). The interior and exterior of this car was immaculate. Almost like brand new.

No stories about dodgy gearboxes?

Anan1

Funny you should say that, the speedo on mine went when my friend had it. Turned out to be the speed sensor, which is mounted on the gearbox - a cheap fix. The rest of the gearbox was fine. I don't really know much about them other than my own experiences, i'm afraid. I'd be looking for a service history and proof that the cambelt was changed, but that's true of any car.

silverwex

Thanks for that. Ill get the mechanic to take a look!

PS - Timing belt = cam belt right?

Was changed at 50k.

Meant to be changed every 60k I believe which leaves me with another 10k miles. Only put 5 k on my Megane in 1.5 years so that shouldnt be a problem.

GERMAN ROCKS

the folks always had peugeot 406/407. they trade in every 3 years. no major problems with any of them. they were all diesel though. super comfortable and rockets

silverwex

Yeah hear the diesel ones are great - a mate told em a story about seeing one that was a taxi with 497k miles on it and still running fine!!!

This is the petrol one though... thoughts?

GERMAN ROCKS

no real expierence there but it would probably be as reliable if not more reliable. the only thing is that it could be heavy on petrol as its a heavy car. is it the newer type or old type just out of curiosity. i much rather the newer type

silverwex

This is the one: http://foto.autozone.be/fotosauto/PEU/web450x300/Peugeot-406_6876024.jpg

So you reckon if the mechanic says it seems ok I should go for it?

niceirishfella

For this kinda layout, you'll be ok if you get the tbelt done in the deal and ensure the suspension and brakes are aok all round. however, a diesel engined 406 is a powerplant than a petrol one.

Good car these in the hdi. Nowt to be afaid of.

JackFrosty

Had a 97 diesel 406, it was an ex taxi in carlow when i bought it with 300,000 on clock, never gave any trouble in the 6 months i had it

maidhc

I think the 406 is probably the best looking family car ever built.

Max_Damage

maidhc wrote: »

I think the 406 is probably the best looking family car ever built.

And it was in one of the best car chases too :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVaNBrYLvFg

maidhc

Max_Damage wrote: »

And it was in one of the best car chases too :

... and makes a better Taxi than a Carina any day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga7e0bbkBow

silverwex

Oh, another thing, we went for a spin which lasted about 5 miles and the clock never changed! Would this be because the speedometer wasnt working?

Anan1

maidhc wrote: »

I think the 406 is probably the best looking family car ever built.

Me too, it's beautifully proportioned from all angles. That and the original Alfa 156 are the two best-looking saloons of recent times, IMO.

Anan1

silverwex wrote: »

Oh, another thing, we went for a spin which lasted about 5 miles and the clock never changed! Would this be because the speedometer wasnt working?

Yes, no signal from the speed sensor means the speedo doesn't know the car's moving.

towel401

Peugeot 406 with 6 cd changer is the best car ever

silverwex

Thanks guys, you've been a great help

unkel

Sound cars, even the petrols. One of the few French cars of recent times that have quite a good reputation for reliability! My father-in-law had several of them and he only had some minor electrical problems

niceirishfella wrote: »

For this kinda layout, you'll be ok if you get the tbelt done in the deal

On a €1k car? I doubt the dealer would agree to that, but maybe he could do it for a reduced fee. The belt would be a bit of a worry alright but you could contemplate just risking it with such a low mileage. Worst that can happen is? Exactly...

silverwex

Yeah, as I said I only need it for a few months. And Ive only done 5k on my Megane in 1.5 years!! Work is only 3 mins away.

Row

I have a 96 406 t.d. (1905) which has covered 202000 mls and is running like new,It has its original clutch...:eek:
All that goes on them is the drop links on the rear suspention other than
that just change he oil/filter and and keep diesel in it..I get around 45-49 mpg.
if its a 1.8 petrol i'd say you will get mid to late 30's.
The diesels are a very good reiable engine not to sure about the petrols.
But if its at the right price.....;)
Got a 407 1.6 hdi diesel aswell which has lots of poke for a 1.6 but
i'd rather hope into my 406 anyday as the ride/comfort is very smooth..:D

silverwex

Yeaaaah! I noticed the car drove so well. Was super quiet and the car didnt make any bad noises or anything. Seems to be in good nick.

Row

Yep, as i say mine has covered over 200k and it's driving like new.
if you want to check the rear drop links just grab the top of the rear tyres and pull/push asfast as you can and if you feel a rattle the need to be replaced..:rolleyes:
http://cgi.ebay.ie/FRONT-DROP-LINK-PEUGEOT-406-1-8-2-0-TD-2-2TD-3-0-V6-99_W0QQitemZ150292433399QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item150292433399&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
Best of luck with your purchase...:D

silverwex

Thanks

pred racer

Row wrote: »

I have a 96 406 t.d. (1905) which has covered 202000 mls and is running like new,It has its original clutch...:eek:
All that goes on them is the drop links on the rear suspention other than
that just change he oil/filter and and keep diesel in it..I get around 45-49 mpg.
if its a 1.8 petrol i'd say you will get mid to late 30's.
The diesels are a very good reiable engine not to sure about the petrols.
But if its at the right price.....;)

I put 60,000 miles on my 98 406 td with no issues except the above mentioned drop links, went through a set every 9 months. lovely car to drive and look great too!

silverwex

How often should the timing belt be changed on these?

Just read an article and it said every 30k!!

pred racer

cant say for sure, got mine done after 55k. I doubt its 30k though

Anan1

I bought mine at 62k and changed the belt (for the first time) immediately. I'd have checked the interval at the time, so i'm assuming it's 60k/5 yrs, for the 2.0 petrol at least.

E92

Belts normally only have a lifespan of 60k or thereabouts. If in doubt get the belt done. AFAIK Pugs are interference desings. If it was a non interference design I wouldn't get worried about it because if the belt goes the engine just stops, you fit a new belt and that's it. If it goes in an interference engine then when it goes the engine is fubared.

At €1300, even with a couple of faults like no speedo if she's steering well, the gearbox is OK(Peugeots have a rep for crappy gearboxes so I wouldn't be getting my hopes up for good shift quality or anything like that) and the engine sounds healthy and isn't reluctant to rev then you can't complain really.

niceirishfella

unkel wrote: »

On a €1k car? I doubt the dealer would agree to that, but maybe he could do it for a reduced fee

Sure, but if you don't ask, ya don't.........:p

GB15

I agree thats it is/was one of the nicest looking family cars made. I know a guy who has a 96 406 with somewhere between 150-200k - can't quite rememeber what it was last time he said but he's planning on running it into the ground. He has never had any trouble with it. He's so happy with it he bought his wife the facelifted estate model. I think they're both diesels.

With most topics about French or Italians cars, for every post saying how bad and unreliable the car is there's a another post saying its the best car they've ever had. Seems to be all positive so far for the 406. I was actually considering getting one a few years back but I wasn't convinced about its reliability. It looks like I was wrong.