Faults:
Alternator and starter motor failed at the same time. While the alternator is a simple job to do, the starter motor was a little more involving having to remove an engine mount, radiator and battery.
10 amp fuse kept blowing when the radiator fan was on for any length of time. This cured itself after a year with nothing done except replacing the fuse.
Though the head gasket blow on a fast drive home in France, it had only just warped the head by.04mm, but this was enough to cause major problems. All compression checks showed no signs of head gasket failure. The remedy and cost far out weighed the cost of the car, but l had it fixed as the car really is fantastic to drive.
Radiator fins fell apart and caused the fan to stop. This resulted in over heating though it was caught in time. The cost of the new radiator wasn't cheap.
General Comments:
Despite its rarity and age the ZS still manages to attract the crowds and approving looks from on lookers who are mainly men and in the early 20's who want to race it. The rest of the on lookers are blokes in their 30's who remember them from years gone by, but were never brave enough to own a Peugeot and so stuck to Fiestas instead.
It really is Peugeot's best kept secret. Even the dealers have no idea what it is. Some places try to sell you 106 parts and can be quite adamant that there really is no 104.
Some won't like to hear this, but this was the start to the great 205 GTi. The ZS (no more than a foot longer than the Mini) really can hold it's head up high in the fast cornering though Gallic body roll is very much evident. But this isn't a problem as this makes the car extremely comfortable in day to day use.
Space from behind the drivers seat is limited and the rear seat is about as useful as wet socks are to someone with hypothermea. As for the boot, it gives a whole new meaning to "traveling light". That said, the rear seat does fold and l have been able to fill the little space with huge amounts of stuff.
As for it's go, it was a great ball of fire in it's day and CAR magazine rated it quite highly when they tested it against such machines as the Golf GTi, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Chevette HSR and Fiat 127 sport. It would also give an Alfasud a run for its money, but the Peugeot wouldn't be gone following winter.
9th Jan 2001, 22:37
I have to say my Peugeot 104 is the best car I have ever owned. I have had it four years now, I use it every day and it has never failed to start once. Damp causes it the odd problem but apart from a new clutch I haven't spent a penny. I would buy all of them if I could!