1993 Peugeot 405 SR 1.9 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Performance, practical, pretty and personality

Faults:

Perfect running for the entire warranty.

I have recently turned it into my 'project car' so maintenance is a hobby.

Apart from normal wear nothing has gone amiss, although the rather insufficient build of the plastic clips for the clutch and accelerator pedals led me to build steel ones.

The only other gripe I have is that the car seems to have been built around the heater! Repairing a corroded pipe into the heater matrix meant removing the dash and two days work.

General Comments:

This car has been wonderful from new. I loved it so much I purchased it from my company at the end of its lease.

It is a rather different vehicle now after my tinkering. I have turned it into a more sporty incarnation with 17 inch wheels, a sporty exhaust and a rebuilt race engine. It is very easy to work on, and remains an extremely practical vehicle.

The handling is incredible and there is plenty of room for luggage. I decided to not upgrade to the 406 as this is a heavy vehicle that does not have the pesonality and nimble handling of the 405. The V6 version is as grunty as it is thirsty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd October, 2000

1993 Peugeot 405 GLDT 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A comfortable, reliable and enjoyable car to drive

Faults:

A new radiator was fitted at 125,000 due to a leak.

Two rear brake cylinders and the vacuum pump were replaced at 140,000.

The glow plugs failed at about 145,000 and were replaced.

There is a slight fault in the gearbox which sometimes allows you to go from 5th gear straight into reverse! However this only happens very rarely (has only happened a few times).

Everything else is still original. The engine is still as good as new.

General Comments:

I am very happy with this car. The performance is good and economy is excellent (around 46 mpg).

The handling is impressive for such a big car and it's a very comfortable car to drive.

Overall it's been reliable, cheap to run and is an enjoyable car to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st August, 2000

1993 Peugeot 405 GLD 1.9 diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good, solid family car which is cheap to run and insure

Faults:

Battery (original one replaced!)

Wiper arm linkage (plastic bearing failed).

Fuel tank level indicator sender.

Trip meter.

General Comments:

A good, solid family car which is cheap to run and insure.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2000

1993 Peugeot 405 GL 1.9 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Rear brake piston leaks.

Weak rear suspension.

Squeaky suspension.

Differential disintegration.

Mileometer jams up.

Radio cassette player flap is loose.

Strange rapid battery drainage if you are listening to the radio without the engine on!

General Comments:

Despite the above, a lovely car to drive. At the moment, despite a 3000 mile fault free drive across Europe, I don't feel I can trust it due to the recently failed diff'. I would like to buy one of the later models with Air Conditioning but I am a little concerned about the A/C reliability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th October, 1999

1993 Peugeot 405 Style 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Fuel pump failed at 3 years old.

Lambda sensor on catalyst failed at 3 years old.

General Comments:

The "Style", despite it's name, is basic trim - no electrics, no PAS, no add-ons.

However it has huge room inside the cabin and an enormous boot space. Annual running costs for maintenance are cheap. Very reliable.

It's only a 1.6 engine and on the big body of the 405 can be sluggish.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 1999

1993 Peugeot 405 Mi16 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Ignition problems, exhaust fell off!

Faulty electric mirrors.

General Comments:

Great ride and comfort, performance not up to the hype!!!

My Dad's Cavalier SRi runs rings around it!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th February, 1999

23rd Jun 2001, 12:37

That's because you wasted your money on the 2.0 version instead of the earlier 1.9!

My 92 (J) Mi-16 with full leather and air-con can beat a Porsche Boxster on a run (not 0-60) and it's standard!

27th Jul 2001, 18:40

I agree. I have a 1992 J-reg Mi16 (also with leather and air conditioning) and although I could afford a newer 2 litre version, I knew the 1.9 was faster.

Performance figures for these cars vary, but the most common 0-60 figures for the 2 litre and 1.9 are 9 seconds and 8 seconds respectively, enough to make a noticeable difference.

Also the 1.9 has a top speed of 136mph and the 2 litre is about 130.

Of course the T16 is the one to have, but I expect the insurance is overdraft inducing! (I'm only 22)

Besides, getting 160bhp out of a 1905cc engine is pretty darn good, even if one has to rev to 6500rpm. I'm able to do a good job of keeping up with my dad's 24v Mondeo.

2nd Aug 2001, 03:54

I only have an SRi at the moment, but it is a 1.9 so it is fast. As a few hot hatch drivers near where I live will tell you. I recently drove a newer 2.0L and it was no way as fast or free reving.

14th Aug 2001, 15:54

Hi guys, I have a late addition for you, I have had a G-reg Mi16 1.9L & I am currently driving a K-reg 2.0L version.

I agree with the performance on these cars, the older 1.9L is a lot faster. This is due to the catalytic converter and the other reason I got the 2.0L version is due to the fuel. I wrote to Peugeot about the leaded & unleaded issue. Peugeot informed me that the old 1.9L does take unleaded. I started using this fuel and started to notice that the engine started making a pinking sound due to no lead in the petrol, I then went back to leaded and it was fine again.

So what it came down to with me in the end was the cost of petrol and you know here in the UK it costs a bomb.

P.S. I only got rid of the 1.9L because a Convertible BMW was attempting to go past me and lost control, and destroyed my car and several other on the motorway at the same time.

Regards

Al.

1993 Peugeot 405 Mi16 2.0 16v petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Ignition problems.

General Comments:

Dealers do not seem to have much idea. Nice handling and ride do not really make up for rather leisurely performance.

Major costs : catalytic converter (£650), ignition plugs (£40).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

1993 Peugeot 405 GLD 1.9 diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Washer bottle pump, drivers side electric window failed around 90K. Now up to 115K with no other failures except a failed glow plug recently.

General Comments:

Very reliable car in my experience, and a comfortable motorway cruiser. Performance off the motorway though is a real drag, you have to really push the engine to get it to do anything. Mind you I do return 40mpg even so....

Service interval quite harsh at 6000 miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th May, 1998

1993 Peugeot 405 GRDT 1.9 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Headlights popped simultaneously, bit suspicious if you ask me, but still OK.

Internal bulbs have blown, rev counter can have a mind of its own occasionally.

Mechanically though, still absolutely sound. 111K and still happy.

General Comments:

Don't race the git in the XR2 from standstill, race him from 50-100 in 5th. Phenomenal cruising pick up, absolute dream on the motorway. Hills don't exist.

GR is really nicely speced as well, and as it's a diesel no one wants to nick it. Except taxi drivers (allegedly).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 1997