2001 Peugeot 406 Rapier 1.8 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

An excellent, reliable car! Would highly recommend!

Faults:

As of yet I have not experienced any faults with the car itself.

General Comments:

The car is very reliable especially in winter.

The car also can pick up speed very fast especially on Motorways etc.

However I think Peugeot could have used a little more colour on the interior of the car instead of grey & black everywhere.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2004

2001 Peugeot 406 V6 Estate 3 litre, 210bhp version from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Wonderful when it works :-)

Faults:

Engine management fault led to replacement of catalytic converters (all 3 of them) and lambda sensors, fortunately under warranty.

Engine speed sensor replaced.

Engine earth connection replaced.

Ignition coil failed, all 6 replaced.

Poor BSI connector repaired (multiplex wiring controller), led to various apparent faults and difficulty in diagnosing them as its the interface for the diagnostics.

Repeated (4 or 5) updates of software and fuel/timing maps over last 6 months have failed to resolve performance problems until latest download. Loss of power, delayed throttle response, erratic throttle response and gear changes (auto) combined to make the car's response to accelerator movements unpredictable.

An engine vibration coupled with uneven running in low rev range was introduced by a software update and still not cured although now much reduced.

It seems Peugeot's techs just can't get it quite right however many times they try.

Thank God its under warranty.

Every time it needs a spare part its off the road for days because they are never in stock at dealer or Coventry, or often even in France.

The parcel shelf and its mountings rattle and creak continually. I fixed one side after 3 attempts with self adhesive foam padding. My 2 previous 406 estates had same problem.

General Comments:

When its running properly its wonderful.

I bought it very cheap, half new price at 10k mileage and under a year old. Saved £5000 versus diesel I was really looking for.

I'd probably buy another if a similar bargain turned up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th July, 2003

2001 Peugeot 406 1.8 16v from Belgium

Summary:

Recommended, a very good choice

Faults:

Nothing (yet)

General Comments:

Car (demo from dealer) was bought with some impulsiveness as I liked very much the design (front in particular), its huge space, metallic colour and what I considered a fair price and was in need for a new car. Have not regret it as it turned to be a nice car. Can be driven very economically for longer distances, but also at very high speeds if some difficult persons are around as it beats easily all Japanese and diesels. I like the way many details have been done. It is well equipped without having unnecessary things.

Have not had any problems, seems that some people here are exaggerating things because it is a French car, never understand anyway why British are always so critical to Continental Europe stuff.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th April, 2003

7th Sep 2005, 06:26

I agree with your comment. I have run Peugeot cars since the 80's; clocking up in excess of 500,000 miles, and before that owned Fords, MG's and GM's. Peugeot diesels are the best, I have found that they only start to come on song around the 170k mark, with all of the cars I have owned the clutch lasts for at least 140k, and one of the cars was a driving schools car - no Ford would ever come close to that! Ford went to Peugeot for their superior Diesel engine to put in the the new Ford Focus, Rover did the same. No one can beat a Peugeot for handling either. French cars are no better or worse than any others in my experience in running cost or reliability. In any case Peugeot makes cars in the UK so they aren't any different from American owned Ford or GM, look at American cars - poorly finished, heavy and often use 30 or 40 year old tech. for their solutions. The 505 was the only car that could survive the conditions in 3rd world countries, all others fell apart. The cost of parts are also no different from others and who can complain about a annual main service with MOT at main dealer for £119 all in? If a shuttle spaceship can go wrong with all its Billions of Dollars spent building it, then its must be appreciated that a humble mass produced motorcar with its 1000's of individual components will breakdown or go faulty on the very odd occasion - just live with it or ride a push-bike!