Faults:
This car has satellite navigation and it wasn't working on delivery. It took five days to fix the fault (a pinched wire in the satnav loom) but the dealer was very good at providing another 406 estate as a courtesy car.
Another electrical gremlin has involved the CD autochanger with remote controls. Occasionally, when turning on the radio it has self-set the volume to 18, blasting out so loud that it upsets the neighbours, nearly blows the speakers and, on one occasion, nearly caused an accident.
The front seats are electrically operated and within a few thousand miles the driver's seat springs made a hole in the cover and then damaged three pairs of trousers by plucking them. The dealer, via Peugeot UK, arrange financial compensation.
General Comments:
The economy of the engine for this size of car is fantastic, expecially with so much torque under your right foot.
I have been able to achieve 69.9mpg driving at 50mph on the motorway, but more realistically achieve 55.5mpg at a steady 65mph. Pushing along it is still possible to achieve 47 mpg at illegal cruising speeds.
The handling and ride are superb, soaking up bumps without much trouble.
The estate has lots of usable space and is a better option than the saloon when taking a family on holiday.
Front tyres on diesels often wear quickly, but the standard fit Goodyear tyres saw out 24,000 miles before replacements were needed.
11th Feb 2005, 00:07
I was drawn to this section by comment on faulty air control valve. It may not be the correct place to write, but its presence here may prompt some help. My 406 diesel estate has developed a problem with the heater. It has been into the garage on three separate occasions to have parts changed concerning air control. Each occasion they tell be that the problem has been solved. The work was under guarantee at the time. The problem is that there is no change to the fault. It is either stone cold or roasting hot. You can actually hear an air valve opening and closing while driving with the accompanying changes in temperature extreme. The truth is I do not feel that there is the correct data about to diagnose. If it is not in the immediate book of words then it can't be fixed.
C Bashford.