206 Peugeots, anything to look for?
Discussion
Been looking for a Pug 206 1.1 for a few weeks now for my daughter and viewed four in total - all at dealers ... pile o' s
te the lot of 'em. Tarted up, shiny tyres, 20-footers at best. I know there's not a lot to be made from these level of cars moneywise for a dealer but put SOME pre-sale effort in please - having the thing not start when you ask or just be filthy is not good tactics in the sub 2k sales war. One had had oil poured on the manifold by the previous owners so the story went and just smoked for the first 10 mins ...
Travelled 40+ miles to Leicester last weekend and when I got there the garage was all closed up and no cars anywhere - phoned the bloke and left a message - he rang me back within tem minutes and pleaded with me to come back so I did. These cars were inside, the lighting was abysmal, couldn't see a thing, apart from the kerbed wheels and shocking condition of the discs through those self same wheels ... walked away. And that was a car a fiver under £2k ..
Off to see a car privately tomorrow - figured at this level - sub £2k - might as well buy privately - you get more for you money thats for sure.
This one I'm seeing is a low mileage-FSH, two owner car so hoping for better.Have read that the front seats are a weak point - and also the Air Con ... anything else? Even the basic models are loaded with gizmos now ...
What happens to these cars that they instantly *lose* their service history when they go to these smaller garages ... (if they had any) ... A couple I've seen with some decent history had no record of cambelt changes and the mileage was well north of 80,000 ...
te the lot of 'em. Tarted up, shiny tyres, 20-footers at best. I know there's not a lot to be made from these level of cars moneywise for a dealer but put SOME pre-sale effort in please - having the thing not start when you ask or just be filthy is not good tactics in the sub 2k sales war. One had had oil poured on the manifold by the previous owners so the story went and just smoked for the first 10 mins ...Travelled 40+ miles to Leicester last weekend and when I got there the garage was all closed up and no cars anywhere - phoned the bloke and left a message - he rang me back within tem minutes and pleaded with me to come back so I did. These cars were inside, the lighting was abysmal, couldn't see a thing, apart from the kerbed wheels and shocking condition of the discs through those self same wheels ... walked away. And that was a car a fiver under £2k ..
Off to see a car privately tomorrow - figured at this level - sub £2k - might as well buy privately - you get more for you money thats for sure.
This one I'm seeing is a low mileage-FSH, two owner car so hoping for better.Have read that the front seats are a weak point - and also the Air Con ... anything else? Even the basic models are loaded with gizmos now ...
What happens to these cars that they instantly *lose* their service history when they go to these smaller garages ... (if they had any) ... A couple I've seen with some decent history had no record of cambelt changes and the mileage was well north of 80,000 ...
Edited by uk66fastback on Thursday 10th November 19:41
Joey Deacon said:
We had a Peugeot 206CC from new and it was the worst built car we have ever owned. Got shot of it after a year so I dread to think what an older one would be like.
To be fair I believe the 206 cc is built under contract by somebody else (heuliez?) but still, I wouldn't touch any 206 with a bargepole. Disposable vehicles built to last the warranty period.loko said:
i,ve got a W plate 1.9 diesel 206 i use for work and its now on 142k and still going strong
Christ, glad to hear someone has some good news 
It's ok slagging them off - but anyone any FIRST HAND experience - apart from the usual my mate had one and it was s
t etc. Experiences please ... !
Joey Deacon said:
We had a Peugeot 206CC from new and it was the worst built car we have ever owned. Got shot of it after a year so I dread to think what an older one would be like.
The 206cc is a magnificent feat of engineering, Mum had one - one boot strut failed, rendering the boot useless as the boot weighs a tonne. No problem says me, I'll grab two new struts from the dealer in the big smoke and take them back to the folks (other side of country, middle of nowhere), will pop the old ones off, pop the new ones on, easy peasy.No.
To get to the base of the struts the back seats had to come out, all the trim around the top of the back seats (careful with the clips!) had to come off, the seat belts had to come off and another bulkhead had to come off, the roll bar looking things had to come off aswell to get the rest of the trim.
The bottom of the existing strut was secured with a ring pinch which was not accessible from the side you can get in at so a swift blow popped it off, blind relocate the new strut base and then rock the boot juuuust over it's limit of travel fully open to get the top of the stut to attach.
With no instructions and no major forums to speak of it was alot of fun to replace a 20quid strut.
(all seatbelts were properly refitted with no twists!)
It had no end of shoddy issues with it, random electric problems, exhaust mounts made from marshmallows etc. I wouldn't advise any of my friends to get one.
I just helped a student friend buy a W reg one (She had decided already that was the car she wanted so I just helping her find a good one). From doing research for her, potential issues are power steering pumps, gasket issues and radiator/coolant issues.
If you can find a good well maintained one though and keep it well maintained they seem to go on forever. we found a really nice one for her, other than a couple of parking scuff's it was immaculate, lovely interior and relatively low mileage for the year. There are enough out there that it's worth being picky and it's probably better not to go for the very cheapest ones. her's was from a trader so wasn't the cheapest but it came with a warranty and had been properly serviced etc and had a new exhaust.
If you can find a good well maintained one though and keep it well maintained they seem to go on forever. we found a really nice one for her, other than a couple of parking scuff's it was immaculate, lovely interior and relatively low mileage for the year. There are enough out there that it's worth being picky and it's probably better not to go for the very cheapest ones. her's was from a trader so wasn't the cheapest but it came with a warranty and had been properly serviced etc and had a new exhaust.
TU petrol engines to like to pop head gaskets occasionally. Oil leaks from the front left corner of the head gasket are common. It then likes to go into the alternator, killing that off. The earlier 2l HDi lump is a good engine but a pig to work on in such a small engine bay. The 1.4 HDi is better suited to it, but can still be a PITA.
Anti roll bar links like to wear
Front wishbone bushes and ball joints will eventually go.
Rear axle bushes have an expiry date. This will either require new bushes (this can potentially be more hassle then it's worth) or a second hand axle from another 206. You can tell when they're gone because one (or both) wheels sit with mad negative camber, and usually scrap on the inner arch. Also, when you go round corners, the rear of the car doesn't really feel right.
Rear brake cylinder seals like to pop
The speedo clusters can play up now and again. Airbag lights like to come one. Build quality inside pretty damn poor compared to most other cars that were released around that time.
Stay away is my contribution to this thread.
Anti roll bar links like to wear
Front wishbone bushes and ball joints will eventually go.
Rear axle bushes have an expiry date. This will either require new bushes (this can potentially be more hassle then it's worth) or a second hand axle from another 206. You can tell when they're gone because one (or both) wheels sit with mad negative camber, and usually scrap on the inner arch. Also, when you go round corners, the rear of the car doesn't really feel right.
Rear brake cylinder seals like to pop
The speedo clusters can play up now and again. Airbag lights like to come one. Build quality inside pretty damn poor compared to most other cars that were released around that time.
Stay away is my contribution to this thread.
I had a 1.4 HDi for 16 months (2002). No major issues. Replaced the crank pulley. Changed the oil and filter, changed the cabin filter, replaced the wiper blades. Drove it. Paid £30 for road tax. Got at least 55mpg regardless of how I drove it. Everything electrical worked.
Had to replace a wheel, wishbone arm and and tyre after a potholing expedition, but that could happen on any car.
Had to replace a wheel, wishbone arm and and tyre after a potholing expedition, but that could happen on any car.
billzeebub said:
anything else..somebody mentioned a Yaris earlier..that would be my go for a £2k reliable hatch
Have to agree, we have 3 in the family (my wifes 2005 D4D, my sister has a 2005 1.3 and my dad has a 2009 1.3) all have been faultless. Ours has the most mileage @ 90K and has never gone wrong or needed anything other than basic consumables. Absolutely hassle free and just about the cheapest car on the road to run IMHO.Maybe not the best in terms of driving dynanmics but you can forgive a Yaris that.
I've got one in my workshop atm, failed MOT on rear trailing arm bearings, the bearings run directly on the axle beam (no inner race). No grease points so bearings wear, play develops, water gets in and the whole axle becomes scrap. Recon axles are £400, scrapyard ones go for £150 and fitting is a pain.
My advice - check the 206 very carefully, then buy a Yaris.
My advice - check the 206 very carefully, then buy a Yaris.
uk66fastback said:
Christ, glad to hear someone has some good news
It's ok slagging them off - but anyone any FIRST HAND experience - apart from the usual my mate had one and it was st etc.
Experiences please ... !
First one was ok, bit boring, but all I could afford at the time.It's ok slagging them off - but anyone any FIRST HAND experience - apart from the usual my mate had one and it was s
t etc. Experiences please ... !
2nd one was an 'xs' - developed a rumbling bearing, between picking it up (new) and 8 months, it was in the dealer on average, every 2 weeks, and no, I'm not joking. (In fairness, dealer tried their best, but couldn't find it).
Managed to get them to change it (bit of help from Auto Express) - next one, 'xs' again, and a noisy gearbox- just 'gear whine' but annoying and should't be there.
After about 14K, I notice the bite point of the clutch getting higher - and no, I don't ride the clutch ever (background is a mechanical engineer, used to work on clutches for a major manufacturer) so got shot of it.
I will never own another Peugeot again, in fact, I would't even accept one as a free gift.
For that sort of money, get a fiesta, much better all round.
Martin
PS, Ahh, just remembered, the instrument cluster would 'die' occasionally, nothing, no speedo, lights anything. Stop/start would fix it ...
Edited by mph999 on Thursday 10th November 21:14
Pistonheads is a silly place to ask advice on buying a cheapy little French hatch. No one here likes them or will ever aspire to own one so automatically hates them.
My partner is running around in my Sisters 206. My mum also ownes a 206cc. I've driven both on numerous occasions and can honestly say they are both pretty fun to drive.
The CC is a laugh simply because it's a convertible. It also handles well and is reasonably quick, even though it's an auto. Build isn't as good as the normal hatch and it does feel a little flimsy in comparison but it's perfectly adequate and she has had no mechanical or electrical problems what so ever.
The hatch is comfortable and a nice place to be. Yes, the dash feels cheap and sound proofing is poor but compared to other cars in it's class and age, it's perfectly normal. The only problems she has had is that the exhaust rotted through but was super cheap to replace (£26 for the backbox and £15 for the centre pipe, new). It's good on fuel and nippy enough.
They are easy to work on so when they do break, it's going to be (generally) cheap and easy to fix.
Obviously they are not to everyones taste but for a first car, they are great. Can't fault either of the ones in the family.
My partner is running around in my Sisters 206. My mum also ownes a 206cc. I've driven both on numerous occasions and can honestly say they are both pretty fun to drive.
The CC is a laugh simply because it's a convertible. It also handles well and is reasonably quick, even though it's an auto. Build isn't as good as the normal hatch and it does feel a little flimsy in comparison but it's perfectly adequate and she has had no mechanical or electrical problems what so ever.
The hatch is comfortable and a nice place to be. Yes, the dash feels cheap and sound proofing is poor but compared to other cars in it's class and age, it's perfectly normal. The only problems she has had is that the exhaust rotted through but was super cheap to replace (£26 for the backbox and £15 for the centre pipe, new). It's good on fuel and nippy enough.
They are easy to work on so when they do break, it's going to be (generally) cheap and easy to fix.
Obviously they are not to everyones taste but for a first car, they are great. Can't fault either of the ones in the family.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff