Discussion
Probably easier to determine what is good about them - the list will be shorter.
They're cheap used. That's the only positive.
Essentially, they were poorly built using cheap materials, unreliable, underpowered, unattractive. Their production went on too long, they handled poorly, rusted and generally attracted buyers who had no interest in cars - people who just wanted a cheap means of getting from A to B.
The GTi version didn't really help, as the suspension/chassis wasn't up to the job of supporting the weight of the engine and making the car dynamic.
Dull, dull, dull.
They're cheap used. That's the only positive.
Essentially, they were poorly built using cheap materials, unreliable, underpowered, unattractive. Their production went on too long, they handled poorly, rusted and generally attracted buyers who had no interest in cars - people who just wanted a cheap means of getting from A to B.
The GTi version didn't really help, as the suspension/chassis wasn't up to the job of supporting the weight of the engine and making the car dynamic.
Dull, dull, dull.
My wife had a 206 and would never buy another Peugeot. It was appalling- recurrent electric faults , build quality of an Airfix kit. thrashy engine (2 ltr TDI) which had no power but also drank far too much fuel.My then Golf had about 40% more power, was far quieter and did 10mpg more. The chassis was also inert compared to the several Peugeots which preceded it . In short, a bag of sh*te . The Focus Mk 1 TDCI which replaced it was about 3 million times better.
My father in law bought a 7,000 mile 1.4 hdi a few years back for his 700 mile a week commute. Managed 250,000+ miles, latterly at around 80 mpg and other than obviously very regular servicing never actually broke anything. I find it pleasant to drive, comfortable (I'm 6' 4") and generally very good except the dreadful tyre roar at anything over 30 mph - but that could just be the make of tyres ?
I can imagine that the Focus is considerably better but the 2.0 hdi is very cheap and the same engine in our 406 has knocked up 220,000 miles without any issues.
I can imagine that the Focus is considerably better but the 2.0 hdi is very cheap and the same engine in our 406 has knocked up 220,000 miles without any issues.
I had a late 2004 1.1 (basic spec) 206 as a first car...
Even from 2 years old to 4 years old it was hopelessly unreliable, build quality was s
te and had the feeling of structural integrity akin to a paper bag:
3 gearboxes under warranty
Random electrical quirks - would drive without a key if the brake light blew (often)
Blew though sidelights, tail lights, headlight etc bulbs like something else
Fault that caused the engine to cut out randomly, disconcerting on the motorway at 17!
Etc etc.
Even from 2 years old to 4 years old it was hopelessly unreliable, build quality was s
te and had the feeling of structural integrity akin to a paper bag:3 gearboxes under warranty
Random electrical quirks - would drive without a key if the brake light blew (often)
Blew though sidelights, tail lights, headlight etc bulbs like something else
Fault that caused the engine to cut out randomly, disconcerting on the motorway at 17!
Etc etc.
Left stranded at the side of the M6 Wednesday night due to a 206. Power gone, coasted to a gentle stop. No warning.
Mechanic out last night, no compression, oil & sludge in coolant tank. Head gasket gone.
It's not as if this is the only problem with the thing over the past couple of years.
To be fair though the OH doesn't really look after it, so can't place the blame all at the car's door.
Mechanic out last night, no compression, oil & sludge in coolant tank. Head gasket gone.
It's not as if this is the only problem with the thing over the past couple of years.
To be fair though the OH doesn't really look after it, so can't place the blame all at the car's door.
Wife's just sold her 1.4HDi after 12 years and 96000 trouble free miles. Other than servicing it had one battery and one exhaust. £30 a year to tax, 60 mpg, cheap as chips motoring. Bought as an ex demo for about 5k and just sold for just under 1k. Total loss of about £340 a year. We'd have another.
M3greg said:
Essentially, they were poorly built using cheap materials, unreliable, underpowered, unattractive. Their production went on too long, they handled poorly, rusted and generally attracted buyers who had no interest in cars - people who just wanted a cheap means of getting from A to B.
The GTi version didn't really help, as the suspension/chassis wasn't up to the job of supporting the weight of the engine and making the car dynamic.
Dull, dull, dull.
and I bet all that comes from opinion rather than experience.The GTi version didn't really help, as the suspension/chassis wasn't up to the job of supporting the weight of the engine and making the car dynamic.
Dull, dull, dull.
Yes they were built from cheap materials (this is a cheap car after all) but most things were when they were introduced in 1998. Name a small supermini that wasn't back then? They are actually a solid car (4 star NCAP etc) but like all things French they needed to be treated nicely.
They weren't unattractive which is what helped them sell in such huge numbers and continued to do so throughout their production life. Certainly better than the Clio which needed a refresh to keep selling. The 206 never needed this.
French cars tend not to rust either. The 206 was one of those cars. Yes you will find corrosion on the oldest cars but even those cars won't have much compared to the competition.
Superminis do tend to be bought by people wanting to go from A to B. Any more stupid things to say?
Yes the GTi was a little soft but it was still a good car, designed to fit between the 106 and 306. What do you mean 'supporting the weight of the engine? I'm not convinced you actually know what you are talking about because the all alloy EW10 engine is actually very light!
Edited by Sensibleboy on Saturday 22 February 19:07
Edited by Sensibleboy on Saturday 22 February 19:08
M3greg said:
Essentially, they were poorly built using cheap materials, unreliable, underpowered, unattractive. Their production went on too long, they handled poorly, rusted and generally attracted buyers who had no interest in cars - people who just wanted a cheap means of getting from A to B.
Utter, utter ste. Reliable as a can opener and ultra cheap to maintain. Bought a 5 year old 2.0HDi dTurbo SW. Ran it for four years and took it across Europe twice. Nothing went wrong with it that wasn't wear-and-tear, and fixing those bits was pennies.Only thing I disliked about the car was the gearchange, and that was fixed with a stainless steel quickshift lever that was about £40 from ebay.
Sold the car to sister in law and she is still running it. Car is now 11 years old and not a spot of rust to be found.
Edited by r11co on Saturday 22 February 20:12
They certainly were not the best but neither were they the worst. As a fulltime mechanic I spend a lot of time sorting French cars and the 206 is easy to work on. In my opinion the 2.0hdi engine is to too heavy for them completely upsets the balance of the vehicle. In there defence there 100% better than the 307 a car even Peugeot would like to forget about.
To be fair, my mum had two and the worst problem she had was some kind of central locking failure, so predictably electrical.
I don't remember there being anything particularly objectionable to driving them, apart from her 1.1 which was very underpowered. The 1.4 petrol engine I remember being surprisingly pokey. Ride and handling were fine, but I do remember the very vague and slack gear change and an awkward driving position (no steering reach adjust maybe?).
I don't remember there being anything particularly objectionable to driving them, apart from her 1.1 which was very underpowered. The 1.4 petrol engine I remember being surprisingly pokey. Ride and handling were fine, but I do remember the very vague and slack gear change and an awkward driving position (no steering reach adjust maybe?).
Worst thing I ever had with mine was a broken wire for the speedometer. Auto electrician found it and fixed it for £160. No other problems in over 11 years of ownership.
Mine has been retired now and lives in the garage for summer use only.
As a GTi it took me a while to work out why I was never quite so confident to throw it into corners - it was the steering feel or lack of it.
Handling wise it was roll free although it did feel under-damped at times. Nothing that couldn't be fixed though with an aftermarket suspension set up.
As said above, when things do go wrong they are cheap to fix and quick to sell for traders too.
Mine has been retired now and lives in the garage for summer use only.
As a GTi it took me a while to work out why I was never quite so confident to throw it into corners - it was the steering feel or lack of it.
Handling wise it was roll free although it did feel under-damped at times. Nothing that couldn't be fixed though with an aftermarket suspension set up.
As said above, when things do go wrong they are cheap to fix and quick to sell for traders too.
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