207 Engine Choice

[Tyronnster]

Hi everyone

My first post here so apologies if in the wrong place.

Looking to change my current car 2004 Fiesta 1.4 and going to Peugeot 207 about 06 age

Now I am undecided on the engine, 1.4, 1.6 or 1.6HDi

Looking towards the 1.6 Petrol engine only because I’ve heard bad things about the 1.4 being prone to head gasket prob.

I only travel about 10miles a day to the tram stop so don’t think the HDi would even be warm after the journey.

Any suggestions about the engine to go for, Or would the HDi be ok with that small mileage

[megamaniac]

Search 1.6hdi problems.

[Salamura]

The 1.6 petrol (EP6 / Prince) is notorious for timing chain issues. The engine was co-developed between BMW and PSA, with PSA taking responsibility of the bottom end (crank, block, pistons, rods), and BMW taking the top end (head and timing chain). The timing chain is known for stretching, tensioner popping out, chain skipping, and even catastrophic failures (German engineering, eh?). Admittedly, the issue is worse on the THP engines (with turbo), where the increased level of soot in the oil leads to more rapid chain wear. The NA engines are less afflicted.

I have heard horror stories about the 1.6 and 1.4 engines, but at the same time I know a lot of people who have one without any issues whatsoever. Later ones are better.

[Tyronnster]

Appreciate you response,

It is the timing stuff that has me worried

[Salamura]

If you find one where the timing chain has been changed, then this should be a relatively safe bet. Go and test drive one if you find a good example. If you don't hear the characteristic rattle, then it's a good one.

[HustleRussell]

Are you dead set on the Peugeot 207, I believe there are better alternatives?

[Tyronnster]

Not dead set,


What you recommend?

[tonyb1968]

So you have the 1.4 1360cc 8v engine, known for HG issues.
1397cc VTi unit is a Prince series engine (EP3), both the EP3 and EP6 units can suffer from timing chain issues, they can be a little noisy in standard form also.
1.4 HDi, best avoided, 1.6HDI has injector problems, don't touch any of the derv's if they have not been maintained to a high standard, they are very fickle things and hate not being maintained.

It sounds bad but a lot of engines out there have issues you don't hear about, fsh on the dervs is a must, seen the 1.6's easily do over 250k miles with decent servicing.

[bearman68]

tonyb1968 said:

So you have the 1.4 1360cc 8v engine, known for HG issues.
1397cc VTi unit is a Prince series engine (EP3), both the EP3 and EP6 units can suffer from timing chain issues, they can be a little noisy in standard form also.
1.4 HDi, best avoided, 1.6HDI has injector problems, don't touch any of the derv's if they have not been maintained to a high standard, they are very fickle things and hate not being maintained.

It sounds bad but a lot of engines out there have issues you don't hear about, fsh on the dervs is a must, seen the 1.6's easily do over 250k miles with decent servicing.

Now 'aint that funny. I would have said avoid the petrol engines because there's far too much BMW in them for my liking. st timing chains and valve timing etc. And the 1.6 HDi prior to 2010 / 2011is a pile of st as well.Leaving the well known and fairly robust 1.4, which seems OK to me. It pops up in loads of things and seems OK in most things, as long as it has a cam belt. But the >2010 1.6 seems much better (injectors at the back of the engine).
If it were my money, I'd pick a Toyota, perhaps the hybrid if it was within budget. Or even a Megane.

[Salamura]

Just get a Clio. The prices are similar, and pretty much all engines in the line up are bulletproof. Reliability and build quality, especially in the Mk3, is quite good too.