RE: Shed of the Week: Peugeot 406 Coupe
Discussion
Bit of a crap picture but my current one:
They definately do suffer from being a bit undertyred/wheeled compared to the ride height - however, as you can see, mine is always blasting up and down farm and gravel tracks so I've left it standard ride height! I might make the track a bit wider though shortly which should help.
It's the earlier V6 but had a little reworking - intake/exhaust mainly - to perk it up to ~220bhp.
Throttle body reworked to perk up the throttle response along with a lightweight flywheel and some polybushed engine mounts makes it much more like it's rev-happy earlier 205/306 brethren, without spoiling it's original aim of being a quiet, comfy long distance cruiser/GT.
Pretty much completely rebuilt the suspension with new springs, dampers, bushes, bearings, arms, etc. Rebuilt the steering rack, polybushed the front subframe and wishbones, along with a few geometery mods and bigger rear arb on the way. Completely rebuilt all the brake system front to rear and added anti-knockback springs and a few other tweaks to give better pedal feel (it's not bad as OE, brembo's up front, etc, but I like sharp brakes)
Lot of work for an old shed but it makes me grin when I walk out and see it in the sun.
They definately do suffer from being a bit undertyred/wheeled compared to the ride height - however, as you can see, mine is always blasting up and down farm and gravel tracks so I've left it standard ride height! I might make the track a bit wider though shortly which should help.
It's the earlier V6 but had a little reworking - intake/exhaust mainly - to perk it up to ~220bhp.
Throttle body reworked to perk up the throttle response along with a lightweight flywheel and some polybushed engine mounts makes it much more like it's rev-happy earlier 205/306 brethren, without spoiling it's original aim of being a quiet, comfy long distance cruiser/GT.
Pretty much completely rebuilt the suspension with new springs, dampers, bushes, bearings, arms, etc. Rebuilt the steering rack, polybushed the front subframe and wishbones, along with a few geometery mods and bigger rear arb on the way. Completely rebuilt all the brake system front to rear and added anti-knockback springs and a few other tweaks to give better pedal feel (it's not bad as OE, brembo's up front, etc, but I like sharp brakes)
Lot of work for an old shed but it makes me grin when I walk out and see it in the sun.
Edited by PhillipM on Saturday 9th February 16:52
Iamnotkloot said:
Lovely looking things but would you likely tire of the lack of dynamic prowess?
For shed money, I guess you could just throttle back and enjoy the admiring glances.
When they were new they got very good reviews for their dynamic abilities For shed money, I guess you could just throttle back and enjoy the admiring glances.
They were judged as pretty much as one of the best fwd coupes in this bracket, i think the Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo was almost the only thing that edged them in reviews of the time. As an overall driver’s coupe they ran the BMW 328i pretty close too, CAR magazine gave it the overall honours over Merc and BMW and Autocar nearly gave it the win.
Got a 5-star verdict in the Autocar road test and even an invite to the Best Handling new car of 97.
I’m not sure big fwd V6 coupes of that era got much better but I’ve not driven them all. I guess time and weary suspension diminishes anyone’s prowess.
I did get to drive one of these when they were brand new at a Peugeot Car lineup event at Weston Park in late 90s. Most I can remember is the great brakes and the V6 noise. Sadly a bit out of my price range so I went back for further drives in the 306/106 hot hatches available on the day - more realistic for me. I do recall there was a waiting list for the keys to the little hot hatches on the day whereas the V6 coupe sat there waiting to go for much of the day
I agree with the comments re the wheel/tyre/ride height relationship on these cars - the silver one photographed earlier shows how good the basic shape looks with that sorted.
Other than that, I think these are great looking cars. Indeed, for me, the were many coupes, saloons and hot hatches from this period into the mid 2000s, before emissions regs and the current SUV craze took over, that I would really like to have owned. Tellingingly now, I am afraid there are very few new cars out there, unless I had a mega budget, that I would actually go and buy because I want to own it rather than because I need a vehicle for a specific purpose. The exceptions are the GT86, 370Z, MX5, Elise, Mustang V8 and possibly a 6 cylinder manual BMW, simply because of the engine, at the 'relatively affordable' end of the scale.
Also the road test data above shows a 28mpg touring average with a 0-60 time of 7.4 seconds. My daily drive Mazda 6 (2011 vintage) with a 2.0 4-pot, direct injection, 6 speed gearbox, circa 10 second 0-60 and slightly lower kerb weight averages about 35mpg in a similar situation - think I would rather put up with the mpg penalty of the V6 tbh.
Other than that, I think these are great looking cars. Indeed, for me, the were many coupes, saloons and hot hatches from this period into the mid 2000s, before emissions regs and the current SUV craze took over, that I would really like to have owned. Tellingingly now, I am afraid there are very few new cars out there, unless I had a mega budget, that I would actually go and buy because I want to own it rather than because I need a vehicle for a specific purpose. The exceptions are the GT86, 370Z, MX5, Elise, Mustang V8 and possibly a 6 cylinder manual BMW, simply because of the engine, at the 'relatively affordable' end of the scale.
Also the road test data above shows a 28mpg touring average with a 0-60 time of 7.4 seconds. My daily drive Mazda 6 (2011 vintage) with a 2.0 4-pot, direct injection, 6 speed gearbox, circa 10 second 0-60 and slightly lower kerb weight averages about 35mpg in a similar situation - think I would rather put up with the mpg penalty of the V6 tbh.
I had one of these for a number of years and on reflection it was one of, if not the most effortless car ownership experiences I've ever had. Power was lacking by modern standards, but anyone who experienced the V6 from behind the wheel will know that the lack of headline bhp is more than compensated by what seemed like limitless low down torque. Mine was just so nice and relaxing to drive.
It was an ex-dealer demonstrator so came with every option including the rare adaptive damping and sunroof. Finally sold it on to a 406 specialist breaker when the boot floor rotted out but it'd done 190,000 by then and still wasn't using a drop of oil! I even treated it to a full respray at 13 years old...
It was an ex-dealer demonstrator so came with every option including the rare adaptive damping and sunroof. Finally sold it on to a 406 specialist breaker when the boot floor rotted out but it'd done 190,000 by then and still wasn't using a drop of oil! I even treated it to a full respray at 13 years old...
Rat_Fink_67 said:
I had one of these for a number of years and on reflection it was one of, if not the most effortless car ownership experiences I've ever had. Power was lacking by modern standards, but anyone who experienced the V6 from behind the wheel will know that the lack of headline bhp is more than compensated by what seemed like limitless low down torque. Mine was just so nice and relaxing to drive.
It was an ex-dealer demonstrator so came with every option including the rare adaptive damping and sunroof. Finally sold it on to a 406 specialist breaker when the boot floor rotted out but it'd done 190,000 by then and still wasn't using a drop of oil! I even treated it to a full respray at 13 years old...
Looked a nice one It was an ex-dealer demonstrator so came with every option including the rare adaptive damping and sunroof. Finally sold it on to a 406 specialist breaker when the boot floor rotted out but it'd done 190,000 by then and still wasn't using a drop of oil! I even treated it to a full respray at 13 years old...
I think Ford launched the Cougar around the same time (following the awful Probe) and price-wise it was there-or-there-abouts with the 406 Coupe. But the discounts given by Ford were ridiculous at the end - over 40% (and possibly more) off list just to shift them. The last Nissan 200SX's were similarly hugely discounted.
I'm a big fan of the way the 406 Coupe looked, but (in my opinion only) the 407 Coupe was a more appealing car in every way.
I can't quite grasp all the 306 Cabrio love either; I find them strangely proportioned with the roof up. The Roland Garros spec is beautiful, but the build quality on 306's in general was dire (I used to get one as a courtesy car when my 309 GTI was being serviced, so literally stepped from one to the other).
I'm a big fan of the way the 406 Coupe looked, but (in my opinion only) the 407 Coupe was a more appealing car in every way.
I can't quite grasp all the 306 Cabrio love either; I find them strangely proportioned with the roof up. The Roland Garros spec is beautiful, but the build quality on 306's in general was dire (I used to get one as a courtesy car when my 309 GTI was being serviced, so literally stepped from one to the other).
One thing I forgot to mention - the V6 models were fitted with variable power steering, in an effort to counteract the weight of the V6 engine over the front axle. This made the V6 steering give a bit less "feel" than you got with any of the 4-cylinder models.
Additionally, the V6 models got 4-piston Brembo brakes up front, up until late 2002/early 2003, after which Peugeot decided they'd all just be fitted with the standard single-piston Lucas calipers as fitted to all other 406 models. It's possible to retrofit the Brembo brakes to all Coupe models, just be sure and refurb the calipers before you refit them, as they are prone to brake squeal if not properly looked after. You'll also want to change the master cylinder and get yourself some nice braided brake lines too.
Finally, the V6 models had a strut brace across the top of the front suspension struts. If you have a non-V6 406 Coupe, or ANY of the 406 saloon/estate models, get ahold of one of those from a scrapper and bolt it in. It makes a small difference to the non-V6 Coupe, because it has a stiffer chassis and stiffer shocks and springs than the saloon/estate models - but it makes a *huge* difference when fitted to the saloon/estate models - really reduces body roll in corners. I did it myself to my 1999 406 LX 1.8 petrol.
Additionally, the V6 models got 4-piston Brembo brakes up front, up until late 2002/early 2003, after which Peugeot decided they'd all just be fitted with the standard single-piston Lucas calipers as fitted to all other 406 models. It's possible to retrofit the Brembo brakes to all Coupe models, just be sure and refurb the calipers before you refit them, as they are prone to brake squeal if not properly looked after. You'll also want to change the master cylinder and get yourself some nice braided brake lines too.
Finally, the V6 models had a strut brace across the top of the front suspension struts. If you have a non-V6 406 Coupe, or ANY of the 406 saloon/estate models, get ahold of one of those from a scrapper and bolt it in. It makes a small difference to the non-V6 Coupe, because it has a stiffer chassis and stiffer shocks and springs than the saloon/estate models - but it makes a *huge* difference when fitted to the saloon/estate models - really reduces body roll in corners. I did it myself to my 1999 406 LX 1.8 petrol.
BFleming said:
I think Ford launched the Cougar around the same time (following the awful Probe) and price-wise it was there-or-there-abouts with the 406 Coupe. But the discounts given by Ford were ridiculous at the end - over 40% (and possibly more) off list just to shift them. The last Nissan 200SX's were similarly hugely discounted.
I'm a big fan of the way the 406 Coupe looked, but (in my opinion only) the 407 Coupe was a more appealing car in every way.
The Cougar was pretty decent handling by all accounts but they never got round to doing the ‘S’/ST200 version of it so it came up slow against the other cars in its class. Like you say, they just didn’t sell in the end- in fact I rarely see one now whereas still quite a few Calibras moving aroundI'm a big fan of the way the 406 Coupe looked, but (in my opinion only) the 407 Coupe was a more appealing car in every way.
was8v said:
Who knew it was rated as being so accomplished!
I for one assumed the BMW would be favourite hands down.
I for one assumed the BMW would be favourite hands down.
I remember it getting pretty good reviews but a fair few cars that were reviewed well by journos slip into mediocrity over the years - partly as people forget, partly as people drive worn out 20 year old examples with engine faults and tired underpinnings - sometimes a car has to capture the imagination as well.
406 coupe V6 worth looking at for a fwd GT car from the dynamics point of view and they definitely liked the looks
About 8 years ago we were camping in Capel Curig and met a guy with a Calibra turbo 4x4 with the flip paint. Unluckily for me I agreed to a passenger ride the morning after. This guy could drive and scared me shirtless for half an hour. I still believe that I've never driven or passengered in a car so ruthless at eating the road than that machine. He had spent serious money on the motor and the stuff that hung off the car and it may have been pushing 350bhp. It was relentless in its pace. I bet you could have a chance with the 406 of achieving similar greatness if you were up for it.
My dad had a 406 estate with the supposed less reliable 2.1 diesel in it.
Scrapped at 180,000 miles, engine was absolutely fine, just the rest of the car had rotted out.
Needed a new rad once, spent the last half of its life hauling bricks and other rough jobs, never got washed, oil change once a year. Bulletproof engine
Scrapped at 180,000 miles, engine was absolutely fine, just the rest of the car had rotted out.
Needed a new rad once, spent the last half of its life hauling bricks and other rough jobs, never got washed, oil change once a year. Bulletproof engine
I picked up one of these a few years ago when I was 19. Always liked to have something unusual compared to my mates who were all running about in fiestas and golf etc.
For some reason the insurance was also really cheap compared to buying a hot hatch.
Absolutely loved the car. Really reliable and got quite a bit of attention from folk who didn't know what it was at first.
For some reason the insurance was also really cheap compared to buying a hot hatch.
Absolutely loved the car. Really reliable and got quite a bit of attention from folk who didn't know what it was at first.
EazyDuz said:
My dad had a 406 estate with the supposed less reliable 2.1 diesel in it.
The XUD11 BTE 2.1 turbodiesel lump was a fine engine, just that it was paired up with a crappy Lucas mechanical fuel pump. If you could replace that with the Bosch pump from the XUD9 SD 1.9 turbodiesel, you'd have a much more reliable engine. With the added benefit that the car would run on vegetable oil.The XUD lumps are supposed to be damned near bullet-proof. The more modern HDi diesels (common-rail high-pressure fuel-injection models) are much smoother and more civilized / less agricultural, but they won't run on veg.
406highlander said:
EazyDuz said:
My dad had a 406 estate with the supposed less reliable 2.1 diesel in it.
The XUD11 BTE 2.1 turbodiesel lump was a fine engine, just that it was paired up with a crappy Lucas mechanical fuel pump. If you could replace that with the Bosch pump from the XUD9 SD 1.9 turbodiesel, you'd have a much more reliable engine. With the added benefit that the car would run on vegetable oil.The XUD lumps are supposed to be damned near bullet-proof. The more modern HDi diesels (common-rail high-pressure fuel-injection models) are much smoother and more civilized / less agricultural, but they won't run on veg.
david mcc said:
I picked up one of these a few years ago when I was 19. Always liked to have something unusual compared to my mates who were all running about in fiestas and golf etc.
For some reason the insurance was also really cheap compared to buying a hot hatch.
Absolutely loved the car. Really reliable and got quite a bit of attention from folk who didn't know what it was at first.
Looks good with the extra outletFor some reason the insurance was also really cheap compared to buying a hot hatch.
Absolutely loved the car. Really reliable and got quite a bit of attention from folk who didn't know what it was at first.
aaron_2000 said:
406highlander said:
EazyDuz said:
My dad had a 406 estate with the supposed less reliable 2.1 diesel in it.
The XUD11 BTE 2.1 turbodiesel lump was a fine engine, just that it was paired up with a crappy Lucas mechanical fuel pump. If you could replace that with the Bosch pump from the XUD9 SD 1.9 turbodiesel, you'd have a much more reliable engine. With the added benefit that the car would run on vegetable oil.The XUD lumps are supposed to be damned near bullet-proof. The more modern HDi diesels (common-rail high-pressure fuel-injection models) are much smoother and more civilized / less agricultural, but they won't run on veg.
The 8 valve XUD9 1.9 and the 12 valve XUD11 2.1 were available on 406 saloons and estates, the Coupe diesel used the 16 valve DW12 2.2 Hdi.
I've always thought Peugeot diesels were pretty good. They made a decent 2.7 V6 Hdi which was used in the 407 and the Jag S type that Clarkson took around the Nurburgring. They also did a rarer 3.0 which had around 240bhp I think.
That said, I've always preferred their petrol engines in the sporty models.
greenarrow said:
Kierkegaard said:
Lotusgone said:
marshall100 said:
For a while? I make it 20 years and counting.
I think they deserve some credit for the RCZ, and the new 308 GTi...Just smaller turds in a sea of s
t.They should do what Aston and Jaguar have been doing and churn out new 205 GTIs, 306 and 106 rallyes
You're still not convincing me. I've driven their recent GTI models (207/208, 308) and I wasn't impressed in the slightest.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff