Peugeot 406 (1996 - 1999)
MODELS COVERED: Saloon and Estate 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 turbo, 3.
0 V6, 1.9, 2.1 turbo diesel, 2.0 HDi turbo diesel 90bhp, 110bhp, 136bhp [L, LX, GLX, GTX, SRi, SE, Executive]
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
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| Performance |
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The 406 had a lot to live up to when it arrived here in February 1996 because its predecessor, the 405, had become one of Britains favourite family cars. Peugeots genius was in building on the high standards of driving dynamics that the 405 had set, yet at the same time making a car that was safer, more stylish, faster and better equipped all at prices that challenged the other class leaders. The saloon, estate and Coupe versions of the 406 have been said to offer the drive of your life by their maker. An overstatement perhaps, but they are great to drive.
Indeed, both
Ford and
Vauxhall have been fortunate that
Peugeot have chosen to ignore the big-selling five-door market, such is the superiority of the French cars driving characteristics. For the used buyer, the 406 makes a huge amount of sense. Its classy looks are matched by superb handling and a ride thats the envy of most other makers. Throw in roominess, build quality thats light years ahead of French cars of even a few years ago and a wide choice of models and the 406 makes a very convincing argument for itself.
Equipment levels are generally higher than the opposition twin airbags are standard on every model for instance. And there are nice little touches like a tyre-change kit with a pair of gloves to keep your hands free of grime. Standard features across the range include power steering, full three-point belts for rear passengers, electric front windows, height adjustable seats, an adjustable steering wheel and, on most later models, air conditioning.
The 406 has an excellent reputation from fleet and private buyers alike and used prices reflect this. Youll need a minimum of £1,800 to get behind the wheel of an early 1996N 1.8L. If you want the better-equipped LX, then expect to pay about another £50.
The first estates date from February 1997 and start at around £2,400. Though the 1.8 has always been the big seller, the 2.0-litre offers far better performance and more standard features for not much more money.
Youll need at least £1,900 for an early 96N-plate LX, while an SRi should set you back about £2,000. The less-popular SRi 2.0-litre turbos start at around £2,000 for 96N-platers or £2,400 if theyre P-reg. If you prefer the estate, about £2,500 should secure you an early 1997 non-turbo 2.
0-litre in LX trim. The 3.0-litre 406 is a relatively rare beast. Fuel consumption can be heavy but both performance and handling are impressive its an underrated car.
Prices, meanwhile, start at about £2,500 for early 1997 saloons, with estates commanding an additional £800. Both represent massive savings on the £20,000 new prices. If you want an early diesel, go for the 2.1.
Its a newer design and offers better performance with virtually no loss of economy. Pay from £2,400 for a 1996 P-reg LX saloon or about £2,800 for the sought-after estate the latter available only from 1997 remember so that price differential is not terribly representative. If the Coupe is more your style, you have a choice of either 2.0-litre or V6-engined variants.
Demand for both new and used is high, but resale values are now sensible. The four-cylinder versions start at about £3,300 on 97P plates and the V6 fetches a minimum of around £3,600, with the better-equipped SE derivative commanding from £4,300. Thats a massive saving on the £26,000 cost new.
The level of build quality is excellent but there have been some stories of problems with the four-cylinder petrol engines. Stalling, especially in the 2.0-litre versions, is by no means uncommon, so try to ensure you start the engine from cold on your test drive. Theres also the known weakness of this engine family of engines the timing belt.
Make sure its been changed every 30,000 miles or it may snap without warning, seizing the engine you have been warned. It costs about £100 to replace much cheaper than a new engine.
(Based on a 1996 406 2.0) A new exhaust will set you back about £400, while a replacement headlamp should be around £155. A new clutch is about £145. As for front brake pads, expect to pay about £33 front and £33 rear.
A radiator will cost you around £250, an alternator around £322, and a starter motor around £279.
Reasonable performance is assured whichever option you take. The 2.0-litre petrol engine will achieve rest to 60 in 10.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 125mph and fuel consumption at a fictitious steady 56mph will be around 46mpg.
Add a turbocharger and the performance rises to 130mph flat out, with rest to 60 in 10.3s. The fuel consumption figure falls to 37.7mpg.
In the 1.9 turbo diesel, you can achieve 0-60mph in 14 seconds and a maximum of 110mph. Fuel consumption, however, increases to 56.6mpg.
If you can stretch to the newer 2.1-litre diesel, the figures rise to 118mph and rest to sixty in 11.2s.
Peugeot took everything that was wrong with the old 405 and improved it, while keeping everything that was right (and there was a great deal). The result could hardly fail to be a good car. In the 406, it produced a great one.
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