Buying a 406 V6

Hi Group

Standing against my first car buy I have considered a second-hand car,
namely a 406 V6... As cars are so damn expensive i Denmark i have to buy a
model from app. 96-98.

I think I have heard once that some (the first?) versions of the V6 engines
in 406 have some weak spots... Does anyone know about that? The cars I've
been looking have a mileage of 150-200 kkm...

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

I have a 73000 mile 1997 406 V6 saloon for a runabout.

Economy poor, performance only average to poor for a 3 litre six. Whilst
smooth at low RPM, they do not pull with the wide torque band of more modern
variably valve timed sixes (certainly don't have 90% of max torque at 1500
RPM for example), and they run out of puff quite early on - power peak is at
about 5500 RPM and only 194 BHP. Get caught in the wrong gear and the 1.9
TDis at least the better ones will have you for breakfast until you get over
4000 RPM, and then it has peaked all too quickly.

Handling is average, quite nose heavy and understeery, with quite a
propensity for dramatic lift off oversteer in the wet (can easily result in
a 180 degree spin, and I am comparing it with performance cars with double
the power here which are far more forgiving, there is very little steering
feel to warn you either) depending on tyre choice and road conditions, ride
excellent, brakes terrible with little feel and no confidence despite
various pad materials used and new discs/fluid, no faults etc. Reliability
average, trim quality average, seats uncomfortable lacking in squab length
and adequate lumbar support.

They are far cheaper second hand than an equivalent BMW because they are
nowhere near as good IMHO.

 

I've '98 auto estate with 70k, miles on the clock which returns a
reasonable mph. However as nearly everything is electrically operated
beware! Find yourself a good garage for emergencies etc the dealers are
very expensive. At that age the exhaust may require attention, check the
service record! When they're going well it is a great car but when it
ain't........

 

Hi again

Thank you for your detailed answers. I understand its a very
comfort-oriented car. Perhaps I should give it some second thoughts as I
hoped the handling of the 406 high power versions was more aggressive.

Also, I have considered a 405 T16 but there are very few of those...

Thanks again

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

Mmmm... You've got taste to consider a T16. Have you got luck to find one ?
It must rock, 200HP (220HP when overboost on) on a 4WD car, it should be
as quick as the 406V6, but with the turbo "effect"

 

Mmmm... You've got taste to consider a T16. Have you got luck to find one
?

Yep - nice car. Actuallly, I've seen a couple for sale in DK. And it can be
afforded, too.

Though, I've have not tried this very 405 model yet. And finally the
insurance problem must be sorted out before a T16 becomes reality

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

I've seen only one here, in France. Lovely !

I guess insurance rates would make cough anyone

 

I've seen only one here, in France. Lovely !

Endeed! I am a bit impressed over the interior. It looks nice for a mid 90
car.

Actually, i know an owner of a T16 here in Denmark. He pays 11500 dkr. (app.
1650 Euro) per year for a full insurance with some damage-free seniority
Well, I think that is cheap after Danish conditions...

A remark: 205 TD has never been for sale in Denmark. Though, I've seen some
i France - it must be quite fast

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

It would make me cough

Having a car is so expensive ? I've heard a car costs a lot to buy in
Denmark, it is the same with insurance ?

Mainly looks like an Mi16. Only the 16" rims (and rear logo) makes the
difference, but it stays in a good condition with time - like most Peugeots
: build quality could be doubtious, but it doesn't get worse.

some
That's interresting... Bad luck

It is ! 1769cc 78HP@4300RPM, 155Nm@2100RPM, for a weight of 925kg. It rocks.
Not like a GTi, but rocks (you can take on Golf TDI90s if you want to), with
the GTi drivetrains (as standard on TDs), it's designed to stay stuck to the
road
My brother's got a 205 DTurbo, he's quite happy with it.

 

It would make me cough

I must admit I do not know the price level in the EU. But it is my
impression that Danish insurance is expensive.

And the cars.... I just checked the Peugeot prices - a standard XR 307 (no
aircon) cost around 31000 Euro (the car price is added a tax of 180 % -
afterwards a value added tax of 25 % is added). More expensive cars like
Mercedes etc. cost so much you wouldn't even believe it

Exactly - but the versions of T16 I have seen was with alcantara on the
dashboard and part leather cabin. At least the Mi16 I have seen did not
feature this.

Nice - I can imagine the steering response and the balance through curves

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

Well, I pay 230EUR for minimal insurance +windscreen insurance +stealing
waranty +fire, with a 4-yrs old driving licence, no damage and a "cheap" car
(c'mon, it's a 205, not a S-class Merc).

I knew for the tax - made me cough once, but how can Dannish people afford a
31kEUR car (and that, just a 307) ? Do they have cars, do they import them
(it's something like twice the price in France, which is Peugeot's country,
so they're supposed to be more expensive than anywhere else).

Sure !

Demoniac ! Once upon a time, I was driving my brother's DTurbo on a tiny
countryside road around my home, I said him "well, I'm damn slow", he
answered "Just 120KPH". I guess you see my point

 

I must admit I do not know the price level in the EU. But it is my

Well, thats cheap. If you're under 25 years in DK it's hard to get any
insurance except third party insurance that is obligatory by legislation. If
you got at muscle car you're completely on your own...

It's a bit of a jungle to import because the taxation authorities estimates
taxes from case to case. The vast majority buy at the local car dealer. I
don't know if wages are very high in this country but the fact is that many
households have two cars - but you rarely see two brand new BMW's

In fact, French cars are VERY popular (Peugeot 206, 307, 406, Citroën C3,
Xsara, C5 all are in Top20) because they are much cheaper than German cars.

Hehe, I sure do. That's what car driving is all about. For some reason
French car manufactures just "got it"

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

Not fair - that's really cheap. For my 205 GRDT, with 11 years driving,
clean record (in the uk), I pay £350 - approx 560Eur! And that's
considered pretty cheap. I might have to move to france.. You all speak
english over there, right? ;-)


Andy

 

Hello,

If
Ooops, sorry. That's my dad's insurrance (last year) - over 30 yrs licence,
no problem so far. My insurrance is rather at 450EUR.

cars.
Errr, same here. The "new" VW Golf Mk5 (not really new, IMO, bah) is more
expensive than a 307, for example - and I don't think of spare parts, 'cause
after that you just think Pug parts are cheap.
Last year, french cars made 60% of the local market - quite good, with 60%
of Diesel cars (french market overall), but cars like 307s are 70% of HDis.
Current Diesel part of French cars running is about 40%... So french
manufacturers are popular here, and so is Diesel

 

Hello,

That's about what my brother pays for his '91 DTurbo (minimal insurrance
with options like windscreen, fire, stealing), 4yrs licence, no problems.

 

Hi EjS,

have you considered to import one from Sweden or Germany, it can not be too
many V6 406´s in Denmark (I have never seen on with Danish plates.....)
Well, I´m driving an 406 Break V6 -01 with the updated engine, 210 bhp.

This car has now 124000 km on the meter, and so far no major problem.
Peugeots are cheap (low priced) in Sweden and also the service and parts are
better priced here than in most other countries. The 194 bhp engine is more
"sporty" than the newer one, but uses more petrol............that is the
only major difference.

Just wait a while, I´ll buy a 407 when they are availible in Sweden. (then
you buy my 406 from the dealer in Malmoe.........)

regards

/lafayette

 

Ooops, sorry. That's my dad's insurrance (last year) - over 30 yrs
licence,

Oki Still cheap though...

I couldn't agree more...

No wonder. Diesel is about to become popular here in DK too. But a special
extra tax on diesels (something about a more pollution exhaust) make them
much more expensive than gasoline cars.

For example:
Peugeot 406 2.0 (gasoline - 138 bhp) costs 37000 Euro
Peugeot 406 2.2 HDi (136 bhp) costs a litle more than 50000 Euro (!)

Maybe it is not useful information to you - but the prices are insane, right


Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hi EjS,

Importing cars that are not more than a couple of years is not advantageous
in DK. Because of the high car taxes in DK the manufacturers (especially
PSA) already sell the cars quite cheap to their dealer. As taxes are
calculated from this price there is no idea in going to Sweden and buy a
more expensive car.

Anyway, there are lots of 406 SV V6 and TS6 on the market. From the beginnig
in 1996 the car has been the best selling in its segment, particularly as a
company car. So that is no problem.

My budget is 15000 Euro which goes to a 1997-1998 model with a mileage of
app. 150000 km. If I choose a car under these conditions I must be aware of
any weaknesses in order to avoid too big repairs ...

Okay. Interesting!

As usual Peugeot has created a design star with the 407 NICE car! And
thank you for the advice. But as I said I must stick to Danish cars...

Best regards
EjS, Denmark

 

Hello,

Same here, they decided to put an extra 0.03EUR/L tax on fuel (not on
petrol) to help railroad transportation. Rubbish, as John Doe will have to
pay for that (hey, I use my Diesel car to work), most vans also are Diesel
(so my friend which is an electrician will have to pay for that too), *but*
truckers won't have to pay the extra tax. Damn, I'm just fed up with all
that stuff. The Market (with all respect to capitalism principles) should
decide by himself, rather than having 40% of french drivers to pay.
Estimated gain : 800 millions EUR/yr. Some months ago was "erased" the
Mali's debt - 3 billions EUR.

Sometimes I wanna move to Luxembourg, where fuel & fags are cheap...

WOW ! Can't tell you anything else !

right
Insane, yeah ! of course, it's useless for me, as I didn't plan to buy a car
abroad, but it's good to know for my personnal culture Here, 50k EUR is
something like a full options 607 V6.