Looking to buy a 106 - any opinions?

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a 106 but not sure what model to go for.

I've been looking at 1.1's, 1.4 petrol and diesel and 1.5
diesel. I think that a 1.4 petrol (or bigger) might start costing
the wife a bit too much so I favour a 1.1 or a diesel.

Why was the 1.4 diesel phased out? Did it have problems
or was it too underpowered?

Is the 1.5 diesel too sluggish? (she'll complain if struggles to
get up the hills round my way!)

Is the 1.1 as economical as the diesels? (It'd probably save
on insurance and road tax.)

I quite like the look of the Zest face-lifted models. Any opinions
on which type (i.e. Zest) is good to go for (i.e. elec.windows etc).

Thanks for any advice/help.

Jim

 

It was a little underpowered.

We had a 1995 1.5d (Aztec - pre face-lift) from new.
The engine was powerful enough unless fully laden - but make sure you
get a five speed box, it is much more pleasant. I used it occasionally
on a commute across the Pennines (snake pass, peak forest road or over
by Mam Tor), it was fast and agile enough to be lots of fun Of
course there are faster cars around, but I never really felt limited by
the 1.5 diesel engine except on not being able to do fast overtakes on
single carriageways. (By comparison, my current vehicle is a fairly new
V8 Jaguar XJ, so I am speaking from experience of both powerful large
and relatively low power small cars, rather than somebody who has only
driven little hatches).

I can honestly say it's one of the best cars I've ever had (compared to
our 807, which was easily the worst). The 106 got written off in an
accident in 2004, but in over eight years it had
* a couple of sets of tyres
* timing belt (routine service item, not a failure)
* a new radiator (due to a stone hole, not corrosion)
* a new battery
* brake pads
* two sets of front brake disks (one at 18 months, the second after 7
years; a pair of Bendix disks costs less than a tenner from Andyspares
and took half an hour to fit)
* valves reshimmed (common problem on 106s when they reach 50K miles or
so causing cold start problems, cost just over £100 to sort out at a Pug
specialist)
* starter motor (failed due to excessive use when the valves needed
shimming)
* glow plugs
* exhaust down pipe and a back box
None of this is unreasonable, I considered the car to be absolutely
reliable in everyday use.

I'd be tempted to avoid models with electric windows and central
locking; they are just things to wrong on an otherwise solid little car
(bearing in mind Peugeot's inability to do anything electrical
properly!). Of course, you should also look at what you are buying
carefully; I had a very ropey petrol 106 as a courtesy car from the
local Pug specialist (lots of rattles, relatively poor brakes, iffy
steering) - if it had been my first experience of the car I'd have hated it.

Matt
http://807faults.co.uk

 

Thanks very much for the reply, that's been most helpful.

I've been searching Autotrader for a couple of weeks now so fingers
crossed a nice little 1.5D comes up.

Cheers.

 

I believe the 1.4 diesels have wet liners which can slip. My wife has a 1.5D
which is very economical but doesn't have powered steering. If you can get
one with PS then do it because it can be a bugger to park. It's not
brilliantly fast but is nippy enough. Other than that we've been very
pleased with it. It's an N reg amd we paid £750 three years ago. It's had a
new wish bone and the valves needed adjusting 4 months ago but that's been
it. Oh yes and we had the cambelt changed as soon as we bought it.


--
Malc

"AFB Mr Tracey."
"Underbirths are og"

Les Barker - Irrational Neutscene

 

We have had a '96 N 1.5D Aztec for years now. It has been the most reliable
car we have ever owned. Very economical, low insurance and tax.
As it happens we are now having to part with it. Just flew through the MOT
with no comments at all from the tester.
Don't know where you are but we are in Surrey, close to J11 M25 just in case
you are interested.

 

Thanks for your comments Brian. I am interested in your 106.
I'm not too far from you, about 45 mins (J6). I'd like some more
info and possibly to take a look.

Regards
Jim