Anyone got a 106? Or have experience with cheap french tat?

Defcon5 · 31 Oct 2007 at 22:52

The GF passed her test earlier this month, and of course a cheap unreliable french supermini was the obvious choice.

Its a '99 106 Zest3 1.1.

And the brakes are absolutley terrible. I didnt expect them to be great, but tbh Id say they were bordering on dangerous! I heard there was something you can do to inprove them by twisting something at the servo. Anyone any ideas? The pads are ok, and its passed MOT, is there anything cheap I can do to sharpen them up? When you press the pedal, it gradually slows to a stop, woth no urgency, you almost roll to a halt rather than be stopped by the brakes.

Also, upon inspection under the oil filler cap, there is some black debris of a sludge like texture. I presume this is bad? Or will an oil and filter change fix it? Car runs fine.

Thanks

DannyW · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:04

my grandads got a 2001 model no pas ect, hes never had a prob, had it since new. how many miles has your gf's done?

Defcon5 · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:17

74000, like I said, the only problem is the brakes, but then again Ive never driven a 106 before so I dont know if they are supposed to be like that

Muffin` · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:20

Oh, Me me me!

Yes brakes are shoddy, mine went in for its service today, told the pads were worn right down, didn't actually notice an differnce braking... might be time for some bigger pads/calipers. Just use plenty of engine breaking, saves on the pads

Also when was it last serviced?

Defcon5 · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:24

Last serviced in jan, so its due one. Do ou have any debris in your oil?

Muffin` · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:28

yup was sounding really rough :/

Defcon5 · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:31

At least its fairly normal then! Any other problems youve encountered?

Crizzy · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:44

My GF's 106 has done her ok, its had a few electrical problems (nothing major) and a few rattles (annoying but expected really). Keep an eye on those brakes, they gave up completely on her once!

Muffin` · 31 Oct 2007 at 23:51

Rattles.
You need to go for a drive withsomeone in the back checking panels, sticky rubber solved a lot of mine.

Check the back suspension, you don't need that white screw in the boot, if someone really wanted your tyre they'll have it. ECU working ok?

Its a petrol Pug so watch the electricals, make sure notings come lose etc.

Apart from that, its a Pug and a cheap one - expect the worst and never underestimate it

Defcon5 · 1 Nov 2007 at 06:48

lol Ill be scared to drive it now! May take a trip to the scrappers and see if i can get somwe brakes of a quicksilver or something, reckon they will be a straight swap?

Stonedofmoo · 1 Nov 2007 at 07:55

I heard there was something you can do to inprove them by twisting something at the servo. Anyone any ideas?

That will most likely be winding the servo screw out which you can do by removing the brake cylinder and then twisting the small screw now visable on the servo out. HOWEVER you should not have to do this, and if you overdo it there is a very real danger of you applying the brakes constantly

End result is the slight pressure heats them up and creates more pressure until eventually your car stops in a cloud of steam and smoke unable to drive forward. It happened to me so I know!

If the brakes are rubbish and your 106 has 14" alloys upgrade to standard 306 brakes which are 244mm and apparently a lot better than 106.

digitalwolf · 1 Nov 2007 at 09:01

If the brake system is the same as the one on my saxo which I guess it is, there isn't really a lot you can do apart from change the pad's etc for some mintex ones.

Matt82 · 1 Nov 2007 at 09:03

when was the fluid last changed and how old is the car?

Defcon5 · 2 Nov 2007 at 10:25

Matt82 said:
when was the fluid last changed and how old is the car?

No Idea on the fluid, and its about 8 years old.

Defcon5 said:
Also, upon inspection under the oil filler cap, there is some black debris of a sludge like texture.

Anyone got an explanation for this? its abit like the bits you get when you dont mix instant gravy properly.

Also when idling, it doesnt stay at constant revs, fluctuates from 900 to 1000 all the time.

@Stonedofmoo, its has got steelies, so i presume they wont fit?

Stonedofmoo · 2 Nov 2007 at 10:49

The type doesn't matter provided they are 14" in size. The 106 brakes on the lesser models are well known as being rubbish. Bit like the 306 brakes on the lesser models.

thefullcollapse · 2 Nov 2007 at 11:06

i used to have a 92 106, i now have a 2003 clio.
i wish i still had the 106

though thinking about it, the breaks were pretty bad

Matt82 · 2 Nov 2007 at 13:34

the first thing to do is get new fluid in there.

it wont matter what discs pads wheels you have, if the fluid is pants, nothing will work properly

neil-ste · 2 Nov 2007 at 13:51

Good luck bleeding the brakes. I'd bet my bottom dollar that the bleed nipple will shear.

When I had my 106 I used to think the brakes were alright-ish. Now i've tried different cars i've realised they were p*** poor. If you're that bothered about it you can put 206 HDI or GTI calipers and disks on there, they do help a great deal.

Defcon5 · 3 Nov 2007 at 13:32

neil-ste said:
If you're that bothered about it you can put 206 HDI or GTI calipers and disks on there, they do help a great deal.

i assume that isnt a straight swap?

Puzzled · 3 Nov 2007 at 13:48

Bro's got 98 106 and I'm suprised it's even road legal.

The brakes are terrible, the steering is so vague its scary I mean you can turn the wheel for ages before any thing happens.

The electrics are shot, and the engine is knackered.

I will never own a peugeot, I value my life to much.