Quick 406 HDi question

[iaind]

In my search for a cheap car, I'm quite tempted by a 406 HDi - probably the 2.0 110 or the 90 if it's bearable.

A friend has a 2.2 Coupe with a DPF and he's had no end of trouble with the DPF system, so I'd rather avoid them if I could. So question is, which 406s have them fitted? Looking at estates, circa 2000~2002

Thanks

 

[iaind]

From what I've read the petrols in these are pretty crud and the diesels are very good.

If it gets removed/drilled out, does it not throw up a load of ECU errors?

Not bothered about looks tbh!

 

[iaind]

It's a practical workhorse which is good value for money, it does that pretty well. It's just one of the options on the list of potentials, but need to clarify if it's worth risking the pain of a DPF equipped car

 

[iaind]

That's the general concensus, they do just seem to go on and on. They also ride very well and the later models are pretty well equipped, so not bad for the money. My friend has had his coupe for a few years and he's only ever had DPF related problems, hence me trying to find out how to avoid them

 

[iaind]

I wouldnt buy a tatty shed, I'd buy one that had been looked after and was in good nick. My friend's coupe is a 2001 and that's anything but tatty and is a very nice place to be - I see no reason why an estate can't be the same.

I've still got the Saab, but there's a chap who sounds very keen coming over from Cornwall at the weekend.

9-5...yes, maybe. But realistically I'm going to be getting mid 20s mpg on average (doing high 20s at the moment in my 9-3). For a car that isn't designed to be at all interesting (I've got that covered elsewhere), I don't see the point in spending that much in fuel, when a 406 HDi will be averaging high 40s

 

[iaind]

They are like spots these threads, cant leave them alone.

I just cant get me head round how you are going to have gone from a tidy Mondeo, to a nice Saab, to a shed, which has GOT to do ya head in driving it, for no real reason.

I can just about understand getting a cheaper car, but why a complete shed?

You just aint going to find a "nice" 406 estate.

If I can't find a nice one, I wont buy one, it's just one of the options of suitable cars. This is really just taking a step back to what the Mondeo gave me but trying to avoid the trouble spots that the TDCI has. I'm sure I can find a perfectly tidy car for a few k

Hang on, wait. Are you honestly saying that you don't think the typical owner demographic of the two bodystyles will be vastly different?

One the one hand, a cheap estate, bought to abuse for trips to the tip, for lugging around the dachshund, and for generally filling with crap that you wouldn't or couldn't fit into a nicer car. On the other hand, a very pretty coupé that would be a pleasure to keep of nice appearance?

No not at all, I fully apprecaite that there will be more shed estates than coupes, but I just meant that 9 year old 406 doesnt mean shed by default

 

[iaind]

Unless you actually take it anywhere. If my mates 406 HDi is anything to go by (a 110) it's actually no better (and in many cases worse, most likely due to gearing) than my 330d.

It is far better round town, but take it out to an NSL or god forbid, a motorway, and that edge just plummets.

My friend gets high 40s on average out of his 2.2, low 50s on a run. So mid to high 40s from an estate isnt unreasonable - either way it's going to be significatnly cheaper than something like a 2.0T 9-5 in fuel terms

 

[iaind]

Just to clarify, I have no intention of buying a shed, ex taxi or generally tatty car. I want a tidy reliable car for a few grand - the 406 fits my requirements so if I find a tidy one, then I don't see why not to buy one. I'm perfectly capable of spotting a well looked after car

 

[iaind]

See the update in my last thread - budget has been upped a bit and I'm taking partial ownership of my dad's MG TF (possibly soon to be S2000) to take care of the fun side

Gives me the cash I'd like, lower running costs and something a lot more fun than the Saab to use at weekends or when I want a hoon...whats not to like?

 

[iaind]

It's his second car, he's happy for me to use it if I'm insured fully comp and contribute towards the maintenance of it. Not what I'd necessarily choose, but a decent bit of topless motoring for sunny weekends

Dont get me wrong, i just hope you dont end up buying the wrong car, have it go wrong, fix it, get sick of it and end up 12 months down the line another 2 grand worse of buying another 7k car when you could have just run this one for a bit and got a bit of value out of it.

I appreciate that, which is why I'm doing a good bit of research. When I sell mine, I'm going to need something fairly quickly to replace it - so instead of deciding on a specific car I want, I'm better off getting a list of appropriate cars and buying the one in best nick. The implication by some people seems to be that they think I'm going to go and buy a car that's on fire, after giving the windows a good licking obviously - just because they dont agree with my decision in the first place

 

[iaind]

MG TF... decent?

I enjoy it

Contributing towards the maintenance sounds a bit odd, surely you can just top it up with petrol when you use it, that's what I do with the z4. It needs an annual service whether you use it or not!

It was my suggestion. It's an absolutely immaculate car (less than 10k miles oni t) so a small contribution towards stuff like tyres seems fair, especially as I'll proably end up using it more than him! Repairs and servicing he does himself, so I said I'd lend a hand when it needs doing - which is fine by me as I enjoy that sort of thing anyway

 

[iaind]

Ok, it's an enjoyable bit of topless motoring then

 

[iaind]

Or you could use the money to just keep your Saab and stopping messing about with junk.

The small amount of time and money I'd contribute wouldnt even begin to cover the extra cost of keeping the saab

 

[iaind]

It is, if you look at my profile there's a massive thread that goes into all sorts of depths and arguments - rather than regurgitate it all here. Was hoping for useful information on the 406 rather than the usual financial advice...

 

[iaind]

Just got a text from my 406 enthusiast friend with the answer to my original question. In case anyone wondered or if anyone searches for this in future - some of the 110s had DPFs, the way to tell is the letters "HXF" in the VIN number

 

[iaind]

Lol, you have a 406 enthusiast friend, but choose to get battered senseless yet again on OcUK Motors. <3 iaind, glutton for punishment .

I'm still waiting for jamief's new Golf thread, but it looks like he's too much of a pussy, unlike your brave self.

I texted him yesterday but he didn't reply so thought I'd ask here.... I just let the crap in here wash over me - other people would get on better if they did the same!

In amongst all the financial experts, there are people who want to help and answer the question

 

[iaind]

Xsara estate is on the list actually, although I prefer the comfort/spec of the bigger cars. In fairness the hatch would do the job but they actually seem to be going for more than the estates, same with the 306