1988 Peugeot 405 DL review from North America

1) Ignition switch @ 100,000 km.

2) Starter motor @ 198,000 km.

3) Faulty voltage regulator (chronic).

4) Electrical connector faults underhood.

5) Oxygen sensor @ 60,000 km (warranty).

6) A/C idle solenoid (205,000 km).

7) Automatic temp. control ECU (200K km).

8) Headlight main beam switch (100K km).

9) Nothing outrageously bad!

A fine car with an electrical system designed by Rube Goldberg. Assembly quality iffy and some components (the less important ones) are of poor quality. The important stuff is well engineered.

Bad wind noise and poor road noise isolation, compared to my 1966 404 Coupé Injection. Excellent fuel consumption (average 7,9 L/100 km - 34 MPG) measured over entire time I've owned the car. The best looking sedan of the late 1980s and still looks modern in 2000. Good work, Pininfarina!

Handles very well for a FWD car, with neutral response leading to oversteer on the limit. VERY entertaining to drive fast and in the snow. Apparently rust-immune body after 12 years. Little torsional stiffness in body compared (again) to my 404 C, though the handling does not betray this.

Engine strong after 207,000+ km and I'm expecting to top 400,000 km with this car. Transmission fine, although a little noisy, indicating some bearing wear (I used to commute to work for 5 years up/down a constant 10% gradient, which explains that). Clutch is still fine and I've only just had to replace all 4 brake discs recently. Needs some front suspension work (bushings, dampers) due to toll taken by cold British Columbia winters.

Original Mitsubishi alternator functions but voltage regulator has failed twice, possibly due to poor design and/or "false overheat" signals which turn the cooling fans on rapidly every so often (corroded connectors in engine compartment?). Still have not got to the bottom of that problem. Has not been possible to buy a new Peugeot in North America for 8 years, and they're worth 25 cents as used cars, so I'm keeping mine forever.