2000 Peugeot 106 Colorline 1.5 diesel

Summary:

Good value, good economy for a modest price

Faults:

The control motor for ventilation system squeaks. It has been replaced twice. This is part of the air conditioning system. The problem continues today.

I noticed an oil leak from the head gasket at around 25,000 kilometres. The head gasket was replaced under warranty.

The front brake pads needed to be changed after 26,000 kilometres. Despite the pads being worn through to the steel back the warning light did not warn.

The front tyres needed changing after 27,000 kilometres. The original Michelin "MXT" tyres were no longer available. This was quite annoying, but I replaced them with Michelin XT1 tyres.

The bodywork is thin. Very thin. It has been easily damaged by children, other car doors and car thieves punching out the driver's door lock. The door locks are also too weak.

General Comments:

I bought the car new in December 2000 after a 4 month wait whilst the factory built the car. The delay was partly due to the factory holiday which occurs in France during August. The other reason was that some of the optional extras that I had ordered were out of stock. Peugeot had promised delivery within 6 weeks, and so loaned a Peugeot 206 to me until the 106 was delivered.

The car came with the 1.5 litre diesel engine. Anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, passenger air-bag and fog lights were fitted as optional extras.

The car is used to commute from my home in thee low French Alpes to work close to Nice on a daily basis - in rain, wind, ice and snow! Whilst the car could never be described as being fast, it is adequate for my journey which takes in many, many hair-pin bends, in temperatures that vary from 40 degrees in the summer down to -20 in the winter. A really enjoyable car to drive on these roads would be a Porsche 911 Targa, but this car is all about economy with a few creature comforts. At speeds beyond 130 km/h this car is really out of steam.

Although I drive the car modestly, the local roads and journeys are brutal and explain the rapid wear in brakes and tyres. Despite this, the car generally uses around 4.7 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. This is approximately 60 miles per gallon.

Whilst the Peugeot dealer is not the most efficient animal or particularly customer service oriented, we in France benefit from fairly low cost "menu" servicing and repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2002