1979 Peugeot 504 GLD 2.3 XD2 diesel

Faults:

I bought it with a cracked liner seal and 118000 Km in the counter ( I suspect it had about 250000)... changed the engine by an XD2 found in a scrapyard... and from then the car has made 135000 Km (4 years). The engine I found in the scrapyard had an oil leak that was fixed and 15000 Km ago I had to replace the starter motor, but I don't think it was the car's fault because it worked perfectly, had a major frontal accident (the repairs costed 3800$ that were paid by the other car's insurer) and the same day I had the car back from the dealer, the starter motor didn't work.

I have to change now the steering flector (a rubber piece that costs $3). Nothing else but normal wear elements like brake pads and tyres (that last around 85000 Km each). I have even the same belts the car had when I bought it.

General Comments:

Don't think that anybody builds cars like this nowadays. The XD2 engine, and the transmission are a rock. 20 years old, many kilometers and hard driving on them, and they work like a clock. The body rusts very easily.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th August, 1999

31st Dec 2025, 13:05

The XD2 is a great engine, as you rightly say; in its day, along with Mercedes diesels, it was one of the best. Luckily for Peugeot, it was replaced by another engine, which in my opinion was better, both in terms of fuel consumption and performance: the XUD.

Nowadays, owning a diesel is a nightmare. Before, it was synonymous with durability and reliability.