1991 Peugeot 405 MI-16 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Hesitation/cut-out on acceleration.

Binding brakes.

Knocking suspension.

Serious boot leak.

Starter motor failed.

Electric window jammed open.

Mirror glass tainted.

Water hoses split causing overheating.

Radiator fans failed causing overheating.

Electric sunroof failed.

3 x internal door cards falling off.

Locks intermittent.

Front fog lights failed.

Internal clock light failed.

Electric aerial failed.

Power steering noise.

Altenator belt loose (4 hours to fix!)

Drivers seat rocks over bumps.

Etc. etc. etc.

+ loads of trim rattles and creaks.

The 405 MI-16 looks very nice, especially with the 15 inch 5 spoke alloys fitted to post 1991 cars.

Performance is brisk rather than stunning - 130mph is fairly easily achieved but 0-60 is a bit sluggish.

The 1.9 twin cam 16v engine sounds delicious, but doesn't pull until 4-5000RPM which means it has to be pushed hard.

Overall it is a reasonable car with general build quality (typically Peugeot) being very poor indeed. Saying that for the money what do you expect - it is a quarter the price of a Cosworth, but by no means a quarter of the car!

My name's Greg Reid, I own a 1989 mi16 Peugeot and I have had very good performance out of it. My wife loves this little car also. I don't understand why everyone has so much trouble with their's, if you keep the maintenance up to date it will last a long time...

My name is Rik Netten and I live in Holland. I'm 17 years old, and I did buy a Mi 16 2.0 16v from 1989 two weeks ago, and I'm "playing" with it for two years now, and I don't have any bad word about the Mi 16 in my mouth. I think it's a great car wich is very fast, and don't think I don't know, because I'm a car-engineer. I just want to say that I think you don't treat your car very good, because if you would it wouldn't break down so much. mail me to:riknetten@zonnet.nl.

I own a 1992 1.9 mi16 and it's been great apart from poor idling when the engine's hot. Has anyone else ever had this problem?

I have had the idling problem - it turned out to be a loose vacuum pipe, but was told that it can also be due to the fuel you are using. The 1.9 MI 16s (without cats) really don't like unleaded - use 4 star and you also gain a few more bhp.

Re: Above comment.

What's best - Super Unleaded or Lead replacement petrol?

I have had 2 mi16s, the first one got written off (went in the hedge after slipping on ice). I liked it so much I bought another one. I have just sold it with 140,000 miles on the clock and it was still going like a new car. The only problem I had with mine was the rear brake calipers jamming up. That's it. A very nice car in my opinion. :)

I am just in the midst of purchasing a 1989 Pug 405 miles-16, which has been converted to diesel power.

Can anyone out there provide me with information relating to the following:

Did Peugeot ever make a mi16 in diesel form?

E-mails to bug_eyed_monster2000@yahoo.com.

Help would be very much appreciated!

MI 16's. Great motors. I have a 2WD and a 4WD. The 2WD has been a super motor, as with the 4WD, but the 4WD is too complicated and therefore less reliable, handles well, but is heavy and not as responsive. The 2WD is a 1989 model and has done 160,000 miles of hard, but long journeys. Faults have been minimal. A new rear disk caliper and an ignition coil in ten years. The usual plugs filters clutch and brake pads. My experiences are second to none, at 47 year old it is the best car I have owned. Advice, change the oil and drive it hard. A very economical car with power when you want it.

I am a proud owner of a 91 405 MI 16. I agree with the above comment, that if you take some sort of care it seems to last. I am in the US. and it is very hard to get parts here,91 was our last year of new imports. I still have it and I have been using it for my personal vehicle. It has 118,000 miles and runs great. I feel it to be such a safe car that it will be my sons first car. He is thrilled with that.