Looking to buy a 106 - any opinions?

It was a little underpowered.

We had a 1995 1.5d (Aztec - pre face-lift) from new. The engine was powerful enough unless fully laden - but make sure you get a five speed box, it is much more pleasant. I used it occasionally on a commute across the Pennines (snake pass, peak forest road or over by Mam Tor), it was fast and agile enough to be lots of fun :-) Of course there are faster cars around, but I never really felt limited by the 1.5 diesel engine except on not being able to do fast overtakes on single carriageways. (By comparison, my current vehicle is a fairly new V8 Jaguar XJ, so I am speaking from experience of both powerful large and relatively low power small cars, rather than somebody who has only driven little hatches).

I can honestly say it's one of the best cars I've ever had (compared to our 807, which was easily the worst). The 106 got written off in an accident in 2004, but in over eight years it had

• a couple of sets of tyres
• timing belt (routine service item, not a failure)
• a new radiator (due to a stone hole, not corrosion)
• a new battery
• brake pads
• two sets of front brake disks (one at 18 months, the second after 7 years; a pair of Bendix disks costs less than a tenner from Andyspares and took half an hour to fit)
• valves reshimmed (common problem on 106s when they reach 50K miles or so causing cold start problems, cost just over £100 to sort out at a Pug specialist)
• starter motor (failed due to excessive use when the valves needed shimming)
• glow plugs
• exhaust down pipe and a back box None of this is unreasonable, I considered the car to be absolutely reliable in everyday use.

I'd be tempted to avoid models with electric windows and central locking; they are just things to wrong on an otherwise solid little car (bearing in mind Peugeot's inability to do anything electrical properly!). Of course, you should also look at what you are buying carefully; I had a very ropey petrol 106 as a courtesy car from the local Pug specialist (lots of rattles, relatively poor brakes, iffy steering) - if it had been my first experience of the car I'd have hated it.

Matt

Thanks very much for the reply, that's been most helpful.

I've been searching Autotrader for a couple of weeks now so fingers crossed a nice little 1.5D comes up.

Cheers.

I believe the 1.4 diesels have wet liners which can slip. My wife has a 1.5D which is very economical but doesn't have powered steering. If you can get one with PS then do it because it can be a bugger to park. It's not brilliantly fast but is nippy enough. Other than that we've been very pleased with it. It's an N reg amd we paid £750 three years ago. It's had a new wish bone and the valves needed adjusting 4 months ago but that's been it. Oh yes and we had the cambelt changed as soon as we bought it.

We have had a '96 N 1.5D Aztec for years now. It has been the most reliable car we have ever owned. Very economical, low insurance and tax. As it happens we are now having to part with it. Just flew through the MOT with no comments at all from the tester. Don't know where you are but we are in Surrey, close to J11 M25 just in case you are interested.

Thanks for your comments Brian. I am interested in your 106. I'm not too far from you, about 45 mins (J6). I'd like some more info and possibly to take a look.

Regards Jim

Brian wrote: