I've just bought a new 206 cc and it's fantastic

[Johnnyb60]

Hi,
This is my first ever post here, and I don't know how busy this site is but I'll tell you the story and ask a few questions along the way and hope I will get some feedback and answers from you good people
I've owned a Rover 75 for well over ten years now but it's mileage has got sky high and it's generally looking rather tired.
I came across the little 206 cc by chance as the bosses son was selling it.
I've never been one for small cars or
convertibles but this little car really caught my eye.Its in absolutely stunning condition with a mere 38k on the clock and a clean mot history.
Well I hummed and ard about it for many weeks as I admired it parked up in the warehouse at work.I spent many hours googling about the little car only to find it slated with negativity.
Leaky roofs, roofs that don't work and scary electrical issues.
To be honest ,it put off buying it in the beginning but a reality check was needed.
All cars are slated on the Internet in all honesty as people only talk about there problems instead of there good points.
The car in question is a 2 litre allure with leather seats automatic lights and wipers and climate control in a gleaming light blue paint.
Well temptation got the better of me.Im a single person and the Rover 75 was just a bit pointless just for one person.
The little Peugeot is like the complete opposite to the Rover.Its sharp handling snappy power and that roof when it's down is brilliant!!
I think it's just been used as a summer fun car and then parked up in a dry garage over winter.
As you can imagine a car of such low mileage and being 20 years old presents it's own unique little problems.
I noticed the roof had a leak between the front and rear side window during a heavy down pour.
I folded the roof away and treated every roof and window seal to some silicone grease.The seals weren't cracked or perished but they did feel dry.
Applying silicone grease, I could feel the difference instantly in the seals.They became nice and soft and it's now water tight again and it's also eliminated it's creaks and rattles.
Highly recommend.
The next job I've been doing is getting some protection underneath the car.As it's summer and relatively warm and dry it's had a good coating of wax oyl.Are these cars galvanized as it certainly looks like it??
Another little niggle I've been chasing down is annoying knocks from underneath.Ive gone round the underside checking every bush, heat shield and exhaust for fouling, but it all looks good.
Saying that though I've sprayed every bush with some silicone spray and it has made a positive difference.
The only knocking I can hear now is from the back somewhere.I can't pin point it down and is proving a challenge (I like a good challenge)
I'm slightly concerned it's the rear axle from the horror stories I've read, but this evening I found something that could be causing it.
The boot latch located just behind the bumper had one of its securing bolts loose.
I've tightened it up as the mechanism was loose ,so fingers crossed I've cured it.
Its returning about 38/40 MPG ,Is that any good?? ( I think so)
Im also expecting a wind deflector to come this week at some point.
£9.99 second hand and in good condition (a bargain considering the £130 upwards new)
So when the Rover gets sold I will put the money towards getting the cam belt/water pump and tensioner changed as I have no records of it being done unfortunately.
Any ideas how much that costs nowadays??
Anyway I've probably bored you all to sleep now with my ramblings but if you're still awake please feel free to answer any of my questions.
It would be highly appreciated to hear back from you.
All the very best and many thanks for letting me join this site
Johnnyb60

[IanL]

Good idea to change the belt, tensioner and pump. My low mileage one was running beautifully when I got it, but I had those done as a precaution, and the mechanic said he found the original pump was nearly seized up! Probably a hazard with low mileage cars.

[Johnnyb60]

Very true indeed.
Checking through all the paperwork that came with it,it's got a good documented service history,but I can't find anything saying it's had the belts done.As it's only done 37 k miles it's still well within its mileage for getting it changed,but on the other hand it could be a 20 year old timing belt which means it's well over due age wise.
Its just not worth the risk by second guessing.
In the next few weeks after giving my wallet some recovery time I will get it booked in to get it replaced.
A quick question, but is the thermostat on the 2 litre easy enough to change.Im suspecting mine is possibly stuck open as it seems to run just below 80 degrees on the open road which seems a little low to me.
Around town in stop start traffic it fluctuates between 90/100 which I would say is normal
All the very best,
Johnnyb60

[sadiec]

My wife is thinking of selling her 206cc after 22 years fron new. It has around 39K genuine miles, is Cayman Green, 2 litre, black leather upholstery in near mint condition, with wind break and headlight protectors.
Everything works and it has been serviced annually by a Peugeot main dealer. Only item is original radio has had to be replaced by a JVC one as dealer couldn't fix or source replacement a few years ago.
What would be the level of interest?

[Johnnyb60]

That sounds very similar to mine regarding mileage.
If you can hold out until next spring I'm sure that's when people would show more interest in it with the on coming summer months.

[garyward22]

Hi Thanks for your response and the article. I might pinch some of your ideas. Its my wifes car and hardly used. Now has 110k (Kms) on the clock and is 24 years old. 2 litre with auto aircon. I have had the car since 2003.

Leaky roof - just a few drops but as we also have very little rain not a major issue. Will vaseline the joints

Annoying knock - been searching for this for a very long time - might have a look at the boot latch now.

Fuel consumption - never properly checked but that seems pretty good. My gut feel is that I don't get anything like it. Maybe the speed at which I drive the car - when I am allowed.

Exhaust pipe - had fitted several times as I am sure they ordered the wrong one - finally they realised

Aircon - had new compressor and a new blower motor - hardly surprising as it gets a lot of use.
never really considered the underside as the weather is generally very good and dry.

Boot struts - been replaced - after several different orders which were wrong

Thermostat - it that a simple job. Fiddly but looks like two clips holding them on at either end. I am happy to loose the water (any need to drain?) and will take the suggestion of some antifreeze to keep the cooling system clogging up. It could be the heater matrix as I never get warm air.

Thanks

[Johnnyb60]

Hi Gary,
If you think the heater matrix "could" be clogged and that it hasn't got any antifreeze in it, I would strongly recommend giving the whole cooling system a good flushing through while you change the suspected thermostat.
You would be surprised to how much sludge will come out with a good flushing.
Coolant systems are often neglected in cars.
If it's not over heating or losing any coolant many people forget all about it until a problem arises.
I've learnt to always keep up the maintenance on cooling systems after owning a good few K Series engines fitted to Rovers.They where notorious for blowing head gaskets.
What temperature does your car run at?
Mine runs at around 90 degrees, but when my thermostat failed and got stuck open during the summer it was around 80 degrees.
The face vents will blow really really hot within 5 minutes of a cold morning start.
Everything I said is easy and cheap to do.
All the very best,
Johnnyb60