Peugeot 405 D Turbo - The Bad Boy From Paris

The 1990s was a golden era for French manufacturers, with a series of cars that excelled. They still had something indefinable that made them better to drive than other cars. Today I try one of the most legendary diesel saloons of all time.. the brilliant Peugeot 405!
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[@AlbertManiscalco]

they sold the 505 until the end (especially the SW sport wagon) i had a 505 turbo manual that i still miss to this day

[@thomasbell6655]

Fair point . I stand corrected. :)

[@malikhaji2764]

How bizarre! Did not know that the 405 was from 87.

[@christopher9727]

... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@bramesque]

My dad was a mechanic and a real Peugeot enthousiast. I still can remember doing a test drive with a new 1.6i 405 in Silver just like the one in the video. After a few miles my dad decided to buy it, he liked the ride apparently. After some time he thought that the 305 he had before was more sturdy built, this was most noticeable in the interior (hard plastic vs rubber like plastic) the quality of the seats steering wheel and the switches. also was the body less thick than that of the 305. The 405 engine was quite good, it was the first electronic ignition and injection car my dad ever had. so no more breaker point problems during the long holiday drives. Before the 305 dad had a 304 404 504 and after the 405 came the 605 8v then another 605 with 16 valves, he looked for the 24 valve V6, but then fell in love with the 406 Coupé V6. this one became his most beloved Peugeot of all time, and now at this moment while he is no longer here, i am sitting and writing this in his 406 standing on a cliff ovelooking the ocean in Brittany after a 12K tour de Europe.

[@mainamaseeti]

Wow!

[@DBGE001]

In the Netherlands, the catchphrase for the Peugeot commercials was: "You feel excellent in a Peugeot". I think that there must be quite a bit of truth in that.

[@jonibravo9004]

Beautiful story

[@bramesque]

@@jonibravo9004 Thank you😀

[@fh4742]

Love the Peugeot love! I just wonder if you're not mixing up the 305 and 405?? Having had a 305 and 405 myself I can say that the 305 is the one with the more hard plastic interior (that dash!). Also the 405 has standard lumbar support in the seats, where in the 305 you're slid right off when making a turn. The 405 has the ticker body rather than the 305. It feels way more solid than a 305, much more sturdy due to a better chassis and different suspension. It wasn't voted Car Of The Year for no reason.

[@derekgb3780]

I had a new 1995 version for a while. 1.9 diesel. As you say, these French diesel engines had a bullet proof reputation at the time and this was born out with my car, that never let me down.

[@tomhaapala3316]

i had a citroen 2.5 gti turbo diesel and it was awful..nothing but problems..headgasket..and on and on..in the end it burned up..worst car i ever bought

[@richardikin]

I had the estate version, great car. I'd happily have one again.

[@colinmacdonald5732]

My Dad put 350,000 on a 505 estate. He was a mechanic but not a particularly conscientious one, just sayin'! An absolutely brilliant car

[@rob5944]

I believe the French made some pretty good diesels, the 1.6 bring developed with Ford apparently?

[@1greenMitsi]

same I had a 94 model and had it all the way till the mid 2000s....used to get 1000 kilometres for the tank of diesel :))

[@simonhodgetts6530]

A very, very handsome car - Peugeot were really on a roll during the 80s and 90s. I have a friend who still has a couple stored in a barn - he was a big fan back in the day, and had several. The 406 to me is one of those ‘peak cars’ alongside the Xantia.

[@Sparrow420]

I love the 406, a real piece of art

[@severnsea]

I had a 405 estate back in the day, great car that never let me down in the 6 years I had it. Never needed any parts, never failed an MOT. Not too many cars I've had that I can say that about.

[@christopher9727]

.... Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@grahamariss2111]

It does not have a fixed rear beam, it has a fully independent transverse torsion bar rear suspension in the same fashion as was used on the 205 and 309 that preceded it having first appeared on the 305 estate. It offered excellent driving as you describe but also excellent packaging with its horizontal shocks which minimised rear boot intrusion. The car it first went up against from Austin Rover was the facelifted Montego (the one that was two tone) and later the Rover 400 version of the R8.

[@Jonters]

305 estate has horizontal coil springs.

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

I once saw a 405 1.6 take a corner with huge oversteer. It was clear the driver did this everyday.

[@williambelford9661]

The problem was that because of the limited rotation of the torsion bar, combined with it being sealed ie you couldn't grease the roller bearings, resulted in ovality in the carrier making scrapping it the only viable option, cost wise.

[@tvaatakt1]

The rear axle design can be traced back to Simca 1100...

[@asphalthedgehog6580]

@@tvaatakt1 wow. Must have met the dinosaur... That Simca wasn't a bad drive either. But... noisy!

[@TheBlaert]

Growing up reading the likes of Autocar and Motor and Car magazines I always loved the 405, especially the Mi16. The motoring press always raved about how good the handling was. I bought a couple of turbo-diesels over the years until a chance encounter with an old friend who had bought a Phase 1 405 Mi16 with the ultimate goal of shoe-horning the engine into a 205. I made him an offer he couldn't refuse (the princely sum of £900) and I had a gorgeous 1992 1.9 Mi16 in my yard. Tidied it up a little and got everything working the way it should and it was every bit as good as they said. I have honestly never driven a better handling car in my life (with standard suspension). And the suspension is quite stiff yet somehow supple. The steering is power assisted but it feels like it isn't, so the feedback and feel of the steering is phenomenal. Even details like the way the steering wheel itself feels just adds to it. Peugeot were on top of their game in the mid to late 80's. I still own the car but it's fell into a little disrepair for various reasons. Still started and warmed up regularly so the engine doesn't get damaged though. I'm sourcing some parts and planning a full restoration next year.

[@mattkinsella9856]

My Dad had a diesel 405 for a large part of the 90s and he was commuting from the Isle of Wight to central London 3 days a week. He must have put over 200,000 miles on that car and the only things I remember causing any major issues were when he had to get body repairs and paint from the usual dings and scrapes he would come back to when it was parked in the city day after day. It's astonishing to think of the miles he did week in and week out and it only needed the usual serviceable stuff which he mostly did himself except the tyres. Great cars.

[@howardpeirson9829]

I had a 405GTX turbo diesel N826NNL with air-con, wood trim & a factory 6disc CD player in the boot. What a car, just about unstoppable

[@loveisall5520]

In the seventies, I was in college here in Texas, and my parents bought Peugeot 504's: my mother a sedan and my father the station wagon. This was a complete switch from years of Pontiacs with huge bodies and equally huge V8's. They fell in love with theirs, particularly my father with the station wagon.

[@simonseddon7977]

Great film, thanks Jack, brought back many happy memories of working on the 405 as an Assembly Engineer at the Peugeot Ryton plant in my early career, before moving on to the then all-new 306. Great car, lovely drive (even the non-turbo diesel 1.9 was a quiet mile- muncher on the motorway). Great cars, great memories

[@berwhaletheavenger]

The 405 was incredible in 1988 and I suspect it would be exceptional now as well for usability and comfort. Plus they handled like a dream. These, the 406, 306 and the 605 were the last good Peugeots. The sweet spot was the 1.9 8 valve with the 205GTi engine.

[@raycroal]

605 for me

[@dortkommendieclowns1474]

I agree, I've got the 405 1.9 122 bhp.

[@markwalton8644]

100% agree I had two 405 SRi's the 1.9 8v was definitely a great engine and although it was only 120+bhp it had a decent amount of torque, revved sweetly and with just over 1000kg it went surprisingly well, tied in with really nicely, balanced handling and some of the comfiest seats was a great cruiser at 90!!😊

[@MrSonicAdvance]

I once had a Peugeot 405 SRi as a hire car for a few days and it was a delight. Super-sharp steering and handling with just enough power to be fun. That I can still remember driving it for a few days 30 years later is a good sign of just how much fun it was to drive. The big takeaway for me was the sharp steering, which took me a bit of getting used to.

[@janstaes2172]

i had one to as a 2nd hand, this was the lowest of the 'performance' line, sri, mi 16 and the most powerfull the T16 extremely rare car

[@jaysloane]

In the USA in the late 1980s there weren't many Peugeot dealers and not much advertising for the car. The Peugeots of the day were considered to be very good by the few people who knew what they were. The one person I knew who owned one loved her car. But compared to the Japanese manufacturers and their dealers, Peugeot was hardly in the USA market. I passed the Peugeot dealer "near" me frequently but avoided going in for a test drive because I wasn't quite ready to buy a car. By the time I was the dealer was selling furniture and Peugeot was out of the US market.

[@peterream9437]

I had the GTX 1.9 diesel in red. Bought it with 76k on the clock and put another 60k on it in three years. Loved it. Whilst in France on our hols late 90s, had a noisey issue with the exhaust. Back box fell off.. Peugeot dealership in the town fitted a complete new exhaust for less than the cost of a backbox in the uk !...

[@keepyourbilsteins]

Thanks for featuring this underrated car from a Yank! I worked at a French car garage in the States from '99 - '02 and owned a red '89 mi16 while there. Peugeot's biggest problem in at least my region was its atrocious dealer service network. Coupled with scant independent options once out of warranty, many owners found it difficult, if not impossible, to get their competently repaired. That soured the market in my region.

[@neilburns8869]

My Dad's first ever diesel engine car was a Peugeot 405 GLD 2 litre saloon and it was one of best cars we have ever had in our family. It started out as his company car for the first 3 years but he bought it off the company and held on to it for a further 10 years. It was a big wedge shaped car, massive back seat and very comfortable, generous sized boot space for a saloon. Excellent road handling system and just a really good car to drive.

[@vidfletch]

In one of my early jobs the company cars were Sierras. Salesman got a 405 to replace his Sierra. I used to drive it now and again and it was light years ahead of the Sierra. Different class altogether.

[@Number27]

to drive it really was miles better!!

[@PUNKF001]

90’s peugeot’s are all so pretty. Those old diesels as you said, are utterly unbustable.

[@markbray2988]

I always thought it was a very underrated car (everywhere but France) I drove a fair few of these in the 90's and found them equal if not better than most other mainstream cars of the time. Also, I agree Jack... A pretty car, still today... Very attractive in the 80's... The design of modern EV's leaves me rather sad and wondering if we will ever see mainstream cars that look esthetically pleasing in the future.

[@robsawalker]

A mate had a white 405 Diesel in the early 90s and it was just utterly superb ride. So comfy, and I thought it looked fantastic both inside and out.

[@ruk2023--]

My grandparents had a 1992 1.9 GR automatic in the mid 90's. Had many holidays via it. Fond memories. The main one of flying down the middle of wide a-roads as my grandad had been a van driver and drove like one.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Thank you for video. I bought a 1-year 405 1.9 GL ( petrol ) around 1989. My recall of it pretty much mirrors your comments. The 1.9 had a decent amount of grunt, 110 bhp. Most of my use with it was on country A-roads, on which it was a joy to drive. I particularly recall the flat, supple handlng ( only the French seem to know how to do supple ). I also really like how airy it felt inside. Only kept it about a year or so, I think. Seduced back into a straight six. Oh..., and I didn't have a single problem with the 405. No faults, no issues whatsoever.

[@15bit62]

My dad had one as a company car at the time i got my license, and the company insurance somehow covered me as a 17 year old. We had the GTX, so nicer interior than the GL, but same engine. I remember the slightly clunky gear change, nice revvy engine (same as the 205 GTI, but lower tune) and just lovely balanced handling. And very comfortable seats. It was vastly better than the Vectra/Cavalier that the company replaced it with after 2 years.

[@gwizz9175]

I had 3 of these 405 diesels, thoroughly excellent car for their time. Only 90 odd hp from the turbo diesels but 3rd gear torque and acceleration were brisk. Still think they are a neat design all these years later. Very rarely see one these days unfortunately.

[@YeCannyDaeThat]

First car I ever drove (my parents) and first (and only) car I ever crashed. The back end was so light on these it would fly out at the slightest opportunity. That's what got me.

[@coldlakealta4043]

my most special French car: we lived in Northern Canada and my dad was dead keen on ice racing. He would pack the 4 of us into his beloved Renault Dauphine and head out to the track, largely abandoned WW2 air bases. The 3 of us got kicked out into the snow while he taped up the lights and put shoe polish numbers on the windows, and off he went on his studded tires while we stood there shivering with no place to pee and wondering how we would get home if he stuffed it. Great times, great little car!

[@Blackdzordz]

Back in 1996. my dad used to have 1992. 405 with 1.9 td engine, i loved that car a lot. It was a very good looking car, and it still is. Later, when I got my driving licence in 2003, dad gave me a 405 with a 1.6 petrol engine… This video brougth back all those good memories.😊

[@nickroberts6026]

I worked for Peugeot UK for many years, starting as a Graduate Trainee in 1987 shortly before launch. In my first placement, with the Merchandising Department, I had the job of coordinating all the promotional gifts for the launch. I also got to drive the official Accessory Car, pre-production car No 3, from Coventry to Birmingham for photography. That was interesting - early pre-prod cars of any model were often flakey, and 405 petrol models of early production had something of a fuelling problem (evaporation in fuel lines) at times. I was fresh out of Uni with very little driving experience, and I had to coax this thing along the A45 - not too bad - and then along the back streets of Brum - where it stalled repeatedly at every set of lights. Only way I could keep it running was to rev the engine hard when stopped, which went really well with my instructions to drive this yet-unreleased car "invisibly". Yeah right. A bright red car that looked (from some angles, anyway) like a little Ferrari. Fun times... Still, that was better than what I managed to do to a different car. The cars were on display to employees in the week or so leading up to the launch, and I was told to drive one into a building. I managed to scrape the body styling kit - only to be told this was one of the launch cars. Launch in less than a week... I though I would be fired, but I wasn't. At the launch event at the NEC, there were big presentations by various directors, then everyone filed on stage past several cars that were revealed - centre stage being the one I had scraped. I had kittens all over again... A few years later, I had several 405s as company cars. First was an SRi, basically the 205 GTi 1.9 engine in this rather bigger car. Drove absolutely brilliantly, lovely crisp handling. Next was a GRDT, with the 110 HP 2.1 litre turbo diesel, which was an even better powerplant than the one in this car. So smooth, quiet and flexible. However, the power steering was WAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY too assisted, it was beyond a joke. Lost all the feeling of the car you've driven - still a very agile chassis, but a lot less fun to drive, except around town. Final one was an STDT with that same engine, but a much improved power steering system that regained virtually all of the feel, but was lighter at parking speeds. This car had lovely leather, a beautiful green pearlescent finish, CD multichanger, and was one of my favourite cars ever - fast, comfortable and economical for motorway driving, but still fun on country roads. And one of the prettiest family saloons ever made. Jut for completeness, there were also two 4 wheel drive versions, the GLx4 and the MI16x4 - I doubt if there are any of either left now.

[@williamegler8771]

In the United States, they were only selling the 505 before the introduction of the 405 to the market. My parents bought a 405 Sportwagon at a 50% discount from a former Peugeot dealer who switched to selling Hyundai in 1993. It was brand new with only 107 miles on it and had sat unsold for two years. They drove it for almost 20 years before it finally went to the scrap yard. It was serviced, at least for the first several years, by the former head technician at the former Peugeot dealership who set up an independent shop to care for those still on the road because the former dealership wasn't interested. The car got increasingly difficult to maintain over the years because parts were difficult to obtain. The car was unable to be driven for sometimes weeks at a time waiting for parts. It was eventually scrapped after its windshield got broken and they tried for a year to locate another one and they couldn't find one. By this time the car had over 250,000 Mi on it and it had served its purpose.

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Sad. Today they would have had the internet. And instant delivery.

[@williamegler8771]

​@user-pt1ow8hx5l What is sad about scrapping a vehicle that was near the end of its useful life? It is not like it was a beloved pet. The car was a very high-mileage orphaned marque and had become increasingly unreliable and difficult to repair and maintain due to finding knowledgeable mechanics and parts were still difficult to find even with internet access. Delivery of parts even when they could be found was certainly not instantaneous and it still took days weeks or months to get them. It wasn't like they weren't in the financial position to replace it. They did replace it with a BMW 3 Series touring

[@rickydub6950]

Had a memorable taxi journey in a 405 as a ten year old in 93. Peak madness was skelping flat out the wrong way down a one way Rue 😂

[@mamad.ssalehi2653]

I live in Iran and I have this Peugeot 405 car, it has very good handling. Now a Frenchman comes and is surprised that this car is still being used

[@WizzardPrang]

Great video, Jack. I had a petrol 406 for 3 years, it was a great car and I was sad to see it go. I know what you mean about Paris taxi drivers, the one I remember the most was many years ago - he had his newspaper spread out across the steering wheel & read it for pretty much the entire journey.

[@zerocool5395]

I'm from Chile and all these French cars are my childhood. I live in the US now and they're all forbidden fruit.

[@nickmatthews4939]

I love your chooce of quirky cars Jack. It makes your channel so watchable. A big 👍s as usual.

[@TacPrecision]

The 405 was the best handling car of its generation. Mine was a 405 SRi 120bhp 8v 2.0l engine

[@andrewwaller5913]

Me too, had an L reg blue SRI, great car to drive.

[@minimaxi802]

I remember soon after its launched in 1987 with the unforgettable televison advert driving through fire *Take My Breath Away" song.

[@jontheodore8450]

Love that headliner repair 😂

[@keithposter5543]

Lovely things. Like all Peugeots of the era: magical ride/handling balance. Anything from the base 205 up, you got a sports car that didn't jangle your fillings out - wonderful

[@aussiebloke609]

A friend of mine used to daily drive his Mi16 (he was a Pug collector, with probably two dozen cars of various years, models and trim levels.) The Mi16 was a surprisingly quick car for the time, handled well (for '90s FWD), and sounded lovely at full song.

[@user-pt1ow8hx5l]

Magic. The MI 16. In its time. Slightly lowered. 160 horsepower. All avaliable. I can confirm.

[@jaybarnes6736]

Not that surprising really 160 is loads of power in A 405

[@TheSoundsnake]

We had a 1991 405 SRDt break (the 1.8 turbo) from new. 285kMi in 8 years, superb car! Only too bad it had the weaker Lucas injection pump, that needed a rebuild around 200k. My dad eventually sold it as he wanted to have an airco, but the engine and everything else was still going strong, on its original engine, head gasket, turbo, intercooler, radiator, clutch, gearbox, basically everything! Valves were never(!) adjusted, simply not necessary, still running quiet and smooth. Oil consumption was still below 1L/6000mi. He drove it pretty hard actually, not beating the **** out of it but fast in a gentle way, always leaving others behind at the traffic light. And it was so reliable that we jumped in it without hesitation to drive to the south of France without any special care/preparations, when it was already around the 275k mark. Of course it did the 2000Mi trip without a glitch at 85MPH, even uphill. The biggest trip we ever made with that car was around 6000Mi in 3 weeks, forth and back to the north cape, partly still over gravel roads back then. I guess it has been driven for many more years somewhere in Africa. Very, very good cars! I currently enjoy another PSA miracle of the past, the Citroen Xm.

[@christopher9727]

Do you know Jesus Christ can set you free from sins and save you from hell today Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Romans 6.23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus

[@garyhawkins9246]

My Second car was a 93 GTXi, had that great 1.9 petrol from the 205 GTi was a wonderful car, wish I still had it 26 years later!

[@coldvaper]

Also French car makers in general did not have good support for their cars here in the US. So if you needed something it could take many months if not longer. On top of that no one here saw french cars as premium cars but they were priced like they were. Its too bad they didn't bring the 205 GTI before they left the market wouldn't mind one of those and it seems support for them over seas is pretty strong.

[@tetchuma]

I still lust after the 405 Mi 16. They looked so futuristic when they came out in the U.S. GM and Chrysler were still making boxy, sealed beam headlight cars, when this came out.

[@nicolasansom2681]

I had a 405 turbo diesel for my commute and loved every minute. Then moved into a 406 which I'm now retiring from the daily grind and is a pampered Sunday car! ❤

[@Ezzie0304]

I borrowed a 306 90hp diesel, and it was absolutely fantastic. Ome of the best cars I´ve driven.

[@nigelknight7798]

I bought and sold a lot of these back in the day, way better than any of the competition, we had a 1.9 td GLX estate and my father had a green Hunter, crisp and honest.

[@damianfuller74]

I borrowed a citroen zx turbo diesel to drive back from Glastonbury many moons ago. That was a 1.9 turbo diesel. Still to this day one of the most entertaining middle of the night drives home ever. So torquey. Even with a buggered drive shaft. Pretty sure it was the same engine? Anyways was awesome. Shame most of these cars are long dead. Yes please do this stuff!! Cheers

[@simes205]

Same engine, my brother out his on its roof!

[@vitorpassos309]

Simply love Peugeots from 80s and beginning of 90s. Never tried a 405 but my 309 1.1 Graffic is extremely happy revving and loves country roads.

[@lips5913]

I had a black MI-16 in the 90s, Jesus, what a rocket! Different car above 3000 rpm! Lovely memory!

[@barryphillips7327]

The Peugot 405 was stylish, the torque will make it seem more powerful, it is Not All about HP torque is seat of pants you FEEL it everyday driving!!

[@chrisaskin6144]

Back in the day I had two 405's - both pre face-lift. One was a petrol 1.9 GR, followed by a GRDT. I absolutely loved both of them for their looks, comfort and road holding. I once went on holiday sharing a large holiday cottage with my sister and her family. They had a (company car) Volvo S40 diesel Mk 1, so I followed in my GRDT. The Volvo seemed very quick, it was an 'S' reg and therefore newer than my Peugeot which was a 'K' reg, I was forever having to gun the engine to try and keep up with him but my Pug seemed to be a bit of a slouch compared to the Volvo. Fast forward a couple of months and my brother-in-law was being redeployed to Malaysia, and so he and my sister went out there for a week to assess the lie of the land, and see if they could find a place to live. He gave me the keys to his Volvo and invited me to run it for the week - so I did. It was crap! It seemed sluggish to me, and the gear change was appalling. Vague, and finding gears was difficult to say the least. I lost count of the times I wanted 1st but was in 3rd, and who knows where the hell reverse was! After a week I swapped back, and getting back behind the wheel of my Peugeot was like a blessing from heaven. The gearbox was a delight to use, and even though it was a diesel the accelerator pedal felt as light as a feather. Pulling away from rest it was like the proverbial shit off a shovel, you'd have never thought it was a diesel - albeit a turbo diesel. I have fond memories of both my 405's.

[@SteveK3899]

I had one of these in the early 90s.I managed one of the very best average speeds ever in all my driving.We went from Cherbourg to Madrid in approx 11 hrs with 1 hr stop for fuel and food break.

[@geekandguide]

A car firmly on my bucket list. Interior looks similar to my 309 of the same era and which I rather liked. Peugeot seemed to have both ride and handling sorted in their 1980s cars. Great video.

[@phil955i]

I had a '91 1.6 GL petrol estate as a company car in the early 90s & remember the steering being very communacative, more so than the 406 I had some 10 years later.

[@johnw65uk]

I had a 3 year old white one of these back in the 90s, I’d lost my job and bought one in case I had to do taxi work. Really felt I hit rock bottom. I got a new job and bought a Jaguar xjs and the rest as they say is history.

[@jetbudgieii]

Cracking cars, I had two of them before going up to a 406. Rumour has it that Toyota even bought new ones, took them to Japan and forensically examined them to find out what made them so good.

[@easydrive3662]

French diesel cars from the 80s and early 90s had a good reputation, also Peugeot cars back then were known for their great styling unlike today

[@bongofury3176]

I had an Mi16 4x4 for 8 years. I turned it into a touring car. I loved the suspension raise button. It's the only red thing I've ever owned and got through gallons of 'back to black'. A lot of fun.

[@stevenfernando1842]

What brilliant styling. Perfect proportions and so pleasing to the eye even after all these years. Probably another reason the Americans disliked it. They couldn’t make it ugly enough 😅

[@fnutboy]

What the french have got right for many decades is that a car should lean a bit in the corners......I don't want a car that tries with all it's might to stay level...give me a bit of roll and I can gauge the grip....it won't suddenly snap out ...the car told me it was comming. A Great Vid mate, keep them comming.

[@Tedcowboy]

I had 2 405 Estate cars, best fleet car ever! Indestructible I hold the record with my mates for the highest mileage in the first one 99k in 18 months. I've had company cars for 35+ years now nothing tops it.

[@gerrymccarthy9568]

Had two 405’s back in the day. A diesel and a GTX. Absolutely brilliant. Loved them.

[@richcoleman469]

Great review and car. I loved the ride and looks of the Peugeot. In Argentina I had a 505 sedan and 504 and 505 Rurals (wagons with 3 rows of seats) and they were wonderful cars, comfortable, dependable, but not fast.

[@nkt1]

My dad got a 405 GR as a company car in 1990, just after they bumped up the specification levels. Rear passengers got electric windows, head restraints and a courtesy light. As a young teenager, it seemed so very luxurious. Our previous car was a Renault 21 GTS, which was positively spartan by comparison.

[@benmarshall787]

Hi Jack what a nice 405, all I'll say is you missed out the absolutely fabulous "Take my breath away" ad for the car. I think the 405 and Mondeo were the best handlers , but to be fair round here the Cavaliers particularly the facelifted ones were very popular. The car was a Pininifarina design wasn't it? , and spawned my rally hero Ari Vatanens pikes peak car and record breaking ascent which is on film, (fabulous balletic performance by car and driver, no silly flappy paddles here mate) to celebrate his return to driving after his horrific injuries sustained on the Paris Dakar in the LWB 205 T16,. I always liked the cars, but feel as a Ford man that the Mondeo just pipped it. The 16v Si Mondeo despite being down on power would probably keep up with an mi 16(but having said that there was a fad for a while of putting mi16vs in 205s!)and interestingly both had a 4x4 version, which were both rare , the fords running gear used on my dad's Escort RS2000 4x4 later, and later than that providing a basis for the Jag X type in standard 2.5 and 3.0 versions. You are right about the Xud versions, the good old ZX volcane TD had a 115hp version too. And my own beloved TDCi Focus , in normal driving is as fast as any Focus mk 1, apart from the 2.0 ESP and my dream car the RS(I had the pleasure of comparing my O2 TDCi with a 53 plate brand new ST170, which though looked fast wasn't as sharp as my own and bizarrely much less pokey than the brilliant 2.0esp . When dad worked for WYP the patrol cars at the time were n/a 306 diesels with the reliable but ploddy Xud. I think my beloved fords even used Peugeot diesel power in the 80s so they must have been good (and also collaborated on a 1.4 for fiesta too) for the Escort 1.6/1.8 n/a and later TDs, and going further back for the Granada and Sierra 2.3 diesel models I recall a neighbour who worked for CD Brammall in Bradford who has a company B reg model that sounded like a tank on start up. Finally in my former job I frequently drove my bosses J reg Peugeot 5O4 Pick up{J328EJX I think) with n/a diesel which was an experience, spring loaded gearstick o/s interior handbrake(just like a lotus esprit !)and a bench seat, plus derigeur at the time, massive factory fit bull bars, suggestion find one (v v rare) for a video! Sorry it's a long one. Good test. Ben 🇬🇧🇺🇦🚐🚌

[@robinhughes8822]

The 405 and bx in diesel form where effortlessly quick my Dad had both and seemed to be so quick without ever been thrashed,and so reliable and so so comfortable and I think still a good looking car today ,I enjoyed watching that film thank you

[@rabit818]

I love the looks, the 405 was a rare sight in the Los Angeles back in the day. Lexus, Infinity and Acura, the Japanese answer to the Germans just came out around the, same time the 405 came out. Stiff competition.

[@justinlambert4937]

I learned to drive in my dad’s 1990 405 GLx4 - his company car. It was an absolute beast of a car with the 4x4, its grip was astonishing

[@annemesken3191]

I had a 205 turbo D for a few years. Out and inside it was like the GTI, but it had a 1.8 78 ps diesel engine. With its low weight it was real quick. Loved that car.

[@bavelnaard]

After a big mishap earlier this year with a Dacia Lodgy suddenly deciding to have a ruined engine, I convinced my dad to buy a well-used 405 1.6 Break. The car only needed good servicing. No regrets at all, what a car.

[@79devo]

As a sales rep on the road in the 80s I remember the 405 launch period. All my sales rep associates were mainly in Sierras and Cavaliers but the 405 had such a different look some of us gave admiring glances ….

[@danieleregoli812]

Ahhh, sweet memories of late '80s and '90s Peugeots... Amazing cars, with a distinctive character. Pininfarina did a great job with both the 405 and the 605.

[@adrianotero7963]

I had a 1979 504 4 spd diesel.....excelent car.....on the highway it could have used a 5 spd.....but the car was very comfortable and solid driving had it for many years.....

[@paula200]

I've had two petrol 405s and absolutely loved them both. Great handling, refined and extremely comfortable to the point that the kids and the ex missus would frequently fall asleep - a real bonus in the case of the latter! Always wanted an Mi16, but all the ones in my price range had been thrashed to within an inch of their lives.

[@kelvinogden4073]

I had 4 of these brilliant cars from a G reg 1.6 GL to 2.0 STI K reg. 17 years old first car in 1990 and loved them

[@davesmith60]

This was at the beginning of company car ownership for me and many people. The velour trim was really nice and the trick for a lot of people was the electric sunroof. We all wanted one. Had an astra Instead.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

Brilliant car..... And that 1.9 unit are super reliable and capable of intergalactic milage, I love oddball stuff like the 405 , oddball in KZbin terms anyway! Brilliant stuff as always Jack buddy 👌

[@FiscalWoofer]

Was the insane mileage from these due to lower complexity of the emissions system? My folks had a 406 with over 200,000miles lots of other things needed repair but not the 1.9hdi engine.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

@@FiscalWoofer yip no emissions systems , simple designed engine and a service interval of 6 thousand miles ( Regular oil changes) .... today's 20 thousand miles plus service interval's and emission systems are an absolute disaster for an engine! And they don't save the planet either!

[@Tuberuser187]

I know its not this car but the 406 Coupe is still one of the prettiest cars ever made.

[@tocsa120ls]

I've driven a 306 XR 1.9TD that thing absolutely _flew_ with 90hp. These were unbelievably good cars.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

Someone deep within the bowels of Peugeot during the 80s and 90s really understood how to set up a chassis. Whatever you bought; small or medium hatchback, large saloon or estate car, Peugeot delivered a sports car. The 405 is one of the finest handling drivers cars of its time. Not sure what went wrong with today's models, but once upon a time, if you wanted the best driving dynamics possible, you bought a Peugeot. Today's User Choosers don't know what they're missing.

[@robinlee1972]

You are right I have owned a lot of cars at 52 - Ive been driving since 17 fast fords jags etc but looking back I wd say the best fun and handling car I ever had was a 405 Sri - it made you feel like a racing driver the way you could throw it about it wasnt that fast in a straight line but the handling was sublime - wish Id kept it -

[@villejussila1599]

I've had two petrol carbureted 405 saloons (1.6 & 1.9) in my life and man were they robust! No matter how broken they were, they'd still get me home.

[@bartl9956]

I used to have a 2.0 litre SRX break, full options, leather seats, one of the last before the 406 came. One of the best cars I ever owned.

[@ianba123]

This takes me back - my first ever company car was a 405 SRi (E655WUM). I didn't have it very long before it got rear-ended by a 7.5 ton truck on the M40 roundabout at High Wycombe and written off!

[@markwalton8644]

I Two 405sri's. First was Written off by me and the Second reversed into by a Stupo Woman in a Shogun( still haven't forgiven her😢) I remember Performance Car said the 1.9 8v 120bhp and torquey with it, was the better all-rounder (205gti engine)and weighed in at just over a ton comparedcto the Mi16 as it had to be revved hard to get going. I loved my time with the 405. It was a great daily doing 100miles a day, trips to Wales down some amazing B roads, sleeping overnight while watching McRae at his best and trips to Scotland along Scottish highlands. Handling and Riding impeccably with some oversteer on tap complimented by the most comfy seats and a good stereo. 😊

[@thecountdelefere]

Back in the day, I had a 3 door Sierra Cosworth, until children and ever rising insurance put pay to that, so I switched to a 405 Mi16 for more doors, and less cost. It was a revelation. For an 'ordinary' family saloon, it never failed to impress. God, I miss the late 80's, early 90's........

[@XXISecolo]

When teenager I was truly in love with this car

[@veseli81]

My dad had new 405 gr back in 1993 1. 6L benzin dark gray metallic.... I still love that car, it was amazing car

[@willdatsun]

wagon was the one to have . i drove from West Sussex to E Scotland non stop at legal-ish speed with fuel still left in the tank. Started to rust around the rear chassis in 2011 and also had a mysterious air in the fuel issue when left parked especially on a hill but what a comfortable car. I think it would have benefited from a hydraulic clutch.

[@thisiszaphod]

This one had a GRi, and, when the opportunity came, the first generation Mi16 - owned for many, many years, and tens upon tens of thousand smiles. Superb.

[@vitorpassos309]

Peugeots from the 80's and beginning of the 90's are really awesome to drive. Did a Hill Climb event on my 309 and even for just a 1.1 I put up quite a good show, so fun.

[@richiamd]

Thank you ! Im the proud owner of a 1994 Mi16 Phase 2 and i love it !

[@johnmunro4952]

I had a 405 GTXi. It was the first grown up car I bought ( in my early 20s and had a little bit of money). I wanted a 3 Series but I could only afford a tatty high mileage one for my money. But fell in love with a deep blue 405. Loved it!!

[@johndoyle4723]

When I was still running a business I had repeated attempts to introduce diesel cars for the sales reps, it was always disastrous and good sales people would leave rather than accept a diesel. All changed with the 405 turbo diesel, they all wanted one, they lapped up the miles very reliably and were economical to operate. Sales staff did 40,000 miles/year and we kept the cars for just 2 years before selling them to other employees who lapped up a bargain. Eventually only a BMW would be acceptable.

[@bjmullan]

I had one (N372 ORW), did 96k in it, called it Tailend Charlie due to it's throttle based handling.

[@colindoubleday404]

Loved my 1990 405 1.9SRi mk1 One of the nicest drives I have had. That possibly was the best option of the range at the time.

[@mark70s29]

I'd have one tomorrow! I had an older 1.8 non turbo as a taxi. Loved it and we did 410000 miles on two cylinder heads and a replacement rear suspension!

[@christopherludlam1602]

Over a number of years, I had four 405/406s as company cars, when I was a young rep. Simply put, they were brilliant. Back then, we’d sit bumper to bumper at 85-95mph on the M1, these things would do that comfortably. I always had diesels as you’d expect. The reliability (USA) thing got me. In all the years I drive them, I never had a single thing go wrong. I had a complaint with a CD player in the exec model, it turned out to be that the dealer had left the transit bolt in the bottom of the changer. I reckon they were bulletproof, comfy, performed well and looked good also. From memory, the choices for reps were cavalier/vectra, BX, sierra/mondeo, 405/6 and also, the Renault 25. They all had about the same monthly lease price. After the 406, I was given an A4 diesel and the engine seized after a few months.

[@lesbrown5829]

Ive had two 405s. Both 1.6 GL but the first had no power steering (1990 G reg) otherwise great car. Next was 1992 K reg with power steering which made life so much easier. Both were great cars, very comfy and surprisingly nippy.

[@jamesward5721]

I've just bought an '87 Renault 9 1.4 - I used run a 405 & a 406, loved both for their sheer comfort & driveability. The 406 was/is a cracking car to drive. The Renault 9 is far coarser, but still a little beast - you'd never guess it has only a 1.4 engine, it flies. Its also very comfortable, starts first tip every time, is economical, nobody else has one, lol, and you'd never be bored driving one as they are packed with character. Hugely under-rated, these French saloons. The Xantia & BX's were also cracking cars to drive - and surprisingly reliable. Carry that on into the Picassos - I had one, a 1.6 petrol, with 450k miles on it - that were also cracking cars to drive. I've always ignored the "French cars are rubbish" line - my Suzuki jeep has a psa diesel engine with 390k on it - original engine & clutch. Ignore a lot of the "mainstream" guff - get an old French saloon, they put a smile on your face.

[@chuckbiscuito]

Had a series 2 mi16, the best riding/handling balance of anything I've owned.

[@ajay-xjs]

Great! I had a '91 1.9GRD as my first company car and I loved it! Never got less than +50mpg and drove lovely