Pug quality

[Renegade]

Hitched a ride (yup, one of my long-standing hobbies) in a pre-facelift 406 2.0 today and realised that the build quality, while no where near a Mondeo, was still markedly better than the 206. Any idea why this is so ?

 

With all the hard, brittle-feel and sometimes, poorly-fitted rattly plastic parts, I must say I was utterly disaapointed with the baby Pug. Surely the 206 can't be THAT expensive to produce that they need to cut that many corners so that dealers can sell them at the prices they do, right ?

[Magfocus]

Hitched a ride (yup, one of my long-standing hobbies) in a pre-facelift 406 2.0 today and realised that the build quality, while no where near a Mondeo, was still markedly better than the 206. Any idea why this is so ?

 

With all the hard, brittle-feel and sometimes, poorly-fitted rattly plastic parts, I must say I was utterly disaapointed with the baby Pug. Surely the 206 can't be THAT expensive to produce that they need to cut that many corners so that dealers can sell them at the prices they do, right ?

 

Well, French superminis are known to have 'french plastics'...was disappointed with the 206 GTi's overall build quality as well, which is quite frankly unacceptable for a car costing this much!

[Renegade]

Mmm.....from the response of Pug-related posts here, I'm begining to wonder how popular this marque is around these parts....

[Zen]

Mmm.....from the response of Pug-related posts here, I'm begining to wonder how popular this marque is around these parts....

[Tede]

I owned a 206. I am never bothered about the plastics. I enjoyed the firm ride, nicely put together built-in sporty design, luggage space enough for a stroller, car seat, good service from the servicing teams at Ubi and sportily tuned 1.4A engine.

[Renegade]

I owned a 206. I am never bothered about the plastics. I enjoyed the firm ride, nicely put together built-in sporty design, luggage space enough for a stroller, car seat, good service from the servicing teams at Ubi and sportily tuned 1.4A engine.

 

Hi Tede, You're new around here, aren't you ? Welcome, then, to MCF.

 

Anyway, well spoken, I must say, tho' I'm surprised you managed to squeeze that much into the boot - never tried doing that but I must admit that seeing that you managed to, I'd called it deceptively small. I'm just curious - how did you find the driver footwell position ? A couple of ppl I know and I found it a tad awkward.

 

And, oh also, you said you 'owned' a 206 - so what happened to it, if I may ask ?

[Tede]

Hi Tede, You're new around here, aren't you ? Welcome, then, to MCF.

 

Anyway, well spoken, I must say, tho' I'm surprised you managed to squeeze that much into the boot - never tried doing that but I must admit that seeing that you managed to, I'd called it deceptively small. I'm just curious - how did you find the driver footwell position ? A couple of ppl I know and I found it a tad awkward.

 

And, oh also, you said you 'owned' a 206 - so what happened to it, if I may ask ?[/reply]

 

Hi Renegade,

 

Actually I am not new. I was active in the last few thread about pugs, but then no body respond to these threads anymore, then I stopped writing but listening for quite some time.

 

An umbrella stroller and a up to 8 Kg child seat can be accommodated into the boot. As my baby is growing, I am actively looking for a "small" toddler child seat within 3 months.

 

Well when I tested the car, the agent warned me of the footwell position. They are indeed close to each other but it is just a matter of getting used to it. I trade-in my Uno who has same footwell position, thus I feel just as comfortable. The reason for this, I believe, is meant for sporty driver who likes to switch between accelerator and brake in the shortest time possible.

 

I am sorry to mislead you. I mean I own a 206. It's been 20 mths, 30,000 km. Still another free servicing and warranty for 16 mths.

[Thinky]

Hi Tede, You're new around here, aren't you ? Welcome, then, to MCF.

 

Anyway, well spoken, I must say, tho' I'm surprised you managed to squeeze that much into the boot - never tried doing that but I must admit that seeing that you managed to, I'd called it deceptively small. I'm just curious - how did you find the driver footwell position ? A couple of ppl I know and I found it a tad awkward.

 

And, oh also, you said you 'owned' a 206 - so what happened to it, if I may ask ?

 

Hi Renegade,

 

Actually I am not new. I was active in the last few thread about pugs, but then no body respond to these threads anymore, then I stopped writing but listening for quite some time.

 

An umbrella stroller and a up to 8 Kg child seat can be accommodated into the boot. As my baby is growing, I am actively looking for a "small" toddler child seat within 3 months.

 

Well when I tested the car, the agent warned me of the footwell position. They are indeed close to each other but it is just a matter of getting used to it. I trade-in my Uno who has same footwell position, thus I feel just as comfortable. The reason for this, I believe, is meant for sporty driver who likes to switch between accelerator and brake in the shortest time possible.

 

I am sorry to mislead you. I mean I own a 206. It's been 20 mths, 30,000 km. Still another free servicing and warranty for 16 mths.[/reply]

 

 

hey tede, you may wanna join us at our club forum at delphi. Welcome to visit us and share your interest with us..... see ya!

[Tede]

Hi Thinky,

 

I visited the forum but quite a lot of discussions. I like it but need some time to get around in that forum.

 

Thank you for your invitation. See you there.

Edited May 22, 2002 by Tede

[Renegade]

Actually I am not new. I was active in the last few thread about pugs, but then no body respond to these threads anymore, then I stopped writing but listening for quite some time.

 

An umbrella stroller and a up to 8 Kg child seat can be accommodated into the boot. As my baby is growing, I am actively looking for a "small" toddler child seat within 3 months.

 

Well when I tested the car, the agent warned me of the footwell position. They are indeed close to each other but it is just a matter of getting used to it. I trade-in my Uno who has same footwell position, thus I feel just as comfortable. The reason for this, I believe, is meant for sporty driver who likes to switch between accelerator and brake in the shortest time possible.

 

I am sorry to mislead you. I mean I own a 206. It's been 20 mths, 30,000 km. Still another free servicing and warranty for 16 mths.

 

Hi Tede,

 

Nice to hear an alternative explanation to the footwell position mystery I've faced for a while. If anything, I'm coming to accept that at the end of the day, it's really between the driver and the car - and it's nice to know you're happy with your Pug as this chap I met is.

 

Yes, I must admit that the response for Pug-related postings seem to receive somewhat muffled response - was wondering whether it had anything to do with the lack of Pug owners/enthusiasts in the MCF.....

[Valvetronic]

Hitched a ride (yup, one of my long-standing hobbies) in a pre-facelift 406 2.0 today and realised that the build quality, while no where near a Mondeo, was still markedly better than the 206. Any idea why this is so ?

 

With all the hard, brittle-feel and sometimes, poorly-fitted rattly plastic parts, I must say I was utterly disaapointed with the baby Pug. Surely the 206 can't be THAT expensive to produce that they need to cut that many corners so that dealers can sell them at the prices they do, right ?

 

Brought up this problem to the friendly guys at Auto France when the car was first launched. His explanation made sense. He says that the car is a victim of its own success. It sells by the thousands in Europe where it is marketted as a cheap runabout for the masses (kinda like the Wira in Malaysia), hence, the cheaper trim. However, although Asians (esp S'poreans) like leather, better plastics, the sales figures here are just too low (less than 100 at launch, maybe more by now) to justify coming out with an asian version which is more luxurious. Some things (eg leather seats) can be retrofitted. Most (eg dash trimming) can't, so just have to get used to it.

[Madarmour]

Brought up this problem to the friendly guys at Auto France when the car was first launched. His explanation made sense. He says that the car is a victim of its own success. It sells by the thousands in Europe where it is marketted as a cheap runabout for the masses (kinda like the Wira in Malaysia), hence, the cheaper trim. However, although Asians (esp S'poreans) like leather, better plastics, the sales figures here are just too low (less than 100 at launch, maybe more by now) to justify coming out with an asian version which is more luxurious. Some things (eg leather seats) can be retrofitted. Most (eg dash trimming) can't, so just have to get used to it.

 

That's the problem...........ppl's car in Europe and marketed as 'luxury' car in Asia! I can think if many brands, especially one from Germany which I think is grossly overpriced here, good built quality notwithstanding. Sometimes we have ourselves to blame, anything from Europe is percieved as luxurious! Anything from Japan equals cheap and of lower built quality.

 

Just my $0.02.

[Kianbeng]

I agree man. Many german brands are so expensive......just because of their so called image they carry. (in singapore context).

 

But if you look at japanese cars......many a times, they are more lasting......parts are cheaper also.

 

If I can really afford, I rather go for high end jap cars rather than low end german cars.

[Madarmour]

I agree man. Many german brands are so expensive......just because of their so called image they carry. (in singapore context).

 

But if you look at japanese cars......many a times, they are more lasting......parts are cheaper also.

 

If I can really afford, I rather go for high end jap cars rather than low end german cars.

 

You'll only need to look at the OMV to check their markups. Some can be as high as 30-40K and I'm not talking about sport cars.

 

Sigh.......if only the Japanese can built their cars to sound more solid like their Eurpoean peers. They, the Japanese, are not really proficient in the insulation and acoustic department. I'm sure with better insulation and acoustic the cars can be made to sound more 'continental' aka solid! A lot of Japanese cars doesn't even bother to insulate the hood and the bootlid, showing ugly bare metal. An undercover will make it look more 'high class'. Another thing is the hood and boot lid opening mechanism. Many still don't use gas struts although the Europeans has been using it for years now! Then there is the engine cover......

 

Small things like this helps to make the car more 'solid' and 'high class' and I don't think it really cost a lot!

[Renegade]

Personally, I've really got no problem with anyone bringing a lower-priced car to sell over this side of the world, esp in sunny little S'pore. However, the type of pricing they're tagging the 206 with does it no justice as it'll inevitably go head on with lots of cars that would be preceived as 'better' built, superior driving characteristics or otherwise...oh well.....then again, as mentoned, the volume here just doens't quite justify a 'do-it-better' approach, does it ?

[Kianbeng]

ya, you're right on the insulation stuff, engine covers, blah......

 

On my 323, no insulation on many parts.....now me have to think of how to do it. Anyway, I went to this mechanic, asked him about the insulation thingy...he said it doesn't make much difference.....hmm.....but still, I see alot of ppl do it.

 

Does anyone knows where I can get cheap + good insulation? Me thinking of doing a DIY job. Will do the bootlid first. Coz yesterday when it rained heavily, the boot sounded quite noisy. Then probably the bonnet. Then maybe the doors if it's really good.

 

My 323 no plastic/synthetic engine covers. That's one of thing that makes it feel a little cheapo when you open the bonnet. It's a 2001 model leh.....no engine cover......shame shame man!! The only good thing is.....it's easier to troubleshoot/discover problems. Can't have best of both worlds anyway.

 

kianbeng

[Turbobrick]

Best bet is to get insuflex insulation foam sheets from Blk 66 Kallang Bahru Rd

#01-527, the thick one is around $20 for 1x1.5yards and get the contact glue from them as well. DIY cut the foam to your bonnet shape and glue it on.

 

Did that for Guyver's and my cousin's cars (Corona & Accent), so far so good and the foam is thick and looks good.

[Kianbeng]

But is the results obvious? ie. after installation, engine quieter?