Peugeot 406 Coupé [ Buying Guide]
Nine steps to buying a
This dramatic grand tour er makes for a useable, beautiful, and very affordable classic
Surviving examples of this stylish coupé are dwindling because of uncaring ownership and increasingly scarce parts, so if you fancy putting on your driveway, now’s the time to strike. The badge may be French, but Peugeot’s 406 Coupé is effectively an Italian exotic. Originally designed by Ferrari 456/F355 designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti as a Fiat Coupé proposal, it was adopted by Peugeot which added corporate touches once Fiat opted for Chris Bangle’s concept instead.
But it was still hand-built in Italy, alongside Alfa Romeos. Design cues drew comparisons with Ferrari. Combine that with Peugeot’s legendary handling expertise, lusty engines and saloon practicality, and the result is hugely appealing. Get a good one and it will be a rewarding experience. To guide us through the ins and outs, we called upon specialists Dean Hunter, CM Chambers, and BB Autos.
Which one to choose?
Launched in 1996, early 406 Coupés came with a choice of 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre V6 petrol engines, and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearboxes. SE trim added headlamp washers and leather seats. A redesign, refreshing the saloon-derived interior with more bespoke touches, took place in 1999. 2000 Settant’anni edition V6 celebrated 70 years of Pininfarina. At the same time, 400 Millennial ‘Silver’ and ‘Black’ edition four-cyls were launched, with alloys inspired by Peugeot’s Nautilus concept car. The 2.2-litre HDi diesel was introduced in 2001. A 2.2-litre petrol four-cyl replaced the 2.0 in 2002. A facelift, with a grille similar to the incoming 407’s, was applied in the Coupé’s final model year, 2003.
Bodywork
The Coupé doesn’t share any of its outer panels with its saloon or estate stablemates, although their internal structures are similar. Bodywork lasts well, with corrosion rarely an issue thanks to galvanised panels. The biggest and most likely problem is with the bumpers, which are made of brittle plastic so they damage easily. Effective repairs are difficult; decent replacement bumpers are scarce and ex
