Howdy from the Hexagone

[Nunthewiser]

I'm a oldish American who just upsticks and sold everything in the US to retire in France. Not long ago in the US I had a fleet of old bangers, consisting of 3 VW 1.6 IDI diesels, 4 MB W123 and W116 diesels (as well as a Triumph TR4a, Spitfire MKIII, and 2 BMW e34s). I am completely carless (and homeless) now, in France and suffering a great deal of culture shock in many ways.

Anyway, I just got my French license (exchanged from my Florida one) and I am ready to buy a car. Due to the price of fuel here (which is about 2x what we pay in the US), I want a small efficient diesel. I don't really have the tools or space to work on a car now, but I eventually would like something I can wrench on, a bit. The car probably should be post 2011 to comply with clean air laws in France.

I am really struggling with my options. I think I want either a Citroen C3 or Peugeot 208 since they seem to be very efficient and plentiful compared to VW, Opel or any of the Asians, but do their engines hold up? Do I want to stay away from any engines in particular? I'm kinda lost since none of these are available in the US.

Glad I found you lot. I think I'll have a look round and probably find answers, but if anyone has any brilliant ideas, I am all ears.

[CitroJim]

Welcome and may your French retirement be very good

You'll enjoy this forum, it's a very lively and friendly place with lots of high quality banter in the off-topic areas!

I'm sure you'll soon find a nice Citroen to serve your needs and provide lots of fun

[Steve Walsh]

Welcome to France, Been here 15 years. about 250km from you in the Dordogne.
Good engine in my opinion, 1,6 and 2.0 hdi.. Good reliable and good fuel economy,
Bad ones, 1.2 puretech. or any with the wet cambelt....
But that is just my opinion

Enjoy France

[Gibbo2286]

My daughter went the other way posted to the USA and attached to the Pentagon and NSA, she sells houses now around Chesapeake Bay and lives in Annapolis.

[Nunthewiser]

The USA is a pretty good place to make money if you are young, a good worker, don't have too many kids or health problems.

It's not a great place to retire, at least not early (before Medicare age).

I lived in Florida for 60 years and just got fed up with the incessant heat and endless summer.

[CitroJim]

.
Good engine in my opinion, 1,6 and 2.0 hdi.. Good reliable and good fuel economy,

Yes, I'll definitely second that, especially the 1.6 HDi

[Vic Evans]

.
Good engine in my opinion, 1,6 and 2.0 hdi.. Good reliable and good fuel economy,

Yes, I'll definitely second that, especially the 1.6 HDi

I'll third that.
Got 'em both 2.0 in a 1999 Pug 806 I've owned since 2002 & now on about 250,000km ( 2nd counter) which apart from a clutch & cambelt changes has never had a spanner on the engine.
2014 1.6 C4 bought from new & now on about 120,000km & motor running like a good'un.

[Paul-R]

I'd narrow that down to the 8v 1.6 HDi as the 16v versions can be problematic if not looked after. Disadvantage is htat most (all?) have the Adblue NOx reducing system as well.

[Nunthewiser]

So, it looks like PSA started using Adblue in 2014- is that correct? If so , I should be looking for a 1.6 from 2011-13 as the most troublefree? France is starting to limit diesels to Crit'air 2 in major cities (those registered 1 Jan 2011 or later).

Of course, with cars of that age you have to be concerned about how long the engine bearings will last...has the timing belt been changed..rings...clutch...

What's wrong with the later 1.5s?

SWMBO is going to be very annoyed that we might not be buying a newer car.

[CitroJim]

Yes, Adblue around 2014...

Read the Citroen and Peugeot sub-forums on here for all the 'fun' the Adblue SRC system and the particle filters can give us...

Keeps the boredom at bay

[Nunthewiser]

"Read the Citroen and Peugeot sub-forums on here for all the 'fun' the Adblue SRC system and the particle filters can give us..."

Yes, I have done a bit of that. Such fun. But is there any evidence that PSA eventually got it right? Such as..by 201x they FIXED it! I don't want to trade one problem (Adblue tank, filter) for two problems (worn out engine) and grumpy SWMBO who has to be seen in a tatty chariot. In FRANCE.

[CitroJim]

This is a French company we're speaking of here... Which means that once one problem area is resolved they develop an entirely new one for our continued amusement

[Nunthewiser]

Sifting through Leboncoin I see there is a 2013 Peugeot 308 with a 1.6 e-HDI 115ch with only 94km on it for 9k euros locally. Looks nice - has panoramic glass roof! Is that the 16 valve version? I don't remember ever seeing anything like that... more culture shock.

[Paul-R]

SWMBO is going to be very annoyed that we might not be buying a newer car.

You'll have to practise your French gestures. Top of the list is 'Bof' which equates mostly to 'Meh'.

[Nunthewiser]

^^ Merde. Those are going to conflict with the Italian ones I already use (IT dual citizen here).