Re: SW8 questions

PeugeoToGo@aol.com
Wed, 26 Feb 1997 09:51:16 -0500 (EST)

The Turbo wagon is a fine performer. Its performance potential costs you in
maintenance and repairs, though. You will very likely need to replace the
turbocharger and the cylinder head somewhere between 75 and 125 K miles, and
if you don't catch the head in time, it will take the radiator with it. The
engine management systems on the turbo are more complex and suffer more
frequent failures than on the standard non-turbo 2.2 liter (ZDJL) engine, and
subsequent internal damage to the engine is both more likely and more
expensive. Good used turbo (N9TE) engines are practically non-existent in
salvage yards, and four new pistons (the most likely casualty of an
engine-management failure) are $271. each, if you don't have to rebore the
block.

The standard ZDJL engine has none of the above problems, but some people
complain that its performance is dull. I find it quite acceptable,
especially with the 5-speed (which is not available on the N9T wagon). About
the only repair concern with the ZDJL engine is if you forget to replace the
timing belt you may be replacing some valves. I haven't heard of one fail
before 100K miles, but everybody (except Peugeot) recommends belt replacement
by 60K miles.

Personally, my ideal wagon would be an 86-88 turbo, but with an XD3T
turbodiesel engine swapped in (I am going to do that as soon as I find a
bell-housing and flywheel). The pre-89 body doesn't have the expensive,
fragile bumpers and ground-effects fairings which can look pretty crappy with
a little age on them.

So, if the looks and performance are worth the extra cost and risk to you,
you may rationally choose the low-mileage, late model N9T wagon. If not, you
may want to hold out for an older ZDJL. Your choice.

Brian Holm