My new RCZ 1.6 THP GT 156 2014

[Anonymous]

Hi I have just put a deposit on a 2014 RCZ from a dealers advert and very excited as have wanted one for ages. I am viewing, test driving the car at the weekend. Does anyone have any tips, recommendations on what to look out for, ask the dealer etc. I have been trying to find details on servicing intervals but appear to be going round in circles, is there a link or a download for details or is it best to call a Peugeot dealer? And my last question, if the cars previous service has been done by a non Peugeot service centre, is this a bad thing and perhaps I should get one done immediately by a peugeot service centre.
Many thanks

 

[tianorth]

Service intervals are every year or 20k.

Listen for a rattle at start up that last for longer than a few seconds (from cold).
Check service history or check if timing chain has been upgraded under warranty.
As that's what the rattle may be.

Check jacking points as they are know to be flimsy

This is what happened to mine.

Having a service done at another garage is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as they are a good garage. Some Peugeot dealership don't have a clue.
You might want to see if there is a local independent Peugeot/Citroen specialist garage which will be cheaper if diagnostic is required and labour costs are also cheaper.


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[RCZIain]

One of mine is bent over. Yay.
Going to have a go at knocking it back in to shape at some point. If I can be bothered, although it is due tyres soon.
Would it be naughty to blame the tyre fitter... :eusa-whistle:

 

[tianorth]

Problem is it will bend again that's what happened to mine.

Needs a strengthener like a plate and an angle iron to stop it bending again.

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[DKZ5745]

As it’s a 2014 it should have the modified timing chain tensioner fitted as standard, so that shouldn’t really be an issue, although I have heard of one Mk2 with that problem.

There is the obvious thing of checking for warning messages on the dash, asking the dealer if the car has any recorded issues, looking if the exhaust tips are overly blackened (a little round the bottom is fine), look under the bonnet for obvious leaks, as Chris has pointed out, check the jacking points & ask if they will sort any problems out before purchase.
If the car has sat nav, check that it is finding satellites, that has proven to be an issue for some - including me.
Press the end of the wiper stalk & look what kind of mpg the car has been doing.
Check operation of ALL electrics, Windows, mirrors, etc etc as water ingress in the boot lock can lead to weird problems.
If they are offering a warranty, check what that will cover.

All of the above are rare problems, and should not put you off your purchase. The vast majority of Z owners have had virtually no problems worth mentioning, so do the checks, take it out & enjoy the best ride out there :thumbup:

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the tips,suggestions, very helpful. Good point about checking the mpg.Am putting together my own check list

 

[RCZIain]

I guess the 156 should do similar to a 200.
Mine averages 38/40 mpg day to day.
On a good run higher.

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[ianGT156]

Hi JBM,

I bought my 156GT on August 4th 2017.

My first bit of advice is not to buy the first car you've found. I wish I'd bought a 200THP, for the improved performance. I'm glad I don't have a satnav though, it's a personal thing but it does block the view out of the windscreen quite a bit.

I'm naive and really trusted the Peugeot dealer, SG Petch in Darlington, to be selling me an "honest" car. They actually fell at the first hurdle when I picked up my car by not doing a new MOT and also not giving it it's overdue service. In fact the car was showing that a service was overdue when I started it, "Service Limit exceeded by 1150 miles”.".

When I got home I realised that they were taking the piss and immediately emailed the dealer, copying the email to the general service manager and the MD. They were apologetic and did offer to collect the car from my home address. I drove it there and used their courtesy car while they did the MOT and overdue service.

When I collected the car, for the second time, I asked if they'd stamped the service log. They had. My receipt however was just that. A receipt showing the service was done. My previous car from the same dealership came with a fully itemised receipt at every service, showing exactly what work was done and what parts were changed. I also realised later that they hadn't stamped the four year corrosion check, presumably invalidating my corrosion warranty.

I just had a new air filter fitted to the car yesterday. The old air filter was pretty filthy, certainly not what you'd expect of a car having done just 1100 miles since it's last service. The oil colour on the dipstick is also darker than the very pale yellow colour I would expect.

I think they just stamped the book. How do I prove otherwise? So I would insist on a fully itemised service receipt, like you, I would certainly like to know what would cost. They did charge me for an RAC 24 month warranty which gave me some peace of mind. So far my car is faultless.

My mpg on the trip computer over 1000 miles is 36.6. I do have a quite heavy right foot and drive in a "spirited" way. I've driven the car slowly as well and got just over 40. But I bought my car to enjoy driving so 36.6 is fine for me. I didn't factor in buying premium unleaded but I feel its tantamount to abuse to just fill her with straight unleaded. My naivety again!

I'd check your tyres very carefully, they are quite expensive to replace, £68 for "no name" tyres or £140+ for known brands. The jacking points being damaged is something I was totally unaware of and still scared to check! Also check that you've got the correct tyre repair kit in the boot. Apparently they have a "use by" date on them, again, I haven't checked mine.

Check for paint chips of course. Mine only has one which is quite incredible I think. My old Hyundai i10 had dozens in just 24k miles.

You might become an obsessed clean car freak. It seems to be quite common on this forum and I've certainly become one myself. It could be quite expensive!

All the best for buying an RCZ, mine makes me smile everyday, even just looking out of the window and seeing her parked outside my house.

Regards,

Ian :thumbup:

 

[Plecodoras]

Eyup Ian,

Your just up the road from me, but I'd like to commend your enthusiasm which is electric ! :thumbup:

I'm quite excited myself at mo cos going on the Austria trip next week - can't wait.

Anyway - impressed with what you have achieved with your car in such a short spell of time - spot on....

As for looking for a RCZ, good luck. There are plenty out there but have a good look round, I did not realise how many different combinations there are in terms of seating colours etc. In my opinion though I am biased, I would look to getting a 200GT, I think that the level of performance is amazing and the economy is excellent. I have only had the 200GT and the R so can't comment on the 156 or the diesel, which incidentally was the first one I looked at.
Whichever you go for make sure it is right for you and your happy, have a good look though, in the boot, under the boot filler, check for water ingress. you can get a little that runs off the boot, but if you have water in the wheel well it could be getting in elsewhere. Peugeot's can have electrical problems which often come down to water or battery. If you have a warn battery ( batteries are rated as having a three year life span ) then there is a multitude of problems which can arise. That is for future reference !
Like previously said jacking points are often bent which can also split the sill, and you might not notice from above but you will be well peeved if you notice it afterwards - definitely worth a check, the sills are plastic and if they are really bad then get the garage to replace them.
Heater and A/Con need checking, if it blows hot into the car when the dial is set to cold, then the heater mechanism is shafted, you can get a kit to repair - but extremely fiddly, the same if it is blowing cold when on hot. The problem here is a plastic cog which loses it's teeth, so the vent flaps don't close and open directing the heat or cold as directed.
The problems above are few and far between, don't let them spoil your hunting. Good thing here is if you spot one of the faults before you purchase, then you have a good chance the garage will put it right for you, also they might think - hey this guy knows what he's talking about we better not mass it up !!! which is a good thing too.
Happy hunting the right Z for you - good luck !!!! Oh and do you have a preference with colour?

:beer:

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replays and tips. Went to view, test drive car today but unfortunately we walked away. The first thing we noticed was a huge chunk out of the rear tyre which was also split in several places and scuffed alloys. Which we thought strange as the dealer had told me on phone the wheels had been refurbished. When we pointed this out the dealer said ''it was 'ok' as they were made to have chunks of tyre missing!" Ok or not it put me off straight away. Lots of chips and scratches and evidence of parts of the body work being touched up. Underneath showed signs of damage and what looked like was a bad repair, so walked away without even driving it.
So am back looking again and viewing another on Monday this time a 200hps. Though doing a car mot, tax check it says car hasn't been taxed since march so am wondering where it's been from March to date and why off the road.
Still am sure my dream RCZ will come my way eventually, I just have to be patience.

 

[neilgsxr69]

Exactly right thing to do there are loads of secondhand Z on the market and there will be the right one for you. With the rcz being the beautiful car it is it's so easy to buy the first one that comes along unfortunately not every owner is as enthusiastic and caring as we on here bide your time and it will pay dividends :beer:

 

[tianorth]

When we pointed this out the dealer said ''it was 'ok' as they were made to have chunks of tyre missing!"

The only part of a tyre that has anything missing is the tread part and it's supposed to be missing from there to allow water and other bits escape to keep the tyre in contact with the road.
All other parts of the tyre are designed to be complete.

Do you thing he should have tried wool instead of nylon for pulling over your eyes?

There are a few on here in the sales section from members who have looked after theirs. I would suggest looking at these much loved and cherished cars.

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[Anonymous]

I am delighted to announce that I am now the proud owner of a gorgeous Mercury Grey RCZ and I love it to bits. Driving is once again a pleasure and I now take the longest route to where ever I am going. :dance:
Thanks for all the advice. This is a great forum full of information. I am now searching recommendations on cleaning products as I’ve caught the cleaning bug hehe

 

[ONLY AEK]

Many happy Miles!!

 

[RCZIain]

I am now searching recommendations on cleaning products as I’ve caught the cleaning bug hehe

I'll just leave this here..
www.detailingworld.co.uk

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[tianorth]

RCZ1 on here has done a detailing post as a guide.
Do a search, I'm sure you will find it.

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