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@@erroldjemal8808so your saying that you own a TT and an RCZ? First of all, umm WHY? Why would any grown man who identifies as a Man especially an Australian man would have a pair of sexy hairdresser sport coupes in his driveway seems highly unlikely and rather suss. Of course the Audi TT is the superior vehicle in every respect nobody claimed otherwise did they? They cost a hell of a lot more too obviously
@@joshbrookes6439 Stereo typical response from someone who just repeats what he has heard. Firstly the RCZ was for the wife and it’s now been sold. And if you think a TT is a hairdressers car then you must be bald mate.
R owner here. 103k km's on the clock. Car is a little bit tuned : upgraded turbo impeller , k&n panel filter , red racing coils , upgraded alluminium pop off valve , ECU Remap on 100 octane only. 305hp 410 nm. Car is a FREAKIN BEAST , waaay faster than a 308GTI due the amazing aerodynamics that push car down. It's not really a 0-100 car due to the veery short manual gear ratio ( mine do 0-100 in 5.3 , pretty good ! ) , but MAAAAN when turbo kick in it just goes straight to 265 !! sooo lovely ! Problems in my ownership ( 5 years now ) : 75k-> failed HPFP , the stock piece is CRAP , even Peugeot have replaced the component on the official car bulletin with another different component ( 700 Euro repair cost , car was used and out of warranty ) Engine trasmission actuator failed ( 500 Euro ) 2 sensors gone ( easy fix , 70 euro total ) Gotta say : hugely underrated car ! it's sooooo satisfyn to drive , and it is a head turner ! Thats it ! :)
Ich habe seot 9 Jahren auch einen R. Ein Kritikpunkt sind die vorderen Bremsen: der Bremskolben hat keine schützende Dichtung. Weil er nur verchromt ist, rostet er gerne. Das verklemmt dann die Kolben. Peugeot bietet keinen Reparatursatz an, bedeutet Austausch des 4-Kolben-Festsattels. Aber Fa. Godspeed in UK verkauft passende Edelstahlbremskolben und Dichtungen.😊
Working for Peugeot for several years gave me a good understanding on the EP6 or prince engine and while early the engine was atrocious it was fixed over the years and now is one of the most reliable engines I know and even the rcz I’ve rarely seen many major issues with them I mainly believe is because they are treated better then the early 308’s and 3008/5008.
any insight as to what was done to remedy all of these issues? i've got experience with both the 5008 and 308 with this engine and it was a bomb to drive - when it worked... both cars were sold because of the increasing problems. my uncle found his 308 and the owner he sold it to a few years later and he never had any issues with it anymore but i never can seem to find the answer as to what they have done to fix it or which year of engine is the safer option... any insights here?
I call bullshit. Prince engines are the worst POS engines on the planet. I owned two, one 156 hp and one 200 hp. And no, changing the oil every 5K or 10K will not mean it will not eventually break down in a very bad manner. Ovalised cylinders, huge carbon build up, sensor fails, stretched chains, oil leaks, boost problems. There is ALWAYS something wrong with these engines. The 270 hp engine is a different thing though, but the 156 hp and 200 hp are utter garbage. This is common knowledge.
@@stenmartens7179200thp no issues from 2011 onwards on the engine.. just coil packs high temperature sensor and cracked plastic coolant container after 12 years and yes do change oil the fluids if you want to keep the car longer
I bought an RCZ-R in November with 67,000 miles on the clock. It has the revised engine from the 308 GTi which puts out 270bhp and I believe resolved all the main issues with the standard THP engine. It hasnt missed a beat so far. Passed its MOT with one advisory. I'm a slender 6'4" and dont have any issues with the driving position or reaching the dash controls. And of course, absolutely in love with the way it looks. The facelifted front end, fixed spoiler, matte black roof rails, and diamond cut alloys on the R make it look so much more attractive.
Had mine for 12 years now. Doing all maintaince work myselfe in my own garage. No issues no problems just keep on going. Going quite fast in fact. Faster than my lotus elise on most roads😊
My wife loved it. We had it for 4 years not to much trouble and hers was an Automatic. Carbon fibre roof and yes it drove like a rocket. When you came to a roundabout didn’t slow down just stuck to the road. Yes the rear seats were………no room except for the small dogs. I love looking after it wash and polish. You didn’t mention the rear wing activation, once hit 90 klms wing comes up automatically first stage then 120 klms second stage lift. Or you can put it up manually. It’s still a stand out car in all the cars we have owned. A head turner.
100% I'd love one if I could afford the maintenance & repair costs. Yep. This has supercar-ish looks, but in a good way. This is a "Certified Cool" car.
Hey man, you should go for it. The video has made it out like the RCZ will drain you of every penny, but it won't. It's a much better built car than it's sibling, the 308, and parts prices are the same. The petrol is shit though. It's the same unit that powers many minis, and it quite a needy engine. Not the worst thing you can buy, but not the best either. If you're going for it though, go for the 200hp variation, as it's noticably more reliable than the 156hp.
it's funny how it depends on the country, in France, this is the typical wannabe-cool-guy-that-can't-afford-better car. I mean, objectively speaking, wtf do you like in these ? It doesn't handles better than your regular daily, not a lot of power, all but luxurious interior, it's not even comfortable nor practical. If you want one of these and absolutely wants a coupe, better buy a TT. As a french, I definitely never understood the unrational appeal some non french people have for french cars.
@@raidden-1583 What do we like in these? The looks - I just really like it Its kind of a Coupe - I love that, and being the only reasonable coupe in this price range, makes me want to buy it when Im young before I need all the practicality Handling - Sure handles a lot better than the majority of commuter cars Power - Also has more power than basically any car of similar age, mileage and most importantly price Practicality - Dont care, I used to drive a very "practical" car with tons of space for luggage or passengers, ended up never using any of it. Comparison to TT - Ive heard from everyone that the TT drives boring compared to the RCZ, plus its even smaller inside the cockpit, making it less desirable for someone as tall as I am and its not even close to the same price for similar age and mileage. The TTs are way more expensive.
@@raidden-1583 Doesn't ride better than your regular daily?! Just by this I know you never had one. From a guy who had a "regular daily" and now regular daily drives an RCZ, I can say, for a fact, it drives a hell lot better than any regular daily. And I used to have a BMW 318 Cabrio with rear drive and I firmly say that the RCZ is a lot more fun to drive than the 318. Every inch is yours on the RCZ, the response is amazing, you could drive it on top of a railroad and it wouldn't budge. You can corner at 120 km/h on a 60 km/h and the tyres won't even scream, so well balanced this car is. As for the TT, I would smoke them on the road but I'm sorry to say that my RCZ doesn't smoke or even loses an inch of oil, so as you can see, bad news travel fast and you only hear about those RCZ that are not cared properly, because if you do take care of it, it's as reliable, or more, than any other car out there. Envy is a bitch, and RCZ's attract lot of it, that's for sure. And I was already pretty cool before the RCZ so even that theory is flawed. :P
This car is absolutely magnificent, even 15 years after its release, it hasn't aged a bit, it's not Mr. Everyman's car, and that's what makes it so unique. Cars of its generation have become horrible over time, whereas the RCZ has improved with age, like an excellent wine. In fact, I find it even more beautiful than many horribly expensive luxury cars. It's actually no longer surprising to come across a nice Audi TT or even a Porsche, but not the RCZ. I don't say I don't like Audi TT and Porsche, but the RCZ, with its unique beauty and rarity, everyone looks at you with curiosity and wonder. Just love it so much ! :)
I rented brand new one in Europe, it was 2.0 diesel manual. 230km/h on autobahn with no probs. I lliked it, nice car, lot of power and quite responsive. Not sure what is like to own it
So youve never drove a real RCZ then The diesel is a great Engine for a Taxi Just dont put the heavy lump in a Car & call it a sport coupe The real magic of the RCZ is the Handling Driving experience.. with the ballance of The all alloy lightweight 200 bhp +. EP6 engine Ya wouldnt place a tractor engine in a Ferrari Expect it to drive like a Ferrari.. would youu.
If your elbow has problems while shifting gear, just slide the top cover of the armrest forward until it locks in that position. Than your arm rests very comfortable when shifting gear. Also you can adjust the position of the stering wheel. I'm 1,92m, had the seat set 100% back and have no problem to get the stearing wheel close to me without cramping my legs. So sad, when people review cars, but are to stupid to read the owners manual. Car was build 2011, has 300.000km and still runs 230km/hr top speed with it's 2,0 HDI Diesel engine. No corosion. regular service.
True, I owned a Peugeot 306, great car to drive but just too many "small'' problems especially the electrics, rattles, bushes etc., which in the end just wears you down I sold it and got a Japanese car, I have never regretted that decision.
Most of the modern ones from around 2010 onwards start to get better, the latest ones like the 208/2008/308/3008/408/508/5008 are all really good cars.
I had my petrol car for 10 years 40k , last serviced was 6 years ago. I just top up the oil and water, fitted new tyres and brakes it runs beautifully and lovely to drive
Ive bought my 2015 RCZ-R in 2018 for 22.000 Euros. Drove 65k km so far onto it without any electrical ghosts or engine problems. Timing chain service was done once for 400 Euros. Oil swaps I did myself yearly. The only other big cost measure was replacing the front brake discs and calibers (1000 euros for ferodo/godspeed parts). Ive only added steel brakelines, better brake fluids and some high treadwear tyres. But my god, thanks to the big brakes, diff and lightweight chassis, my little French Baguette is right up there with heavily modified Golf Rs, BMWs and even entry level Porsches on track days. Its a pretty rare car, even here in Austria, but also something to be proud of to be built locally. 🇦🇹 The next best thing from an Austrian perspective would be that mk5 Supra (also built at Magna Graz)
I have always wanted one as I think the design is great .. yes I understand not to everyone’s taste ! .. thanks guys for the review very helpful info as always. Big fan of yours Legends !
I bought a 2014 RCZ for my wife a few years ago. Its now got 85k on the clock. I absolutely love the car, how it drives and especially the looks. It looks like no other car on the road. I've experienced some of the things you mentioned that can go wrong. I'm 6'1 and don't have a problem with some of the ergonomic issues mentioned, after a while you don't even think about it. Nobody buys these for the back seats but we like the fact that at least it has them because the dogs are quite happy there and occasionally an adult if needed. I'm not a mechanic but am capable of any moderate repairs (I've owned Alfa's!) which has saved a lot of money. Like your mechanic I've replace the plastic coolant outlet, the battery circuit board and the high pressure fuel pump ($3000 repair, $700 if you do it yourself).
The comments about the interior and nonsensical. I am 6ft tall and have big feet but not experienced any of his complaints. As to illuminated controls. You dont need distractions. As to aging. I get asked if my 2012 is a year or two old and people are shocked to hear it is 12 years old. This is a driving car, very comfortable and when I am driving home from the big city I just want to keep going.
Hi all, with reference to your question what would you buy having owned one and about to take delivery of another one after a five year break( civic type R, Mazda mx30 and mazda3 x20) a Honda CRZ. That car drew lots of people asking what it was/ how it drove. Very reliable and once moving above walking pace very quick and responsive. Great on the highway as well as the twisties. Review one if you get a chance. Mine will be available next month. Cheers and thanks for the great work.
bro, please don't take it personally but this is a speach of SUV-lover. I agree the Mazda looks unique and I am shocked how strangely I felt like I like it, but those cars even if reliable, they are vans, they may be reliable but you will spend all your maintenance saved money on extra gas/petrol. The Honda CRZ I must agree is a very good recommendation, but I love the french design and as long as I seat inside of any french car I love them the way I canot love my Skoda.
Being a fellow French car owner (C5), I suspect the cramped left side of the “drivers” well is simply due to the engineers not giving a s*** re ergonomics for right hand drive (fuse box taking up half the glove compartment, anyone?). Even though my C5 is automatic ie thankfully no clutch pedal to find room to exist, the left foot rest is so small it may as well have been a floor-based coin holder. Most Alfas I’ve driven have the same cramped right side well that was obviously focussed for passengers not drivers. On the 2.0Hdi - yeah it has fast wearing items like the engine and tranny mounts but like another commenter here I agree it actually has a very good (reliable) reputation.
For real this was a lot of ignorant noncense. Being a rcz owner for 10 years now(200 hp remapped to 240) i never had any of this issues. I had lotus elise mercedes matra murena citroen c6 and a lot of other brands. My little puggy has been a real fun faithful car. Pedal problems is becourse you folks are driving on the wrong side of the road,sorry for that.😢😊
One of these was on my shortlist of 2 some 5 years ago. Number 1 was an Abarth 500, which was my fave, but the Pug seemed more rational with more bang for the buck. I ended up with a 2011 Abarth & it's been totally reliable except for the number plate light that I replaced with an led version. Still makes me smile every day. But I respect anyone getting the Pug, although not an auto and not a diesel!
I had a 208gti for a while. Pedal box was a pain in the arse. I used to drive barefoot. The gear knob feels great to use, but in summer it was too hot to touch. Also had oil leaks plus 3 water pump replacements at less than 80,000kms. Still miss it though 😂
How on earth are timing chain's still an issue and not perfected by now? A Datsun 180B L18 had a more reliable timing chain system than many euro shitboxes!
It's because they're chasing ridiculously long service intervals these days so they can quote low service costs. Oil changes at 20,000 k would be ridiculous for the old Datsun that was non turbo and basically made no power at all compared to these. For a fairly high tech turbo engine it's disastrous. I reckon if you used synthetic oil and changed it every 10,000 they'd probably be pretty good. The trouble is, the people who bought them new would almost certainly have followed the service schedule.😢
They aren't any issues these days on these cars. The first version came with a timing chain that was too solid, so the oil would have problems to stick to it. Then they make a little hole on every single piece of the chain so it gets filled with oil and it stays there, allowing a better flow. Problem was fixed in 2012. The tensioner can become too large and create a timing chain issue but all you have to do is change it every 50k km or so. Problem fixed. Don't believe everything you hear on the over dramatic internet. There are thousands of RCZ that never had a single problem. But put one on the hands of a reckless kid or a slob who doesn't care for the car, all he wants is to put a loud pipe and increase HP and look good on the corner and the problems will show as in any car.
@@kyemin5802Yes, all it really takes is to degrade the oil once through poor maintenance and it can lead to problems that would never be seen in well maintained, clean oil engine.
Had one for 6 years. Never skipped a beat asside from HPFP fail just when I bought it. It was a remaped 200hp to 230hp and was good as any bmw as I can remember in terms of reliability. Just service it regularly and its all good. Also chicks loved it.
Insurance would probably write off the vehicle.. The cost of that alone would be more than half the price of the car considering how badly they depreciate 🤣
I feel like the diesel got a bad rap in this video. The 2.0 HDi engine is legendary for reliability when taken care of. A person I know had a 407 (same engine) and it had 600,000kms with nothing but routine oil changes. I owned a 308 (very similar platform to the RCZ and the same engine). I sold it to a mate. When i sold it to him it was 20,000kms since the last oil change. He hasn't done a single thing to it maintenance wise... still running it on the same oil and filter to this day. It's now gone 50,000kms on the same oil and runs like the day i sold it to him. Brilliant car. I'm in the market for another. If i could find a diesel RCZ I'd buy it in a heartbeat but they're so rare. Definitely don't touch a petrol one though - as stated in the video, they're total dogshit.
Why leave the oil for 50,000km? An oil change will cost under $100. A worn out timing chain tensioner or snapped timing chain could cost a shitload more.
Owned the gt200 for 11.5 years love it. Mine doesnt rattle or knock. Done 104000 miles hard driving and remapped. What you dont get driving an audi tittie is anyone walk upto you randomly and ask wow what car us it its beautiful . The boot space is awesome though ive slept in the boot with seat down. No issues with pedals unless you are a clown 😂 brakes are mental on the gt200 and R , i have driving it so hard i was almost out of the seat the car if on michelin pilot sport 4s tyres it has so much grip its just silly. Also zero electric gremlins at all
@@sjm.photos Absolutly! Beauty, performance, safety and quality well into luxury level. These guys don't have a clue. Take care of it and treat it with respect and it won't let you down. Best Peugeot ever made. And that's a lot! People have no clue what it means.
@@kyemin5802 yep totally agree. just world full of haters id rather be driving something rare than just the usual common boring stuff. on my channel i do have a car playlist check it out
Honestly, forget the RCZ and just buy an F20 1-series with the 1.6 petrol, basically the same engine but without the vast majority of the problems, they're actually reliable in BMW's. RWD, fantastic ergonomics, great chassis, amazing auto box if you're into that, actual usable space and great reliability. Also at least here in Norway the BMW is cheaper. A simple remap and you can go from 100hp in a 114i to 220hp since it's the same engine as a 116i, 118i and like 1 year of 120i, only difference is lacking an oil cooler and a half inch smaller downpipe in the 114 and 116i's.
@@DiscoFang Except for the fact that the N13 is cheaper, makes more power stock, remaps to about 50hp higher than the b38 and is smoother than the 3 cylinder. Guess I must be crazy. lol
@@sjm.photos It being common isn't a bad thing and the looks have grown on me and there are lots of little things you can do to make it look a lot nicer, when I got mine it looked like absolute shit but after replacing the kidneys, painting some trim pieces and replacing the mirror caps (gloss black, I'm not a fake carbon ricer) it looks really nice
@@kristoffer3000You certainly are in crazyland. The N13 engine is known for failed timing chain guides and chain. The turbo intake hose, PCB pipe, diverter valve, vacuum solenoid are known failure points. If you push these delicate little 1600s to more than 200hp your dreamland will quickly become grounded in reality. Cheap is not cheap. Fact is the B48 can easily see 220hp with no mods. Getting up to 300hp reliably. No amount of self-talk will make the N13 a rationally viable used buy at this age.
Honda CRZ...made in Japan build quality, sensational steering/ride/handling. Super reliable engine plus hybrid economy. Slow but who cares with Aus speed limits. Concept car made real
My brother had a facelifted GT spec here in the UK and he loved it. The facelift front end is gorgeous, although the pre-facelift is growing on me as it ages. He did have some mechanical issues but nothing too major and he put a lot of miles on it so I suspect that a few were just mileage-related. I'm willing to be that if this had a VW/Audi or BMW/MINI badge on it then it would have been a smash hit, but because it 'only' had a Peugeot badge on it, everyone assumed it was crap, which is a shame, because these are a really interesting and unusual car. I think these will become classics in the future once Audi TT's have become expensive classics.
I owned a Peugeot 504 back in the 1970s, fair while ago! It was, for the time, a well engineered, robust car which handled well. I did over 250000km in that car without major issues. Sad to see how the mighty have fallen.
I used to work for a Peugeot Dealership for a brief stint in 2016, and we had a 207CC with the 1.6 non-turbo variant of this EP engine. It had the same oil consumption problems, about half a litre per 1000 miles. According to the master tech, who had looked a some sort of service bulletin from Peugeot, these engines were all but guaranteed to burn oil, and the only fix was to replace the engine, but the new engine will do the same, from as low as 25,000 miles. Apparently, the reason was the shallow pistons would vibrate slightly, wearing out the cylinder walls, allowing oil to get past the piston rings. Maybe Peugeot should've stuck to the old TU engine, because now head gaskets and coil packs don't seem half so bad!
Great video - love the format! Having lived with a couple of EP6 powered vehicles, I've learnt how to perform most fixes myself - camshafts (upgraded), turbo and oil lines, timing chain and tensioner, thermostat housing, water pumps (both), cleaning valves, and so on. This is the only economical way to keep the vehicles on the road. As parts are somewhat getting harder to find/more expensive (at least for earlier versions), learn to cross-shop between other makes and models with the engine; Mini Cooper S with N14/N18 and many Citroen/Peugeot models within the past 15 years. Be mindful of the small differences and iterations between each. Some components can even be retrofitted to older engines to improve reliability or overcome cost/scarcity of parts. To be honest, if the cars weren't so fun to drive, I would never have put up with them this long! As said in the video, not every example suffers from all the issues, so don't let that scare anyone away from them. Regular oil and filter changes (I do every 5000km) is the best insurance against the most serious issues. De-carboning the intake valves the other.
I just rebuilt a Peugeot 308 wagon, which has the same engine as this one. I replaced the timing chain, gasket, and cooling system, installed a new air intake, upgraded the radio, added a 1080p reverse camera, and installed two oil catch cans to prevent carbon build-up. It was my brother-in-law's car. He took it to a mechanic because he kept having to top up the coolant. Long story short, the mechanic removed a lot of parts without confirming and wanted to charge $6000. I ended up owning the car and decided to do a full restoration and upgrade. If you're not mechanically inclined, I'd suggest staying away from this car. Love to see a video from Australia - I am from Adelaide. I will upload a video of my peugeot project soon in my channel.
Normal oil consumption based on Peugeot is 1L per 1600 km! HPFP $1000 without install. Timing chain tensioner washer $20 - installation $1000. Front shocks and shock mounts rattle ....etc etc
I am an owner of a long list of Peugeots. I currently own an RCZ R. Adam's comments about ergonomics are valid and 2014 tech is pretty much outdated now, but to sit in the thing and go for a punt on the right road and all is forgiven. As to reliability, it is just a machine. All machinery of every type needs meticulous maintenance and the preparedness to fix little issues before they become big ones. Driving style is also key to longevity. No car puts up with continued abuse. The garage has three of these 1.6 litre engines that have put on a collective 120,000km without any mechanical issues. Lucky? Or careful?
I have Rcz hdi,never had any problems. The guy is a litlle full of shit,what abouth audi TT engine that has chain and it is a shity engine as well,what abouth electicity,rear light have a problem,wires can go in flames,and car as well,i had a frend that had a TT mark 2 and his car has gone to flames because of that,but god forbid,if you say something wront abouth german junks. Firs of all german cars are left in the past in the 90th,today qality and then,sky and earth,i have detailed many cars,from ferrari to G class mercedea with 800hp,to all kind of peugeot vw,bmw,so i know what am talking about. Lik i said i have an Rcz and dont have any problem with hm,just regular maitenance,if you treat a car like it is crap,it will be.
I currently have a 2011 200bhp version. Most of what he tells us isn't true from my perspective. The seating position is fine and since my body bends at the waste, I have no issues reaching everything that I need to. The ride is a bit harsh over poorly maintained roads, but is generally okay over the majority of everyday journeys. Yes, things go wrong, but I have repaired the vast majority of the problems myself. They are reasonably easy to work on and parts aren't that expensive. The interiors are indeed excellent and do wear very well, it is just a very nice place to be. Okay, maybe the TT is a better car, but they are everywhere and partly due to that, as well as the overall styling, to me they don't look as special. The diesel is better suited as an every day car, but who really wants a car that looks like this and sounds like a piece of farm machinery. Mine is just a toy, for weekends and sunny days off, although my wife does use it regularly. I think they are great, but I haven't had the issues that have dogged others.
So I have the 207 GTI with the 175THP engine. Between the previous owner, who redid the chain, got new pistons and installed a wastegate, and myself who has had it tuned and done a lot of body maintenance, it seems that if you get the timing chain from the 08 models they seem to be OK. For some reason, this year produced different ones that seemed to be pretty solid. Change out the oil every 3k (5 max) and keep it topped up with around 300ml every 1k, and you have a fun little street legal go kart that is extremely tuneable, loves to rev to hell and for the size of the car, is actually pretty damn fast due to the insane amounts of low end torque. Done right, long term they're a solid choice for someone willing to put in the time and effort.
I've sat in those back seats, and even with the driver's seat forward, they're not just uncomfortable, they're alarmingly uncomfortable. You have no idea... it's almost as though they were deliberately designed to be horrendous. And maybe they were. Maybe they were forced to have them, so the designers curved the back at the world's worst possible angle and made sure there was no room?
Remember the action scene in the movie Minority Report report where the police chase Tom Cruise through the automated car factory and Tom drives off the production line in the car that was literally built around him. The RCZ reminds me of that car. Just like in the movie the ultimate escape machine.
I had a Toyota GT86 for 4 years and 50k miles (which is some more in kms) and it was faultless, as well as being both comfortable and great to drive. That's why it would be my choice again. That said, get the one you feel most comfortable with.
Unless you really, really need the absolutely useless back seat: add the ND MX5 to the list. It’s a better drivers car than any of them. More reliable too.
Had a petrol one and nothing but trouble. Sold to a dealer who told me it cost him 3k to get it right. Still had trouble after that and checked number plate and it’s now off the road.
It's not quite that bad but yeah, it's that engine. Funnily enough in BMW's the "same" engine is actually really good, I'd never get it in a Mini or PSA product though
@@IIMurphaII Interesting. I have an N14 Cooper Mini in my backyard that has blown a piston at 104,000km. Wanna bring your wallet here and prove to me how great this engine is?
@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Aside from the timing chain issues (which can normally be detected prior to fail) and carbonisation of the intake valves, I've found the engines to be fairly reliable. It's just usually the stuff attached to it that fails - fuel pump, thermostat, etc. Never had a cylinder go, even on an EP6 with 165,000 miles /265,000 km on it...
I grew up around Peugeot cars (two 504 wagons and 2 406 sedans), and they were pretty reliable. Although the last 406 key kept breaking every so often. BTW, they all had manual transmissions, the automatics are known to be problematic. They were not as reliable as our Toyotas and Hondas though.
Drove 900km and back to buy an RCZ. The drive home in it was magic and I really loved that car. Sadly for the 8 months I owned it it was in the shop for just shy of 6 months and in the end returned to the car dealer. The car I had used the BMW made 1.6 turbo with 200bhp and while great when it worked mine sadly sufferd form being clugged and thus cracked the engine block making it spary oil while running. So yeah after months of forth and back to the dealer and then swaping engine I just gave up :( Atleast I didt have to pay for it all :D Would love to another one if it was not form the stress I sufferd form the last one. Ah well my Corsa OPC is a fine car to have instead.
Where do you stash your ciggies and beret? Also, can you just get Julia to do all your voiceovers from now on? Ooh la la! 🤣 Great review as always, ReDriven team! Poor Jim! Don't think I've seen him so much in a video before. Not only will I not buy one of these, if I see one on the road I'll re-route immediately!
We were going to replace a Pug 207 GTi with an RCZ. Then I started looking at the Nismo Note ePower, also reviewed here. No surprise what one we went with
I mean, if you really had to have a French car. And I agree, those are absolutely lovely looking things. But an Alfa GT or GTV with Busso V6 is just better.
@@mattdebyl8806 yeh can't argue with anything sporting a Busso - that's one of the nicest looking / sounding engines ever... I would be tempted by a 147 GTA.
To answer the "If you dont buy this or that, what will you buy instead?" question: Currently on the fence about the RCZ with the diesel engine and my alternative is Mazda 6 or Mazda 3. Quite a different car, but when handling and excitement for cheap is the priority, these RCZ and Mazda seem to be the best options.
Had one. The only things that went wrong was the bit off BMW. The engine was out the mini. Saying that lots was done out of warranty for free or labour only.
I came from a Megane RS Trophy, and currently have a lifted 200kw atw Forester. Wanted a daily with plenty of grunt, or a great driving experience... Was between one of these, Lexus IS350 F sport... or a 3.6R Subaru outback and I splurge past my budget of 16k aud. (im a mechanic ill always buy the cheaper ones) Got the F Sport... Lexus/Toyota hard to beat in Australia. Not regretting it.
1:01 Just look at the back 3/4ths of the car, it's genuinely gorgeous. As sexy as anything you'll find coming out of Italy, it even has the Zagato-esque Double Bubble roof top. Unfortunately from the bonnet forwards it's a mess. The headlights, bumper and oversized symbol ruin it. 3/4ths mini supercar looks, 1/4th 'quirky' hatchback looks. Kind of reminds me of the Late 90's early 2000's Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider which was unbelievably beautiful except for the grille, so not as many problems as the RCZ, however in 2003 for the final 3 years of production they put the best looking Alfa Romeo Shield Grille on it since the 1960's.
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😂😂😂
"is that enough for the petrol? Can I stop now?"
I felt that.
Please keep the region specific snacks etc for all future videos.
That was glorious
As an RCZ-R owner in Australia, i am enthtalled with this vehicle. Absolutely beautiful and fun as hell to drive. Engine is brilliant.
Car looks beautiful, hope it serves you well. Just curious, is it your only vehicle?
You have never driven an audi tt then, i have both and there is no competion in any department except objectively looks.
@@erroldjemal8808 big lol
@@erroldjemal8808so your saying that you own a TT and an RCZ? First of all, umm WHY? Why would any grown man who identifies as a Man especially an Australian man would have a pair of sexy hairdresser sport coupes in his driveway seems highly unlikely and rather suss. Of course the Audi TT is the superior vehicle in every respect nobody claimed otherwise did they? They cost a hell of a lot more too obviously
@@joshbrookes6439 Stereo typical response from someone who just repeats what he has heard. Firstly the RCZ was for the wife and it’s now been sold. And if you think a TT is a hairdressers car then you must be bald mate.
When I saw the car being reviewed I knew Jim is gonna be the host for half the video
Lol
Redriven in the most heart breaking channel, all the cars we want are no buy 😅😅😅
As long as it is not an EV buy any care that rocks your boat and gets the heart pumping
Owned one for 2 years never missed a beat, I’ve never owned a car that got so much love from non car ppl .
R owner here. 103k km's on the clock. Car is a little bit tuned : upgraded turbo impeller , k&n panel filter , red racing coils , upgraded alluminium pop off valve , ECU Remap on 100 octane only. 305hp 410 nm. Car is a FREAKIN BEAST , waaay faster than a 308GTI due the amazing aerodynamics that push car down. It's not really a 0-100 car due to the veery short manual gear ratio ( mine do 0-100 in 5.3 , pretty good ! ) , but MAAAAN when turbo kick in it just goes straight to 265 !! sooo lovely !
Problems in my ownership ( 5 years now ) :
75k-> failed HPFP , the stock piece is CRAP , even Peugeot have replaced the component on the official car bulletin with another different component ( 700 Euro repair cost , car was used and out of warranty )
Engine trasmission actuator failed ( 500 Euro )
2 sensors gone ( easy fix , 70 euro total )
Gotta say : hugely underrated car ! it's sooooo satisfyn to drive , and it is a head turner !
Thats it ! :)
Ich habe seot 9 Jahren auch einen R.
Ein Kritikpunkt sind die vorderen Bremsen: der Bremskolben hat keine schützende Dichtung. Weil er nur verchromt ist, rostet er gerne. Das verklemmt dann die Kolben. Peugeot bietet keinen Reparatursatz an, bedeutet Austausch des 4-Kolben-Festsattels. Aber Fa. Godspeed in UK verkauft passende Edelstahlbremskolben und Dichtungen.😊
My RCZ R is a work of art. Absolutely love it.
What’s the best oil ?for this RCZ mine consumes so much oil
I own one of these, it's still good looking car, very fun to drive and have character compared to most others cars today
Working for Peugeot for several years gave me a good understanding on the EP6 or prince engine and while early the engine was atrocious it was fixed over the years and now is one of the most reliable engines I know and even the rcz I’ve rarely seen many major issues with them I mainly believe is because they are treated better then the early 308’s and 3008/5008.
any insight as to what was done to remedy all of these issues? i've got experience with both the 5008 and 308 with this engine and it was a bomb to drive - when it worked... both cars were sold because of the increasing problems. my uncle found his 308 and the owner he sold it to a few years later and he never had any issues with it anymore but i never can seem to find the answer as to what they have done to fix it or which year of engine is the safer option... any insights here?
I call bullshit. Prince engines are the worst POS engines on the planet. I owned two, one 156 hp and one 200 hp. And no, changing the oil every 5K or 10K will not mean it will not eventually break down in a very bad manner. Ovalised cylinders, huge carbon build up, sensor fails, stretched chains, oil leaks, boost problems. There is ALWAYS something wrong with these engines. The 270 hp engine is a different thing though, but the 156 hp and 200 hp are utter garbage. This is common knowledge.
@@stenmartens7179200thp no issues from 2011 onwards on the engine.. just coil packs high temperature sensor and cracked plastic coolant container after 12 years and yes do change oil the fluids if you want to keep the car longer
I have had a 2016 rcz for last 3 years and had absolutely no issues …..she is my baby and I love her ❤️😍
me too
I feel the same...
Engine ?
Include me@@filipT97
I bought an RCZ-R in November with 67,000 miles on the clock. It has the revised engine from the 308 GTi which puts out 270bhp and I believe resolved all the main issues with the standard THP engine. It hasnt missed a beat so far. Passed its MOT with one advisory.
I'm a slender 6'4" and dont have any issues with the driving position or reaching the dash controls. And of course, absolutely in love with the way it looks. The facelifted front end, fixed spoiler, matte black roof rails, and diamond cut alloys on the R make it look so much more attractive.
The glass roof is just stunning.
It's not glass, it only looks like it. The rear window is cool though.
Although the guys at the place where I have my cleaned still thought it was glass after cleaning it! 😂
Had mine for 12 years now. Doing all maintaince work myselfe in my own garage. No issues no problems just keep on going. Going quite fast in fact. Faster than my lotus elise on most roads😊
yours petrol or diesel? is he right that diesel is better?
My wife loved it. We had it for 4 years not to much trouble and hers was an Automatic. Carbon fibre roof and yes it drove like a rocket. When you came to a roundabout didn’t slow down just stuck to the road. Yes the rear seats were………no room except for the small dogs. I love looking after it wash and polish. You didn’t mention the rear wing activation, once hit 90 klms wing comes up automatically first stage then 120 klms second stage lift. Or you can put it up manually. It’s still a stand out car in all the cars we have owned. A head turner.
Looks much nicer then Audi TT.
The late model tts don't look bad imo but the RCZ is something else
100% I'd love one if I could afford the maintenance & repair costs. Yep.
This has supercar-ish looks, but in a good way. This is a "Certified Cool" car.
Hey man, you should go for it. The video has made it out like the RCZ will drain you of every penny, but it won't. It's a much better built car than it's sibling, the 308, and parts prices are the same.
The petrol is shit though. It's the same unit that powers many minis, and it quite a needy engine. Not the worst thing you can buy, but not the best either. If you're going for it though, go for the 200hp variation, as it's noticably more reliable than the 156hp.
@@konyina did they even sell the diesel RCZs in Aus?
it's funny how it depends on the country, in France, this is the typical wannabe-cool-guy-that-can't-afford-better car. I mean, objectively speaking, wtf do you like in these ? It doesn't handles better than your regular daily, not a lot of power, all but luxurious interior, it's not even comfortable nor practical.
If you want one of these and absolutely wants a coupe, better buy a TT. As a french, I definitely never understood the unrational appeal some non french people have for french cars.
@@raidden-1583 What do we like in these?
The looks - I just really like it
Its kind of a Coupe - I love that, and being the only reasonable coupe in this price range, makes me want to buy it when Im young before I need all the practicality
Handling - Sure handles a lot better than the majority of commuter cars
Power - Also has more power than basically any car of similar age, mileage and most importantly price
Practicality - Dont care, I used to drive a very "practical" car with tons of space for luggage or passengers, ended up never using any of it.
Comparison to TT - Ive heard from everyone that the TT drives boring compared to the RCZ, plus its even smaller inside the cockpit, making it less desirable for someone as tall as I am and its not even close to the same price for similar age and mileage. The TTs are way more expensive.
@@raidden-1583 Doesn't ride better than your regular daily?! Just by this I know you never had one. From a guy who had a "regular daily" and now regular daily drives an RCZ, I can say, for a fact, it drives a hell lot better than any regular daily. And I used to have a BMW 318 Cabrio with rear drive and I firmly say that the RCZ is a lot more fun to drive than the 318. Every inch is yours on the RCZ, the response is amazing, you could drive it on top of a railroad and it wouldn't budge. You can corner at 120 km/h on a 60 km/h and the tyres won't even scream, so well balanced this car is. As for the TT, I would smoke them on the road but I'm sorry to say that my RCZ doesn't smoke or even loses an inch of oil, so as you can see, bad news travel fast and you only hear about those RCZ that are not cared properly, because if you do take care of it, it's as reliable, or more, than any other car out there. Envy is a bitch, and RCZ's attract lot of it, that's for sure. And I was already pretty cool before the RCZ so even that theory is flawed. :P
This car is absolutely magnificent, even 15 years after its release, it hasn't aged a bit, it's not Mr. Everyman's car, and that's what makes it so unique. Cars of its generation have become horrible over time, whereas the RCZ has improved with age, like an excellent wine.
In fact, I find it even more beautiful than many horribly expensive luxury cars. It's actually no longer surprising to come across a nice Audi TT or even a Porsche, but not the RCZ. I don't say I don't like Audi TT and Porsche, but the RCZ, with its unique beauty and rarity, everyone looks at you with curiosity and wonder.
Just love it so much ! :)
I’m thinking of buying this as my first car in the UK. Would you advise I go on with it, based on your experience?
@@preciousagulefo899 Definitely recommand to go on with it, a friend bought it as a first car also and he's happy. Mine is 200h, perfect
@@Alex-tc1eg thanks
I rented brand new one in Europe, it was 2.0 diesel manual. 230km/h on autobahn with no probs.
I lliked it, nice car, lot of power and quite responsive.
Not sure what is like to own it
So youve never drove a real RCZ then
The diesel is a great Engine for a Taxi
Just dont put the heavy lump in a
Car & call it a sport coupe
The real magic of the RCZ is the Handling
Driving experience.. with the ballance of
The all alloy lightweight 200 bhp +. EP6 engine
Ya wouldnt place a tractor engine in a Ferrari
Expect it to drive like a Ferrari.. would youu.
If your elbow has problems while shifting gear, just slide the top cover of the armrest forward until it locks in that position. Than your arm rests very comfortable when shifting gear. Also you can adjust the position of the stering wheel. I'm 1,92m, had the seat set 100% back and have no problem to get the stearing wheel close to me without cramping my legs. So sad, when people review cars, but are to stupid to read the owners manual. Car was build 2011, has 300.000km and still runs 230km/hr top speed with it's 2,0 HDI Diesel engine. No corosion. regular service.
To quote my French dad's opinion on all Peugeot made after 1998, "I wouldn't piss on it, even if it was on fire in my driveway."
😂😂😂
True, I owned a Peugeot 306, great car to drive but just too many "small'' problems especially the electrics, rattles, bushes etc., which in the end just wears you down I sold it and got a Japanese car, I have never regretted that decision.
Most of the modern ones from around 2010 onwards start to get better, the latest ones like the 208/2008/308/3008/408/508/5008 are all really good cars.
@@tonyb1223 In 15 years they'll all be gone though.
@@intraaudit 306 is a very rare car now. They all suddenly disappeared. The cabriolet was gorgeous though.
I had my petrol car for 10 years 40k , last serviced was 6 years ago. I just top up the oil and water, fitted new tyres and brakes it runs beautifully and lovely to drive
Ive bought my 2015 RCZ-R in 2018 for 22.000 Euros. Drove 65k km so far onto it without any electrical ghosts or engine problems. Timing chain service was done once for 400 Euros. Oil swaps I did myself yearly. The only other big cost measure was replacing the front brake discs and calibers (1000 euros for ferodo/godspeed parts).
Ive only added steel brakelines, better brake fluids and some high treadwear tyres. But my god, thanks to the big brakes, diff and lightweight chassis, my little French Baguette is right up there with heavily modified Golf Rs, BMWs and even entry level Porsches on track days.
Its a pretty rare car, even here in Austria, but also something to be proud of to be built locally. 🇦🇹 The next best thing from an Austrian perspective would be that mk5 Supra (also built at Magna Graz)
I have always wanted one as I think the design is great .. yes I understand not to everyone’s taste !
.. thanks guys for the review very helpful info as always. Big fan of yours
Legends !
mate of mine has two of these. loves em. It's French you either love it or hate it. Just fix it and ENJOY IT> don't break that Rear windscreen.
I have a RCZ THP200 Mk 2 - it is gorgeous to drive. I fitted a left foot rest. And I service the engine every 5,000 kilometres.
I bought a 2014 RCZ for my wife a few years ago. Its now got 85k on the clock. I absolutely love the car, how it drives and especially the looks. It looks like no other car on the road.
I've experienced some of the things you mentioned that can go wrong. I'm 6'1 and don't have a problem with some of the ergonomic issues mentioned, after a while you don't even think about it. Nobody buys these for the back seats but we like the fact that at least it has them because the dogs are quite happy there and occasionally an adult if needed.
I'm not a mechanic but am capable of any moderate repairs (I've owned Alfa's!) which has saved a lot of money. Like your mechanic I've replace the plastic coolant outlet, the battery circuit board and the high pressure fuel pump ($3000 repair, $700 if you do it yourself).
The comments about the interior and nonsensical. I am 6ft tall and have big feet but not experienced any of his complaints. As to illuminated controls. You dont need distractions. As to aging. I get asked if my 2012 is a year or two old and people are shocked to hear it is 12 years old. This is a driving car, very comfortable and when I am driving home from the big city I just want to keep going.
Hi all, with reference to your question what would you buy having owned one and about to take delivery of another one after a five year break( civic type R, Mazda mx30 and mazda3 x20) a Honda CRZ. That car drew lots of people asking what it was/ how it drove. Very reliable and once moving above walking pace very quick and responsive. Great on the highway as well as the twisties. Review one if you get a chance. Mine will be available next month. Cheers and thanks for the great work.
bro, please don't take it personally but this is a speach of SUV-lover. I agree the Mazda looks unique and I am shocked how strangely I felt like I like it, but those cars even if reliable, they are vans, they may be reliable but you will spend all your maintenance saved money on extra gas/petrol. The Honda CRZ I must agree is a very good recommendation, but I love the french design and as long as I seat inside of any french car I love them the way I canot love my Skoda.
Being a fellow French car owner (C5), I suspect the cramped left side of the “drivers” well is simply due to the engineers not giving a s*** re ergonomics for right hand drive (fuse box taking up half the glove compartment, anyone?). Even though my C5 is automatic ie thankfully no clutch pedal to find room to exist, the left foot rest is so small it may as well have been a floor-based coin holder. Most Alfas I’ve driven have the same cramped right side well that was obviously focussed for passengers not drivers.
On the 2.0Hdi - yeah it has fast wearing items like the engine and tranny mounts but like another commenter here I agree it actually has a very good (reliable) reputation.
For real this was a lot of ignorant noncense. Being a rcz owner for 10 years now(200 hp remapped to 240) i never had any of this issues. I had lotus elise mercedes matra murena citroen c6 and a lot of other brands. My little puggy has been a real fun faithful car. Pedal problems is becourse you folks are driving on the wrong side of the road,sorry for that.😢😊
One of these was on my shortlist of 2 some 5 years ago. Number 1 was an Abarth 500, which was my fave, but the Pug seemed more rational with more bang for the buck. I ended up with a 2011 Abarth & it's been totally reliable except for the number plate light that I replaced with an led version. Still makes me smile every day. But I respect anyone getting the Pug, although not an auto and not a diesel!
"enormous feet" *sly lool to camera* thought we'd miss it but we didn't!
I had a 208gti for a while. Pedal box was a pain in the arse. I used to drive barefoot. The gear knob feels great to use, but in summer it was too hot to touch. Also had oil leaks plus 3 water pump replacements at less than 80,000kms. Still miss it though 😂
I’ll second that on the gear knob . Ferociously hot on a sunny day , freezing cold on a cold day .
Would love to see a road test on the RCZ R
Man, i love this channel!!🤣
How on earth are timing chain's still an issue and not perfected by now? A Datsun 180B L18 had a more reliable timing chain system than many euro shitboxes!
It's because they're chasing ridiculously long service intervals these days so they can quote low service costs. Oil changes at 20,000 k would be ridiculous for the old Datsun that was non turbo and basically made no power at all compared to these. For a fairly high tech turbo engine it's disastrous. I reckon if you used synthetic oil and changed it every 10,000 they'd probably be pretty good.
The trouble is, the people who bought them new would almost certainly have followed the service schedule.😢
They aren't any issues these days on these cars. The first version came with a timing chain that was too solid, so the oil would have problems to stick to it. Then they make a little hole on every single piece of the chain so it gets filled with oil and it stays there, allowing a better flow. Problem was fixed in 2012. The tensioner can become too large and create a timing chain issue but all you have to do is change it every 50k km or so. Problem fixed. Don't believe everything you hear on the over dramatic internet. There are thousands of RCZ that never had a single problem. But put one on the hands of a reckless kid or a slob who doesn't care for the car, all he wants is to put a loud pipe and increase HP and look good on the corner and the problems will show as in any car.
@@kyemin5802Yes, all it really takes is to degrade the oil once through poor maintenance and it can lead to problems that would never be seen in well maintained, clean oil engine.
Had one for 6 years. Never skipped a beat asside from HPFP fail just when I bought it. It was a remaped 200hp to 230hp and was good as any bmw as I can remember in terms of reliability. Just service it regularly and its all good. Also chicks loved it.
If you ever consider getting one, get a quote for a new rear window before you buy. Then ask how long it’ll take to get here from France.
Always wondered that................be huge i reckon
I’m sure rear windows do break, but I’ve never known anyone to break a rear window.
Insurance would probably write off the vehicle.. The cost of that alone would be more than half the price of the car considering how badly they depreciate 🤣
As a Statesman, this is my first time seeing one of these and that update looks way better in the face. Overall, the car looks great, except the face.
been waiting for you to review it
Pugs is either love it or hate it. I love mine but boy does servicing it suck.
I feel like the diesel got a bad rap in this video. The 2.0 HDi engine is legendary for reliability when taken care of. A person I know had a 407 (same engine) and it had 600,000kms with nothing but routine oil changes. I owned a 308 (very similar platform to the RCZ and the same engine). I sold it to a mate. When i sold it to him it was 20,000kms since the last oil change. He hasn't done a single thing to it maintenance wise... still running it on the same oil and filter to this day. It's now gone 50,000kms on the same oil and runs like the day i sold it to him. Brilliant car. I'm in the market for another. If i could find a diesel RCZ I'd buy it in a heartbeat but they're so rare. Definitely don't touch a petrol one though - as stated in the video, they're total dogshit.
Why leave the oil for 50,000km? An oil change will cost under $100. A worn out timing chain tensioner or snapped timing chain could cost a shitload more.
@@alanjm1234 Because he's lazy and doesn't look after his cars 🤣 I regret selling it to him.
Got a diesel as daily driver. Absolutely brilliant and very reliable considering the big amount of miles mine has.
Owned the gt200 for 11.5 years love it. Mine doesnt rattle or knock. Done 104000 miles hard driving and remapped. What you dont get driving an audi tittie is anyone walk upto you randomly and ask wow what car us it its beautiful . The boot space is awesome though ive slept in the boot with seat down. No issues with pedals unless you are a clown 😂 brakes are mental on the gt200 and R , i have driving it so hard i was almost out of the seat the car if on michelin pilot sport 4s tyres it has so much grip its just silly. Also zero electric gremlins at all
I have a GT200 and I confirm everything you say. ;)
@@kyemin5802 nice , they are a special car even if the haters gonna hate they dont know what they are missing
@@sjm.photos Absolutly! Beauty, performance, safety and quality well into luxury level. These guys don't have a clue. Take care of it and treat it with respect and it won't let you down. Best Peugeot ever made. And that's a lot! People have no clue what it means.
@@kyemin5802 yep totally agree. just world full of haters id rather be driving something rare than just the usual common boring stuff. on my channel i do have a car playlist check it out
Honestly, forget the RCZ and just buy an F20 1-series with the 1.6 petrol, basically the same engine but without the vast majority of the problems, they're actually reliable in BMW's.
RWD, fantastic ergonomics, great chassis, amazing auto box if you're into that, actual usable space and great reliability.
Also at least here in Norway the BMW is cheaper.
A simple remap and you can go from 100hp in a 114i to 220hp since it's the same engine as a 116i, 118i and like 1 year of 120i, only difference is lacking an oil cooler and a half inch smaller downpipe in the 114 and 116i's.
And the fact its a common and shit looking 1 series 😂
You'd have to be a little crazy to choose the N13 engine over the B38 or B48 in the 1-series. An absolute certifiable loon.
@@DiscoFang Except for the fact that the N13 is cheaper, makes more power stock, remaps to about 50hp higher than the b38 and is smoother than the 3 cylinder.
Guess I must be crazy. lol
@@sjm.photos It being common isn't a bad thing and the looks have grown on me and there are lots of little things you can do to make it look a lot nicer, when I got mine it looked like absolute shit but after replacing the kidneys, painting some trim pieces and replacing the mirror caps (gloss black, I'm not a fake carbon ricer) it looks really nice
@@kristoffer3000You certainly are in crazyland. The N13 engine is known for failed timing chain guides and chain. The turbo intake hose, PCB pipe, diverter valve, vacuum solenoid are known failure points. If you push these delicate little 1600s to more than 200hp your dreamland will quickly become grounded in reality. Cheap is not cheap. Fact is the B48 can easily see 220hp with no mods. Getting up to 300hp reliably.
No amount of self-talk will make the N13 a rationally viable used buy at this age.
Jim working overtime on this one.😅 A starring role.
Honda CRZ...made in Japan build quality, sensational steering/ride/handling. Super reliable engine plus hybrid economy. Slow but who cares with Aus speed limits. Concept car made real
This. BUT finding manual ones are like hens teeth. Awesome little things though.
My brother had a facelifted GT spec here in the UK and he loved it. The facelift front end is gorgeous, although the pre-facelift is growing on me as it ages. He did have some mechanical issues but nothing too major and he put a lot of miles on it so I suspect that a few were just mileage-related.
I'm willing to be that if this had a VW/Audi or BMW/MINI badge on it then it would have been a smash hit, but because it 'only' had a Peugeot badge on it, everyone assumed it was crap, which is a shame, because these are a really interesting and unusual car. I think these will become classics in the future once Audi TT's have become expensive classics.
The styling immediately reminded me of the Karman Gear and the Karman Gear is gorgeous !!!.
I owned a Peugeot 504 back in the 1970s, fair while ago! It was, for the time, a well engineered, robust car which handled well. I did over 250000km in that car without major issues. Sad to see how the mighty have fallen.
The RCZ, aka the Aldi TT
😂😂😂
Good different?
Mmm 660000 audi tts vs 52000 rcz id keep my rcz over the common as muck tittie
OMG that's brilliant!!
@@danmccarthy4700 very old joke. Even though an rcz cost a lot more to manufacture than a audi tt
I have a Rcz R , dont compare mini issues with the same block used by BMW. Peugeot had them sorted under warranty and revised at factory .
EP6 is actually a very good engine post 2014, all the issues were resolved by then and it is now very reliable
I used to work for a Peugeot Dealership for a brief stint in 2016, and we had a 207CC with the 1.6 non-turbo variant of this EP engine. It had the same oil consumption problems, about half a litre per 1000 miles. According to the master tech, who had looked a some sort of service bulletin from Peugeot, these engines were all but guaranteed to burn oil, and the only fix was to replace the engine, but the new engine will do the same, from as low as 25,000 miles.
Apparently, the reason was the shallow pistons would vibrate slightly, wearing out the cylinder walls, allowing oil to get past the piston rings. Maybe Peugeot should've stuck to the old TU engine, because now head gaskets and coil packs don't seem half so bad!
Great video - love the format!
Having lived with a couple of EP6 powered vehicles, I've learnt how to perform most fixes myself - camshafts (upgraded), turbo and oil lines, timing chain and tensioner, thermostat housing, water pumps (both), cleaning valves, and so on. This is the only economical way to keep the vehicles on the road. As parts are somewhat getting harder to find/more expensive (at least for earlier versions), learn to cross-shop between other makes and models with the engine; Mini Cooper S with N14/N18 and many Citroen/Peugeot models within the past 15 years. Be mindful of the small differences and iterations between each. Some components can even be retrofitted to older engines to improve reliability or overcome cost/scarcity of parts.
To be honest, if the cars weren't so fun to drive, I would never have put up with them this long! As said in the video, not every example suffers from all the issues, so don't let that scare anyone away from them. Regular oil and filter changes (I do every 5000km) is the best insurance against the most serious issues. De-carboning the intake valves the other.
What do you use to de carbonize the intake valves and ay what milage to do it.
They are stunning in the looks department. I often look to see if ones in my I’ll spend to by one.
I just rebuilt a Peugeot 308 wagon, which has the same engine as this one. I replaced the timing chain, gasket, and cooling system, installed a new air intake, upgraded the radio, added a 1080p reverse camera, and installed two oil catch cans to prevent carbon build-up. It was my brother-in-law's car. He took it to a mechanic because he kept having to top up the coolant. Long story short, the mechanic removed a lot of parts without confirming and wanted to charge $6000. I ended up owning the car and decided to do a full restoration and upgrade. If you're not mechanically inclined, I'd suggest staying away from this car. Love to see a video from Australia - I am from Adelaide. I will upload a video of my peugeot project soon in my channel.
You sold me on your personality, first Aussie motoring channel I’ve ever subscribed too, keep up the good work mate✊🏽
First! Driven one, my boss's car fantastic to drive. Always thinking about getting one someday
Ha, I remember driving the boss's sports car pretty hard! Hell yeah, this will cost about as much to run as a German & it's way better. Cheers.
Actually the fourth lol
Start by getting an apprenticeship as a hairdresser and your dad can get you one on your 19th birthday.
Normal oil consumption based on Peugeot is 1L per 1600 km! HPFP $1000 without install. Timing chain tensioner washer $20 - installation $1000. Front shocks and shock mounts rattle ....etc etc
The view that set the stage is amazing.
Good job guys!!!
I am an owner of a long list of Peugeots. I currently own an RCZ R. Adam's comments about ergonomics are valid and 2014 tech is pretty much outdated now, but to sit in the thing and go for a punt on the right road and all is forgiven. As to reliability, it is just a machine. All machinery of every type needs meticulous maintenance and the preparedness to fix little issues before they become big ones. Driving style is also key to longevity. No car puts up with continued abuse. The garage has three of these 1.6 litre engines that have put on a collective 120,000km without any mechanical issues. Lucky? Or careful?
I have Rcz hdi,never had any problems.
The guy is a litlle full of shit,what abouth audi TT engine that has chain and it is a shity engine as well,what abouth electicity,rear light have a problem,wires can go in flames,and car as well,i had a frend that had a TT mark 2 and his car has gone to flames because of that,but god forbid,if you say something wront abouth german junks.
Firs of all german cars are left in the past in the 90th,today qality and then,sky and earth,i have detailed many cars,from ferrari to G class mercedea with 800hp,to all kind of peugeot vw,bmw,so i know what am talking about.
Lik i said i have an Rcz and dont have any problem with hm,just regular maitenance,if you treat a car like it is crap,it will be.
120,000 km isn’t much to write home about
I currently have a 2011 200bhp version. Most of what he tells us isn't true from my perspective. The seating position is fine and since my body bends at the waste, I have no issues reaching everything that I need to. The ride is a bit harsh over poorly maintained roads, but is generally okay over the majority of everyday journeys. Yes, things go wrong, but I have repaired the vast majority of the problems myself. They are reasonably easy to work on and parts aren't that expensive. The interiors are indeed excellent and do wear very well, it is just a very nice place to be. Okay, maybe the TT is a better car, but they are everywhere and partly due to that, as well as the overall styling, to me they don't look as special. The diesel is better suited as an every day car, but who really wants a car that looks like this and sounds like a piece of farm machinery. Mine is just a toy, for weekends and sunny days off, although my wife does use it regularly. I think they are great, but I haven't had the issues that have dogged others.
As a MINI fan, can’t help but notice the R53 hoisted behind Jim.
I own a facelift 2.0 Diesel. Brilliant car - never had any major issues with 140k kilometers on the odd
I own rcz & i haven't had of any issues!!!!! Car drives well ❤
So I have the 207 GTI with the 175THP engine. Between the previous owner, who redid the chain, got new pistons and installed a wastegate, and myself who has had it tuned and done a lot of body maintenance, it seems that if you get the timing chain from the 08 models they seem to be OK. For some reason, this year produced different ones that seemed to be pretty solid. Change out the oil every 3k (5 max) and keep it topped up with around 300ml every 1k, and you have a fun little street legal go kart that is extremely tuneable, loves to rev to hell and for the size of the car, is actually pretty damn fast due to the insane amounts of low end torque. Done right, long term they're a solid choice for someone willing to put in the time and effort.
I've sat in those back seats, and even with the driver's seat forward, they're not just uncomfortable, they're alarmingly uncomfortable. You have no idea... it's almost as though they were deliberately designed to be horrendous. And maybe they were. Maybe they were forced to have them, so the designers curved the back at the world's worst possible angle and made sure there was no room?
Great video ReDriven team, I really didnt know what was coming next when you where going through the storage spaces😂😂
Remember the action scene in the movie Minority Report report where the police chase Tom Cruise through the automated car factory and Tom drives off the production line in the car that was literally built around him. The RCZ reminds me of that car. Just like in the movie the ultimate escape machine.
RCZ R is a work of art!
OMG! REDRIVEN IS REVIEWING THIS CAR!! 😍🤩
I was considering the Toyobaru twins, scirocco, veloster or this!
Huge thanks redriven 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
How's that a choice 💀
Just get a Toyobaru lol
Yep, Toyobaru
Bro just get the twin man, it’s not even a choice lol. These other fwd options are not as good in driver engagement!
I had a Toyota GT86 for 4 years and 50k miles (which is some more in kms) and it was faultless, as well as being both comfortable and great to drive. That's why it would be my choice again.
That said, get the one you feel most comfortable with.
Unless you really, really need the absolutely useless back seat: add the ND MX5 to the list. It’s a better drivers car than any of them. More reliable too.
Had a petrol one and nothing but trouble. Sold to a dealer who told me it cost him 3k to get it right. Still had trouble after that and checked number plate and it’s now off the road.
Its the kind of 2 steps forward and a million steps back car
The Ep6 CD TR is on different level to the mini. The engine is built in France by peugeot sport and then fitted by Magna .
Nice Mk8 Fiesta St in the garage.
If people want used euro go with diesel much better when it comes to reliability
Does this have the same PSA / BMW engine found in the Mini that's been voted The Worst Engine EVER!?
It's not quite that bad but yeah, it's that engine.
Funnily enough in BMW's the "same" engine is actually really good, I'd never get it in a Mini or PSA product though
Same engine EP6 and N14/M18. It can be found in the Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2011
@@IIMurphaII Interesting. I have an N14 Cooper Mini in my backyard that has blown a piston at 104,000km. Wanna bring your wallet here and prove to me how great this engine is?
@@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt Aside from the timing chain issues (which can normally be detected prior to fail) and carbonisation of the intake valves, I've found the engines to be fairly reliable. It's just usually the stuff attached to it that fails - fuel pump, thermostat, etc. Never had a cylinder go, even on an EP6 with 165,000 miles /265,000 km on it...
@@IIMurphaII So are you coming around with your wallet or not?
I grew up around Peugeot cars (two 504 wagons and 2 406 sedans), and they were pretty reliable. Although the last 406 key kept breaking every so often. BTW, they all had manual transmissions, the automatics are known to be problematic. They were not as reliable as our Toyotas and Hondas though.
Drove 900km and back to buy an RCZ. The drive home in it was magic and I really loved that car.
Sadly for the 8 months I owned it it was in the shop for just shy of 6 months and in the end returned to the car dealer.
The car I had used the BMW made 1.6 turbo with 200bhp and while great when it worked mine sadly sufferd form being clugged and thus cracked the engine block making it spary oil while running. So yeah after months of forth and back to the dealer and then swaping engine I just gave up :(
Atleast I didt have to pay for it all :D
Would love to another one if it was not form the stress I sufferd form the last one. Ah well my Corsa OPC is a fine car to have instead.
Where do you stash your ciggies and beret?
Also, can you just get Julia to do all your voiceovers from now on? Ooh la la! 🤣
Great review as always, ReDriven team!
Poor Jim! Don't think I've seen him so much in a video before.
Not only will I not buy one of these, if I see one on the road I'll re-route immediately!
Hi. I like this RCZ. it's very cool, but I haven't driven one at all. Great video bro 👍 👋👋🇨🇮
We were going to replace a Pug 207 GTi with an RCZ. Then I started looking at the Nismo Note ePower, also reviewed here. No surprise what one we went with
Kinda curious how it does for relaxing or long 250 mile drives?
Is it at all jarring like most sporty cars?
Again at 16:45 with the guy saying all the potential issues, how much are all these to sort do we know?
You just know anything this beautiful and French is going to be mechanically terrible 😞 my Clio RS is still going thank gawd
Very helpful video! Thanks, Thinking of getting one for my wife as she finds my Abarth a bit "too aggressive".
No I wouldn't buy the RCZ, I'd buy it's predecessor that is much better, the 406 Coupe V6 manual.
One of the most beautiful 90s coupes courtesy of Pininfarina! Agreed a manual V6 would be awesome.
I mean, if you really had to have a French car. And I agree, those are absolutely lovely looking things. But an Alfa GT or GTV with Busso V6 is just better.
@@mattdebyl8806 yeh can't argue with anything sporting a Busso - that's one of the nicest looking / sounding engines ever...
I would be tempted by a 147 GTA.
To answer the "If you dont buy this or that, what will you buy instead?" question:
Currently on the fence about the RCZ with the diesel engine and my alternative is Mazda 6 or Mazda 3.
Quite a different car, but when handling and excitement for cheap is the priority, these RCZ and Mazda seem to be the best options.
When you say some of the internal issues are cheap to fix and some aren't, any rough figures for the issues that are expensive?
I love the blue cheesse comparison haha
This review didn't accounted for diesel version which doesn't have most reliability issues. Their diesels are one of the best engines out there.
Had one. The only things that went wrong was the bit off BMW. The engine was out the mini. Saying that lots was done out of warranty for free or labour only.
I had one for years,diesel,it never put a foot wrong 👍🏻
I came from a Megane RS Trophy, and currently have a lifted 200kw atw Forester. Wanted a daily with plenty of grunt, or a great driving experience... Was between one of these, Lexus IS350 F sport... or a 3.6R Subaru outback and I splurge past my budget of 16k aud. (im a mechanic ill always buy the cheaper ones)
Got the F Sport... Lexus/Toyota hard to beat in Australia. Not regretting it.
I rlly want a Pergeot RCZ I just need to look into all of them- especially the newer face lift XD
1:01 Just look at the back 3/4ths of the car, it's genuinely gorgeous. As sexy as anything you'll find coming out of Italy, it even has the Zagato-esque Double Bubble roof top. Unfortunately from the bonnet forwards it's a mess. The headlights, bumper and oversized symbol ruin it. 3/4ths mini supercar looks, 1/4th 'quirky' hatchback looks.
Kind of reminds me of the Late 90's early 2000's Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider which was unbelievably beautiful except for the grille, so not as many problems as the RCZ, however in 2003 for the final 3 years of production they put the best looking Alfa Romeo Shield Grille on it since the 1960's.
Did you try to move the armrest up and forwards? Because you can do that to get your arm into a better position for changing gears.