Sourcing is exhausting
Who knew that finding a new exhaust for a Peugeot 406 Coupé could be so difficult? Parts availability is proving to be yet another stumbling block for James
1999 PEUGEOT 406 COUPÉ 3.0 V6
Just when I thought nothing else could go wrong with my problem-prone 406, I heard a loud clang as I pulled out of my driveway. And as soon as I applied some throttle, my V6 had more growl than a Barry White love anthem.
I took the Peugeot along to my local garage and, up on the ramp, they could see that the connection between exhaust centre section and rear box had rusted to destruction. And, given the car’s age, their supplier wouldn’t have the parts in stock.
‘If you can find them, bring the car back and we’ll be happy to fit them for you,’ said the mechanic. Right, then – let the search begin. I requisitioned the services of my dad, who’s also a mechanic and has a nose for tracking down even the most obscure parts.
Trawling online, we found Klarius Products, the biggest manufacturer of aftermarket emissions equipment in the UK. They had a centre section in stock but they sell only to the trade: so we were pointed in the direction of National Motor Factors, who has an outlet close to home. They listed the centre section on their website but, with a branch nearby, we didn’t want to pay for delivery, so my chief negotiator (Sadlier Snr) won us a £112 trade discount. Good man!
We still needed the rear box, plus exhaust clamps and rubber support fittings. After a few dead ends, Dad found a rear box at Auto Doc in Berlin for £85, and it was delivered a week later. We felt that we’d really found the needle in the haystack.
Sourcing the rubber support fittings and exhaust clamps was much easier, with National Motor Factors again coming up with the goods. A nice 40 per cent discount meant we only had to pay £15, which also included delivery. Time to drive to the garage and hopefully get it all fitted.
Watching the new parts being fitted up on the ramp was a nervous experience. Had we
really found everything?
Would the parts all fit together as we hoped?
Thankfully everything was fine, and the mechanic did a fine job. With the old section removed, we could see just how corroded the metal had become.
While splashing some cash at the 406 I thought I’d keep my wallet out and invest in two new front tyres. The last MoT had recommended a replacement pair – and the next test will be coming around again soon. National Tyres was doing a good deal on Autogreen Super Sport Chaser SSC5s and was able to fit them on my driveway for less than £95 for the pair. I had been using a spare on the front nearside ever since the broken suspension pierced the tyre last winter, so it was good to get that back under the boot and a fresh set on the front axle.
Next up? Well, the rear tyres look like they’ll also need replacing before the next MoT. Plus I’m still looking to get the driver’sside door fixed – I fear one of the hinges isn’t long for this world because the door isn’t closing as it should.
Right, then – where has my chief negotiator gone…?