22/01/2013

Modification - Battery goes flat


Today, the battery died. It was the original battery that came with the car and lasted 1 year 2 months which I think was no good because I had expected at least 1 year 6 months. Wifey had just gone round the first corner to the end of the road in front of our house and the car suddenly died. She gave it a few hard starts and eventually gave its last saving grace enough to send the car parked safely at home. Thus, I came from work early to help get a new battery but was confronted by problems I had never faced before. Removing the positive battery terminal was chicken feed though I needed a small spanner to unscrew a nut for the negative battery terminal. Firstly, I had never come across this type of battery lock as the usual type from in other cars could be unscrewed with a spanner. Removal of the battery required a racket, an extension tool and a small male plug to unlock the latch that kept it in place. I immediately went off to my local hardware retailer but he did not keep stock of that smaller male plug as the popular version was slightly larger. Then I got a call from wifey saying the Peugeot service mechanic was coming any moment. The battery got efficiently changed and cost RM472 (which I felt was expensive. I will check it later with a spare-part shop to see how much it retails outside) and service charge was RM94 so it totaled RM566.40. Secondly, I realized is that when the battery goes flat, one cannot open the boot. It is possible to retrieve things by unlocking the rear seats but don't hope to change a tyre or get the tool kit. I usually keep the tools on top of the spare tyre. Now it looks like I have to keep them inside the car. I have to knock the head of the design team. I am sure the life expectancy of this battery can be extended by adding a separate power cable from the alternator to the battery terminal like I did for my KIA Spectra but this car has a 5 year warranty so I guess that is out of the question.



Thirdly, Peugeot 407 has a battery lock to keep it in place from moving but surprising doesn't come with an accompanying key to unlock it and l have tried on vain to acquire an appropriate lug from more than 5 DIY shops. Can you imagine if the car broke down along the highway due to a faulty battery? The driver doesn't have an appropriate tool to take the battery out to replace it and the unwanted service of a toll truck may prove necessary. So today, I went to see a local car accessory shop mechanic who suggested rather than customize a specific tool, would modify the tip of the wheel's bolt remover (forgot what it's called), have sit shaved down to function as the key. A spray of black paint over the shaven portion bought it back to look as new as original. This was agreed and a test revealed it functions very well. Service charge: RM10

UPDATE:

2020: After 9 years, the third battery needed a replacement (That charging cable I did really serves its purpose well) but I had to call a mechanic to swap a temporary battery because firstly, it was impossible to unlock the boot from inside (I don't know how my salesman succeeded to do that right before my eyes) but from now on I left the tyre bolt remover in the boot's side compartment, retrievable from inside.

06/01/2013

Malaysian reviews of Peugeot 407


The Malaysian weather and road set it apart from other countries when motor reviews are concerned and unless you've really experienced it head on, you won't really know if your car can take the beating irrespective of make, model and country of origin. For example, my previous brand new BMW 320 had its aluminium panel popping out onto my lap for more than 10 times while driving and BMW Glenmarie service centre admitted the imported clip could not handle Malaysia's weather (eventually resolved during the last days of the warranty period but not a prefect job). So don't think you own a super-duper car, it can take on the Malaysian weather and especially the original trunk road.

Barry Lim
I like his review of the Peugeot 407 which is accurate as it gets. I crossed checked with other sites and found it most reassuring that what he comments of Peugeot 407 against popular Japanese makes Honda and Camry because I never drove a Honda nor Toyota Camry before. An update after a year of ownership can be found here.

The Malaysian Perception
Autoworld Forum, one of the oldest motor forum in Malayia gives 7 pages worth of opinion.

Peugeot 407, fc, etc
Popular Lowyat Forum has something to say about Peugeot 407 too.

Paul Tan
His review of the last generation of the Peugeot 407 which we own is here.

The 8th Gen. Civic Club
6 pages worth comparing the Honda Civic 1.8 vs. the Peugeot 407

Kereta Info
A recent up and coming motor web site mentions the Peugeot 407 here.

Kosmo
A generic write up with no test drive report. Ho-hum

EngRaff
Engineer Raff comments on his first generation Peugeot 407

Kuen Hoong's My Lovely Blue Sky
This is a comparative review between the KIA Forte 1.6sx, Peugeot 308 THP and Peugeot 407 which I cannot understand why because I think they are not well balanced.

David's My Peugeot 407
One of the early Peuegot 407 blog writers

CariGold Forum
Only 1 page worth on the Peugeot 407 2008

AutoWorld Forum
Possibilly, the roots of many Peugeot owners began here

Live Life Drive
Not much to rave about here

MyCar Forum
Seansene starts the topic on the Peugeot 407 review