how do u tell the differance between a phase1 or phase 2 Cheers

You've got a Phase 1. Early phase 1's had 14 in wheels and the BE1 gearbox (reverse up near 1st gear). Then there is a Phase 1 update, which has the same 15 in wheels as a Phase 2, and the BE3 gearbox.

Easiest way to tell is by the rear end. P1's have the black fluted panel on the boot and different taillights to the P2, which has a smoothed rear boot panel and slightly larger rear lights.

thanks heaps mine must be that later phase two as i have the later model wheels and the more normal box cheers

later phase one

P1 has slightly larger tail lights than P2, rather than the other way round .

oh, and P2 has a much nicer interior / cockpit .

Have to disgree slightly.

I like the P2 dash, all apart from the slider controls for the heater. Theyre so small and fiddly.

Maybe it's cos I've owned a few 205s/309s and am used to the nice big round dials?

The phase 2 dash is more modern and looks like it's more robust but the external difference are hardly massive compared to the difference between the phase 1 and 2 309's rear end.

I agree about the heater controls, but the pase 2 interior is a lot better built. less creaky too.

Very true. It almost seems like the phase 1 dash is missing a load of screws holding it together!

lol, how did 309 read end come into the equasion?

ph1 and ph2 405 dashes are *very* different imho.

and by the way, i hate the ph1 309 rear end, but love the ph2 .

You know me, I like to use odd analogies

Pug don't seem to like making major changes without changing the number of the car. If you look at the Mondeo and Vectra, the difference between the various "facelifts" is huge, almost like a completely different car but they still kept the name.

not sure i got your point...

opel vectra has always been vectra, like golf is always golf, with several mk's.

vauxhall used different names for the vectra though (cavalier).

I meant that the difference between a mark 1 and mark 2 and mark 3 Mondeo is HUGE - they all look like completely different cars. Yet Ford gave them all the same name.

BUT with Peugeot's cars they only make very subtle changes when they bring out a new phase of a particular car. When they make HUGE changes they seem to like giving the car a new number.

A nothing point really Nikocia but it'd be a hell of a lot easier to explain in person.

kris, you're really missing the point here!

mondeo mk1, mk2 and mk3 directly relate to 405, 406 and 407!

it's just the way the manufacturers name they models.

I can't put it into words, i'll tell you later.

Last time I took mine apart it was!

Sounds about right

P2 is a lot more modern and a very nice cockpit to be in.

I like original P1 though as the combination of old dash, 14"wheels and go faster stripe really make it feel like a proper classic, retro sports saloon.

Yes these days the very first of the 1.9 with the 14 inch wheels must surely be the most collectable.

If possible never let most garages do anything that involves taking the phase 1 dash to bits. They won't take care of it and seeing as the plastic is rather like a kinda egg toy you can bet something will get broken.

I thought the main distinction between a Ph1 and a Ph2 was the engine!!!???

Phase 1 = 1905cc wet liner

Phase 2 = 1998cc solid block

Having looked at SPetrie's thread on firing on 3 cylinders am I glad I've got a Phase 1!!!!!!
Four different coils? wtf!!!!!

Oh according to the above mine is a Phase 1 update coz its got 15" wheels and a BE3 gearbox.

Yeah, but the 14" wheels kinda suck. They look like Halfords specials.

The difference is between all 405's not just Mi's. Engines didn't all change when Phase 2 came about. Pug changed the Mi engine on the Phase 2 as you said.

One coil per cylinder is very common, and much better than sharing a coil between all cylinders. It's just more expensive when things go wrong, same as all newer cars really

Anyone got a pic of the 14" Mi wheels? Are they the same as a 205/405 STDT?

Nope they different. If the 14 inch style Mi wheels had that design but were 16 inch I'd have 'em!
The motronic 3.1 ignition and fueling system as used on the 90-92 phase 1 405 Sri is a non-distributor cap system but with just one coil. They should have used that system on both xu9j4 and xu10j4 to save us lot a fortune in caps and coils. Loads of engines have one huge coil running all 4 cylinders reliably.

My K reg GTX had the coil on the end of the head with a dizzy inside then the plug leads coming out of that. That was fairly expensive when that went!

Still think I prefer a single coil. In theory a big fat coil should last as long if not longer than 4 seperate small and possibly tempremental ones!