[PJPHughes]

Excellent pair of cars!

I am right there with you....just added a red 164 S to my red Pug! I don't have a joint picture yet though...

I've been a loyal Mi16 driver for about 7 years now....always wanted one after driving them new back in 1989. I started with an '89 Mi16 in Boston that still lives there when I go back for work once a month. Bought it for nothing and slowly restored it over a several year period. It has 91K and just had a full gasket job (including head gasket, valve stem seals and guides). It sadly is an east coast car, and I'm doing everything I can to prevent rust.

I now live in LA, but missed my Pug so much that I bought an even nicer '91 Mi16 (although with automatic seat belts) in excellent interior and exterior condition, and have since restored it to new as well (mostly suspension work, throttle position switch, sunroof cables, refurbished rims, upgraded stereo with XM).

While not quite as fast as the 164, I find the Mi16 to have an amazing balance of steering feel, handling, and an engine that comes on cam so nicely around 4000rpm. You can drive the snot out of it and it asks for more. The build quality of the interior is the only thing that constantly needs attention. My '89 is a rattle trap (it was one of the first ones shipped to the US) compared to my '91 which much tighter. The engine is a bit buzzy at highways speeds, but 76-78mph seems to put the engine at a quieter note...or just use the stereo!

I absolutely love driving the Mi16...and will keep them forever! If you need mechanical support, Cerrones European in Redwood City, CA and Western Hemispheres in Watsonville, CA (online web site for parts too) can get you what you need. Watch the timing belt...just like the 164. My car, before I bought it at 136K suffered a slip at 114k and got a full engine overhaul in 2003. I consider myself lucky with that one!

[email protected] is a great list as well...as is forum.405Mi16.com from the UK.

I highly recommend sourcing a set of e-code glass headlights for it....both of my cars have been converted to them, with H1/H4 bulbs..such a dramatic difference. The US Spec lights are junk!

Enjoy!

Paul H.

 

[PJPHughes]

The 405 used two engines, an 8 valve 110hp 1.9 liter in the 405 DL and S, and the 16 valve 150hp 1.9 liter in the Mi16. I haven't spent a lot of time in the 8 valve engine cars, but in terms of engine noise, the engine does have a nice, raspy note to it. The car isn't as well insulated against noise as it should have been. The '91s were a bit better than the '89s and '90s, as I think they used thicker carpeting and more insulation. The lack of insulation probably helped keep the car's weight down to 2715 lbs...I can't think of a car these days that weighs that little...maybe a Mini, Lotus Elise, or a Miata?think of a car these days that weighs that little...

I don't think it's unrefined...I personally think it has a great sound to it...almost rally car like at times. It does get a bit boomy at highway speeds, as the Mi16 is geared at 20 mph per 1000rpm...but once you get around 70mph, the noise tends to subside as it seems to be spinnng enough to help eliminate the boom.

Cheers,
Paul H.

 

[PJPHughes]

If you need more power, there is always the 405 T16 engine from Europe...that adds a turbo to the engine and brings it to either 200 or 220hp....although it was AWD in Europe back in '93 and '94.

Just to tempt you!

I don't think you'll fall out of love with your 164...the Mi16 and 164 may have similar styling in areas, but the car's dynamics are different. The Mi16 is a bit more "boy racer" and the 164 more "mature."

I enjoy driving both cars for different reasons....although the one reason I love them both is that no one else drives 'em anymore!!

Cheers,
Paul