They go, that's not in doubt. Some can still be a bit rattly on a cold morning from outside, at least.
Mines a peach. It's a 2001 plate Peugeot 406 2.2 HDi. Remapped to 192bhp and rolling road suggests 328lbft at just over 2000rpm. Over 90,000 on the clock now and drives just as it always has done (I bought it with 20,000 on it).
And it does go, that's without doubt. Like 50-70, in fourth gear, in about 3 seconds.
0-62mph (0-100khm) is an interesting one. We've had a good old go at it just before I replaced the front tyres last year and with care you could get it to a shade over seven seconds.
However, if you back off a bit and change up way too early (say around 3500 rpm) then it was still easy to achieve 8.5.
I like the sheer midrange grunt, you can overtake on A roads like you would in a Boxster.
Quiet? yes, it is. Hydrauic engine mounts and a dual mass flywheel sort the noise and vibration spectacularly (factory standard on the 2.2). It really is like driving around in a Jag. (petrol one, even!) except for the fact Peugeot didn't offer automatic transmission.
They're well tooled up too: electric front seats for all adjustment; cruise control; auto wipers and lights; self dipping mirrors; full climate control; JBL audio and CD changer etc....
Downsides ;-
1. Servicing is more often that a petrol unit and generally costs more as the engines are so bloody complex
2. Front tyre wear. Weight and torque mean you're replacing front tyres every 10-12000 miles. It can fidget in fourth gear in the wet if you over do the pedal.
3. Image. It's a diesel.
