Buying a C5

njr · Post by **njr** » 28 Aug 2007, 22:07

I’m thinking of getting a HDi C5 estate as they seem to be getting pretty cheap now and thought I’d see if anybody has any experience of running them

I hear that they need a suspension service at 5 years or there abouts, as this is about the age I will be looking at what does the service consist of and approx how much??

I think I'd prefer the 2.2 engine mainly as it’s a heavier car than the Xantia and I will be towing. Keep hearing it’s the one to avoid though.

Any other thoughts or issues would be appreciated

Cheers

Neil

mooseshaver · Post by **mooseshaver** » 29 Aug 2007, 12:42

The suspension service is just a fluid change. The LDS is repalced.

The old 2.2 (single VGT) is thirsty on fuel. Tax I think is £180 (might be 185 now) per year. Has problems with turbos. Has a particulate filter that may need replaced every 50000 miles.

ncoll · Post by **ncoll** » 29 Aug 2007, 13:41

I've had my C5 2.2 estate for almost a year now, looking back on the previous owners services it's had a new cam belt and a Eyols fluid refill. It's now done 166k and apart from a rattle in the steering column (thought to be a grease issue) all I do is change the oil and filters every 4k. It returns on the motor way at a constant 70mph 40mpg, in town driven quick heavily 31mpg. I,ve also had to remove rear callipers to get rid of the corrosion.

Best of luck what ever you choose.

den169 · Post by **den169** » 29 Aug 2007, 15:56

I bought an sx estate hdi c5 2.0 last year after having a xantia and i love it i get 42mpg knocking about and on a trip to france all motorway stuff at 70mph i get over 52mpg.I must say though mine had been very well looked after,It had 100k on when i bought it so had just had the big service cam belt etc drives like a new one and is in excellent condition.My brother bought one from an auction and that had been well used and he's had a few problems with it nothing major though, I would buy another tomorrow.

BIG BARRY · Post by **BIG BARRY** » 30 Aug 2007, 12:55

Out of interest. I bought a 2004 C5 Exclusive off Ebay for £2995. Replaced my 2nd Xantia. Lovely car, 80000 miles one owner fsh.
Also Car Mechanics this month has a good article praising C5s as an excellent bargain buy.Go for it.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 30 Aug 2007, 15:38

Is the article in CM magazine of interest to present owners? Any maintenance tips or things to look out for? If so, I'll buy a copy!

Cheers

njr · Post by **njr** » 09 Sep 2007, 20:39

Ive just been offered a Ford Mondeao TDCi estate with 130 horsepower for about 4000 pounds which seems good. I must admit Im very tempted but having never been a fan of fords I,m not sure.

Any opinions over a HDi 2.2 Estate ??????

Neil

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 09 Sep 2007, 20:42

What about a 2.0 HDI 110?

toldemoldham · Post by **toldemoldham** » 09 Sep 2007, 20:59

I am but the 2.2 is cheaper to buy but further research shows it costs more to run,higher road fund licence (uk) £110 for 2.0 £162 for the2.2 and then theres the usual econ and insurance so i will stick to 2.0hdi if i can find 1 that aint had a hard life

njr · Post by **njr** » 09 Sep 2007, 21:06

Im looking to tow a trailer with upto 1500 kg so kinda fancied a 2.2 with it being a bit heavier than a Xantia (ps Ive got a Xantia with tha 110 motor and it struggles a little bit)

Is the Mondeo more of a drivers car as they say (Ive never driven one)

Neil

SimonM · Post by **SimonM** » 10 Sep 2007, 17:57

njr wrote:Im looking to tow a trailer with upto 1500 kg so kinda fancied a 2.2 with it being a bit heavier than a Xantia (ps Ive got a Xantia with tha 110 motor and it struggles a little bit)

Is the Mondeo more of a drivers car as they say (Ive never driven one)

Neil

Hi, used to have a TDCi Mondeo and it went like a rocket. Also held the road very well, the C5 feels very disconnected from the road and the steering is very wooly to say the least! The Mondeo is the better drivers car without doubt. The only downside to the one I had was the 17" wheels, these had a tendency to follow ridges/ruts in the road.

As for reliabilty, never had a problem with it, can't say the same about my C5 though

SimonM · Post by **SimonM** » 10 Sep 2007, 18:01

Oh, just checked the max towing weight of the 2.2Hdi Manual estate and this is 1450Kg, if you get an auto this is only 1000kg, so towing your trailer will be a no no as these figures are based on only the driver and a full tank of fuel, any extra weight in the car must be deducted from the max towing weight.

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 10 Sep 2007, 22:32

Towing weight only applies to the trailer. There is also a max Gross Train Weight quoted and loading the car will contribute to this.

Although the towing weight is quoted as 1450kg you are generally advised not to exceed 85% of the car's weight. From memory this is somewhere around 1250kg.

The max towing weight for my Xantia and C5 Estates, both with the 2.0 110 HDi engines, is 1500kg so you might be better sticking with that engine.

meeper · Post by **meeper** » 14 Sep 2007, 10:10

I have the 2.2 and use it to tow, launch and recover a 6 meter, outboard engined dive boat. Probably over a tonne once on the trailer.

I have never towed with any other car, but the rest of my dive club are very impressed with the ability of this car. Most of them would previously not have dared trying to lauch or recover the boats with any thing other than a 4x4!