Help me buy a C5..........

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qprdude
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Help me buy a C5..........

Post by qprdude »

Hi , this is my first post apart from the introduction one.
I am interested in buying a Citroen C5, new shape 2008>. I have a limited budget. No, I have a VERY limited budget, but I am in no hurry at all. I have a perfectly good Saab 93 Tid, with about 10 months warranty still on it, so time is on my side.
I had one of the first (Mk1?) C5's many years ago, and although I found it a little bit unlovely to look at, I loved the drive. Now I've seen the new shape C5, I'm smitten.
I know nothing about the model, engine or trim range, but have looked at a 1.6 HDI VTR + and although it's a bit sluggish, the trim level is good.
I know I'm not going to get the performance of the Saab, but to be honest, I no longer need to get to 62 Mph in 8.5 seconds, but I do need to get to it without my old bones being rattled to bits.
Hence the possibility of going for a C5 again.
Any advice would be very much appreciated, either positive or negative, technical or not. Cheers.
Last edited by qprdude on 09 Apr 2012, 21:10, edited 1 time in total.
Rick.

2013 Citroen DS 5 D/Sport
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Sometimes the change doesn't work.
Citroenmad
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x 110

Re: Help my buy a C5..........

Post by Citroenmad »

Ah, I think you have just answered my question in your introduction post, your after a C5III 8-)

Im not full of knowledge about C5IIIs, however I do know that the VTR+ (and SX) do not have the same hydropneumatic suspenion that your previous C5 will have had. You need the Exclusive or any automatic C5III to get that suspension on those. However I believe the coil sprung versions do ride nicely and if your not bothered about the self leveling suspension it might suit you. Ive not experienced the C5III with coild springs, only the fully hydractive ones.

The 1.6HDi has proved to be a good unit, it can fail on turbos but this is usually put down to long or missed service intervals more than anything. It returns very good economy and should give the running costs of a much smaller car. It might be a little under powered and the C5III is certainly no light weight, however you could always get it remapped in the future to increase power and MPG. As a guide, the 2.0HDi 138 in a C5III performs similar to a 1.6HDi 110 in a C5II ... due to the added weight of the newer car.

They are very impressive cars though, im very impressed with the solidity and the ride in the exclsuives is very good. It does have a limited amount of suspension travel which is limiting on very bad roads. However the VTR+ is a different thing.

I fancy a C5III next, im going to have to have a drive of a coil sprung one and find out a bit more about them. They are getting very temptingly priced now.
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
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09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
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qprdude
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My Cars: Renault 5 TS, Renault 14ts, Citroen C5 Mk1, Renault Clio sport, Renault Laguna Privilege. Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive. Citroen DS5 D/sport . And around 25+ other brands from Morris Oxford to S Type jag and most things between.
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Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by qprdude »

I noticed a couple of 08 ones under £7000. I reckon I might stretch to £8000 for a lower mileage jobbie. Has to be the VTR+ as a minimum though, I need the toys to keep me from getting bored. I jut think the styling is superb. I might never find one that suits, but it's always great to know the pitfalls from owners.
The 2.0l looks a little quicker. Do you reckon it would pull better through the gears? I like a bit of torque for overtaking . Am I correct in thinking that all the manuals have 5 gears, or is there a 6 gear version?
Rick.

2013 Citroen DS 5 D/Sport
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Sometimes the change doesn't work.
Citroenmad
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Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by Citroenmad »

The 1.6HDI 110 is a 5 speed and the 2.0HDi 138 (160 in later models) is 6 speed. The 2.0HDi is the one I would ideally be aiming for due to its extra pull and torque for overtaking, however I might be able to live with a 1.6 and they are more available.

The 2.0HDi 138 is a very good engine, I get over 47MPG from my C5II with the same engine and I dont drive for economy. Do watch for clutch slip on the 2.0 (1.6 probably too) as the DMF can fail. There is a few reports of this happening on C5IIIs on here.
Chris
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bxzx16v
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Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by bxzx16v »

Great advice from Chris , as said the 2.0 Hdi would be the choice as the 1.6 would seem a little lacking after your Saab with that fantastic 1.9Td , was it a 120/150 bhp or a twin turbo diesel ? Don't forget to get some pics up when you find your C5 , happy hunting .

Mark
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User avatar
qprdude
Posts: 1754
Joined: 06 Apr 2012, 18:56
Location: Woking, Surrey
My Cars: Renault 5 TS, Renault 14ts, Citroen C5 Mk1, Renault Clio sport, Renault Laguna Privilege. Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive. Citroen DS5 D/sport . And around 25+ other brands from Morris Oxford to S Type jag and most things between.
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Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by qprdude »

1.9 Tid 150 with the 6 speed manual box Mark. Very quick, but a little bit hard on the bumps. I kind of know about the DMF on the diesels, as it's more or less universal now I think. My Rover 75 had the same system, as does the Saab. I might have been lucky so far as I've not had a clutch problem. The Rover even had the slave inside the gearbox, so when it leaked (and it often did) it was a gearbox out job to change it. I suspect they are all built to cope with the Torque of the diesel engines.
The 2.0l VTR+ looks favourite, but they are few are far between at a decent price. Especially up here in the frozen north! How about a petrol one? any good (apart from the road tax being dearer and the mpg being less) and is there any advantage over the diesel?
Rick.

2013 Citroen DS 5 D/Sport
2007 Renault Clio Campus sport. 1.2l

Sometimes the change doesn't work.
Citroenmad
Posts: 8125
Joined: 04 Dec 2008, 22:08
Location: Northeast
My Cars: 07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
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01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
x 110

Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by Citroenmad »

Petrol C5IIIs are around and the 2.0 16v is a pretty good engine, I was impressed with how smooth it was in a C5III Auto I was a passenger in. One might be worth a look if MPG is not too important.
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
User avatar
qprdude
Posts: 1754
Joined: 06 Apr 2012, 18:56
Location: Woking, Surrey
My Cars: Renault 5 TS, Renault 14ts, Citroen C5 Mk1, Renault Clio sport, Renault Laguna Privilege. Citroen C5 X7 Exclusive. Citroen DS5 D/sport . And around 25+ other brands from Morris Oxford to S Type jag and most things between.
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Re: Help me buy a C5..........

Post by qprdude »

I'm doing around 100-150 miles a week, with the occasional Aberdeen to Woking in Surrey trip. Very occasional Aberdeen to Looe in Cornwall, so not exactly high miles.
Rick.

2013 Citroen DS 5 D/Sport
2007 Renault Clio Campus sport. 1.2l

Sometimes the change doesn't work.
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