What should the C5 Estate ride feel like

[lrochfort]

Hello all,

I apologise straight away for this being horribly subjective, but I'd be interested in everyone's feedback none the less.

I just bought my first C5. It's a 2003 LX Estate, 2.0 HDi (110bhp). I've not owned a Citroen before, but have driven BXs and Xantias.

I find that my C5 doesn't give the "magic carpet ride" that I recall from the older Citroens. As an example, if I drive over horizontal patches in the road, such as those used to repair sections on motorways I definitely feel them through the car. The impact is dampened but it's a definite abrupt jolt. I wouldn't describe the ride as hard in general at all, it does float over undulations, it just doesn't absorb abrupt dents and bumps in the road the way the old Citroen's did.

Would people be good enough to comment on how a C5 Estate should ride? Am I expecting too much? Any rough and ready tests for the suspension?

Thanks all!
Laurence.

[Stickyfinger]

The first questions to ask is when were the spheres changed and is the fluid OK....my 2002 became much better after that.

It did indeed "tramp" a little on uneven surfaces but I put that down to effects of the longer wheel base.
I found it just as good as the two Xantia estates I have owned taking into account size and weight.
C5 estates, including the X7 ride much better with 200kg in the boot

The C5Mk1 is certainly no car to throw about like the Xantia can be if you are in the mood being a little "loose" at the back when cornering on a camber or rough surface....but few estate are...good Wet Grip tyres help a lot.

[lexi]

There are so many variables here. Memory can play a part. The tyre size and type of those older Xantia and BX compared to your current C5 will have a bearing. Than as my buddy mentions above.......the service condition of the cars.
Also the state of the roads is worse now I think. Bumps didn't bother you so much when you were younger too......neither did seating position. No doubt that many cars are rigid now though. You don't want them kids throwing up on the school run as mummy takes them bends

[wurlycorner]

I've also very recently bought a C5 s1 2.0HDi lx estate and have admitted to being very surprised by how good a car it is (I had vastly underestimated it) including the ride of the Hydractive 3 suspension, which I'd assumed would be quite 'un-citroenesque'. However, I'm wrong and it does indeed float quite well.

I have no idea when the fluid or spheres were changed (yep, yet another hydraulic Citroen I bought with no service history and a few known problems - it's what I specialise in doing to myself ) so for all I know, mine might even actually be under performing?

I guess the best thing is for you to drive another one?

Where abouts are you? Might be another member nearby that will let you have a go and vice-versa?

[lrochfort]

Thanks all for the reply.

I also very much underestimated the LX. In my head I needed an SX at least so I'd get climate control and automatic lights etc. However, the LX is surprisingly capable.

I'm in Berkshire and I just discovered PTS Developments, a local Citroen specialist. When I bought the car I suspected the crank shaft pulley dampener was on the way out, so I'm going to book it in with them next week. I'll have them give me their verdict on the suspension then.

[lrochfort]

As lexi mentioned tyres, what brand do people recommend for a smooth quiet ride?

I'm not sure off the top off my head what measurement tyre the 01-04 LX Estate is designed to take. Do people stick to the Citroen recommended measurements?

[myglaren]

I have found my hatchback a lot softer than the estate it replaced.

As Sticky says, they benefit from being loaded at the rear. I once seriously overloaded the estate and it was great for the following three days then reverted to being relatively hard - still a lot better than many of the alternatives of course.

[Stickyfinger]

I have found my hatchback a lot softer than the estate it replaced.

As Sticky says, they benefit from being loaded at the rear. I once seriously overloaded the estate and it was great for the following three days then reverted to being relatively hard - still a lot better than many of the alternatives of course.

The same is very true for the X7 Tourer as well, they seem to like having a little overhang weight as they are very firm now.....long cars, always troublesome getting them correct when loaded/unloaded, Citroen do it very well, better than most.

On the tires, Michelin's always seem to work best if you have the $$$

[Peter.N.]

My first one was a 2.2 Hdi, that gave a really nice ride but that was hydractive, |I got rid of it because of its dreadful fuel consumption. The 2.0 I replaced it with needed new spheres which I fitted but still had a hard ride at the back, this turned out to be failed radius arm bearings, having replaced those the ride improved a lot but it is still not as good as the XMs. but the fuel consumption is better.

Peter

[wurlycorner]

Yeah don't get me wrong - it's not CX ride, but it's way better than an 'ordinary' modern car and nothing like as watered down as I had exected

[SwissSPEC]

I also own BX's & tbh, they are a more floaty ride than my C5, which i'm guessing is still on it's original 2002 spheres. A LDS change & some new spheres no doubt will make it more comfy & possibly closer to the humble BX.

[Peter.N.]

The floatier the better for me, I would use four accumulator spheres if I could. I envy people with DS's.

Peter