Should I consider this C5?

[Peter.N.]

My 2.2 Mk 1 certainly gave a much better ride than the 2.0. even after I had replaced the spheres and trailing arm bearings.

[GiveMeABreak]

I would suggest an oil change on the Autobox.

Even after only 42k miles?
Yes - for good measure as I doubt it will of been changed. It is your choice, but many owners here with the AISIN AM6 and AL4 Auto boxes have done this as it can cure twitchy gear changes, hesitation and other niggles. An oil change can only be good and will ensure longer trouble-free operation. Think of it as a preventative measure and good maintenance

Check the steering rack condition - especially the pinion to see if that is rust-free.

How would I check? (starting to think AA inspection)
Yes a good idea - and ask them to specifically check the things like the pinion that we have mentioned here if you would find this difficult to do yourself.

Petrol will be thirstier with the auto - but again, make sure you are happy with it and give it a good run.

I believe it has a "manual mode"? Is it practical to use that for urban driving and would that improve MPG? Most of my driving is pottering around Wirral including supermarket trips which are just a mile each way. Some local motorway driving and a couple of trips to London a year.
Won't really make any difference. The manual mode is really if you want to have more control over your gear changes - but the auto box will select the best time for gear changes anyway for economy.

You won't have the Diesel particulate filter or additive to worry about either on the petrol - so maybe a trade off.

And DMF not an issue with auto box?
No they don't have a clutch and a DMF. They have a single solid flywheel and a single damper pulley

Conventional wisdom seems to be that DPFs are best avoided if you're a low mileage driver - I only do around 6k miles/year but am only five minutes from M53 if I needed an occasional high speed run?
It is of course the big question and will be up to you. You will get far greater economy on a Diesel, just ensure you allow the car to heat up and give it a good run once a month. It is important that the filter has time to regenerate every few hundred miles or when it needs to. Giving it a good run one a month should be fine for that sort of mileage. It only becomes an issue on those sort of short trips when done ALL the time and for much higher mileage
Thanks to everyone for all advice, greatly appreciated.

[Gibbo2286]

I changed the AM6 auto box oil on the project car as the box was an unknown from a dismantler (a huge gamble) that seems to have paid off, the gear changes are silky smooth.

I only did the part oil change, 3 litres, if I keep the car for myself I may repeat the job later but the oil that I drained from it wasn't particularly dirty, still almost red.

[faddy]

They AM6 boxes are again a solid and reliable gearbox

Just noticed that Parkers lists diesels with a 6-speed auto but petrols with a 4-speed.

[MikeT]

Conventional wisdom seems to be that DPFs are best avoided if you're a low mileage driver - I only do around 6k miles/year but am only five minutes from M53 if I needed an occasional high speed run?

I have DPF and my annual mileage is similar - mostly town driving. I don't believe annual mileage is any concern for regenerations to be effective. In fact, my blog shows how my DPF regenerations are occuring less and less per miles travelled since my ownership.

[GiveMeABreak]

They AM6 boxes are again a solid and reliable gearbox

Just noticed that Parkers lists diesels with a 6-speed auto but petrols with a 4-speed.

Probably to do with the extra torque produced by the diesel engines so need to deliver the power over a wider gear range.

[faddy]

Check the steering rack condition - especially the pinion to see if that is rust-free. Any rust can from water ingress can damage the seal, leading to rapid internal deterioration.

Is that an issue across the generations or only on the Mk3?

[faddy]

I would suggest it is also to do with the newer engines and needing to meet the newer Euro 5, 6 standards.

Are you answering my steering rack query with an answer about gearboxes?

[GiveMeABreak]

That's when it gets confusing having so many issues in the one thread - I've deleted those last 2 posts
Regarding the Steering Racks: It has been a particular issue on the C5 MK III (X7). A design flaw, though that will never be admitted. There was a replacement rack put into service as soon as they realised the number of issues no doubt. Some have had limited success with a repair, as Citroen only sell the complete new rack and not the separate seals. Reconditioned ones have also be known to fail again within 6 months to a year. I think once the rust gets in it destroys the internal seals.

[faddy]

Regarding the Steering Racks: It has been a particular issue on the C5 MK III (X7). A design flaw, though that will never be admitted. There was a replacement rack put into service as soon as they realised the number of issues no doubt. Some have had limited success with a repair, as Citroen only sell the complete new rack and not the separate seals. Reconditioned ones have also be known to fail again within 6 months to a year. I think once the rust gets in it destroys the internal seals.

Do we have any idea what percentage of Mk 3s have been affected? Presumably the earlier ones like the 58 reg I looked at today (that my wife fell in love with) worse than those built with redesigned rack?

[bobins]

Do we have any idea what percentage of Mk 3s have been affected? Presumably the earlier ones like the 58 reg I looked at today (that my wife fell in love with) worse than those built with redesigned rack?

A '58 plate C5 will 99.99999999% likely either already had the steering rack replaced or due to have it replaced soon. The only exception would be one that's never been out in the rain or is kept in a dehumidified garage Realistically, it's not a case of if it happens on one of that age, but when it happens. The only parts that go are the pinion shaft - which rusts - and the pinion seals, which get shredded by the rusty shaft. Citroen will happily sell you a brand new replacement rack, but it's possible to have a recon one fitted by a 'specialist' for sub-£400. ? As with everything in life - you get what you pay for and.... buyer beware

It's relatively easy to check the condition of the pinion shaft, but you need some basic tools and to be able to look into the nether regions of the driver's footwell.

[faddy]

Do we have any idea what percentage of Mk 3s have been affected? Presumably the earlier ones like the 58 reg I looked at today (that my wife fell in love with) worse than those built with redesigned rack?

A '58 plate C5 will 99.99999999% likely either already had the steering rack replaced or due to have it replaced soon. The only exception would be one that's never been out in the rain or is kept in a dehumidified garage Realistically, it's not a case of if it happens on one of that age, but when it happens. The only parts that go are the pinion shaft - which rusts - and the pinion seals, which get shredded by the rusty shaft. Citroen will happily sell you a brand new replacement rack, but it's possible to have a recon one fitted by a 'specialist' for sub-£400. ? As with everything in life - you get what you pay for and.... buyer beware

It's relatively easy to check the condition of the pinion shaft, but you need some basic tools and to be able to look into the nether regions of the driver's footwell.

Sub-£400 doesn't sound so bad. How does the problem manifest? Is there a risk of catastrophic failure? Would the MOT pick it up, if sufficiently advanced as to cause a problem?

[old'uns]

if its a Hydro then usually the signs are fluid on floor, which then progresses to a 'suspension fault warning' on dash.
mine leaked that badly that the fluid worked its way along the body and deformed the plastic sill covers.
steering acts as normal ie doesn't go stiff, wayward etc
MOT? they'll probably spot the leaks anyway, fluids on the outside is never a good thing

[bobins]

A rusty pinion shaft wouldn't be picked up on an MOT - it'd have to be a truly observant tester who saw and reported a purely rusty pinion shaft, as opposed a leaking one. Realistically, the first you'd know is - as old'uns says - a damp patch on the floor in the area of the steering rack and/or a low fluid warning or, if you're keeping a very regular eye on things, a damp area around the pinion shaft.
If you go for a metal sprung C5 X7 then the LDS/Fluide DA reservoir just supllies the steering rack. If you go for a hydro sprung one then the LDS supllies the suspension as well.

[faddy]

A rusty pinion shaft wouldn't be picked up on an MOT - it'd have to be a truly observant tester who saw and reported a purely rusty pinion shaft, as opposed a leaking one. Realistically, the first you'd know is - as old'uns says - a damp patch on the floor in the area of the steering rack and/or a low fluid warning or, if you're keeping a very regular eye on things, a damp area around the pinion shaft.
If you go for a metal sprung C5 X7 then the LDS/Fluide DA reservoir just supllies the steering rack. If you go for a hydro sprung one then the LDS supllies the suspension as well.

If I managed to inspect it presumably a liberal squirt of Waxoyl on the shaft would do no harm? Found these people on eBay offering replacement rack fitted for £355....