Springs or hydropneumatic suspension?

Post by **Thunderbird** » 31 Aug 2004, 16:51

One reason that makes me consider not buying Citroen again is the fact hydropneumatic suspension maintenance costs are indeed much higher than other cars with typical suspension.
If you want to keep comfort at its best, you must change/charge spheres in short periods and LHM fluid (not considering other complications).
Also the difference in confort, handling and driving pleasure has been narrowed to the point other brands are producing cars that even get more comfortable in some types of roads.
Even Citroen's Xsara is very close to the comfort of a Xantia.
Will the new non-LHM C5 really bring suspension maintenance prices down?

tomsheppard · Post by **tomsheppard** » 31 Aug 2004, 17:30

Are you for real? Just last week, you were suggesting that an Activa with its ten spheres was no problem and now this. Try changing the dampers on a conventional car and cost in your time.
A Citroen BX gets new springs and dampers all round for about £90 and if it takes more than an hour to do then you had a lazy tea break.

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 31 Aug 2004, 17:57

Unless, of course, for whatever reason you can't/won't do it yourself, in which case the mechanic will suck his cheeks in, say "Thats a Citroen, specialist only motor that is, all those hydraulics, special tools, can't get the parts, blahblahblah...." and then charge accordingly......

uhn113x · Post by **uhn113x** » 31 Aug 2004, 18:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
One reason that makes me consider not buying Citroen again is the fact hydropneumatic suspension maintenance costs are indeed much higher than other cars with typical suspension.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Nah - lower!
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
If you want to keep comfort at its best, you must change/charge spheres in short periods and LHM fluid (not considering other complications).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Fronts + accumulator every 3 years - approx £60 - rears every 5 years - approx £40.
Most other complications will not happen if LHM is changed as soon as it ceases to resemble Creme de Menthe.
Also the difference in confort, handling and driving pleasure has been narrowed to the point other brands are producing cars that even get more comfortable in some types of roads.
Even Citroen's Xsara is very close to the comfort of a Xantia.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Will the new non-LHM C5 really bring suspension maintenance prices down? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> Not likely!! Unique spheres - loads of electronics that will eventually be obsolescent, added cost of brake and power steering fluid changes. That's progress, mate [;)]
On a slightly different tack, the DS21 engine is a tad smoother than the 23.

Post by **Thunderbird** » 31 Aug 2004, 19:12

Hummm, Xantia V6 Activa has a superb suspension, yet, and as Tom stated, it is also a problematic one, and this means rather expensive costs... Good things are expensive.
I only do simple DIY tasks like changing oil/oil filter, and breaks. When I had to change the spheres and LHM, took it to Citroen, and it was a rather rather expensive intervention.
uhn113x, concerning the C5, that's what I feared. Renault Laguna, Peugeot 407, etc, appear to be better options.
Concerning the DS21/23, I also agree with you.

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 31 Aug 2004, 20:20

Due to not having any money I have always done my own maintenence on all my cars (rovers/Fords etc) and in all honesty if you can do oil change and brakes you could easily manage 99% of jobs concerning the suspension, I was to a little worried of the suspension etc but it really is quite simple to maintain/ service.

Post by **Thunderbird** » 31 Aug 2004, 21:10

Does replacing LHM and cleaning the filter compare to changing engine oil and replacing the filter?

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 31 Aug 2004, 21:20

Probably easier as your not on your back!!!!!!!

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 31 Aug 2004, 21:21

Its no more difficult, just a bit messier, and to do it properly you should also bleed the brakes-and, in the case of the BX, avoid slicing your wrist on the rim of the reservoir[:0][:(]-sharp metal as opposed to the Xantias blunt plastic-nothing particularly complicated or involved, however.

Post by **Thunderbird** » 31 Aug 2004, 21:59

Is there a good (and ilustrated) maintenance manual in the www that shows how to change LHM, clean filter, and bleed the brakes?

paranoid · Post by **paranoid** » 31 Aug 2004, 22:25

If you go to the Citroenz.com site and go to hints and tips, there is an excellent guide to changing LHM, Thanks to our resident expert Anders!!!!

Post by **Thunderbird** » 31 Aug 2004, 23:01

Well, the CitroenZ.com tips and tricks are very good - the text at least - to be perfect they just miss the illustrations or diagrams. Without them I cannot be sure where to touch...

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 31 Aug 2004, 23:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Thunderbird

When I had to change the spheres and LHM, took it to Citroen, <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That'll be your problem.
Only take a Citroen to a Citroen garage if you really have to (or you need to lose some money for tax reasons).
Plenty of independant Citroen specialists, some of them don't even suck throught their teeth and shake their heads.
But changing front spheres is easier than doing an oil change.

uhn113x · Post by **uhn113x** » 01 Sep 2004, 13:04

Thunderbird
Changing LHM and spheres is a doddle. Whereabouts do you live - I am sure that there will be a listee near you that will supervise the operation if you want (even me!). Many folk have started just doing simple jobs and progressed to doing all of them.

Post by **Thunderbird** » 01 Sep 2004, 16:12

That's right, but you can also do the maintenance on a non-hydropneumatic suspension, at higher intervals, cheaper, and less hard to detect complications... [^]