Thinking of buying a C5, am I mad?

stevenlizuk · Unread post by **stevenlizuk** » 12 Feb 2009, 11:14

Hello all,

I'm thinking of rejoining the fold after replacing my Xantia with a 406.
Specifically I'm looking at a C5 2.2SX estate on an 02 or 03 plate.

Any problems I should be aware of?

Cheers

Steve

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 12 Feb 2009, 14:23

Would that be petrol or HDi?

Steve.

stevenlizuk · Unread post by **stevenlizuk** » 12 Feb 2009, 14:29

HDi.

I am a convert to the church of DERV.

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 12 Feb 2009, 14:43

Others may disagree but the running costs of the 2.2 are considerably higher than the 2.0 8v HDi. The 2.2 is in the higher tax band, needs Eolys fluid to enable the FAP to work, a dealer tool is needed to update the FAP ECU when the Eolys is filled up and the FAPs aren't cheap when they need replacing - they can be steam cleaned but the run off is classed as toxic waste so dealers just change them and give you the large bill. The FAP sensors can go wrong if it isn't serviced correctly adding more to the bill and if the injectors corrode into the head it's BIG money. That's all on top of the usual HDi costs if they go wrong. Apparently a great engine if looked after correctly.

Sorry if it sounds harsh but lot's of owners have been caught out with the 'hidden' costs. That's why I bought the 2.0 8v HDi.

Hope that helps?

Steve.

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 12 Feb 2009, 18:20

My C5 2.2 Hdi has been very reliable in the 3 years I've owned it.

I only get 36 mpg with a mixture of stop start country lanes and town driving.

I get around 40 mpg on a run down the motorway.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 12 Feb 2009, 20:30

Strange, i would have thought you get better mpg than that?.....i always heard that the HDI's gave better economy than the TD's

E H Shaw · Unread post by **E H Shaw** » 12 Feb 2009, 21:33

I get about 44mpg, a mixture of country lane and town; 50 or more on motorway depending on speed. Minor electrical faults only in last 3 years, all cured after referring to forum groups. Beware, later 2.0HDi has particulate filters and EOLYS fluid. Other forum users state that as long as you top up EOLYS fluid before getting the out of liquid message, you don't need a visit to Citroen to get computer reset. (98k miles and no messages yet - I put in 1litre at 10k miles (early model needing 5litres every 50k miles). Has been totally reliable and very comfortable and is excellent tow car for my caravan. In short, the best car I have owned so far in my 45+years motoring. Some cars are not without faults, but check the other forums and you'll find Citroen are not alone in having rogues.

(2001 2.2 HDi SX hatch)

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 13 Feb 2009, 00:30

If you have a look on the back room forum of Honest Johns website you'll find lots of info on the subject. Mainly the 307s and 407s that run the same technology, mainly because they sell in greater numbers than C5s.

Just don't even consider a Mazda 6 diesel unless you have a fetish for suffering and very deep pockets!

Steve.

stevenlizuk · Unread post by **stevenlizuk** » 13 Feb 2009, 10:59

Interesting response, and in the main not unexpected.

Sounds like Citroen still need to get their act together as far as the electrics go.
The depreciation factor doesn't worry me too much as I'd in all likelihood be keeping the car 'til it was ready to scrap.
Bit surprised by the mpg reports though was expecting it to be better than most seem to report here. Still getting 45mpg from my 2.1 406 and would have hoped to get better from a much newer car with newer engine technology, albeit a larger engine.

I loved my Xantia but am wondering if I can live with the hassle of another car filled potential electrical issues.

Food for thought.

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 13 Feb 2009, 11:19

Please don't get me wrong, the C5 is a lovely car. Not one passenger has been in mine and not commented what a lovely car it is and how comfy it is. There are loads used as Taxis and for good reason, the price is right and in the main they're reliable.

You have to consider that modern cars are often heavier due to the demands of modern crash protection, not just bodyshell but also all the airbags, etc. Another aspect of the fuel consumption are the emission systems fitted, they have some effect from back pressure alone. If you check the general motoring forum lots of owners have problems with modern cars and especially modern diesels, sometimes purely because they have been mis-sold, a significant number are used for pottering around town and it's killing them they never run hot, fast and long enough to regenerate the particulate filters.

I'm only selling mine and going back to XMs because the C5 is a bit too normal for me, never goes wrong and very typically modern average saloon but with a better ride.

Hope that helps.

Steve.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Feb 2009, 20:08

Im hopefully picking up a 2.0HDi C5 hatch next weekend, which im looking forward to.

I have done a lot of researching into cars lately, namely the C5, Laguna and Mon-deo faults. Actually they all suffer similar faults, probably the Renault being the worst, as that often has gearbox and turbo problems n the 1.9DCi. All can suffer injector problems, however this seems very closely linked to which fuel is use, im not meaning putting petrol in a diesel, but using tescos instead of shell, is not good for modern cars!!!

The C5 is my preffered choice, always has been but i wanted to look at what else was around and how relaible the competition was.

I really didnt want as C5 with the FAp filter, aparently you can avoid the faults by filling up the fluid, but not having it is an easier way to solve the problem. Since the S1 C5 2.0HDi 110s dont have the FAP, that was the obvious choice for me.

Some owners on here report near 60MPG on a good run with their 2.0, and around 45-50ish on average. Not bad, when you consider its a lot heavier and has an awful lot more safety kit than your 406 will do.

So in short, it would seem you get inbuilt problems with all modern cars, you just have to be prepared and maintain your car, which will keep a lot of the problems at bay.

Nothing i have read on here has put me off a C5, i can't see why you would be either. They are a great car, very good value for money and a very comfortable cruiser.

den169 · Unread post by **den169** » 14 Feb 2009, 21:13

Iv'e had my c5 sx estate for two and a half years now and spent very little on it just brake pads oil etc,It still drives and looks like a new car even though its a 2003,I was thinking of getting a mon-deo just because of the better mpg and torque they have,But if a nice c5 estate exclusive model came along at a good price i'd go for that.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Feb 2009, 22:06

Ive been looking into this too, the fact the Mon-deo is claimed to achieve better MPG than the 2.0HDi C5.

What do you get with your C5 den??

Mondeo owners get anything from 40 average to 50-55 on a run with their TDCis.

Seems the same or a little lower than C5 owners get?

Plus, reading all the faults with the mondeo, i wouldnt really want one. Most sites say, at around 100K you need: New injectors, new DMF and possibly a turbo. Not to mention the common EGR issues and rear suspension problems which often needs to have the rear suspension beam replaced.

I think your safer with a C5!

den169 · Unread post by **den169** » 15 Feb 2009, 15:23

I get 40mpg local over 50mpg on the motorway,But my brother has a 6 speed Mon-deo estate and is getting a lot more 49mpg local 60mpg motorway at 80mph.Plus my son inlaw is an apprenticed trained ford mechanic which does help.