New C5 Owner- Intro and questions :)

timborob · Unread post by **timborob** » 16 May 2010, 01:07

Hi all

I have already introduced myself on the "Introduction" page but not had much chance to discuss my car as had problems from day one

Its now been repaired after it's Head Gasket Failure and I hope it will now serve me well for many years to come

However there are still a few niggles with it which i have seen have been covered here before

1. Oil level sensor on startup displays full and then on next start up is empty!

2. Trip computer seems to have a mind of its own as displayed 999.99 mpg briefly on the way home today!

3. Traffic Master announcements can be annoying as randomly keeps asking to call them as out of date and gotta keep pressing the button to cancel it!

4. Temperature guage . when i first collected the car in march there was no display (showing -- ) today it was displaying 40 C.

I know this appears to be a common problem and the sensors to blame in the LHS wing mirror

Generally I find the car to be great otherwise i wouldn't have brought
but i didn't quite do my homework right as thought this 2.0 VTR model
would have had a sport mode suspension.

I wish i did have a sport mode as do find the suspension is abit soft especially after driving my wifes Mazda 3 TS2 diesel.

Now i have read there are ways of softening the suspension with different spheres but can you stiffen it up?

Have more enquiries to ask after some replies please

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 16 May 2010, 12:35

1) Don't know for sure but check the connection to the sensor. Not to sure where it is but I think it's at the back of the sump.

2) On the instantaneous MPG readout this is not uncommon whengoing downhill on a trailing throttle as the ECU stops all fuel injection and you're effectively getting mileage for no fuel for a short while

3) It's annoying but using a series of button presses (see the handbook) you can reduce this to just after switch on when you're you're flicking the ignition off and on.

4) Just replaced the sender myself last week. Briefly take the mirror glass out, push the mirror into parked condition and unclip the back edge of the cover and then the four clips for the rest of the cover that can now be got at with mirror removed. I cut the wires, soldered them together and sealed the joins with heatshrink tubing. Ttaking the whole mirror loom out is a nightmare.

There's a post from me further down the page about putting 3+ suspension on a 2.0l HDi as none of the 2 litre diesel PhI models have it. It's probably not worth it.

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=30845

timborob · Unread post by **timborob** » 16 May 2010, 18:47

Thanks for the fast reply Paul -R

I will ask my mechanic friend to try and find the Oil sensor for me
when he does some work replacing the discs and pads for me

The MPG read was as you say when there was no throttle and going downhill.

The average coming back on my 130 miles journey was shown as 44.8 mpg and the worst i see briefly whilst accelerating was 19 mpg.

I will have to check out the handbook further then regarding this trafficmaster system, Thanks for the advice.

It looks like putting 3+ would not be cost effective at all and too complicated

BUT if you can put spheres on with larger holes for comfort can you not put slightly smaller holes for a firmer ride?
Just curious really!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 16 May 2010, 19:00

Some of the C5 electircal glitches you have there

I find the oil level gauge can be a bit hit and miss, so i just ignore it. Mine is usually always right but there are times when its not and this also happens on our other 2.0HDi 110.

If your on the instant MPG setting and not the average your mpg readout will go up to 999.9, as your not actually using any fuel when your foot is not on the accelerator and your coasting in gear. So thats working perfectly.

As for not doing your homework, i would say you have bought the best S1 C5. If you wanted a diesel, and you obviously did, then you would have had to buy the 2.2HDi (which is standard with H3+, no 2.0HDi ever had H3+) However the cost for having this can be inconvenient, expensive and annoying as the 2.2 is fairly well known to be a little bit of a problem enigne. Just about every 2.2 had FAp filter wanrings at some point, this need the fluid topping up, filters cleaning and it can actually get quite expensive if things are left. Then there are some injector issues and issues with getting the injectors out i believe. Also many owners seem to report poor MPG too.

I dont find the C5 handles too badly for what it is, a large, heavy car with a more comfort orientated suspension setup. It does roll and pitch about a bit but with decent tyres they really grip well in my opinion. Though are not really much fun to throw around, but again they are not intended for this.

I like the VTR spec, i like the interior, the added features over other models (no other S1 hatch has a rear wiper, for example). Some earlier VTRS didnt have climate control, but most do.

What are your other enquiries?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 16 May 2010, 19:20

Push the Trafficmaster button and hold for five seconds to shut the annoying thing up.

timborob · Unread post by **timborob** » 16 May 2010, 19:57

Hi again Citroenmad and myglaren

I will have to try holding that Traffic Master button it longer then as can drive you crazy!

Looks like i will have to learn to ignore the oil level warning for now too

For some reason I really thought or had read somewhere the 2.0 VTR
had sport mode and I must have got mixed up with a 2.2 review.

Still as you say it does handle quite well but i find already with all the speed humps in and around London that my car is driving on its highest setting most of the time and when i get out and look at it. it's like it is well jacked up or someone's swapped my wheels for much smaller ones!

So is there really much difference between having a H3 compared to a H3+ car in sport mode when it comes to the bendy bits?

My other enquiries were :
A Tuning Box which i have now already posted on

Are there any newer clarion radios which have MP3 and aux input that are compatible with our built in computer display?

I have found out you can buy a Connect 2 aux out which plugs into the CD changer socket for less than £30 but a new head unit would be nicer

I would also really like to have my H3 Suspension looked over and flushed but who's the best place to take it too in the London area
Any help appreciated

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 16 May 2010, 21:27

Ive only had a very breif drive of a h3+ car, i didnt think it was any more comfortable but it might be nicer to drive in the sport mode. That is a feature i love on the Xm, as it turns an already capable car into a much tighter and more rewarding car to drive. However i dont think the C5 could ever offer Xm kind of involvement. I dont miss not having it as ive never had a C5 with it and i probably never will.

If the car senses a bad road which has lots of harsh bumps the car will raise slightly to avoid it damaging the underside and give it a bit more upward wheel travel. Though i would have though this would work as a dissadvantage as the wheel has less of a drop remaining.

I have a connects2 in my C5 for my ipod, it works well and does the job nicely. Ive hidden the wire for mine under the centre console and neatly cut a hole in the bottom of the rear ash tray with the lead sticking through, so its not on display.

I did consider an aftermarket head unit, however that thougt was soon gone. For a few reasons: 1. I prefere OEM original items and not a fan of the glitzy lights etc on a lot of aftermarket audio units. 2. the two buttons, one either side of the radio unit will not fit back in place with an aftermarket unit fitted, as they clip to the side of the radio. 3. i like the steering column mounted audio controls and the display on the centre dash screen, i think you can get some which still are compatable with the audio controls but im not sure about the display.

Can't advise you on a specialist as ive no idea who is in that area, but i would say only every use a specialist, someone who knows the cars well.

timborob · Unread post by **timborob** » 16 May 2010, 22:02

Thanks again Citroenmad for the advice.

Ah an XM is the reason why my thoughts were turned to buy a Large Citroen aswell as the Sky Blue SM that's parked not more than 100 yards from me and there's also a Xsara VTS 50 yards further!

My car seems to rise quite alot when going over speed bumps and it does feel pretty high that's for sure (almost like a 4 x4)

I'm thinking a Connects2 will have to do the job for me too as already tried some FM transmitter with not good enough sound quality where i am.
Maybe I'll treat myself to a new MP3 player with large text and ID3 tagging instead of a new head unit

I will have a good think over who i will take my car to have the suspension and servicing done in the future
I expect a good place to start will be to ask those other closeby owners.