More C5 questions

[Peter.N.]

Hi folks

Are all C5 diesels fitted with auxilluary heaters, if not how do you know if one is. I have one in my 406 but there is no reference to it in either the handbook or manual.

Are all the C5 seats the same, if not which ones are best?

Thanks. Peter

[cachaciero]

In a word no least ways I don't think many Mk1's had them, not sure about mk2'S have seen a few with what looks like a snorkel air intake poking over the center of the rad not sure if this is an air intake for an auxillary heater can't think what else it could be.

cachaciero

[waynedance]

Don't they have electric heaters in the coolant or something?

[KevMayer]

My C5 has an aux heater element.

It's an electric element in the air ducting. It's usefull in the winter to heat up the windscreen when it's iced up.

It gives you warmish air from the screen vents much more quickly than if you wait for the engine to warm up.

[Citroenmad]

I have never looked into it fully but im pretty sure all three of our C5s have a Aux. heater, they warm up very quickly and are very soon producing warm air from the vets.

Yes, all C5 seats are the same shape, I think they are comfortable and can spend equal time in them as I would an XM seat and not get uncomfortable. Though it might take some adjusting too if your only used to XM seats etc.

Not many C5s have adjustable lumbar support, some have armrests on the front seats and others lumbar adjustment. I did think they lacked a little lumbar support when I first got a C5, but that is only because myprevious car had too much. My C5II is adjustable for lumbar but the earlier SX is not.

Spec wise, Id go for SX, or VTR. SX has smaller 15" wheels with XM 2.1 size tyres (195.65.15) and so tyres are very cheap, a pair of Michelins can be fitted for £130+. If you go for VTR or any C5 with 16" alloys it will wear (215.55.16) which I find are about twice as much as the smaller wheel'd cars. Roughly £260 for a pair of Michelins ...

SX is a good spec, has air con, trip computer, front armrests, auto wipers and lights, dual zone climate control, etc. Its very popular with your desired engine too, its rare to find a 2.0HDi 110 Exclusive and the LX is a bit spartan.

[Peter.N.]

Thanks Chris and others, very useful info as usual. I had noticed that the SX has a better spec and 15" wheels are a must.

Peter

[Citroenmad]

Seems as though you have settled on spec then peter. Will it be an estate or hatch?

[Peter.N.]

Estate definitly - I only run estates, no room in a hatch for what I carry. I will be on the lookout but there is no urgency at the moment unless either of the XMs fail the MOT and that is not until June - but if the right car comes along ...

Peter

[Citroenmad]

Ill keep my eyes pealed for a nice 2.0HDi 110 SX estate C5 for you

[Peter.N.]

There are some pretty cheap ones down here Chris, an 04 went for about £700 a few days ago and there is one in Cornwall now with a £50.00 start. Its a question of being able to get to them in time. I have to go to Essex on Wednesday to look at a Ranger for my son. I'm busier now than I was before I retired! Anway by all means let me know if you see anything interesting.

Peter

[cachaciero]

In a word no least ways I don't think many Mk1's had them, not sure about mk2'S have seen a few with what looks like a snorkel air intake poking over the center of the rad not sure if this is an air intake for an auxillary heater can't think what else it could be.

cachaciero

I was referring to the "proper auxillary heater". the one that burns diesel, not the wimpy electrical resistors which kind of warm the air up after five minutes on a good day (i.e temp above 0)
Have discovered that the snorkel air intake I was referring to is actually the engine air intake on Mk2's Citroen must have learned from the Mk1 sucking up water into the air cleaner

cachaciero

[Norlander]

Spec wise, Id go for SX, or VTR. SX has smaller 15" wheels with XM 2.1 size tyres (195.65.15)

C5 SX 2.2 (2002) uses 205-65-15 tyres.

[Citroenmad]

Spec wise, Id go for SX, or VTR. SX has smaller 15" wheels with XM 2.1 size tyres (195.65.15)

C5 SX 2.2 (2002) uses 205-65-15 tyres.

Indeed it does, though Peter is only wanting the 2.0HDi 110 engine.

However you have jogged my memory, all estate SXs also have 205-65-15 tyres and the same alloy wheels as 2.2 SX hatchbacks.

[waynedance]

Ok set my heating to high heat tonight and within minutes had warn air from my vents superb idea having a heating element in the air ducts. So many things I keep finding out about the C5.

[Peter.N.]

Its actually a diesel fired water heater that feeds its output directly into the heater - brilliant idea for a cold mortal like me, best part of the 406! I get warm air from my vents in about a minute but its about three miles before the temp gauge is anywhere near normal.

Peter