your views please on Mk1 C5 2.0 Hdi automatics please?

[myglaren]

Hope you will be very happy with your semi-French conveyance Nigel.

[GiveMeABreak]

Good luck with the Dacia Nigel.

[CitroJim]

Yes, I trust it won't be a big disappointment Nigel

I look forward to hearing all about it...

[Paul-R]

Have to say it wouldn't be my first choice but, hey-ho, each to their own.

I'm sure you'll come back some time!

[GiveMeABreak]

Owner Reviews don't look too good Nigel - they go a bit downhill after the first 2:
http://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/4x4/owner-reviews/
Interestingly enough, the main What Car review recommends the Citroen Cactus as an obvious rival!
http://www.whatcar.com/dacia/duster/4x4/review/

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Marc, I'm not going anywhere near a 4x4 I'm chasing two wheel drives,
the fuel economy on the 4x4's is lousy to be honest.
because of the extra weight added by the extra gearbox, transmission and diff.
I don't seem to remember getting stuck in a two wheel drive anytime in the past.
and I always start in second gear in the snow. whilst those who don't know spin their wheels
going nowhere.

regards.
Nigel.

[GiveMeABreak]

I'm sure it will be fine whatever you decide to get.

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Trouble is Mate if anyone has the chance to remark on anything online they do like to complain a lot.
there are plenty of positive comments on other website's

There is one fault I need to avoid and that is the vehicle pulling to one side because of poor tyre alignment
on the back end, although this has been said to be because they are imported with poor quality cheap tyres fitted.
i.e. remolds...

[CitroJim]

Never read reviews... Always judge anything on its merits as you find them and never on what others say...

[falling-out-with-my-car]

off to test drive the next model down from the Duster tomorrow the stepway
it still has the same engine but boasts around 70mpg in eco mode
which is what my dad is achieving in his Dacia Sandero.
There seems to be a lot of complaints about the early 2013 Dusters.
and buying used does leave you in the lurch if anything untoward happens.
the good ground clearance of the Stepway means I can use it on dirt tracks
when I go fishing. the base model Sandero doesn't quite have enough ground clearance for this.
comments online say that the ride is better on larger wheels and with longer suspension travel.
the Renault clio diesel engine is relatively proven thus far.
a higher vehicle will make it easier for me to get in and out of as I am so tall.

Had a nice long chat with a chap outside Aldi who owns a Stepway and he said he went to Southampton and back on £20
worth of diesel. I though blimey I wouldn't be bothered if it cost me £30 there and back.
I'll let you know what happens tomorrow after the test drive.

[CitroJim]

Hope the test drive goes all well Nigel Do please let us know...

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Will do Jim its at eleven am so I probably won't be posting on it until the afternoon. I reckon with the length of time I keep a used car it wouldn't hurt to put away a fiver a week towards my next one. Well that's the plan anyway. Is anyone doing a help to buy a new car Isa ?

[CitroJim]

I reckon with the length of time I keep a used car it wouldn't hurt to put away a fiver a week towards my next one.

Now that Nigel, is not such a bad idea

[falling-out-with-my-car]

Well people Having stewed over the amount of money being spent
for not the most comfortable seats or ride and dwelling to much
on the prospect of finding that C5 eventually, I called off the test drive.
I just can't justify spending nearly seven grand on something unknown
that you can't even buy a service manual for and Haynes say that they will not be producing one.

so there you have it kind of shot myself in the foot a bit but I'm tasting the water again on a possible
C5 exclusive Hatchback 2005 65 Reg 85 thousand miler, its a stealer who wants 2k with a years MOT and one years warranty
thrown in, the only thing holding me back is the generous amount of what can only be described as a dry coppery like powered substance
all around the engine, wires and hoses, more so on the gearbox side of the engine. looks like the 12 month warranty might come in handy.

when I lifted the very light alloy bonnet to have a gander beneath I couldn't find a DPF or a bottle neck with which to fill
the Fap system. perhaps I wasn't looking properly the only bottle necks I could find were coolant which is clean and ever so slightly
below the top line and the windscreen filler neck at the front of the car, the rest is covered in big plastic covers.

can anyone shed any light on this please for when I go back to have a drive tomorrow?

Cheers Nigel.

[GiveMeABreak]

The DPF is inline with the exhaust system after the catalyser. The additive tank is under the car usually to the left of the fuel tank under a protective heat shield as viewed from the rear of the car.

That coppery stuff could be copper ease spray that has been used. Good stuff used on battery terminals and the backs of brake pads to stop the squeaks.

Here's a PSA video you may find informative on the DPF system