Whats your C5 like to drive?

[fastjet]

Hi, I have not owned a Citroen before and I thought I would try a C5 (2004 Hdi 2.0 110 bhp).
Thanks to the advice from people on this forum I have been able to sort out most of the issue on the C5.
But I still find it a little unusual to drive in that the engine appears to have most of its torque and Bhp developed at a low rpm.
What I mean by this is that the engine (2.0 Hdi) is strong between 1000 - 3000 rpm, a little extra power up to 3500, but nothing extra after 3500. Next to the Renault 1.9 Dci that I used to drive it seem quite unwilling to rev, yet the C5 keeps building speed steadily if you keep shifting up through the gears, realistically the 1500 - 3000 rpm rev band, which is very narrow. Does this sound normal for one of these cars? Or am I looking for a fault that is not throwing up a error code?
Could I ask, is yours like this?

[Stickyfinger]

Have you checked the throttle cable is adjusted correctly?

[aneesh84]

Hi, I have not owned a Citroen before and I thought I would try a C5 (2004 Hdi 2.0 110 bhp).
Thanks to the advice from people on this forum I have been able to sort out most of the issue on the C5.
But I still find it a little unusual to drive in that the engine appears to have most of its torque and Bhp developed at a low rpm.
What I mean by this is that the engine (2.0 Hdi) is strong between 1000 - 3000 rpm, a little extra power up to 3500, but nothing extra after 3500. Next to the Renault 1.9 Dci that I used to drive it seem quite unwilling to rev, yet the C5 keeps building speed steadily if you keep shifting up through the gears, realistically the 1500 - 3000 rpm rev band, which is very narrow. Does this sound normal for one of these cars? Or am I looking for a fault that is not throwing up a error code?
Could I ask, is yours like this?

That is the whole point of having these engine, low down torque. The lower the RPM, the lesser the fuel consumption, lesser wear and tear and longer life. I rarely go above 2500, and only on highways. Mostly 1200-2000 rpm. Thats the sweet spot, where you get maximum fuel economy.

[Harlequin]

I have a 2.2 , and really never need to go above 3000 rpm. Peak torgue (about 280 lb/ft) is at 2000 rpm anyway

[lexi]

This is why I call mine The Donk. Real slogger of an engine for lazy no fuss driving. Good for towing and creeping about with boats over rough ground. As you say, it builds speed up just fine as I get by most things on long country roads. Great engine and why I am loathe to change car. I drive from Arnamurchan to Paisley regular and it is ideal. A faster car does not make the journey any better than C5.

[myglaren]

Both mine were sluggish initially.

Cleaning the pipes, intercooler and EGR made a phenomenal difference to the first one so had the same one to the second, which started out much worse as the throttle cable has far too much slack in it, as mentioned above.

Cleaning or changing the MAF can have a very beneficial effect if it needs it but it is very delicate, just spray with carb cleaner of MAF cleaner, don't touch nything inside.

[Hell Razor5543]

The PSA group managed to get the engine/gearbox combination right with the C5 (they are good at that!). The C5s were designed as long distance cruisers. As such you want an engine that is comfortable at low revs, and a gearbox that lets this happen. At 70MPH my C5 is barely working at 2000RPM.

[Stewart(oily)]

My Xantia has the same engine and drivetrain, these engines are about torque, there is no need to spin them fast, mine once towed a loaded transit van without breaking a sweat, get into a tall gear early and ride the wave, they seem to bog a bit on gearchanges anyway, though not as pronounced as the 90 bhp versions in my experience.

[Peter.N.]

Most diesel produce their maximum torque at about 2000 rpm, once you exceed that the engine is loosing efficiency, I rarely drive mine much above 2000 even when changing gear, driven like that it will do 50 - 60 mpg.

Peter

[Gibbo2286]

Mine's a 2006 2.0 litre 138 automatic Estate, it simply flies, it's Rolls Royce quiet at any speed on decent roads, has the best ride I've encountered on any of my previous Citroens but it's also the lowest mileage car at 76k.

Has a couple minor of things I've not got around to fixing yet but in general it's a very nice car...……...not sure about the fuel consumption it seems pretty thirsty but almost entirely local use with only maybe once a month getting a 100 mile round trip via fast A roads.

[fastjet]

Thanks for the reply's. It sounds as though mine is running as it should.

[bxzx16v]

I've had two C5's , a 2.0hdi 8valve and 2.2hdi both nice cars to drive but as you say seemed lazy next to my wife's 1.9dci Laguna she had at the time . Very comfy cars though.

Mark