What to look for at 100k

[Zedster]

I am considering buying a C5 Estate around 2010 ish and 100k miles ish. Judging on what I have read so far the 2.0L diesel seams to be the one to go for. Past experience tells me 100k is a mileage when things start to go wrong. So I was wondering what to look out for when buying and what sort of jobs are likely to need doing at that mileage. I am reasonably automotive engineering competent and tend to do all jobs myself. But I confess to knowing nothing about diesels so would be keen to know what I should be looking for in a diesel.

[GiveMeABreak]

It's not so much a matter of mileage - things can go wrong at any stage - like most cars. There will be obvious things like the timing belt service that will be due around this sort of mileage, or at 10 years, whichever is the soonest.

Have a look at the C5 X7 poll that will give you some idea of the most common failures / work that members have had done:

viewtopic.php?t=59630

[Peter.N.]

Both of mine have done 100k+. The 2.0. Hdi engine is bombproof so shouldn't cause any problems unless someone has done something stupid. I went for manual gearboxes for reliability and economy which is excellent, 60 mpg+ on the motorway and also springs rather than hydropnumatic as the ride is almost as good although both springs have broken on one, still cheaper and more reliable that hydro.

I have had hydro since the '80s on the CX, BX and XM but the ride over short sharp bumps as in farm tracks is actually better with springs, not at speed though.

If you want good ride comfort, quietness and economy they are your car.

Peter

[Zedster]

Hi Peter

I went for manual gearboxes for reliability and economy which is excellent, 60 mpg+ on the motorway and also springs rather than hydropnumatic as the ride is almost as good although both springs have broken on one, still cheaper and more reliable that hydro.

One of the reasons I was attracted to the C5 was I had heard it was one of the last hydropneumatic cars produced by Citroen (I hate roll and generally fit stiffenned and lowered springs on spring cars, I loved my old BX suspension). So is the C5 a spring car? or are there hydropneumatic variants as well? how can I tell before going to view?

[Hell Razor5543]

The Mk1 and Facelift were exclusively hydropneumatic, and were from 2001-2004 and 2004-2008. They mainly were H3 (four spheres, one per strut), but some of the top models also had H3+ (6 spheres, one per strut and one extra at each end), giving you the choice of 'Comfort' or 'Sport' at the push of a button (the height control is down by the gear lever and will certainly have the 'Up' and 'Down' buttons, with (if the car had H3+) a 'Sport' button in the middle. The estate models also have a button in the boot that allows you to lower the rear of the car, to make it easier to lift heavier items in. When you close the boot the car then raises the back to the correct height.

This is what the 'Sport' switch looks like (the standard switch has "Citroen" where the 'Sport' button is);

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165021156428 ... SwDHZhGnDJ

The X7 is the range that had steel springs.

[Michel]

I've had 3 C5s (Mk1s) all with over 100k on them, one is well over 200k and and still going. I've just bought an 11-plate C4 Grand Picasso with 209000 on it, and it's like a car that's done 1/4 of the mileage.

Modern vehicles, especially the moving bits don't really wear out like they used to. The manufacturing processes and materials used mean that cars are usually binned off when the expensive electronic bits fail and aren't economical to replace, rather than at 35,000 miles when the engine is worn out and the floor has rotted away like an 80s Ford or BL motor used to.

[Peter.N.]

The Exclusives are I think mostly auto's, I was very fortunate to find a car with most Exclusive features, glass roof (although I don't know why) Electric full leather, satnav, parking sensors etc but manual and sprung suspension, not seen another one since. My main concern was a comfortable ride, I don't find excessive roll with the springs but that's not my main concern, I don't drive fast or hard, I would love a diesel DS if they made one. If you want a car with firm suspension I don't think you want a C5.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Auto boxes were always an option Peter. Early models had the 4 Speed AL4 and later models the AM6.

[Peter.N.]

Even on the Exclusive Marc? Must be rare like mine, never seen one with a manual box.

Peter

[Paul-R]

My X7 Exclusive Estate has a manual gearbox Pete. I've not looked at any other Exclusives so I can't even give you a snap poll of its rarity. I must admit that I thought (without any evidence though!) that even on Exclusives a manual box was more common.

FWIW my old Mk1 Exclusive was also a manual.

[Peter.N.]

You learn something everyday - and usually forget it by the next. Thank you Paul you have educated me, Its probably because every Exclusive I have looked at has been auto.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Even on the Exclusive Marc? Must be rare like mine, never seen one with a manual box.

Peter

Yes, it's optional - mine was a top of the line Exclusive with most option packs and a manual 6 speed. I prefer a manual in any case.

[Peter.N.]

I shall have to stop forming opinions Marc.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Actually to be fair Peter:

The AL4 4 speed was offered on early models in 2008 for the less powered 1.6 diesel and petrol models, with the AM6 being offered for higher powered models.

The AL4 was then dropped in favour of the AM6 and the EGS (manually piloted System) was offered on some of the 1.6 diesels, with the AM6 becoming an option on the more higher powered models.

But going forward in 2014 when they decided they were going to end production of the C5 X7, the range was narrowed with the dropping of the Petrol engines and the AM6 box only available on the later 160 HDI diesels.

Further, in 2016 on the last run of the X7, they only provided the Exclusive trim and only one choice of diesel engine and that was only fitted with the automatic AM6 for both the Tourer and Saloon, so no options before it ceased production.

So they were obviously gearing up to wind down production a good few years before to cut costs and no doubt start re-tooling the production lines.

[Peter.N.]

Could be something to do with it Marc as most that are for sale seem to be 2008's like mine - don't look at the later ones to dear. Narrow search field.

Peter