Thoughts on buying either a petrol or diesel C4 (2008 - 2010)

[fromthesamehill]

Bit of a strange question as I actually have a C4 HDI 1.6 Cachet diesel. It was a free car that I've had for a year, on 80k miles and I've had no real issues with it. It needed the thermostat replacing, as well as the battery, I got the cam-belt replace but I've had no other issues, other than slight play in the inner tie rods.

My main problem is the body is in quite embarrassing condition all over (previous owner), and it would not be worth sorting out. My plan was to keep driving it whilst it stays reliable and eventually buy something with a bigger budget, however, what I've noticed on Autotrader is that the 08-10 C4's don't seem as expensive as I imagined. For instance, I've seen models on similar mileage with great body work sell for £1.5-2k.

Aside from electric quirks, how reliable are these vehicles? I technically have the space to keep my current one off-road, and use for parts if needed.

Be honest if this is a stupid idea. I should probably just drive my current car until it has problems, but I miss the feeling of looking after something and taking pride in it.

[admiral51]

Hi
I have had both MK1 and Mk2 over the years, my current daily driver is a MK2.
2010 is the change over year between the 2 so will add some pictures of the difference.
General view on the forum is the 1.6 HDi whilst a good reliable engine has issues if not serviced correctly, particularly the oil and filter changes as it causes turbo issues across both MK1 and MK2.
The MK1 i had ended up needing the BSM ( engine fuse box ) to be replaced but that was an issue that had had a get it working fix long before i got hold of it so yes the older MK1 are prone to that causing random electrical faults.
My current C4 is an exclusive, has panoramic roof is a 2.0l HDi with i think 155 bhp but pretty convinced it is a DS4 but not with the badge.( By that i mean it was a Citroen C4 same time as they released DS4 under the Citroen brand ) and yes a great car but boy i wish it was a little bit more giving in the suspension.
I got it 18 months ago with 74k on the clock, now close to 99k and apart from broken both front springs and a failed water pump which would have been covered under warranty but would have cost me more to take it to them back than just get it sorted at my trusted local i really have had no issues.
The MK2 is in my opinion a big upgrade, the interior is much more like the 2008 upgraded MK3 C5 but as you know every car has its issues regardless of being new or second hand.
Cannot comment on the petrol version apart from having a 2005 C4 MK1 with a lawn mower engine it did the job but not that enjoyable and numerous electrical issues but once sorted good as gold.
Have a look through the Audio/Telematics section to see what kit is factory fitted and what it will do not what you are told the car has.
If your current daily is mechanically ok then i would keep it until you find something that is what you want. If you paid for someone to do the cambelt etc then you will not get that money back so i would keep looking and keep driving it until the right one comes along.
Anything you see post it here and someone with much more knowledge than me will chip in and give good and honest advice, mine is just honest and not technical based

Both pictures taken from current Auto Trader ads relavent to post
1st picture MK1
2nd picture MK2

Colin

[fromthesamehill]

Hi
I have had both MK1 and Mk2 over the years, my current daily driver is a MK2.
2010 is the change over year between the 2 so will add some pictures of the difference.
General view on the forum is the 1.6 HDi whilst a good reliable engine has issues if not serviced correctly, particularly the oil and filter changes as it causes turbo issues across both MK1 and MK2.
The MK1 i had ended up needing the BSM ( engine fuse box ) to be replaced but that was an issue that had had a get it working fix long before i got hold of it so yes the older MK1 are prone to that causing random electrical faults.
My current C4 is an exclusive, has panoramic roof is a 2.0l HDi with i think 155 bhp but pretty convinced it is a DS4 but not with the badge.( By that i mean it was a Citroen C4 same time as they released DS4 under the Citroen brand ) and yes a great car but boy i wish it was a little bit more giving in the suspension.
I got it 18 months ago with 74k on the clock, now close to 99k and apart from broken both front springs and a failed water pump which would have been covered under warranty but would have cost me more to take it to them back than just get it sorted at my trusted local i really have had no issues.
The MK2 is in my opinion a big upgrade, the interior is much more like the 2008 upgraded MK3 C5 but as you know every car has its issues regardless of being new or second hand.
Cannot comment on the petrol version apart from having a 2005 C4 MK1 with a lawn mower engine it did the job but not that enjoyable and numerous electrical issues but once sorted good as gold.
Have a look through the Audio/Telematics section to see what kit is factory fitted and what it will do not what you are told the car has.
If your current daily is mechanically ok then i would keep it until you find something that is what you want. If you paid for someone to do the cambelt etc then you will not get that money back so i would keep looking and keep driving it until the right one comes along.
Anything you see post it here and someone with much more knowledge than me will chip in and give good and honest advice, mine is just honest and not technical based

Both pictures taken from current Auto Trader ads relavent to post
1st picture MK1
2nd picture MK2





Colin

Thanks for the input Colin, really appreciate it.

When you say not serviced correctly, do you mean that leaving it too long, or more specific filter etc? This is probably due an oil and filter change, it's been roughly 18 months, and about 6k miles since.

I just thought the price looked reasonable given the current car market. My budget when replacing would be roughly £6k, but I do wonder if I could buy another MK1 HDI, and keep the other spare for parts etc.

[MattBLancs]

I owned a 2007 mk1 C4 in 1.6 HDi (110) manual, 5 door LX form. My dad owner it for several years prior to that (think about 5 years he had it, only about 2 years for me)

Engine excellent, reasonably nippy and very economical. Mine was no DPF, seems Citroen did some with, some without.
Fixed hub steering wheel good, swapped it for a leather version from a C4 Picasso. Cruise control a surprise given low spec.
Ride quality on the 16" wheels ok. Nice and quiet. Could do with a sixth ratio.

Only issue my dad suffered was a coolant pipe back of the engine split / chaffed?
Actually, no, he had the standard issue "boot wiring frayed where passes from body to bootlid" which gave rise to sporadic no boot access (stupid electronic button to release boot catch about 200mm away! ) and other weirdness until diagnosed.

I had gear cables snap (so had 3rd and 4th only, but it got me home and thankfully didn't kill the clutch in the process!) Also a dying battery.

Oh, also had a snapped front coil spring which went straight through the sidewall of the tyre when setting off to drive 100 miles home! Not a fun day that one!

Then I had a "chuffing injector" at the time too many projects on the go, so sold it on "spares or repair" for a pittance.
The buyer said it was fixed but checking the MOT history suggests it didn't do another year after my ownership. So not sure what killed it off in the end.
Was a good car but never really "got under my skin"

Had around 160,000 miles on it when I sold it I think, so did well in that regard

Needing a wash!

[MattBLancs]

And now realise you asked about mk2, so all that largely irrelevant!

[fromthesamehill]

And now realise you asked about mk2, so all that largely irrelevant!

No, that's great advice, thanks. I think my current one is a late MK1.

I just don't know if, to save money, it would be worth buying another one in future for £1.5-2k instead of a 6k budget? I can replace the current car when needed, but if these cars/engines are considered reliable, I wonder if I could get another tidier version.
Only issue with diesel, are the new emission zones etc.

[MattBLancs]

Glad is useful. Agree diesels currently pigeonholed as "the bogeyman" by government so emissions zones and the like may make ownership more painful for HDi versions.


Actually, one final bit of C4 related information sprang to mind:

My dad had a courtesy car at one stage, coincidentally also a mk1 C4, but petrol. I'm not sure if the 1.4 made it into the C4 (307 had it I think, so likely C4 did too) but it can't have been bigger than the 1.6 as his feedback on it was simply:

"Flat as a fluke"

(I.e. gutless!)

[admiral51]

Yes it did make it into the C4 and i referred to it as a lawn mower engine

Yes the oil needs changing on a more frequent basis than the recommended intervals. Some one with proper knowledge will say it correctly but there is a gauze in the feed pipe ( stub?) to the turbo that tends to get blocked with long intervals between oil changes. Some have removed the gauze and from memory others say change the oil every 7k or 12 months.
I cannot think of any real issues part wise being no longer available that would make keeping your current one as a spare viable bearing in mind you got it for nothing and with cambelt etc done it should with normal service stuff last for a while yet.
Sure that Admins who know their stuff will probably correct me on the above but that is usual for me

One thing i will suggest if you are thinking of getting another Citroen is to get yourself a DiagBox/Lexia diagnostic kit. I got mine maybe 4-5 years ago maybe longer but with a diagnostic session costing anything from £90+ you will get your money back in no time and you have all the help you need here with what the codes are etc.
Second thing i would suggest is become a Donor to the Forum, costs as little as £10 i think and you will get 2 years worth of parts information diagrams etc

I can't find the links to either the FCF donation or the Easy Diagnostic information will have a look and post unless someone gets in first

Colin

[MattBLancs]

Yes it did make it into the C4 and i referred to it as a lawn mower engine

Yes the oil needs changing on a more frequent basis than the recommended intervals. Some one with proper knowledge will say it correctly but there is a gauze in the feed pipe ( stub?) to the turbo that tends to get blocked with long intervals between oil changes. Some have removed the gauze and from memory others say change the oil every 7k or 12 months.

Yes, think 1.4 would be a bit "lost" pulling a C4 about!

Yes the 1.6 HDi has a few things that all come together to give it the "turbo killer" reputation:
- small volume of engine oil.
- stupid recessed sump plug means not fully drained (I did measure this, from memory is about half a litre stays behind!)
- EGR and DPF are both necessary for emissions but do nothing to the benefit of the engine's life.
- injector clamp studs + nuts are odd, very low torque fixings and seem frequently to come loose. Then injector not sealed (see my mention of chuffing injector) leads to horrible black gunk making its way up the injector guide tubes. This makes injector hard to remove but also this gunk can work its way into the oil system. Anecdotal evidence of valve gear then being excellent means of pulverising this into fine silt.

Just the job for blocking turbo oil feed and it's tiny mesh filter!

Plenty of oil changes and don't let the injector nuts come loose, should be fine.
Oil needs to be "low saps" or is another source of muck building in the oil to the detriment of bearing life.


On the plus side the 16v DV6 is one of the most rev happy and enjoyable to use little diesels I've ever come across. In good form it's good fun in a little 206 and still enjoyable in the bigger C4