New member... not a French car owner, but my wife is

[the_oaf]

Hi,
Just a quick intro as to why I'm here if I don't own a French car...

My wife and I made the decision a while ago to move to NZ. She's a Kiwi, but I'm not. The issue with that is that whereas she can just go, I need a visa, and post-covid processing times were very long (they only opened up applications a year ago, and were still working on the pre-pandemic backlog first). Earlier this year my wife had some family issues she had to help sort out so we decided she should go, get everything sorted out, then stay and get herself set up over there for when I move across, as if I stay here, I can at least keep earning the whole time, which is better than being forced to be idle over there.

So a few months ago she went looking for a car and found one she liked... a 2015 Citroen C4 Exclusive 1600cc Hatchback. She's had Citroens before over here, so she was keen. Honestly, most people (myself and her Dad included) tried to advise against a French car. Nothing to do with the brand, nationality or make, but purely from a logistics point of view. French cars are so rare over there (I think that particular model only sold 12 or so in the entire country) that if parts are ever needed, the expense and time to get them from literally the other side of the planet are ridiculous. But, she is headstrong, so she got it anyway... and I have to admit, it looks lovely, although I've yet to see it in person yet, let alone get in it or drive it.

But can you guess what happened..?

Yep... 2 weeks outside warranty, her drivers side window, all of a sudden, just dropped into the door. It turns out the cable within the mechanism inside snapped. It looks like the previous owner must have left the window open in the rain a few times, water got in, and rusted the whole thing out. Should be an easy fix, right? Well, according to the closest Citroen dealer to her that she took it to, there's no chance of getting that part from a scrapyard in NZ, as the car's so rare, so they'll have to order new, and due to the distance, it'll take at least 2 months to get there, and the cost (with fitting) will be approaching NZD1,500.

Luckily, with me still being in the UK, I reckon I can find the part much more easily over here, and get it to her more quickly at a fraction of that price.

So, please look for my post, as I need to identify the part no. from pictures, then track it down.

Cheers,
Matt.

[Hell Razor5543]

Hi, and to the Forum.

The advantages you currently have are the likelihood that the parts are more readily available from dealerships in the UK, and also from scrap yards in the UK (as there will be more examples of the car here).

I wonder if the drain holes (at the bottom of the doors) have become blocked? They are there to allow any water that gets into the door spaces to drain away (so the is less chance for things to get corroded). Once you have replaced the cables it could be worth smearing grease over them, to protected them from future corrosion.

[Paul-R]

Ouch, unfortunate but welcome anyway.

You've probably ended up in the best place to get advice on putting it right. You may have to upgrade your membership to get the right part numbers (the forum is charged for this information by Stellantis) but you'll then be in the best position to rectify at a distance.

You'll need to post the vehicle's VIN in full, no gaps, for identification. The forum software will obscure it so only staff can read it. Make your parts request post here viewtopic.php?t=69962

[xantia_v6]

I have had horrible experiences with the PSA dealer in NZ. It is worth trying a parallel importer of spares.
I have used https://speed.co.nz and another whose name I can't immediately recall.

[Armidillo]

Or just order from Spareto or Alvadi. Delivery via DHL takes a week to Australia, so probably the same to NZ.

Autodoc unfortunately no longer delivers to New Zealand (or Australia).

[xantia_v6]

I remembered that the other company I have used is Import Parts Specialists https://importparts.co.nz/
There is at least one more in the central North Island.

[the_oaf]

Hi, thanks all. Sorry it was a bit of a delay getting back... I picked up a touch of flu from my nephew. Primary schools are just petrie dishes this time of year.

Anyway, it's probably for the best, as during that time, my f-i-l took a look himself and discovered that the mechanics who looked at it managed to also break 5 of the 7 clips that hold the door panel in place, so I need to get teplacements for those as well.

I'll join up and post now.

Cheers.

[xantia_v6]

Could this be of interest?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car- ... 4405392419

[the_oaf]

Could this be of interest?
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/car- ... 4405392419

Cheers. I've forwarded that to my wife.