C5 2.0 - 138 bhp or 160 bhp?

[bobins]

A few things to look for if/when test driving the 138....
It's far from unknown for the clutch/DMF to fail on these - as I'm sure you're already well aware. At over 100k it should be already sorted - if it was going to be an early failure, it would have failed by now, it'll be just down to wear and tear now. Give the clutch a bit of a strain by accelerating fairly strongly from about 1600rpm to 2600rpm in 5th or 6th gear and keep one eye on the rev counter - any surging from that may indicate the clutch auto adjuster...... hasn't or that the clutch may be in need of further attention ! Any bad rattles at tickover may indicate the DMF has seen better days.
Check the drivers seat is comfy - it may seem a strange thing to say, but in rare cases the foam base can start to disintegrate and you end up with an uncomfy seat which on long drives isn't pleasant. If it's got Sat Nav - check it works and locks on to satellites - the antenna can fail (probably water ingress), a cheap fix is a 20 Euro antenna from ebay fitted to the inside of the windscreen. Similarly, the outside temperature gauge can give dodgy readings - replacement is relatively straight forward. Check for bangs/clonks from the front end when going over bumps - anti roll bar links wear out easily but are not too difficult to replace - same with the rears.
I'm sure drivers of the 160BHP variants will chip in with what to look for on that model revision ........ and I'm sure some will be willing to correct or add to some of the above

[DickieG]

On the subject of DMF failure it can often be heard when turning off the engine whereupon an extra/unusual rattle/knock can be heard.

[Dublin Tony]

Thanks Bobins. I'm leaning even further towards the 160. For those who may be interested, the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT is an import tax on cars entering Ireland) on a car with 163 g/km is at 24%. On one with 129 g/km it's 16%. Thanks Green Party!

[Stickyfinger]

with 30,000 miles a year (once did 42k business in a SAAB 900T) I would say the Hydro Suspension is a better choice anyway. I say this from the reliability point of view as well as comfort.

Comfort with the Hydromatic suspension over 30K is a massive plus, and I mean MASSIVE and I cannot stress MASSIVE enough @:).
Agree on the stick shift, but I am lazy these days , used to get 62mpg out of the old Mk1 2.0ltr manual
Both engines have plenty of torque and will be perfect for those distances, get the better MPG one as fuel will only go up and 30k's worth is a lot at 3% (?) inflation.
Look after a good Auto box and it will keep going, you will get to a clutch soon with 30K a year.

Just saying

[Dublin Tony]

I think I put 4 clutches in my xsara. One only lasted a month! It was faulty and I spun the middle out of it at 2am leaving me stranded 50 miles from my bed!

[bobins]

Citroen reckon on just shy of 10 man hours to do a C5 X7 2.0Hdi clutch with full workshop facilities which includes.....

DRAIN AND REFILL ENGINE IN SITU
DRAIN - REFILL - BLEED COOLING SYSTEM IN SITU
REPLACE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OIL SEALS BOTH SIDES IN SITU
DRAIN AND REFILL MANUAL GEARBOX ACCESS MOD
DISCONNECT-CONNECT 2 COMPLETE DRIVESHAFTS IN SITU
REMOVE - REFIT ENGINE FUSE BOX ACCESS MOD
REMOVE - REFIT ENGINE ECU ACCESS MOD
REMOVE - REFIT FRONT SUBFRAME EXTENSIONS 2 SIDES IN SITU
REMOVE - REFIT FRONT PANEL D IN SITU
REMOVE - REFIT FRONT BUMPER ACCESS MOD

.... so try and not break it

[Dublin Tony]

What does X7 mean? I've never seen it before. Spot the newbie...

[bobins]

It's just the model designation. Citroen referred to this Mk3(?) model the X7. It helps to differentiate it from the various other Mk's and facelift versions. The X7 came in in late 2008.

[Dublin Tony]

Makes sense. Thanks Bobins.

[vborovic]

If you get the car's VIN ahead from the seller, we could list to you (on the PM or here for all to see with your consent) everything it had when it left the factory

[Dublin Tony]

Here's the VIN

VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

What does that tell us?

[Dublin Tony]

I just checked it out on http://www.citroenrecalls.co.uk/one-off-search.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No recall issues [emoji2]

[vborovic]

Here's a PDF printout: http://www.filedropper.com/c5info" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... (Download This File -> enter code -> Download now) ...

[Dublin Tony]

Thanks vborovic.
Here's what I'm looking at.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/view/7336121" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Citroen c5 2.0 litre 6 speed diesel

[vborovic]

I think that's the first C5 X7 I've seen equipped with window wind protectors ... it looks, well, odd ... ... the car has the RNEG (myWay) navigation, and that's great, map updates are still available, speedcam data can be added regularly ... you can also connect to it with your phone and make phone calls like a boss ... I don't have anything else to add as far as mechanics/engine go, if you ever need any advice on the entertainment part of the car (if you buy it in the end, or any other C5 X7), that's my department ...