So whats your plan now their are no longer green or orange blooded Citroens being made?

[jgra1]

I did another long trip in the X7 today, after about 1000 miles last week, and 500 the week before.... its really the first time I have used the car for these trips since I bought it from Scotland a year ago, and replaced and serviced the engine..
It is really a very good car, averaging 60 mpg, with fluid suspension, and also being an auto handled the journey today with so much ease!
I know its not new anymore, and they can have issues with wrong oil, infrequent oil changes, and bad jacking (which can help to fail the strut seals), and of course the rack..but its really quite sublime! and I have whinged most about the wallowy ride (which I still want to sort out)

it could just be a very last example of a car, and a good one..

it could

..

John

[wurlycorner]

Well, the ride may not all be lost if these stories turn out to be true...

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-c ... t’-comfort

http://www.citroen.co.uk/about-citroen/ ... technology

Just without all the rest of the fun and function that went with hydropneumatic of course...

[white exec]

So, light damping and spring rates, combined with progressive bump stops. I think they must be desperate to maintain some claim to being something special, ride-wise. Otherwise, what's the point?

[Paul-R]

Certainly very little for me. My original reason for buying the Mk1 C5 was the height adjustment for heavy loads. Nothing in the "new" suspension to help me on that.

[Stickyfinger]

Certainly very little for me. My original reason for buying the Mk1 C5 was the height adjustment for heavy loads. Nothing in the "new" suspension to help me on that.

This

[Gibbo2286]

As a sixty plus years motor mechanic and trader I've never considered the need to be choosy about transport.

I've always run the part exchange 'bangers' any make any model whatever is sticking around waiting for a buyer.

My first car was a 1937 Austin ten Cambridge, I remember mending punctures at the roadside on a trip from Brum to Wallasey, always had to have the puncture kit and tyre levers in the boot.

My next was an ex army tilly truck a Hillman ten, you'll see one in the Dam Busters film, from then on I've had almost the full range from AC to Yugo and they've all served their purpose, getting me from A to B as needed.

I'm currently running a 2004 C5 2.0 HDI and whilst it was of the road with engine trouble I bought and used a 2002 Toyota Avensis Estate 1.8 petrol.

Next................................ who knows?

[Peter.N.]

Sounds about like me. My first car was a '39 Ford Prefect, transverse springs, rod brakes and no heater. I was a TV engineer but repaired my own cars which I still do.

My second car was a '50 Hillman minx, sheer luxury, independent front suspension, hydraulic brakes, 12v electrics, full width bench seats and column change, still a side valve engine but much better then the ford.

Unlike you though I did appreciate the nicer things and went on to have a string of Vauxhall Velox's and Cresta's.

I also liked the economy of diesel engines and did my first conversion in '59 followed over the years with about 10 more, until the Citroen diesels came out, no more need after that.

As I used to do a high mileage in my working life I went for comfort rather than speed, that's how I got hooked on Citroens, ran hydropnumatics for 30 years. Nothing rides quite like the older ones but the 406 is a fair compromise.

Peter

[Eddie Nuff]

I've already gone! When I scrapped the Xantia as no-one wanted it I bought a 2008 Volvo S60 with the gorgeous 2.4 d5. I'll be keeping my two old bangers as weekend toys but modern Citroen's just don't hold my attention.

[lexi]

I won't go through the whole car thing, but like Gibbo, I will use most things for transport. I try to get 4yrs from them once I give them a good shakedown with service and maintenance. C5 suits me perfect. Loading them up is the big advantage as Paul and Sticky mention. Normal cars can't take that, less you get heavy 4x4. Then you have expense of purchase, lower fuel consumption and really not that much room, considering the 4x4 tank you are driving.
If you only have cars to worry about in the future.........you'll be doing ok I reckon.

[elma]

I've already gone! When I scrapped the Xantia as no-one wanted it I bought a 2008 Volvo S60 with the gorgeous 2.4 d5. I'll be keeping my two old bangers as weekend toys but modern Citroen's just don't hold my attention.

I had one of them for work, loved the engine and box but not the car. Briefly had a go with a C70 T5 as well (girlfriends) I liked that one.

[Eddie Nuff]

The engine and box is just cream, they marry up superbly. Interior is wanting a wee bit in that it all seems a bit crammed in, but the car as a whole is spot on. So much so that this one, which I bought cheap knowing it needed paint and brakes, will be having the wheels refurbed and new tyres and then being sold in the spring to fund a 3 or 4 yo S60 or S80 needing work. And swmbo likes the look of the newer C70 with the folding steel roof.

[Homer]

I had four BX and two Xantia but Hydractive II was as much electronics as I trust Citroen with. The prospect of an all electronic controlled suspension with no physical backup would worry me too much.

The steel sprung X7 seems pretty close in ride, although that is after nine years or so of people carriers so it may be a case of anything would be better.

It's a shame they decided continuing with hydropneumatic was too expensive and I think it's a position they put themselves in by making it too complicated, the old mechanical system worked just fine and was simple. There never was any need to try turn it into some advanced system no other car of the same class has.

[Peter.N.]

I would agree, it was fine on the CX and even better on the DS. I suppose it comes down to cost, electronics are now a lot cheaper than mechanics.

Peter

[GiveMeABreak]

Although I agree the design and the ride was somewhat better on the earlier models - it has to be said that it really wouldn't be acceptable by today's safety standards to have the suspension, brakes and steering all working off the same system - one fault and you've lost the lot! I've been caught like this several times with a hydraulic leak on a CX on a main road in a rural area with no Citroen dealer for 70 miles each way! I didn't have breakdown back in those days so had to wait hours to get some LHM delivered, just to allow me to get it off the road and left a green trail for several miles! That was always my biggest worry with one of the older cars. Have you ever tried to turn a CX steering wheel with no hydraulics? Almost impossible.

[CitroJim]

Have you ever tried to turn a CX steering wheel with no hydraulics? Almost impossible.

No, but I have a Xantia with failed hydraulics and that was nearly impossible too...

I have to agree that a large hydraulic leak is fatal and I've had it happen once with a Xantia... And, unlike dual-circuit brakes there's not a lot you can do to make it failsafe really...