Xsara and c5 owners opinions please

den169 · Post by **den169** » 14 Feb 2006, 10:05

Hi guys been looking for a xsara or c5 estate diesel. Now a towbar firm i know says don't get a c5 everyone who comes in for a towbar moans about faults and problems with the c5 just wondered if anyone here can give me there opinion on the c5 are they trouble would i be better going for the xsara or sticking with a xantia like i have now.
cheers

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:05

Xantia all the wayyyyyyy

Although Im 20 and have never towed

But long live the Xantia

den169 · Post by **den169** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:42

Just want to point out i won't be towing its just the question are the c5s trouble and should i stay clear of them.

406 V6 · Post by **406 V6** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:46

We have ours for 2 years and no major gremlins, just "normal car" issues

I love the huge boot (but so is the car) and very easy to drive and stuff. Go for one

fastandfurryous · Post by **fastandfurryous** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:48

The c5 is multiplexed, like the later 406, current 307 and various other cars.

All of which seem to have major problems with the electronics. To me, that's far too much of a co-incidence.

Personally, I don't think PSA have quite worked out how to make a multiplex system on a car that actually works properly.

Get something with a "proper" wiring loom, and I think you'll be much safer.

ralph · Post by **ralph** » 14 Feb 2006, 14:21

I guess the facelifted Xsara would be multiplex wired too.
My mark 1 Xsara is as simple as they come and easy to live with and work on. It shares parts with the ZX, 306 etc, so they're plentiful and cheap. Plus, everything on it is tried, tested, and reliable.
But the Mark 1 is becoming an older car now, so if you're spending more than £2,000, you won't want one.

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 14 Feb 2006, 18:30

ralph wrote:I guess the facelifted Xsara would be multiplex wired too.

it is but also some of the very late mk1 models are multiplexed,multiplexing on the xsara started around RP no 8600

Post by **Sir Clive** » 15 Feb 2006, 08:02

I've got an early C5 Estate (51 reg)110HDi which has now done over 80,000 miles. Can't say I've ever had any problems at all with the multiplex wiring, everything works as it should. It had the normal 'new model' gremlins, including a couple of recalls, but overall I much prefer it to my previous Xantia.
Smooth, quiet, a real pleasure to drive though not suited to the 'boy racer' brigade!
I deliberately went for the 2 litre, not the 2.2, as running costs are lower.
1) Lower road tax
2) No particulate filter to worry about
3) No expensive Eloyis fluid to top up.
4) The estate didn't have the knocking problems associated with the rear suspension that the earlier hatcbacks suffered from. Also it has a *HUGE* amount of room in it, very useful.
5) Steer well clear of the HPi petrol models and the 2 litre diesel autos.....
6) If buying secondhand, check there is no slop in the steering column. The bottom universal joint can sometimes fail and replacement is very expensive, over £300.
Hope this helps.

AtitudeJim · Post by **AtitudeJim** » 07 Apr 2006, 07:37

i bought my c5 im december 2005, a 02 reg 2.0 hdi 110 estate sx

since i bought it, the fuel sender and a seal ring had to be replaced (237 pounds) on citroen. Tha was the only glitch till now...

i just find that the c5 deserves to have a cumputer on board.. like the audis... etc... since it is a recent car.

Also think its a bit slow... but my older car was supercharged mk3 polo.
Good family car.... enormous boot...

for something it was my company car, wich i got for a great price.

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 07 Apr 2006, 19:34

fastandfurryous wrote:The c5 is multiplexed, like the later 406, current 307 and various other cars.

All of which seem to have major problems with the electronics. To me, that's far too much of a co-incidence.

Personally, I don't think PSA have quite worked out how to make a multiplex system on a car that actually works properly.

Get something with a "proper" wiring loom, and I think you'll be much safer.

It ISNT the cars multiplex system at fault.

Its the untrained IDIOTS who start adding the towbar electrics on to the multiplex system thats the problem.

Also stereos, alarms, Anything connected to the cars mutiplex system incorectly will cause problems!

Find someone who knows about the multiplex system & you wont have a problem adding a topwbar & the electric on