Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[XantiaDaveEire]

Hi Chris,Like Luke said if you are anywhere near where i live and would like to meet up,im always around and would love to have a look at your cars,be it the Activa or the C5

As you mentioned that your activa might need a new exhaust i don't know whether this might interest you http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXHAUST-SYSTE ... 5ade38bfd6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Possibly not for an activa do

They are selling exhaust systems for my car for less than €100 which is a win-win IMO I certainly can't find it any cheaper than that

[Citroenmad]

Thanks Jim, I was parked near two almost forgotten about Activas and turned to see mine which looked so good I took a picture

Any excuse to use an Activa is a good one Jim, so why not

Thanks Dave, where abouts are you in Ireland, your South aren't you? Ill only be there for a day and plan on visiting giants causeway, so might not get time to see you or Luke. Though it would be very nice to meet both of you at some point.

Ive got the chance at a day on a local racing track but its the Friday im away. Im half tempted to come back early

My Activas exhaust is a bit short in the centre box, it was a right struggle to get it this good but its blowing ever so slightly. Ill replace it with a Bosal one, I usually go to the same place for exhausts who keeps a very good stock, ill see what they can do price wise. Might take it through this Saturday actually.

[XantiaDaveEire]

I'm 20 minutes from Dublin Chris,not to worry anyway

Is there any real differance in exhaust makes? I don't know the first thing about them tbh

[Citroenmad]

Ah, your a bit far away

Yeah, there is a lot of difference. Some of the cheaper makes tend to be louder and boomier, they also tend to rot out in a very short time. One car we had ate an exhaust a year, we then bought an original equipment one and it lasted for years until we sold the car. Another we had on an XM would boom when easing off the accelerator, it was awful and ruined the car, it was a new exhaust but it was binned in favor of a Bosal one.

Bosal is a good make for aftermarket exhausts, though they are not as good as original equipment.


Im using the XM for a few days at the moment, to give me and it a treat! Its had a wash and a checkover of the vitals, its going great, though it was only serviced a few hundred miles ago. Hopefully ill get some time this weekend to give it a good clean and polish. I forget how good it rides, its superb. The C5 and Activa are good, both better in some areas than the other but the XM is the softest, it just soaks up bumps like few other cars. Someone commented that it looks like a spaceship today

[Citroenmad]

Well its been a busy old week this!

We have been getting the 2cv ready for summer:

No, not by improving the ventillation but by reducing it! The door seal was well past its best so a new one has now been fitted and the door is back on. It had been poorly adjusted and the the rubber had been constantly forced against the A pillar. Should be a bit quieter without that split rubber now.

Interestingly the previous owner had covered the door cards in some more blue leatherette like material, though in a lighter colour and very poorly attached. I've removed this to find very good condition original door cards, a nice surprise as the original blue door cars are a sign of a genuine Beachcomber, not a Special with some stripes on it ...

The C5 estate, like my C5 saloon, had been wearing its winter wheels and tyres. It has Kleber Kirsalps, which seem a little better in the snow than my Firestone Winterhawk Evo2s. However, given the warmer weather now Ive put both cars back on their original wheels and Michelin Primacy HPs. I thought the C5 estate rather suited its winter steelies and C8 trims:


The 52 C5 SX HDi went in for its second cambelt change yesterday. Its first done at 70K, it now has almost 140K and so was really due another kit and water pump. It and my C5 are also due a service, so hopefully ill get time this weekend to do that before both venture up to Scotland for the following week.

A couple of random piccies :



Today my Activa turned over to 121,000 miles

(I happened to be parked and so took that)

Ive done a few miles in it this week which has improved my week somewhat which as usual has been a manic mix of commuting, visiting uni 4 times, too much to get through at work, planning assignments, rushing poorly dog to the vets and such. At least its the weekend

[red_dwarfers]

Looking good Chris!

I realise this isn't completely related but it has the same numbers so good enough for me...

[Citroenmad]

Kev!

The C5s are keeping me busy this week, with the nice weather I found the air con in the 52 SX C5 is once again not working. I had it regassed last summer for the same reason and now its stopped again. There must be a leak but I can't see anything obvious. So thats off to a specialist on thursday to be inspected and hopefully the AC will be fixed. It also needs a service, so I'll be doing that sometime this week. I didn't realise how many mile it has done since its last, 10K miles, I usually do it every 7Kish. Its had a full valet today and is looking like a shiny new pin again.

Ive also serviced my C5 this week, gave it a good run around with some Forte flush before changing the oil. I always used the correct low sulphur oil, Total ECS, and Citroen filters. The air filter was surprisingly dirty, I replaced that. After 100 miles the oil is still golden. Ive also noticed a drop link has started to make a noise, it sounds as if its the NS but when ive inspected them its the OS which feels worn. I dropped by the dealers and picked a new one up today, so I need to fit that by saturday too. It'll drive me mad on the bumpy roads of Scotland!

Since last summer it has been warning me of low windscreen washer fluid on every spray of the washers, despite having a full tank. I thought the best way to get at the washer bottle would be to remove the front bumper. So I set about it, with the C5 BoLs to hand, I removed all the screws it stated, popped some clips off here and there but it wouldnt not budge any further than slightly tipping forward. Not wanting to damage the bumper I popped it all back in place and put it back together again. I did manage to find the washer bottle from under the car, I has to find it with feel and my arms are still scratched I found the sensor but since I didn't have a replacement I just pulled the plug off for now.

Im getting itchy feet with the C5 again, autotrader has been popular lately with me hunting for something else to keep me interested. The car im thinking of at the moment is a petrol German saloon car, i'll have to try and find a cure for that craving! Should not bee too hard as usually I'm very much a diesel fan, don't like German cars and a saloon is impractical. Still, its on my list of possibles.

Sunday saw the 6Hs first outing of the year, it had been sat for a good 4 months but once the fuel was primed it started first touch of the button. It went as well as ever on its 50 mile or so run out.

Another few randoms (not great quality, bit dark really):


The two city slickers!

[R9UKE]

Chris, no! Not German - wash your mouth out with soap! Though a BMW 540i is, of course, forgiveable

There is a perfect candidate for something to keep you busy at Wilsons at the minute. Going through every auction for the past 6 weeks and getting no bids.
A 2003 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive. I took this photo just for you haha



Now if that hasn't already told you, the car is a complete and utter heap.

Lovely leather interior, lovely colour, but that's where it ends. It has a rusting boot lid and doors, it sits nose down and arse up and refuses to rise or lower. The HDi is very smoky and it warns that there's no oil. That Trafficmaster woman is very, very vocal. I think the switch might be stuck so she just tells you the license is expired over and over again. Rear window is stuck midway, it's just getting rained into. Two interior door handles are snapped (one of them is the drivers). No wonder they've turned those chevrons upside down! If you fancy it, I'll change my flight on saturday to a ferry and drop it off to you - It'd keep you occupied for months!!!

[Citroenmad]

There will never be a 2.2HDi living here Luke, especially not that heap! It does sound like its got a fair few issues Your fine to keep it there in Ireland, I doubt it would even make it back here anyway Will it just be scrapped?

Actually, its a BMW I had in mind (not a 540i though), ill talk myself out of it soon enough I just feel like I need a change from C5s and to sample another brand. I also really fancy a petrol to use everyday and something a bit more engaging to drive. It won't be for a month or two if I do swap the C5 and by then ill probably want to keep it

Perhaps I should swap my cars roles, have the Activa as my daily commuter and my C5 for enjoying ... doubt that'll work somehow

[R9UKE]

It probably will end up being scrapped if the vendor doesn't catch a grip with the reserve price.

I know what you mean Chris. No matter how good the every day car is, there'll always be a desire for a change every now and then. I'd certainly change to a different every day car while you still have the C5, even if it is just to the Activa. It'll soon reveal whether or not you miss the thing - the past month has worked well in proving to me that there always has to be a Mégane II in my life, you may well feel the same about the C5 if you're apart!

Well those 5 series are very cheap. There was a tidy 1999 528i at the auction this evening.

Anything else in mind? A nice big Merc? I'd love an S430 at some point. If they don't all rust away to nothing

[Citroenmad]

Your right, when I am driving something else I do appreciate the C5 and even after driving the XM or Activa I still enjoy getting into the C5.

Its a 3 series which I have on my list of possibles, possibly a 325i though not sure, 318is look more tempting (better on fuel and more available). It'll do around 18-20K a year so needs to be something which isnt doing 20mpg

I do like S-class mercs, though im sure the size of it would get annoying at times, if it was to be an every day car. I do secretly like Mercs but not sure if I'll own one. Rust is a real pet hate of mine and they do like to fizz away in the rain. Have you been to Mercedes Benz world in Surry? Thats pretty interesting, not just new stuff there either.

[DickieG]

Its a 3 series which I have on my list of possibles, possibly a 325i though not sure, 318is look more tempting (better on fuel and more available). It'll do around 18-20K a year so needs to be something which isnt doing 20mpg

A 318i is a totally different car to a 325i, having just four cylinders will rather spoil the BMW experience plus traditionally six cylinder BMW's have a few extra goodies over and above the four pot models which can be quite subtle such as synchromesh on reverse gear, hardly the most important thing in the world but nicer than the occasional crunch.

As far as fuel consumption even a 330i automatic will easily do around 30mpg unless you're constantly stuck in stationary traffic, there's not a lot of difference in fuel consumption between the six cylinder models so unless insurance is an issue a 330i will give you effortless smooooth performance and 0-60 in 6.3 seconds

What body version of the 3 Series are you thinking of, E36, E46 etc?

[Citroenmad]

Had great week in Scotland and we even had decent weather!

We did a good few walks, totaling well over 20 miles, and quite a lot of mountain biking too. Im starting to get into mountain biking more, its great fin and I was impressed with how much I could do. I just need to keep at it more often, while keeping my limbs and teeth in tact!

One day saw the 9 of us do a mad dash from Scotland, to Ireland and up to the Giants Causeway before heading for a mooch around Belfast and then catching the evening Ferry back. A very long day, 5 hours on a Ferry, 250 miles driven and walking took it out of me. Though it was very good to see, the causeway is really something and the coastal drive down from there to Belfast takes in some stunning views.

I did around 800 miles in my C5 over the week at an average of 48.6mpg, impressive given my driving style for the trip. The SX C5 also went along to carry the bikes, around 600 miles in that one at an average of 44mpg, not bad at all with the drag of the bikes and again very lively driving. Both C5s height adjustable suspension came into its own on the bumpy track down to the house we were staying in, which saw the C4, A4 and 107 which were in our group all ground onto the bumpy track. They also gave excellent comfort on the really bumpy and undulating scottish roads, a bonus when the car is filled to the rafters with people, luggage and 3 bikes on the back. We travelled around in a very fast convoy for most of the trip and the C5s didn't dissapoint, providing enough overtaking urge (especially the 138) to dispurse of the sunday motorists with ease and make use of every opportinuty. We found some excellent driving roads on ours travels, I was missing the Activa on those roads but my passengers were probably glad to be in the C5!

A few pictures.
My C5 at the North of Ireland:

And Clatteringshaws dam:

Some scenic ones:

Wild Goats



It would have been rude not to while in Ireland!


Giants causeway:
From the top



I went over to see Rob (ragger) today to compare 2cvs, which gave me an opportunity to get the roof back on the Beachcomber and ejoy the sun while pottering back home on the country lanes.

[CitroJim]

Excellent stuff Chris Wondered where you had got to...

I want to go and see the Giant's Causeway one of these days...

Looks like you had the best of the weather today too. Robyn tells me it was 21 degrees on the beach in Aberystwyth but down in Somerset today it was only 19 degrees and as I returned home it had dropped to a chilly 15 degrees...

[Citroenmad]

Its a 3 series which I have on my list of possibles, possibly a 325i though not sure, 318is look more tempting (better on fuel and more available). It'll do around 18-20K a year so needs to be something which isnt doing 20mpg

A 318i is a totally different car to a 325i, having just four cylinders will rather spoil the BMW experience plus traditionally six cylinder BMW's have a few extra goodies ...

What body version of the 3 Series are you thinking of, E36, E46 etc?

Interesting, I thought I had replied to you

It would be an E46, Id like an E90 though but they are still a little steep for what I would like.

However, after last week im more than happy with my C5 and it'll be going nowhere now. Im going to spend my efforts on the Activa and get that as good as it can be ready to enjoy it even more during summer.

Excellent stuff Chris Wondered where you had got to...

I want to go and see the Giant's Causeway one of these days...

Looks like you had the best of the weather today too. Robyn tells me it was 21 degrees on the beach in Aberystwyth but down in Somerset today it was only 19 degrees and as I returned home it had dropped to a chilly 15 degrees...

I bet the place was a little quieter without my ramblings for a week

Its definitely a place to visit Jim, I might well spend a bit more time in Ireland at some point and visit that area again.

A nice day all round then