which is best a xantia or an C5 ?

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Xaccers
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Post by Xaccers »

XantiaDaveEire wrote:Xantias dont rust either !!! :lol:
Except where the rear wheel arch starts inside the back doors on estates and MK2's, and on some hatchbacks where the fuel flap would be if it were on the other side.
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Post by David W »

Interesting thread as I've spent a lot of time in the past supporting the Xantia... both mechanically and in print/forums. For some reason the 2001-2007 C5 never quite grabbed my attention in the same way so when the time came to change my 1999 Xantia SX TD Estate I didn't move to a C5 but ran a Mondeo III Ghia X for 18mths. It was a great car apart from the hard ride and early signs of rust in the door bottoms... both issues you'd not find on a Xantia.

Then by a chance circumstance 9mths ago I had the opportunity to sell the Mondeo for a new C5 HDi Tourer. Obviously this will have 3yrs dealer servicing so it's not being run in the same DIY way as my old Xantias and I'm really not sure I'd be brave enough to continue running it once the warranty runs out late 2012.

I'm not knocking the previous C5 but in many ways the new one feels far more like a direct successor to the Xantia.

I see the used prices of this new C5 are already plummeting in the way of all larger Citroens so (similar as CitroJim says about the C6) it won't be that long before a step can be made from Xantia to new C5. They are already available, 2008 HDi models with modest mileage, for 60% off new retail which is a hell of a drop over the first two years. The issue will come, as with the earlier C5, that the electronics side will probably dominate reliability and maintenance issues.

Time will tell I guess.
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Post by KP »

IIRC the 2.2HDi wasn't twin turbo, that was only the 2.7 V6 units...

The 2.2HDi can easily attain 170bhp with a remap done properly though and the newer ones may manage even more than this..
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Post by frenchcarnut »

The thing I hate about both the Xantia and C5 - is their propensity to dent. The Xant being slightly worse.
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Post by tim leech »

Xac wrote:Stick with the Xantia basically.
You'll spend less and it looks better :)
Here here! :D
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Post by RichardW »

KP wrote:IIRC the 2.2HDi wasn't twin turbo, that was only the 2.7 V6 units...
It was after 2006... Mucho torque motor :lol:

I suspect I'll end up with 1.6HDi 110 though.... :cry:
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Post by citroenxm »

Xantia ALL the way! (Just a plug for them really)

Ive driven a few C5's when being repaired and nice they are, they just dont quite do it yet!!

A Good xantia WILL NOT make a money pit!

My S1 TD SX, 1993, 234k just keeps going and going! Yes Oil changes every 5 k, but after a set of spheres and rear arm bearings nothing else has been needed...

No ECU's to play up, except ABS, just damm good cheap motoring in comfort..

C5's need to be a bit more cheaper yet for me to buy... I just ca NOT beat the 80 quid paid for the above said Xantia 4 years ago..

If theres history Do not be scared of high miles at all!! Mine had no history, and has been S++++ H+++.... she had also just had the head gasket done before I got it... theres still no cooling system pressure..

HDi Xantias, or C5's are also fine as long as you DO have a Lexia...

Paul
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Post by frenchcarnut »

citroenxm wrote:C5's are also fine as long as you DO have a Lexia...
Do you have a link apart from this one?
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Post by KP »

ahh i see :) i imagine then that 200+ ponies could be extracted from that as well as a lot mroe torque, specially if the turbos can be streamed together in aa short rev range :D
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Post by Clogzz »

The C5 is an American barge compared to the Xantia.
Worst is the very high brake pedal, like a very ordinary car.
It’s reliable enough, but unpredictable, and you can’t trust it.

It’s obsessed with clean exhaust to the point where you may be stranded just because it thinks that it’s detected an anti-pollution fault.
Every time you drive it, you have to be prepared for it to go for wrecking the same day because of the cost and feasibility of repairs when it will go wrong. :evil:
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Post by frenchcarnut »

Clogzz wrote:The C5 is an American barge compared to the Xantia.
Worst is the very high brake pedal, like a very ordinary car.
It’s reliable enough, but unpredictable, and you can’t trust it.

It’s obsessed with clean exhaust to the point where you may be stranded just because it thinks that it’s detected an anti-pollution fault.
Every time you drive it, you have to be prepared for it to go for wrecking the same day because of the cost and feasibility of repairs when it will go wrong. :evil:
Hence why these thoughts are occurring
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Post by citroenxm »

My personal thoughts were Citroen seem to be writing themselfs off...

The C4 is "Tiny", the C5 is tooo big for most..there needs to be a C4 and a half really. I personally like big cars, hence the fleet of XM's, the Xantia was a good size, and sold well, I think manufactures should carry on selling a car till they do stop selling.. Ive heard lots of people say "... why did they stop selling them......" my response, becuase the press or media force them too by saying.. "..ohhh the design is a bit old now...." shouldn't we, the car buyers be the judge of that? I realise, we relay on people to buy them new in the first place however....

Paul
Sharing a pug 207 1.6 hdi Sw 16v.
M reg Xm 2.1 td auto exclusive S2 269k and rising
L reg XM V6 12v SEi auto .. Light project

A very sad...
1994 XM 2.1 d auto
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Post by Old-Guy »

Xac wrote:I would say that most of the "money pit" costs of Xantias is due to poor servicing, and that's even with full service history.
Spheres and LHM don't get changed when they need to be, putting more stress on the pump etc.
Seals, now 10 years old, start failing and need replacing.
Cam belt and water pump need changing, heater matrix is old and leaking, radiator starts dribbling.
Clutch wears out.
It all adds up, but once done, you have a car that doesn't need anything major for another 10 years.

That makes Xantias worth it.
Exactly my experience.
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Post by KevMayer »

I've had my 2.2 Hdi C5 hatch for over 4 years now and I'm very pleased with it.

Mine is an 02 plate MK1 but If I were swapping I'd go for a Mk1 facelift, say a 56 plate ish with 2.0 Hdi.

In a recent survey the most reliable Citroen was judged as the Mk1 facelift C5. I think it was a TopGear internet survey or some kind of customer survey over a load of different makes.

Anyway, one thing to think about, is the safety of newer cars.

This was highlighted in an episode of Fifth Gear which demonstrated how much safer newer cars have become. So, a C5 with 6 airbags and a high N cap score will be better for you and the family if involved in a crash.

This is something I often think about when driving my Activa.
Cheers, Kev

02 plate C5 2.2 Hdi Exclusive SE (now 170k miles 03/21).

Used to have:- Xantia 1.9 TurboD SX. 1996 Blue & 1998 Silver Activa. + 1992 BX TZD Turbo.
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Post by den169 »

Iv'e had both and wouldn't go back to a Xantia after the c5 although mine is an estate i think the c5 car is one of the ugliest around but the estate is a great looking car.
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