Best diesel engine in the C5 range

Unread post by **KennyW** » 22 Dec 2010, 20:26

Hi All,

Looking for the opinion and thoughts of diesel C5 owners

What is the best power unit to get for C5

Kenny

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 22 Dec 2010, 20:53

I'd have thought that if its a phase 1 then a 2.0 HDi (110bhp) as that avoids the particulate filter and all the shenanigans that go with a 2.2 HDi, if a phase 2 then again a 2.0 HDi (136bhp) unless its a late S2 2.2 170bhp.

mooseshaver · Unread post by **mooseshaver** » 22 Dec 2010, 21:51

Yeah, not the 136 BHP 2.2. Its lazy, thirsty, Particuate filter needs changed every 50,000.
Not the 1.6, it is ok in an empty car, but stick in one or two people and it feels slower. Load up the boot with the seats down, it is slow. And empty or full its not good for overtaking.

I would love the mythical 2.2 173BHP twin turbo.

Unread post by **quintet** » 24 Dec 2010, 16:54

Well i don't own a c5 but I've done more than my fair share of work on them, if it was my money I'd be on the lookout for a (manaul g/box) MK2 2.0HDI with something like SX spec' & a half decent service history. I wouldn't bother with a petrol engined car (especially the HPI engine

) but that would be a personal decision. When you go to have a look at one have a good play with the electrics, they're usually OK but not brilliantly reliable (check door lock operation, tailgate glass switch {estate only - it opens separately from the tailgate on those} and if you opt for a high spec car check the heated/electric seats work and the sat nav if fitted).

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 24 Dec 2010, 17:56

MK2 2.0HDI with something like SX spec' & a half decent service history

What years would they be?

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 24 Dec 2010, 18:30

Wouldn't touch ANY with the 16v Heads!!

So my vote is for the more prooven (From the Xantia) 8v 2.oi 110bhp with intercooler... Its SOOOOO easy to put a tuning box on it and pump the bhp to 125 or 130bhp... without affecting the MPG much, if at all, then theres no exhaust filter, the inlet manifold comes off without needing to take the injectors out..

Not sure when the 8v engine went up too..

So Id avoid the 2.2 as said above, the 1.6 16v, the later 2.o 16v.. No doubt the 2.o 16v is a good lump, but no good if you have to remove injectors that wont to get the inlet manifold off...

RANT OVER...

Paul

Unread post by **KennyW** » 25 Dec 2010, 21:08

Thanks guys,

C5 2.0 HDi but there are 2 types 90 bhp 8v and 110bhp 16v.

Which one is best?

Kenny

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 Dec 2010, 21:30

NEITHER

2.oi 8v 110bhp, WITH INTERCOOLER

Check under the bonnet, if theres a second air pipe next to the air cleaner going to a Radiator at the front THATS the one to get...

DONT get a 16v model, as above the Particle Filters are a nightmare...

Paul

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 25 Dec 2010, 21:32

What about the 3.0 v6 hdi

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 25 Dec 2010, 22:09

Its not in the C5 yet is it, and not in the S1 C5..

Paul

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 25 Dec 2010, 22:48

Xac wrote:What about the 3.0 v6 hdi

citroenxm wrote:Its not in the C5 yet is it, and not in the S1 C5..

It's been in the latest C5 for about a year now

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 26 Dec 2010, 08:49

mooseshaver wrote:Not the 1.6, it is ok in an empty car, but stick in one or two people and it feels slower. Load up the boot with the seats down, it is slow. And empty or full its not good for overtaking.

I did wonder how these small capacity/ high power engines would perform in real life, especially with a full load. I know they produce all the right figures, but that's not the same thing at all.

Doesn't the Skoda Superb come with a 1.4 litre engine these days?

As for the original question- 8V 2.0HDi 110 would be my choice.

Unread post by **KennyW** » 26 Dec 2010, 11:01

Thanks again guys,

It looks like my choice will be the 2.0 HDi 110bhp 8v.

Paul read your post and tip noted any other things to look for obviously electrics. Anything else?

Kenny

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 26 Dec 2010, 11:19

Check the REAR passenger door opens and closes with normal locking, as they have a tendacy to Jam Locked when the Childlock is used, and the only way to release it is to remove the door card and manual undo the childlock from inside the door, which is possible and ok to do, just a pain.

Check PLIP works, its known for these to forget each other, ive a customer car which has done this, the only way to get them to talk is a Lexia session.

Just a general check of the electrics, check the instrument panel lights DO NOT short out with the lights on and indicators going... theres reports of this happening, I know of two cases, one case appeared to be a faulty instrument clocks panel.. swapping the clocks WILL cause the cars milage to double up when another set are put in.

The 2.o 8v unit is a prooven unit straight from the Xantia, with a slightly different exhaust manifold, something to do with the EGR, but the main unit is the same. Check the crank pully, useually a noise like a cracking noise can be head if its on its way out...

Paul

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 26 Dec 2010, 14:32

All interesting stuff. No doubt they are a good buy and a proper Citroen. Will they make good banger cars later on? I expect many will go straight to the scrappy around that 12yrs + mark. Will the enthuisiast then take them on after that period ?

What do you think?