C4 engines

[rmunns]

Does or did the C4 evercome with the 90Hdi engine that my Xantia has? I like this set-up, powerful enough for me and seemingly without the complications of the 110Hdi.

If there was not a 90Hdi C4 then which diesel engine is recommended?

Do C4's allcome with FAP?

[KP]

IIRC they have some diesel cat but only came with the 1.6 HDi engine (90/110BHP) and then the 2.0 HDi (136/140BHP)

With the 1.6 i know the turbo is front mounted so if it blows its not too hard to do. The bigger issues is the DMF's which as my brother found out just before chopping his in, they tend to go and give a warning of judder before they do.... very economical though i don't think the interior is that hard wearing.

Would a Xsara HDi not do you at all as the HDi90's are quite common in them and well proven and less to go wrong with em...

[rmunns]

The Xsara Picasso is also being considered, with the Hdi engine I think it would do us, as well as being cheaper than a C4. Haven't got much idea about how they drive and any niggles people have - I did read that handling is nowhere near the Xantia's - as I'd expect. But is it that bad?

[RichardW]

Xsara Piacsso came with 2.0 HDi 90 up till about 2004/5 then the 1.6 HDi in 90 and 110 guise. The handling is a bit roly poly, but it will hang on through the bends. The front suspension seems a bit weak - ours has almost been totally rebuilt at <90k miles, whereas the Xantia is virtually untouched at 127k. Bottom ball joint is part of the arm, so not available separately Check carefully the sills for signs of rust under the front doors, and that the drain holes are clear - ours had to have the NS welded at only 7 years old, and I've seen plenty with patches on them. Drive one in the sun before committing - the reflection of the dash in the windscreen has to be seen to be believed - so make sure you can live with it. The high seating position is pretty comfortable. The A pillar is pretty big, so you may find yourself looking around it. The LP fuel pump requires the tank dropping out to change it, so if it's at all noisy at swtich on, bargain hard for a replacement before you commit. If you can live with a petrol one they are much cheaper than the diesels!

[myglaren]

What about a proper Xsara -not the Picasso version?

[Citroenmad]

The 1.6HDi (90 &110) can have turbo issues though this seems to have been closly linked to long service intervals and so bad oil, starving the turbo of oil and therefore they overheat.

More frequent servicing can see the 1.6HDis do many miles, id buy one.

There was a guy who wrote into the Citroenian about his experiences with the C4, had quite a few issues with it so he chopped it in for a Xsara Picasso which he raved about. Depends what you need and want from a car as they are quite different.

The Xsara Picasso has the most hard wearing interior and is cheaper to buy, though the 1.6HDi in those might be worth considering too.

We had been considering a C4 1.6HDi as a replacement to our eldest C5, though id sooner have a 1.6HDi C5 instead. Much easier to work on for one thing as the C4 doesn't have the most roomy of engine bays. The C5 is often cheaper too.

[rmunns]

Thanks for those helpful replies - guess we'll try out the options, but C4's are out. Might now consider C5's.

[Citroenmad]

Thanks for those helpful replies - guess we'll try out the options, but C4's are out. Might now consider C5's.

Not a bad idea, they do make good cars and a good replacement for a Xantia in my opinion.