Non Biased Opinion's please

[citroenxm]

Yes mark I'm at x rally. ..

[myglaren]

Which chris steve? Citroenmad or chris570? ..

citroenmad

[bxzx16v]

I'm hoping to be there myself , either in the Zx or the Laguna 3 . The missus will more than likely be with me , just ask her opinion on C5 vs Laguna 2 .

Mark

[spider]

My only real thought as I don't know the specifics of these vehicles being considered is to not put too much thought into the road tax costs, simply as my way of looking at that:

Yes it may be £100 cheaper or more a year to tax, but you may end up spending more than that sorting various bits out (although off topic an example here is a 1.4HDi vs 2.0 HDi unit for the people who did have concerns)

I think all I'm saying is don't put too much weight into the road tax cost that's all...

[qprdude]

Having had a Laguna Privilege and a new shape C5 recently, Id say the C5 just shades it. I see you are looking at the Initiale, which is well speced and I dare say you would probably have to go for an Exclusive C5.
Comfort and noise levels are way ahead in the C5 but the dash is a little cluttered compared to the Laguna. Engines are both strong but I suspect the Laguna might get a little further on a tankfull, depending on what size you go for. The C5 has more toys at the top end of the range, but might just be a bit more expensive to maintain. I really liked my Laguna, but hated the position of the hazard light switch. It was just where I rested my hand behind the gear stick, on the downslope of the centre storage box. I was forever setting the lights off by mistake.Poor bit of design as you had to look down and away from the road to put them on anyway. The seats on the Laguna were quite comfy, but I used to get a backache on the Aberdeen to London trips that I don't get with the C5. No doubt a similar mileage Laguna will be a bit cheaper to buy, but the C5 diesels are a lot of car for the money.. Personally, I'd never go for a higher miler as with any car, it's not only the engine that has done the miles, but low milers come at a premium. Hey, they are both great cars and I'm sure you will research carefully before parting with the folding.
Am I right in saying the Laguna is no longer being made for the UK market?

[addo]

I'd be happy with £250/yr tax. Mine are at least half again.

[citroenxm]

Unfortunally i have to think about the road tax. the large chuck in one go is a lot for me to find and isn't easy for me

I've done almost 100k in two and a bit years in this xantia along and had many others. Getting a bit board now but i KNOW no C5 or Laguna would never do that with so little to NO work.. all I've done in that 100k she is now showing 240k is put an engine pump on and ... ummmmm three .... uuummmmmmm Jesus what else! ! Oh oil and filter services as and when. And I'm serious this one has been this good.

As far as I'm aware this car is on the last of her original clutch.. and her original heater matrix with no signs of leakage.. she's IS gonna be a tough one to follow ...i know..

[citroenxm]

I'd be happy with £250/yr tax. Mine are at least half again.

Yea Adam that's all good and well if fuel was 50ppl.. but we are robbed blind there too 1.43 per litre ...

Almost makes me want a Prius.. ten quid a year road tax and petrol electric giving around 80mpg combined...

[qprdude]

I'd be happy with £250/yr tax. Mine are at least half again.

Does that still cover your basic personal injury insurance in Australia?

[myglaren]

Unfortunally i have to think about the road tax. the large chuck in one go is a lot for me to find and isn't easy for me

It is a crying shame that RFL can't be paid by monthly or quarterly direct debit.
Easier for them, easier for many of us.

[taffy]

I plan to drive my xant for as long as I can afford too...better The devil u know I say....The engine could still have a lot of life as well as The car as I know u will have got it to a very high standard....its worth The tax for me The ridr quality is excuisite
I even plan to get mine sprayed lambo yellow with black alloys

[Citroenmad]

C5 two as citroen called them. Are they REALLY better car then the early car? Am I gonna get calliper issues, hand brake cable issues, door handle issues, or are they really sorted? I know the 2.0 is the dw. Engine family which in the xantia is the best thing since bread ever but what's the 16v head like? anything like the early 2.2 disaster? Do these 2.0 16v have Eolys fluids to top up?

Yes, you can expect all of those Paul and other C5 complaints which can occur on all. The C5II is better in some areas (though I'm struggling to think of anything other than styling at this second) and if anything add in more complexity. As you know, the 2.0HDi 16v 138 which you say you want has DPF and DMF. Unlike the 2.0HDi 110 8v (only available in the earlier ones) you can't swap the DMF for a solid flywheel, with the 16v your left with a large bill, for parts alone. I acutally think im places that the earlier C5s are a little better built, but the C5II a little better in other areas.

The 16v costs £175 a year tax now (I think) and the 8v C5 early about £135-ish? Yes the Xantia might well see £250 a year before long (just done my Activa which is £225 a year) but that is really only a little more than £18 per month ... can almost tax our C1 annually for that!

I did love my C5 and the 138bhp 16v engine is a cracking unit to drive. Gives a great performance increase over the 8v, its very willing and a superb cruiser with its 6 speed box. The thing I miss most about my C5 is its engine. I have recommended C5s to a good few people who have really got to like them. On the whole they are pretty reliable and that DOES go for the earlier cars too, there is little to no difference between them in terms of reliability and quality. Our 2002 2.0HDi 8v is a great car, has now covered 151K and has been very little bother in the last 4 years. In the last three years our 2.0HDi 16v C5II has done 55K and again has been very little trouble. It does need a new clutch now, at 100K miles, as its making a terrible noise.

They dont ride nearly as well as Xantias and I seem to have grown out of the seats. Spending five hours driving our 16v C5 Estate last weekend gave me a few aches, not something I get in the Xantia.

Knowing the issues with the 1.9DCi I would never recommend anyone to buy that car with that engine. However, thats only because when it goes wrong its not me who suggested it In my experience Renault reliability is patchy. I seriously considered a LagII some time ago and I did look at a few. The interior is nice and a totally different place to be from a C5, really different driving positions. They are very cheap, I feel this is for a reason but as you are very handys on with cars, problems shouldn't worry you. However, if it is to be relied upon as a daily driver I would worry. You can no doubt get a LagII 1.9DCi for a lot less than a C5II 2.0HDi 16v. Saying that, if you worried about potential problems no one would ever buy any car!

I'm not sure what car I would buy to replace my Xantia HDi, yes a C5 does offer some improvements but in some areas its not as good a car as the Xantia. In my opinion. I also prefer driving the Xantia and look forward to it, which isn't something I do with a C5, as good as they are. C5s are great as a chunk of car which does what a car is intended to. I don't plan on getting another C5, good cars but I want to try something else.

I could go on to suggest some cars which I would buy and consider buying but they are not on your list.

[citroenxm]

Trouble is i get board. . There's nowt wrong with the car as i said above. She still doesn't use any oil. She's over due a coolant change though. .

Perhaps when i eventually get an xm on the road i may change my mind. . But i still want to know what others think without siding with one or the other.

[taffy]

Modenise ur car...giv it a modern twist...I know wat u mean about gettin bord but I love driving my xant I hate goin in other ppls cars...The xant and xm are The best cars ever and still look stunning
I love The fact I can put my coffee on The dash make me really look after The tyres lol

[Citroenmad]

I'd be happy with £250/yr tax. Mine are at least half again.

Yea Adam that's all good and well if fuel was 50ppl.. but we are robbed blind there too 1.43 per litre ...

Almost makes me want a Prius.. ten quid a year road tax and petrol electric giving around 80mpg combined...

A prius is a con, I dare you to buy one and actually get close to 80MPG. I think you would struggle to get to 50MPG and you would be crying when battery replacement comes around at something like £5000. Throw them all away, now!


Yes, I too get bored Paul and that is the main reason I moved my C5 on. I no longer looked forward to driving it, in fact, I found any lengthy journey a boring chore. I have had C5s for four years, which is a record for me, so I'm not surprised

I don't plan on keeping my Xantia HDi in daily service for too long, few months maybe. Then I'll be on the lookout for a C5 follow on. No idea what yet or I would have it already Thing is, the Xantia provides excellent daily service and I like the lack of modern features (mainly DMF and DPF which I hate the thought of) and I love driving them both. My other plan is to keep the HDi in daily use and buy another XM, which is tempting right now Get one of your XMs on the road Paul and keep your Xant as the daily driver

I think your going to get divided opinions on these Paul. If your not bothered about potential problems as you know them all, I say just pick which you like best.

Have you any other cars in mind for the Xantias replacement?