Recommendations for my car change?

[rmunns]

After 2 beloved Xantias (1.8i and 2.0Hdi, both MkII's) and a Xsara Picasso what should I get next? The Xantias went a few years ago, the Xsara is about to be sold. My want list seems to point to a C5 Estate. I want hydrolastic, good economy, without FAP if possible. Oh, and an auto box.
Is there anything that fits the bill at about £5k? As a matter of interest, which Citroen models are fapped?

[citroenxm]

2.0 8v HDi in mark one c5s.

You be suprised how well they still go in the mk.1 body! Mk.1 up to early 55 plate. Cheap now.

I was not a fan of mk.1 c5 then we bought a c5 auto 2.0 8v HDi. Im a big 8v hdi engine fan as they were the last best for toughness will do 300k with no problem if the oil is kept on.. there is no Eolys dpf to worry about.. only a cat .. same engine as the xantia..

All mk.1 c5 have hydraulics too..

[Peter.N.]

I would concur with Paul. I have a C5 of that ilk and the engines are pretty well bombproof but you are likely to spend nearer £500 rather than £5,000 on one of those. If you want a late one they are more prone to problems, the engines are more complicated and not so easy to work on, they also have a DPF which the early ones don't.

The Peugeot 406 is also a very good car but probably to old for you. I have one with 240k miles on it and pretty well all original.

I shall be sticking to the pre 2005 ones as I have to repair them myself.

Peter

[citroenxm]

In fairness to facelift mk.1s - 2005 to 2008 they are also a very good car. The 2.0 16v hdi engine is psa's engine and not a whole joint job with Ford like the 1.6 .. 1.6 16v engines are capable but misunderstood for turbo failiures which are now im totally convinced down to injector clamp posts rattleing loose and letting the injectors up and releasing the injector seals.

Go for a 2.0 16v hdi in facelift if you fancy it. The egr is electronically monitored unlike the 2.0 8v its not and yes there is dpf but with a good motorway cruise now and again and an eye kept on the Eolys which is not hard to top up they are not that bad and the better engine to go for. 138bhp to boot aswell.

Oil service still key and nothing longer then 12.5k MAX between them. You should be good.

[daviemck2006]

I agree that the 2005 to 2008 C5 2.0 138 is a great car, and even the best ones I would think would only be 1/2 your budget. As above do more oil chandeliers than citroen says and use the correct grade of oil and the engines should last a long time. My one was 118000 if I remember correctly when I bumped it, and ran like new. Weak points are radius arm bearings, and heater flap motors both for temperature and distribution on the climate control models, which is most of them. My one had both of these issues. Brilliant cars, I may well have another, even though I'm just myself and don't need a big car.

[Dave Rogers]

I precise that you want hydraulics but I have to endorse Peter's suggestion of a Peugeot 406. I've recently replaced my BX daily driver with a Pug 406 8v HDi, 187,000kms, just run in. Owning a DS and a BX I thought I wanted hydraulics again and considered C5s but I'm thrilled with the Pug. A pliant ride, not sporty but certainly fast enough, heating/air con that can't be faulted, nice little perks like auto lights and wipers and l/100km to die for. Look beyond hydraulics.

[Stickyfinger]

Yep....Pug 406.....a great drive......until you put a good load in it, then its a slow wallowing pug that lacks good grip and who's braking grip makes you worry....like most metal sprung cars they have a narrow sweet spot.

Depends on why you want a hydro car, make a Priority list based on basic needs. A trailer is often an option if you carry lots of loads then any car is generally OK.

[hamster99]

Also bear in mind that the 406/407 share a lot of bits with the C5 so don't think that they won't have some of the same issues. For example, the failing flaps on the climate control system - this is identical on both.

My preference would be a C5 Mk 2 (2005-2008) 2.0HDI. Fairly bullet proof engine and runs all day every day, although does need proper servicing and care as all engines should. Mines up to 250k.

[SaabC5]

I've owned all 3 variants of the C5 and i'd go for the newest version but only in the Exclusive flavour so you get the Hydractive suspension. Its the last of the line of hydraulic suspension cars so will appreciate value wise if you look after it. 5k will buy a decent spec 10 plate or later where the initial teething problems have been sorted out. I'd go the 2.0Hdi 160bhp route because the road tax is cheaper and its more economical than the 138/140bhp model (go figure). And lets face it the Mk1 is f'ugly, the facelift is better from the front but still has an ugly rear end but the X7 is a cracking looking car.

[Stickyfinger]

Cannot help but agree with SaabC5 on that.

I have owned all three types of C5, the x7 version is a very nice car and is a massive improvement over the Mk1 & Mk1face, deffo the best car out of the 3. There will be a shortage of parts however later in its life so getting a good one and looking after it will be a good plan.

One caveat...the Mk1 had the BEST comfort, better than with the x7 (due to the sports seats) being a little firm/thin on the seat base if you have a bony backside like mine
(Germans like to sit on Wooden planks it seems)

[citroenxm]

But christ the x7 is sooo cramped for a large car with lack of room... and there is no denying it at all the x7 just has no room

Yes its a nice car.. they drive nicely .. mum has an x7 ive got a mk.1 51 plate.. and mum had a facelift design before the x7... for me its the facelift mk.1. I like the c4 style headlights and i actuay like the rear end mod..

[rmunns]

Thanks, all of you. I want a hydraulic suspension because I'm in France plus the road from my house to next town (even tho' only 3 miles) must be the most bumpy in France.
I think maybe a 2009 car (in estate form) should fit the bill, with a 2.0 Hdi 160 lump up front.

[Lex Andrews]

I've got a X7 2.2HDi Exclusive, Maritius Blue with 19inch wheels and pan roof on a 58 plate bought it 12mths ago for £5000 with 103,000 pm the clock. It wasn't too bad until beginning of last month. Yearly travel to France and I'm now looking at going skirt for the next 12-18mths due to repair work looming. It's a big car on the outside and like the 407 it's all bonnet and dash. It's got lots of equipment front parking sensors are a must have. The nose is massive! Bonnet paint quality is poor, expect loads of stone chips. 19inch wheels are prone to kerbing as the kerbs are higher than the tyre walls. No light out warning, odd. Swapping MPH-KPH on the dash is handy for trips to Europe. As is my old favourite from the Saab the night panel function.

I used to have a 51plate 2.0 406 Executive Estate. One of the best cars I ever owned. I could even get a 3str leather recliner sofa in the back of it. Can't do that with a X7.

2.2 fuel economy is shocking to say the least. My last car was a 2.3t Saab 9-5 manual saloon and I could get between 35-40mpg on a run. South of France at 80mph with 4 and a boot full (35mpg). The X7 same journey similar weight (fully loaded) 32.4mpg.

I've owned Saabs, Mondeo's, a 406, Laguna II's, a Passat, a Omega, 2 Xantia's and many, many others. I do like the look and features of my X7 but at the minute it's going into Laguna II Dci reliability area.

[rmunns]

I have found a 2010 model (reg. Nov 2009) 2.0 163cv exclusive auto estate, just what I'm looking for. Only downsides are distance from me (4 hours each way) and the car's mileage (120,000 miles). Pics look very nice, but if I go I would buy on the spot if I am happy. Clearly condition and equipment are fairly easy to check, but what major things do I need to be wary of? I would be buying at the top of my affordability, so don't want to walk into large costs after I am committed. I would be very grateful for comments as to what to check and look out for. At 70 y.o. I do appreciate the luxury of effortless driving, but hardly know about all the latest things on cars that can cause problems.

[citroenxm]

The most important thing is a full complete service history so you can be sure the turbo has been looked after with fresh oil at service time. Its hard to tell otherwise an engine internal condition but basics could help .. engine running lift up the dipstick check for any engine breathing at all... 120k on a 2.0 16v hdi is not that much really.

Its one of those where i think you need to go on overall condition .. i could be wrong though.

Its all i do when buying. History and overall condition .