Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Doo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 459
Joined: 09 Sep 2019, 16:53
Location: Inverness
My Cars: 2000 Range Rover V8 4.0
2004 Jaguar XK8 4.2
2007 Citroen C4 1.6hdi SX
2012 Berlingo Multispace e-hdi XTR (nice drive :-)
2016 Suzuki Burgman AN650 Executive
I miss my Renault 5 Gordini Turbo....
x 116

Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Doo »

Hi chaps, I have fallen in love with the C5 estate (looks wise, but I have always loved an estate) and have been looking at hundreds of them :oops:

I really want an Exclusive 3.0hdi V6...

I'm hoping to get something around 2012 to 2015 ish.

What are the pro's & cons of this engine then?

Go 8-)
Has anyone seen the plot? :?
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

The major con is the steering rack. Because of an inferior material being used these start to leak and need to be refurbished/replaced.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Lenny
Posts: 194
Joined: 03 Jan 2013, 20:17
Location: North Lincolnshire
My Cars: 1986 2cv Charleston
1986 2cv Special
2010 C5 2.0HDi Exclusive Tourer Auto
1992 VW Corrado VR6
1970 Vw Beetle
x 38

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Lenny »

I think your biggest problem will be finding a 3.0HDi estate.
They're a bit few and far between.
Lovely thing though.
User avatar
KennyW
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2499
Joined: 17 Jan 2006, 21:22
Location: Letham, Fife
My Cars: Current Citroen's
C5 x7 2010
SWMBO C3 2012
Previous Citroen's
Xantia 2.0 90hp estate
Xantia 1.9 TD estate
x 132

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by KennyW »

Have a look at the poll showing the problem parts.

As James has said the rack is the pain, on my third but otherwise lovely cars to drive on a long trip. I use mine to go to France. A 2000 mile round trip.

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I put a Poll here on X7 issues, have a look:

viewtopic.php?t=59630

The 3.0 is a nice tried and trusted engine, but make sure you wallet is locked and loaded.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
User avatar
Doo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 459
Joined: 09 Sep 2019, 16:53
Location: Inverness
My Cars: 2000 Range Rover V8 4.0
2004 Jaguar XK8 4.2
2007 Citroen C4 1.6hdi SX
2012 Berlingo Multispace e-hdi XTR (nice drive :-)
2016 Suzuki Burgman AN650 Executive
I miss my Renault 5 Gordini Turbo....
x 116

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Doo »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 08 Jun 2020, 06:19 The major con is the steering rack. Because of an inferior material being used these start to leak and need to be refurbished/replaced.
Is there not an upgraded replacement by now? I take it the rack is an all new singing and puking (as opposed to dancing) rather than an old rack with some "adjustments" to the track rods or ends ](*,)

So is the box fully automatic or is it the same as our C4 and an auto clutch set up 8-[

I have seen a couple of beautiful models priced around £11,000 and the company selling them appear to have 30yrs experience so proclaim to change the fluids and check this, that and the other...

I think it was the twin tail pipes and the dark paint/light interior that swung it for me (not to mention the shape of that estate bodywork :dom:

:mrgreen:
Has anyone seen the plot? :?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by GiveMeABreak »

No Semi-Auto on these (thankfully) - just the full 6 speed Aisin AM6 fully Auto box.

As for the racks - I'm on my third and that includes the 'updated' Citroen one done under warranty - which lasted all of 2 years or just under before needing replacing again. It is poor quality materials used by ZF who make these for the X7. Getting a fully reconditioned, treated and coated rack is the way to go, with a CV boot mod over the pinion to provide some water splash protection, which if allowed to settle in the well, is where the evil sprouts from.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have no personal experience of the X7, but I do try and read everything on the Forum, and seeing a lot of steering rack issues posted here (comparatively speaking) stuck in my memory.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
KennyW
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 2499
Joined: 17 Jan 2006, 21:22
Location: Letham, Fife
My Cars: Current Citroen's
C5 x7 2010
SWMBO C3 2012
Previous Citroen's
Xantia 2.0 90hp estate
Xantia 1.9 TD estate
x 132

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by KennyW »

Have a look at this

viewtopic.php?t=65021

On page 5 there is a good explanation of the rack's problems.

There is some discussion about various ways to overcome the dreaded Curse.

Kenny
C5 x7 2.0 HDi 160 hp Estate exclusive, the newbie
Xantia 2.0 Hdi 90hp 1999 only 189,000 and rising!!!!!!! Moved on to a new home
C3 1.4 petrol (SWMBO)
Xantia TD 1.9 Mk 2 Estate LX 1998 model over 210,000 miles now and still rising!!!!!!!!!!!!! now deceased 17/12/2010.
User avatar
Doo
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 459
Joined: 09 Sep 2019, 16:53
Location: Inverness
My Cars: 2000 Range Rover V8 4.0
2004 Jaguar XK8 4.2
2007 Citroen C4 1.6hdi SX
2012 Berlingo Multispace e-hdi XTR (nice drive :-)
2016 Suzuki Burgman AN650 Executive
I miss my Renault 5 Gordini Turbo....
x 116

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Doo »

I've been following all the "steering" groups o'pinions' (see what I did there :lol: ) and am (w)racking my brain trying to think of a suitable outcome :!:

Surely the rack is if not the same, then similar to other (perhaps older) models or maybe even something else (I'm guessing this rack has been used in Peugeot) on an entirely different marque, but with better success?!?!

Why hasn't someone found a rack with almost identical size, shape, fitting pints and modified it to fit, knowing the thing won't leak?

I mean, at the end of the day it has one job and that is to turn circular motion into sideways motion to produce....erm, circular motion :-D

But seriously, is the rack sooooo futuristic that no one can figure out a replacement?

That would be my thoughts :oops:

I have read all the "Curse struck again" pages and a link to another steering issue and like the mods and thinking. But like I said, surely a slightly better "older" design could be modified?

Thoughts please...
Has anyone seen the plot? :?
User avatar
GiveMeABreak
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 37005
Joined: 15 Sep 2015, 19:38
Location: West Wales
My Cars: C3 Aircross SUV HDi Flair Peperoncino Red (The Chili Hornet)
C5 X7 2.0 HDi Exclusive Mativoire Beige (The Golden Hornet)
C3 1.6 HDi Exclusive Aluminium Grey (The Silver Hornet)
C5 MK II 2.0 HDi Exclusive Obsidian Black
C5 MK I 2.0 HDi SX Wicked Red
Xantia S2 2.0 HDi SX Hermes Red
C15 Romahome White
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Emerald Green Pearlescent
XM 2.0 Turbo Prestige Polar White
XM 2.0 SX Polar White
CX 20 Polar White
GS 1220 Geranium Red
CX 2.4 Prestige C-Matic Nevada Beige
GS 1000 Cedreat Yellow
x 5646

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Not really, they are engineered for specific models, but the issue here seems to be the substandard materials used by ZF in construction for this particular rack.

For the X7, there are several racks depending on model and each have different steering angles.

It's why it is important to try and get a refurbished and coated / treated rack to help prevent the rust (that will almost certainly re-occur over time) along with the rubber boot mod to try and prevent water splash getting in and sitting in the pinion shaft well. As far as I can see on mine and as noted by others, the only 'modification' Citroen made on the replacement version was a poxy green plastic ring (something akin to coming off a Fairy Washing up Liquid Bottle) that sat in the pinion well.

The car is no longer in production, so I expect that there will only be exchange racks in circulation before too long.
Please Don't PM Me For Technical Help

Marc
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

The main question (to my mind) is "Who was responsible for specifying the substandard materials? Citroen or ZF?". Either way it was a poor decision.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 138

Re: Am I Mad... Looking To Buy C5 Exclusive

Post by lexi »

Hell Razor5543 wrote: 12 Jun 2020, 16:03 The main question (to my mind) is "Who was responsible for specifying the substandard materials? Citroen or ZF?". Either way it was a poor decision.
Most German companies cannot afford to have stuff made in Germany. Subbed out to Turkey Hungary etc etc. Build down to a price and eventually you will get a design lemon. Can't go near an X7. I gave up living with design failings when I gave up series Landrovers :-D
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
Post Reply