Mk1 or Mk 3??

[rogerc5]

I have a quandry;
I have a well sorted Mk1 c5 exclusive but have now found a similar Mk3 for sale.
Is it worth updating or should I stick to the known and reliable Mk1 and save my cash?

Mine has no FAP to worry about and has all the usual age related jobs done, but the Mk3 is more powerful (140 bhp vs 110 ) and also reputedly well sorted with new rack etc-- It's on ebay.

Any advice please??

[GiveMeABreak]

One thing to consider is that parts availability for the MK I and MK II is getting to be an issue - especially suspension components such as struts which are no longer available from Citroen.

But like anything it's always a chance - sticking with what you know but increasingly having to get things fixed more frequently - or going for something newer that's a little more solid and updated - and being aware of the 'quirks'.

DPFs are nothing to be too worried about - as long as the additive is topped up / checked at 70k miles and the car is given a good run and not used for short stop / start journeys too often you will be fine. There are plenty of places that can clean your filter these days either in-place or by removing it - even Halfords now offer this service. They're also nowhere near as expensive to replace if necessary as they were when they first came out.

[wheeler]

One thing to consider is that parts availability for the MK I and MK II is getting to be an issue - especially suspension components such as struts which are no longer available from Citroen.

Same applies to the mk3 with steering pipes, there are some that are already no longer available from Citroen. The ones that are available can go back order for months.

[GiveMeABreak]

They may be delayed, but they are still showing as available though, whereas the MK I and MK II struts are no longer made, which was what I was trying to say. But I think the radiator PS pipe on mine is no longer available now. I suppose it will depend on your model and the year as to what is available.

[admiral51]

The Mk3 is a nice place be yet it does have issues as all cars do. I have a MK3 2.0 HDi saloon that to be fair was well sorted before i took ownership.
The difference between the MK1 and MK3 is quite big but i get the feeling you really like the MK1 you have so my advice would be this.
Make sure you test drive it but have a route already planned and drive it in your current C5 before and after you test drive the MK3 and do not make an offer until you do so.
I would like to have detailed paperwork/warranty on the rack being sorted and any work to things like cambelt etc etc.
I know you will do all that, just that sometimes it is worth saying lol

[wheeler]

The main HP pipe 4014NV is no longer available on mines since before it even reached 10 years old.
The radiator pipe is still available on mines, had to replace it last year.
Most RHD model engine/suspension combinations has at least one part of the steering pipework unavailable.

4012V1
401394
4014X0
4012P4
4012T6
4012P5
All no longer avaiable

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes, it's looking sad....

[Peter.N.]

I had a couple of Mk1's and had an unusual amount of trouble with them so I left Citroens and ran 406's for 10 years, brilliant cars, probably the best peugeot have made. Then I drove a Mk3 for the first time and was blown away with the ride and quietness, they feel altogether better put together than the early ones, they are not without their problems, the steering rack leaks on one of mine but I just keep topping it up, doesn't use that much fluid.

I think the Mk 3 is probably the best value for money used car on the market car on the market. My second one had most of the Exclusive spec including the glass roof and electric leather but manual box and springs, in the interests of reliability although the ride is slightly harder than the basic one which rides over the forest track we use better than the early hydropneumatic. The higher spec ones have slightly harder front springs, and you can feel it so for ride I prefer the red one.

You would think they would make the dearer ones with the better ride, sounds daft to me. The ride is tolerable on the other one but its a shame its not as good, even tried swapping the tyres over but made no difference, it also has a little more road noise. I love the cars and intend to keep them. They can be had for very little money, mine are both estates but you can get a saloon for around a thousand pounds.

You really need to be a DIYer as like most cars now they are expensive to repair but there are plenty of aftermarket and secondhand spares.

Peter

[rogerc5]

Thanks for all the replies;

Well I went to see the Mk3 in question and it is certainly impressive with most of the gadgets that mine lacks.
So I didn't buy it.
It would have cost me £4k for what is still and old car at 10yrs, and over 100,000 miles, (swapping a known old car for a different one)
The other decider was the 19 in. wheels with thin tyres which I would have replaced at extra cost.
It is a nice car with the owner having done lots of work on all the usual issues, but as he said when I drew up "you already have a very nice C5!
"!!

Once again thanks for the comments and if I ever do decide to change the C5 I will post it here first.

[Paul-R]

Yes, 19" wheels are really something to avoid. Mine are 18" and I would really have preferred 17" for better comfort and economy.

[Peter.N.]

You should be able to get one much cheaper than that. I paid 1500 for base model in superb condition and 104k miles, the other one which has almost Exclusive spec and also 104k miles I paid 1800 for and that was over a year ago. You may have to be prepared to travel, I bought the last one in Peterborough but have never seen another one with the same spec.

Peter
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... dcat=18174

[rogerc5]

Yes Peter you are quite right about the price- the attraction was that the owner works on Citroens and has done the steering rack, brakes, clutch etc.
Still £4k is a big gap to plug for me.

I hopefully have someone who can make the tailgate open again and rear wiper work then I'm sorted!

Better the devil...

[Peter.N.]

For years I have only paid 300-500 for a car so I really splashed out on these but only because they were the first modern cars I had driven with a really good ride, most of them seem to shake your teeth loose.

Peter