Citroen C5 petrol - questions

[Citrone]

Hi all,

Considering buying a Citroen C5 and was hoping you could help me.

I remember my dad switching from a Megane to a C5 Mk1 (was the 2L diesel engine, manual) years ago and I just loved the C5.. the car was spacious and the suspension was fantastic.

For the past 6-7 years I only had Petrol cars.. not a diesel fan and was looking at a C5 Mk1, under 70,000 miles and with the 2.0L 16v petrol engine, automatic..

Would appreciate a bit of guidance, I understand it's a 20 year old car so what should I expect from the Mk1 in terms of issues? (suspension/gearbox/engine..)

..Or is it more advisable I go for the next generation C5, similar petrol engine and automatic.. looking between 2008-2010 years?

Many thanks!

[MattBLancs]

Not experienced earlier C5 generations, currently own a 2009 X7 (third generation) but in 2.2 HDi diesel form. Six speed manual.

Petrol engines for the C5 would likely be the 2.0 EW10J4. This engine I have experience of on a 406 Coupe. To me it's a good engine, does not seem to have any major failings. Is 137bhp and neither C5 or 406 Coupe are that light, so performance is far from "blistering".

I should also point out that my 406 Coupe is now 5 speed manual but started its life as 4 speed AL4 automatic. I bought the Coupe very cheap with a failing automatic gearbox, effectively no first gear (short term solution was "snow mode" = set off in second, dodging the issue. 7000 miles traveled on this state!)

Failure mode for my AL4 was one of the gearbox brake bands which the riveted end connection had broke loose. I took the old automatic 'bix to bits after the manual conversion and that is what I found.
Part of me wonders if a replacement band would have made the box soldier on, but the other half of me remembers the amount of swarf on that gearbox's internal magnet!
May have been "throwing good money after bad"

That failure mode seems fairly rare from what I have been able to find online.

Back to the engine, now at 169,000 miles covered (about 140,000 when automatic failed) then engine is a little tired. When tested, the compression figures level off at expected values when tested, but takes several revolutions to level off.

I have currently "retired" the Coupe and bought a second hand engine from a newer 307 to try to swap in.

Parts availablity seems to be the issue, and that seems also to include the latest generation of C5!

[Citrone]

Thanks for sharing this, the transmission failure does seem rare I'm wondering if anything can be done to prevent it? (usually automatic transmissions only require oil/filter changes?)

I am a bit concerned about the size/weight of the car vs 2L petrol engine.. and what sort of economy is expected from it? (I'm in Surrey so a mix of mild urban+extra urban is expected, I'm hoping ~35mpg?)

And the main hesitation is indeed the parts availability...
1. I've read about the steering rack issues (is that a more C5 gen 3 issue? or is the first gen impacted too?)

2. Don't know how robust/issue-free is the hydraulic suspension system but I imagine it's more prone to faults since it's a lot more complex than standard coil suspension? (plus I'd try to get the H3+ version with the 'Sport' button)

3. With France so close how are the parts scarce + is there a good (indy?) Citroen garage (preferably Guilford-Epsom-Croydon area....) that anyone would recommend?
If I buy the car, I'd like to have the vehicle inspected & a maintenance service done.

Cheers

[citroenguy]

The only common failure of AL4 gearbox fitted to EW10J4 is the solenoids. Not the end of the world but a couple £££ at a garage.
I had a mkI 2.0 petrol manual, it did around 35mpg in and around town, down to 25mpg when it was -10C out.
Steering racks doesn't fail like on the mkIII/X7, but parts are beginning to be NLA.
Just change the LDS hydraulic fluid every coulpe of years (or 50000km). We've had four C5 mkI/II in my family, no suspenison issues only PAS fault is a hose that is weeping a bit

[Citrone]

Thanks that's very helpful!
Maybe was worrying too much but the lack of parts does concern me..
Cheers

[citroenguy]

Thanks that's very helpful!
Maybe was worrying too much but the lack of parts does concern me..
Cheers

The Chevronic centre in Hitchin has some NLA parts
https://www.chevronics.co.uk/?v=79cba1185463

[aspire_helen]

My 2001 C5 2.2HDi is 21 years old with 190Kmiles and runs fine returning 60+mpg on motorway journeys. However, spares availability is an issue with any car that age, and MOT day is always a stress!!. I treat it as a vintage project!! Citroen no longer produce many spares, and any used Mk1 spares are going to be of the same vintage. I would recommend you buy a younger model. Personally, i would avoid the hydroactive suspension. There is no need for it and it adds unnecessary complexity, worry and expense. I dread the day when some fault (perhaps minor) makes repair/MOT pass impossible or prohibitively expensive.

[wheeler]

Would you not consider a 2.0HDi if going for a mk1?
110 bhp No DPF, old mechanical EGR, great performance & economy, reliable engine.

[Citrone]

Thanks all for the comments!
I did have chevronics bookmarked
@aspire_helen I totally get it and I would certainly consider the Mk1 a vintage project, also one of the reasons I was looking for one..
@wheeler not a fan of diesel engines but above personal preference is the ever-expanding ULEZ which from August would become a problem as I'm very close and would have to pay the daily charge quite often.