It's finally in use!
I started using the C5 properly this week, and I have done two trips to work (40 miles each way) and a long journey to Southampton too.
After the trip to Southampton I decided to re-fill the tank and see what economy I am getting, I was relatively pleased with what I got. My my.... isn't fuel getting expensive again!
So first of all, this is what my trip computer said:
A respectable 55.3mpg is no-where near the 70mpg+ I am getting from the C3, but it's slightly better than the 2.0 litre Audi A6 used to get. But the real proof is when you brim the tank and do the maths...
The result, a still respectable
actual 51.2mpg and this means the trip computer appears to be over reading by 8%, we'll see how accurate it really is as time goes on.
I like to track the difference between "indicated" and "actual" mpg and tend to find there is quite a difference. These are the graphs I made for the Citroen C3, and my Audi A6 for comparison.
I'll be doing a graph of the C5 over time, which will be interesting to see (for me, not necessarily you lot

).
Naughty wiper blades
My wiper blades played up again... the drivers side would do a little dance, but the passenger side did not budge.
I inspected the connectors and cables both sides, and while the cables both look fine, the connector on the passenger side looked a bid dirty.
I sprayed it with WD40 and tried to clean it up, and then I put it all back together again.
They are back to working again now... time will tell
Brake light bulb
I have a brake light bulb out, and was pleasantly surprised to see how easy they are to change.
But what a mess I found with the cable loom. I think this might be a "hack" for the rear Dashcam, and I have not checked yet but I wonder if it also functions as a reverse camera?
I need to give all this a clean one day..
What do I think of the C5?
Obviously the C5 is a much, much more comfortable car to drive than the C3. But the surprise is that I prefer it to my Mercedes S class too. The seats are certainly more comfortable, with the Mercedes seats being very dissapointing. I think Mercedes make their seats for the "larger" Ahem... gentleman, and as a result someone tiny like me struggles to get comfy.
The cabin of the C5 feels modern, the ride quality is supple and smooth, and it does not feel too large to park either. The aux in for the audio system has proved useful for plugging in my phone, and the sound quality is not that bad; perhaps a little "boomy" and requiring a little clarity. I'll perhaps look into new mid-range speakers and tweeters long term.
I am not completely bowled over by the Hydro-airmax the third suspensions thing at present, it's nice and smooth but not noticeably better than the luxury car's I have driven (i.e. Jags XJ's, Merc S's and BMW 7's). It is MUCH better than the Jaguar X350 and X358, but then again they are know for being a bit firm. So I'd say the suspension is very nice, but it seems to me other manufacturers have got the same effect without all that Hydraulic fluid, so I am not sure I completely understand the hype at present. But it is very nice just the same!
By far the best riding quality cars I have owner have both been BMW 7 series, better than any of my Mercedes S classes which are usually the ones that get all the hype in the media. But it could be that the suspension on mine is a little tired with all those miles, and the replacement of the knuckle bush the garage mentioned might change things.
But as a start, and for the little money I paid, I am really pleased with it!
