Graeme

Ben I agree with what you say about VW drivers, but for the ultimate in entertainment value, try this http://www.fordmondeo.org Have a look at the Car Care forum. Polishing has become a bit of an obsession for the poor dears! Graeme :D :D

Ben For goodness sake don't make people think that Citroen have a 'really good engine design' - you'll just get all sorts of riff raff buying them. Keep making out they're cheap French rubbish that breaks down every five minutes and costs an arm and a leg to fix. Have you noticed that all the horror stories have dried up on the C5 forums? A V6 HDI ? Now you're talking! Graeme

Ben My last car was a Xantia 1.8 8 valve (petrol) Like you with the Peugeot, I only got about 26 - 30 mpg - so 43 in the C5 with a 2.2 engine is heaven! Somebody told me my C5 has a diesel engine thingy. Can't believe that - they're just for Transit vans and things. Aren't they? I mean, I would have seen all that smoke, heard all the rumbling, felt all the vibration under the floor........... Heh Heh Heh! Graeme :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Sorry - should have mentioned that my 2.2 HDI is a manual Exclusive - that probably makes it a little more economical than the auto. Graeme

I get a consistent 43 mpg with my 2.2 HDI. I don't try hard to be economical and use the power of the engine. Mixed driving - quite a few hills, but also some good open roads and occasional town driving. I know the 2.0 litre is a bit more economical, but the 2.2 is quick and responsive. Graeme

I've got a 2.2 HDI Exclusive. Guess what colour? Black! Have you seen one in the flesh? I'd admit that they don't look their best when dirty (10 minutes after cleaning!) - but when newly washed and polished with two stage Autoglym they are pretty imposing. Very few seem to have been sold (my dealer couldn't sell one to the local taxi firm - they preferred white!) - but this makes black ones unusual. People turn their heads because they're not exactly sure what it is! I do agree that black maybe doesn't do some aspects of the design justice. EG the black plastic trims lose their 'contrasting effect'. On the other hand, the 'chrome' brightwork is enhanced and the silly cheesy grin of the front grille is greatly diminished. That's really why I went for black - I always thought the front looked a bit geeky and the black 'hole' of the grille 'disappears' into the black surroundings. Somebody bumped my front wing a couple of months ago. The bodyshop ordered a wing, sprayed it black, then told me to come in one morning to have it swopped. I was dead sure they couldn't get a good match by painting 'off the car'. I needn't have worried! The new panel is 100% undetectable. The bodyshop foreman told me black cars are a doddle for repairing. I even touch up chips with a black ink marker! You know it makes sense! Anyway, colour aside, my one is a 2001 model (bought 2002!) It's had all the mods and now runs perfectly. I'm coming up to 18,000 miles and it just gets better and better. I think the engine is still loosening up. The 2.2 is fast, economical and quiet. What more could you want? You also get lots of goodies you don't get with the 2.0 - Cruise Control etc. Nothing to touch them at the money. Graeme