72dudes

You are correct in this seefive - although it's not confirmed exactly which Citroen models will get the small BMW engine, the C5 is most likely to get the 150bhp 1.6 turbo engine from the Mini Cooper S/Peugeot 207 GT/Peugeot 308, which I assume would replace the 2.0 143bhp petrol. More torque, lower emmissions, better economy. I guess the 120bhp 1.6 non-turbo engine could also replace the current 1.8 at some time too. With regards to your figures and feelings about the C5 diesel models, it's interesting stuff, but you have left out a few key elements in my opinion. 1) Depreciation: All C5s depreciate rapidly, but the diesels hang on to their value better than the petrols; this needs to be factored in. 2) A good diesel engine is so much more punchy at low revs than a petrol. Forget 0-60 times, it's 30-70 through the gears that matters, and you don't need to change gear in the diesel! 3) The diesel versions are higher geared. Compare the revs in top gear at 70MPH in my 2.2 HDi (2350 RPM) to your 2.0 petrol (around 3000 RPM?) and you can see how much more relaxing a long journey in the diesel is. I'd choose a diesel C5 over a petrol every time, but I would concede that the 2.2HDi has added complexity and would recommend the 2.0HDi over it.

Randombloke - it's been too windy to try this and I struggled to find a stretch of road flat and empty enough anyway. But I did notice one interesting thing: travelling at a steady 67 MPH on cruise control with the computer reading "instantaneous consumption", I pressed the Sport button. The consumption increased from low 50's to high 40's. Tried it twice more and both times it appeared to use more fuel in Sport than in normal mode. Have you tried this? Is there an explanation - e.g. does suspension drop slightly when in Sport mode, or was it just pure coincidence? Cheers.

Can you scroll through the menus using the push button on the right of the multi-functional display?? If you can, it must be the stalk, if not, could be an electrical glitch with the computer. This should help you stripping down the stalk unneccessarily.

Interesting, I'll try the thing with the cruise control.

Are you sure about this randombloke? I thought the idea of the front dropping down at 110kph was to reduce wind resistance, therefore drag, therefore helping decrease fuel consumption?? If what you say is correct, what's the thinking behind it?

Well, just to add to the discussion, my 2.2 HDi manual has averaged 44.5 over the last 15k miles so I'm very pleased. I cruise on motorways at around 75 MPH or 2500 RPM (the 2.2 has higher gearing than the 2.0, which I like). This is done brim to brim, not just relying on the computer. However, the recent cold snap and the high winds can affect consumption. Last tankful gave me 42.0 even after a 200 mile journey. Tyre pressures can also affect mpg so check these regularly. Other obvious thing is air filter, but driving style counts for such a lot too, I'm a member of IAM (Advanced Motorists) so I tend to plan ahead, use right gear, feather throttle etc, and I usually get very close to government combined mpg figure on whatever car I've owned (apart from my wife's Rover 216 auto which is bl**dy hopeless on fuel!) Edit: My C5 2.2HDi: Worst tankful - 39.8 MPG Best tankful - 50.7 MPG (warm summer day, no wind, light traffic, long journeys etc)

Agreed, unless your C5 is a 2.2 HDi built between 2001 and 2004, in which case it's 50k miles. These were the only Mk1's with particle filters and diesel additive iirc. I got the particle filter changed before I bought mine and had the fluid checked at 52k - the tank was around 2/3 full. Worth getting it checked - some cars will allow the garage to clean filter, top up fluid and re-set ecu. Others won't which can mean a hefty repair bill.

No, I think you are right. Dan, hit the aircon button to turn it off (green indicator light should go out, then adjust direction, airflow speed etc to your preference. If you want "auto" with aircon "off", first hit auto button so green light comes on (aircon green light button will also come on) then hit aircon button so green light goes off. Auto button may stay on or go off depending on what the system senses. It should work well, if not you may have another problem.

I think you know the answer Ray. You probably need to give up the smoothness, comfort, low noise, gallic flair and individuality of the C5 if you want to avoid potentially expensive future maintenance and repair bills. Most garages can look after the Mondeo whereas you really need a good specialist or expensive dealer for the C5. But I tend to agree with paul h, sell both and get a 2.0 HDi newer version with 138 bhp if you can afford it, if not an older 2.0 HDi 110 bhp version.

I looked at all the websites including tyreshopper but the best deal for me was at the local Citroen dealer, Michelin Energy for £69.48 each! Apparently Citroen have a direct account with Michelin so can offer competitive prices. If you find cheaper they will match, too. Had to go back once afterwards to ask them to fine tune the balancing, as I had a minor shimmy at 70ish (and I'm very picky and sensitive about this), and now they're 100%. At the risk of repeating myself from other posts, these hubless alloys are very tricky to balance exactly right, so if anyone has the same problem (and I know many do), persevere and try another tyre outlet.

At last the website has allowed me back in - 4 weeks without being able to post!! Great moderators btw (not) So here's an update on my suspension disaster. Yes, the system of pipes on the Hydractive 3+ models differs on the front end from the "normal" C5 suspension. The specialist I use did not have to tilt the engine and drop the rear subframe, they've done enough of these to know. One guy stands on the engine block while the other feeds the new pipes up from below. £378 all in. Part £193 Labour 2.3 hours at £45/hour Fluid £15 Loan car, 1 day @ £10 (I ended up having it for 2.5 days) VAT was remainder. On collecting the car, noticed the front end was riding too low and felt solid, guy gets the hand held computer out, and it showed no faults. In fact the computer said it was a few "steps" too high if anything. Lots of chin rubbing and mild panic ensued, they lent me a car and kept mine overnight. Rang lunchtime next day to say everything sorted, needed a new height sensor at the front - fitted free of charge, as they could only think it was something they did. Two days later, found fluid underneath again in exactly the same place, mild panic again, changed underwear, took car back, thinking there was a problem with the repair. Luckily no, this time it was power steering fluid and it needed a new hose clip. Fitted free of charge again. Great service so I'd better name check them. Clifton Cars, Sible Hedingham, North Essex. Now car is back to normal and riding well with no leaks. Hope this helps other owners with Hydractive 3+ system.

Loads of other posts on this one Ray, try a search. Fairly common fault but very difficult to pinpoint. As well as iannez's suggestion, could be egr valve or sooted up/blocked pipe connecting it. I also had this fault 18 months ago and it was turbo pressure switch. For a quick fix to clear the warning lights (but not the fault), turn off, wait 90 seconds, turn on/start engine, repeat 5 times, hey presto!

Thanks seefive, I'll make sure it's not just the clips before I go ahead. I'm a long way from Great Missenden, but I'll give him a ring for a second opinion. I'm fairly sure from what my local specialist said that my problem is unique to the 2.2 HDi which has a firmer "Sport" function on the suspension setting. He did 6 of these repairs last year alone! Edit Date.. :)

I'm told it's not the hose clamp bit that's leaking but another part of the pipe. Again, I'm told by both the dealer and ind. specialist that the pipes at the front cannot be replaced in parts, it has to be the whole thing which is in fact 3 pipes. Parts price only is £193, the rest is Labour, a bit of fluid and VAT. Apparently it's a 2 man job as the rear subframe has to be dropped and the engine tilted forwards (this was the dealer not the specialist, so not 100% sure on this bit) Thanks for the replies though guys.

Found a small pool of fluid just inboard of the off-side front wheel this morning - the car has been standing since Friday. Went to the dealer to find out what it was and where it is coming from. To my horror there is a leak in the LDS front piping which means 3 new pipes (one part - 527 ORN). They quoted £504 !!! Spoke to my Citroen specialist, described the leak, and the conversation went like this: "I bet it's a 2.2 diesel?" "Yes, why?" "It's quite a common fault, I did 6 of these last year" "Jes*s" It must be something to do with the Hydractive 3 with Sport function I presume???? Anyway, price will be around £392 - still eye-watering. So, once again be aware of the 2.2 HDi for it's added complexity. Can anyone give me words of comfort, has this happened to any other 2.2 HDi owners. WIll it be as good as new afterwards? Yes, I'm feeling pretty low!

Yes, I think the first VTR models had them as standard (around 2003) then all versions from the Mk II onwards. I seem to remember Citroen initially claimed that one wasn't needed due to the aerodynamics. Certainly the rear screen on mine remains totally clear of rain and salt; the only time you might need a rear wiper is when the car has been standing in rain or when moving in slow traffic in heavy rain. Even then it clears itself quickly. Citroen probably gave in to consumer demand when people pointed out that ALL other hatchbacks have a rear wiper.

Not sure about this GreedyPig, but I'd be surprised if the better tyre dealers didn't have something to address this issue - after all more and more cars come with these things and they wouldn't want to lose market share to the dealers. My own C5 is a Mk I SX, so doesn't have sensors. I don't like them, I'd rather go round with a pressure guage every week......

No, no! There's plenty of other threads about economy on this site, but even if you wear lead boots and drive only in town you'd probably get more than 30mpg! Most owners report anywhere between 35 and 55 mpg. My own 2.2 HDi manual returns 44.6 MPG in mixed driving over the last 15,000 miles, so yours almost certainly has a problem. Incidently, this ball joint thingy - is it related to the egr valve on other threads, as the symptoms people describe sound the same as those relating to anti-pollution/egr fault?

Just wanted to update on this one: After extensive searching on the internet, found some Uniroyal Ralleye 550 at £56 each fully fitted at Tyre Shopper.co.uk - fitted through National Tyres and Autocentres. Rang up just to check that they had the equipment to balance the dreaded centre-hubless alloys. They said no, they couldn't balance them. Back to the internet, cheapest Michelins were £74, but it meant a 50 mile round trip to have them fitted. Phoned the local Citroen dealer (just to see) and incredibly they quoted £69.48 fully fitted for Michelins, including balance etc. Guess where it's going next week. (They also offered Pirelli P6000 for £62 or some Budget Maxxis for £34 (no thanks) This goes against everything I've learned about where to go for tyres over the last 28 years of driving. The moral of the story is - always check with the dealer before you rock up to Kwik Fit/Central/National Tyres - you might be pleasantly surprised like I was.

Did mine with some Bumper and Trim Shine I have kicking around - it's all silicon spray based. Glad to report the belt now whizzes back in!

John Douglas is right; from 2005 on, the 2 litre diesels also had particle filters and the dreaded fluid, but I believe the system became more reliable and maintenance was not for 75k (the technician guys will correct me if I'm wrong!) Overall the earlier 2 litre HDi is a simpler engine to have. I chose the 2.2 because I was seduced by the smoother more powerful engine (136bhp vs. 110bhp, but it's the torque that makes the difference, 234 lb/ft vs. 188 lb/ft), but the 2.0 HDi is fine really. It'll give mid/high 40's mpg vs. low/mid 40's for the 2.2, it's one or two insurance groups lower, and road tax costs a bit less too. Anything electrical can and may go wrong! Check all windows, central locking can cause trouble, instruments and dash lights - check for warnings/lights which should not be on. Remote controls for radio/CD can play up. If like me you rely on garages to do the work, buy an independent warranty if the car is not under warranty anyway. Find a good Citroen specialist to look after it. But if you find a good one, it'll be one of the best cars you've owned, so spend time and buy wisely. Good luck, and let us know what you get.

Must be a common problem, my 2001 51 model does the same - off to try this later. As someone else said, it passes the MOT but is just annoying! Cheers iannez!

I would suggest it's a 1.8 petrol - to my knowledge they never made a 1.6, certainly not for UK Sounds like starter motor problem, but I'll let kfk or iannez give a more informed answer.

OK - that's what I wanted to hear! Many thanks.

Thanks for that kfk. Car was parked on flat surface in garage before this happened. Fuel gauge read 1/3 full both when ignition was switched on and during driving. Stopped engine and switched ignition back on 3 times, fuel gauge still read 1/3 full. Filled up (51 litres) means approx 14 litres was still in tank - corresponds normally to just under 1/4 on gauge. When switched on ignition after filling up, gauge paused at 1/3 for a moment, then shot up to full (this would be explained by your last fuel level/gross fuel level). So I'm still not sure why this happened - could the float have become lodged temporarily, or is the variable resistor breaking down?