Is The C5 Really That Bad?

[ARES]

Hi All,

I'm thinking about purchasing the C5 diesel- 2.2HDI Hatchback. The problem is I really like the C5 (Although haven't driven one yet!)and have short listed this model on my diesel list along with the VW Golf 150 TDI & Volvo S60 D5 SE. I know we all have problems with cars with different manufacturers and no car is perfect, but I hear so many bad things about the reliability of the C5, and how consistently bad citroen do in the JD Reliability surveys.

So I would like to ask all the C5 owners of what you think of your cars, what you like and don't like and are all these horror stories I keep hearing are true!

If there is anyone that could help me, especially if you currently drive the 2.2 diesel model, I would greatly appreciate some feed back.

Thanks,
Ares.

[AlanFC]

Hi Ares,

I would suggest that it's a case of you pay your money, you make your choice. The cost of a C5 compared to the other marques is probably much cheaper so there has to be some quality control shortcuts I feel. That said, I understand that VW are having an issue with quality too.

I also suggest that you ignore any road test reports on any car and test drive all the cars on your list and see which one YOU like best. An example: Looked at Honda Jazz all the reports say excellent car but ride could be better. I roadtested one, the ride was truly appalling could never live with it although judging by sales figures, many can. Unlike motoring journalists, I dont have to sleep in the same bed as any car maker.....so I can tell the truth.

Regards,

AlanFC

[ARES]

Thanks AlanFC,

I totally agree, I recently had a Mazda6 diesel on test drive and judging by the roadtests the car was supposed to be fantastic. I absolutely hated it! Sure it's a good looker but I just wouldn't even consider it!

With regards to VW they've really always had issues with VW golfs, whether it's build problems or engine issues(you only have to go to honest John forum and read all about the unhappy owners).

I think the C5 is a great car, but I'm getting so many mixed responses - some say it's trouble free while others are saying there very reliable.

I know there was a couple of issues with the C5 when the car first came out and Citroen did alot of revisions to the 2002 models.

AlanFC, do you drive a C5?

Regards,
Ares.

[pork_pie]

I drive a C3 but I know a few who drive a C5 and they say for the money its great .

The space and the deal you get is second to none. Yes there were a few niggles amongst those who drove year 2001 models but the ones who drive later models are fine.

Make a shortlist and if the C5 is on it then try it and whatever you choose then allow yerself to decide.

Yes the model gets berated in mags like Autow*nkess and Wa*k Car compared to say........ Toyota/Honda/BMW who can't seem to do anything wrong and I completely agree with Alan that you dont have to sleep in the same bed as any car maker.....so you can tell the truth.

The winner in the JD power survey was a HONDA LOGO.

How many Logos do you see on Britains roads?

Next is the SMART CAR! PAH

However I am not suprised Fiat, Peugeot, VW and Land Rover did so naff.

JD surveyed 25000 (?) owners. Now is that representative of the nation where I am sure driving licence holder numbers are greater than this.....

I had problems with my C3 but thankfully its sorted. My experiences don;t mean that all C3's are like this.

I shortlisted cars that on paper did better than the C3 in loads of tests but I ignored them after teasting each out and got the C3.

Cars I tried:

Clio, Ibiza, Micra, 206, Polo, Jazz and C3.

A what car verdict will probably place them in this order with the highest first.

Ibiza, Polo, Jazz, Micra, Clio, C3 and 206

My verdict was

C3, Ibiza, Clio, Jazz, 206, Polo.

its you who pays your money.

I wouldn't go the C5 but you may!

Would any manufacturer give you 3.5 k off a new car?

[AlanFC]

Ares, no I dont own a C5, I have a Picasso HDi and a C3 HDi 16v, They are great motors in my opinion, their versatility means that you get at least two cars in one.

I had a 1.8 LX C5 saloon as a courtesy car for a weekend, I couldn't criticise it but it would not suit me.

I have heard that the C5 2.2Hdi estate is an excellent all rounder but I dont have any personal experience of it.

Try www.carsurvey.org to see if any owners have posted reviews. Pork Pies post illustrates the nepotism which goes on in the world of cars, I beleive once that the Punto was European car of the year! Yes a Fiat Punto! An unmitigated piece of carp (sorry, I,m dyslexic) in most peoples opinion!

Good luck,

AlanFC

Porky, I'm glad you have your C3 sorted now, do I detect a hint of a smile creeping in, or is it just wind?

[pork_pie]

Alan I am glad.

Okay the wait was a pain but I am glad it was nothing serious in the engine.

I have a smile and very bad wind.

I am glad I have my car back.

There is nothing else there that is well specified and has character like the C3. I always said this even when my car was crocked.

Yes I remember the Punto being car of the Year.

I also remember the Renault (Rubbish) 9 being car of the year back in 1983.

Remember the Fiat Strada?

Where is my medication?!

[bencowell]

I 've had a C5 2.0 HDI SX for 6 weeks now, it is a lovely motor.

Mine is a 2002 model, so doesn't appear to be plagued with problems that affect older C5's, although there are fixes for most problems now.

The ride of a C5 is amazing, and the car feels large and secure when hurried on country roads.

Economy is too early to be accurate about as I have only filled up 3 times, and have been subject to wildly changing driving conditions, but 45mpg seems to be my average. Not bad considering most of my driving is in start-stop traffic in Yorkshire, i.e. start stop driving mostly up hills. Not the ideal recipe for economy.

Mine is an ex-demo car, a couple of minor paint damage areas on non corroding materials; mirror housing and stone chips on bumper and bonnet.


Ben

[twiggins]

Had my 2.0 HDi Estate for 12500 miles now and I've been very happy with it. There's the odd thing or two that are a pain (duff radio reception is hte worst for me) but there is on every new car - look at the trim quality on Merc's or reliability issues on VW / Audi's. Overall I'm happy with the car, although I wish I'd gone for the 2.2 HDi as most of my motoring is on fast A roads and I think that its probably better suited than the lower powered model.

As others say, test drive it, compare it to others and if you get a good deal - go for it !

[xtopher]

ARES, When I first test drove the Xantia I thought this was a 'drivers car' the ride was just supreme. When I changed at 95000 miles I had already decided I wanted a diesel and the writeup on the Citroen common rail engines were very positive on (low) clatter and economy. I knew I wanted that same ride again so I was drawn to the C5 despite some poor reports. I also knew I couldn't afford one for at least two years during which time they usually sort out the problems on new models. So 3 months ago bought an exdemo 52 2.0 LX and a week later got a good deal on alloys which makes it look that much better. I like the colour Misty Lilac but I found the C5 odd in that some colours especially the black models look awful and don't do the body design justice. Anyway it returns 44 mpg and now at 6500 miles has just returned 46 mpg - good economy I think. Motorway cruising is great it wants to just go and that ride! I still get paranoid about making sure I fill with diesel and not unleaded! Having said that I believe diesel pumps should be separated on the forecourts.
Hope this is useful, xtopher ;)

[Graeme]

[quote name='xtopher' date='Jun 4 2003, 11:30 AM']I like the colour Misty Lilac but I found the C5 odd in that some colours especially the black models look awful and don't do the body design justice.   [/quote]
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

[Peter P]

I've also got a C5, 2.2 HDI Automatic exclusive and I am delighted with it.

Out of interest, Graeme, what sort of fuel economy are you getting?

I'm down around 34.5 mpg which I am a tad disapointed with

Pete

[Kevin]

My C5 2.0 HDi LX estate is the most trouble free car I have owned in recent years compared to two Cougars: no:1 New auto gearbox at 6,000 miles. no:2 New manula gearbox at 12 (yes 12) miles and new engine at 8026 miles. New Ford Galaxy 2000 model PD Zetec, Ford had to buy it back!!

I have covered 8400 miles since the C5 was new on the 5th March. Nothing has gone wrong with it at all!!!

Just a few comments:

Performance:
Mine has been Superchipped and goes like stink. Performance as good if not better than 2.2 HDi, but still has economy of the 2.0. In fact with sensible driving 45+mpg easily attainable. I average around 40 but it is all 90+mph driving on autoroutes here in France

Build Quality:

Generally OK, but there are huge gaps, relatively, between the rear doors and bodywork. So much so, that passengers walk away from the car and then think they have not closed the door properly!!! NO wind noise though.

In Eastbourne Wilmoths quote £152 all in for a first year 12,500 mile service. My local Citroen dealer in Auxi le Chateau has quoted me 85 Euros. Work that out, are we ripped off or not in the UK?

I would recommend the C5 based on owner experience with four of them.

My father, his neighbour and a friend of mine also took delivery of new C5's in March . Just a couple of problems:

My father's C5 hatch SX 2.0 HDi, no refrigerant found in air con unit. Recharged by Wilmoths now fine.

Neighbour's car, perfect.

Friends C5 LX 2.0 HDi hatch: New part required on engine management system, now fine. Scratch on offside rear door, currently being resprayed by Sidlows, East Grinstead.

[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

[Graeme]

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

[bencowell]

Graeme

I spend most of my time driving round town, Bradford and Leeds commuting etc, things like 9 mile start-stop in 40 minutes and half an hour in traffic jam to do a 10 minute walk don't do the economy much good, but it seems to have levelled out at around 45mpg.

I drove a 2.2 auto, it encourages foot flat to the floor driving as the acceration is like a drug, although the computer showed an average of low 30's mpg.

Saying that, I used to drive a 1.6 carb Pug 405 that could drop to 26mpg in winter! More normally 30mpg though.

Ben

[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

[bencowell]

Graeme,

Sorry, but if you think your car is good, then you'll have to see mine.

Apparantly it uses some new technology from NASA to turn diesel into uranium. This allows the engine to produce sufficient power and torque at little more than tickover speed, this allows you to drive up the steepest of hills without going far over 2000 rpm.

Alternatively, it could just be a really good engine design, I'll have a check later.

By the way, have you seen anything about the new V6 HDI engine? 3 litres, 200+ bhp and 300 odd lb/ft torque per todays Daily Telegraph, will be used in the 607 and C6 when it comes out. That and some Jaguar thingie.

Ben

[Graeme]

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

[Kevin]

You can have that V6 power now out of your 2.2 HDi's

SuperChips knock the power up to 174bhp and 319 llbs torque for £407 inc VAT

As far as cheap French rubbish is concerned, I am more than happy if that is the perception amongst the general public. Those of us in the know will benefit from cheap Citroen prices for years to come!

[bencowell]

I want everybody to think that the C5 is the best thing in the world, sure there may end up being a few more, but think about what the residuals will be like for your C5 when it is in big demand and the C6 has been around for a year or so and getting to the sort of price we can afford when our HDI C5's are part exchanged.

mmm V6 HDI C6, sounds good to me!

Graeme, you are right about the riff raff thing, have you seen who drives and how they drive Golf diesels with their inferior engines.

If the world knew that my C5 gave great comfort and economy and handled like a hot hatch....

Ben

[Graeme]

Ben

I agree with what you say about VW drivers, but for the ultimate in entertainment value, try this [url="http://www.fordmondeo.org"]http://www.fordmondeo.org[/url]

Have a look at the Car Care forum. Polishing has become a bit of an obsession for the poor dears!

Graeme

:D :D

[Duden1]

Delighted with my C5 2.0Hdi SX estated (build August 2003) owned from new since February 2004.
Got this for 15K. Could probably have got it a bit cheaper, but I wanted the SX rather than the newer ones because of the greater comfort and cheaper tyres on this one (205,65 on 14" wheels). Got the colour I wanted too - silver and a factory fit alarm too.

Now done nearly 10k and delighted with the car. Overall consumption creeping up towards 50 mpg. Had a drop in consumption a month ago and gave the garage some earache and booked it in for a service at 10k instead of 12.5k.
However, just changed from Shell to Sainsbury's City Diesel which I vowed I never would try. Transformed the running. Consumption back up to 55 plus on a particular run done regularly. Had dropped to upper forties! Started to get engine rock too on cold start up which has cleared.
I hardly believe this but it's true and I'm taking it up with Shell. I wonder whether it's possible to get a faulty batch of fuel.
Consumption does drop to lower forties on a loaded French trip though.

[bigdavie]

i have had vauxhalls , volkswagen's ,a subaru ,bmw's , ford's, a hyundai a couple of fiat's and currently i have as a 2nd car an audi a6 and the only car that has been more reliable than my c5 is my hyundai !

take from that what you will . i love my big citroen and as part of my job i get to drive an awful lot of cars from the cheap to the obscenely priced and can safely say my citroen may not rank up there with the jaguars of this world but i certainly didnt pay jaguar money for my car !

my c5 is now 4 years old and the only fault has been a reverse switch fixed under warranty , a poor design of locking wheel nut and a slow retracting drivers seat belt !

 

as for my 30k audi ! oh dont get me started ! squeaky this malfunctioning that ! wow ! nice car to drive dont get me wrong but definetly not superior in reliabilty to my trusty citroen !

[Guest Ron T]

Hi. In answer to your question of yesterday, after having this car I can honestly say that you would be far better buying a diesel mondeo (03 onwards). My mondeo was sold recently and had done 180,000 miles and had hardly had a spanner on it. Have just sold the mondeo and had a huge response (over 40 calls) so therefore can resell easily even with a high mileage. I believe (Parkers Guide) the citroen C5 does not have a good residual value. Hope this info helps.

 

 

 

Hi All,

 

I'm thinking about purchasing the C5 diesel- 2.2HDI Hatchback. The problem is I really like the C5 (Although haven't driven one yet!)and have short listed this model on my diesel list along with the VW Golf 150 TDI & Volvo S60 D5 SE. I know we all have problems with cars with different manufacturers and no car is perfect, but I hear so many bad things about the reliability of the C5, and how consistently bad citroen do in the JD Reliability surveys.

 

So I would like to ask all the C5 owners of what you think of your cars, what you like and don't like and are all these horror stories I keep hearing are true!

 

If there is anyone that could help me, especially if you currently drive the 2.2 diesel model, I would greatly appreciate some feed back.

 

Thanks,

Ares.

[Guest Dan Slatford]

I've had my 2.2HDi SX for a couple of weeks now (2001 model, 106k miles)

 

It's too early to give any long term reports, but my initial experience is highly positive. I've had to change the external temperature sensor - seems a common issue, but quite easy. I had a new cambelt + full kit, water pump (it was weeping slightly) and pulley fitted as a preventative measure. Touch wood, so far, I'm very happy with it. It's the quietest and smoothest ride I've ever had, and to me, things do feel rather well built. A friends HDi Mondeo of about the same age and lower mileage was a horrible experience to ride in! Things rattling and bumping all over the place, and very hard plastic-feeling.

 

I've only noticed one oddity - once or twice a week, when starting the engine, it'll complain about brake fault, then ABS fault, and flash the stop light. Restart the engine, and all is well. There is no fault. This feels like a software glitch to me - maybe many of the C5's "faults" boil down to software bugs?

 

So far the mpg might be a little disappointing compared to my 1.9TD Xantia, but then it's a larger-then-necessary engine and a damn heavy car, so I can accept that. Haven't done any objective tests yet, but if it's behind the old 1.9TD engine, then it's not that much behind.

 

Oh yes, and there's something about the C5 that seems to encourage 'sensible' driving. The gearing feels much different to my Xantia. I seem to be shifting up less quickly yet more torque at higher gears / slower speeds than I'm used to, and while it can pull away and corner at stupid speed, it feels 'right' to take things a little more slowly and not rev the nuts off. Perhaps it's part the quiet drive, the lack of sensation of speed with virtually no engine noise, but also watching the live mpg gauge and not wanting to empty my tank too soon!