C5 Buying Guide

[Hedgie]

Hi all,

 

Sorry if I have not looked hard enough but I cn' seem to find a C5 buyers guide..... :(

 

I am looking at getting an 06 plate VTR estate, anything really obvious I should look for?  I t has a pretty good service history and is lowish mileage.

 

Interior looks OK with a just a few markes on the door handles. 

 

Does anyone know of anyt Citroen specilaists in the North West, St Helens, Warrington area ?

 

Any advice or pointers greatly appreciated.

 

Best

 

Hedgie

 

:)

 

 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

I will move this post into the questions about the C5 section in a couple of days (and pin it) since posts tend to get lost if not in a section.

 

There is a list I am building up of common problems in the Technical section which may help. A quick look down the contents of each section may give a feel for problems.

 

Generally, as on any car, you need to make sure every thing works. Some things include - windows, doors open from inside and outside, the air con, the suspension is smooth (glides along when you first drive one) and goes up and down on the central button at the handbrake, if you put things in/out of the car the suspension will move down/up but will self level when a door is then closed, it will also adjust when the doors are unlocked with the remote, there should be 2 remote keys, on the estate the rear suspension can be lowered with the boot switch on the right, the rear wheels do not lean in at the top and no knocks/squeaks from the rear suspension (both due to suspension arm bearings wear), try to avoid the 1.6 hdi engine if possible since if not looked after with oil changes it can have turbo failures or at least make sure there is a good service history, the rear boot window should open on its switch under the wiper pivot, check there are no suspension fluid leaks on the front and rear struts and the car should not sink on the suspension when left for some time, there have been reports on problems with auto gearboxes, at around 70k miles plus the diesel particulate filter in the exhaust is due for replacement and the eolys fluid topping up - about £400 or £250 for the system removing, should not be any corrosion/rust, make sure the engine light is not covered with black tape.

 

I use my local dealer Bentleys for parts and servicing (under warranty) but like to do most things my self if it saves money.

[Hedgie]

Cheers for the update, makes me feel mor econfident as that seems a pretty normal list with nothing really scary on there.

 

I do a low mileage and have two cars on my radar right now a 2.0l petrol and a 2.0 HDi.

 

Petrol will have higher fuel consumption but no DPF issues and probably lower resale value.

 

Not sure why this topic is pinned ?

 

Best

[qman3428]

St. Helens Citroen

Canal St, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 3JG

 

Or if you want to go up towards Leyland Rigbys at Eccleston or BCC at Blackburn, I believe there is also a BCC at Warrington

[paul.h]

I pinned the topic since it will be useful to other potential buyers and if at the top is easy to find. People have asked before for buying advice and the posts as you have found are not easy to find.

[Hedgie]

Hmm just a seen a lower mileage 54 plate diesel exclusive, seems to drive better than the petrol as well.  Think l I am joining the ranks of c5 owners next week.  Garage is going to service and MOT it.  :)

[Hedgie]

\\\\Diesel deal died.  :(

 

 The garage was a pretty upmarket  2nd hand 4*4, Merc/BMW dealer.  C5 was  part ex when he went to do the MOT for me it  failed badly

Siezedd rear caliper

Shot rear radius arms -- Previous owner was a caravan enthusiast apparently

Rear disc corroded 

drop link shot

there was more but he stopped reading at that point.

 

The dealer wasnt prepared to invest in the car so has pushed it out to auction.

 

I have a 70,000 06 plate petrol VTR :)  34 Mpg in first 200 miles this weekend round town and a short Mway run.  Feels better now than it did on test drive engine seems to breath easier, I don't think it has run much for a while?

 

 

Two queries.

 

Does the VTR have headlight washers usually or not?  Looks like they are fitted but not tried anything and not removed any plastic cover under the bonnet yet. What I can see is all dry clean though :)

 

 

Is there a separate reservoir for the rear wash wipe or am I being thick?  Cant even seem to find it in the handbook?

Impressed so far.

 

Very Impressed

 

:D

[Johndouglas]

Petrol will have higher fuel consumption but no DPF issues and probably lower resale value.

 

HDI's don't necessarily have to have DPF issues.   2 ltr HDIs before 2004 don't have a DPF fitted and those built after 2004 can have them removed.   My own has been without its filter for more than two years without any ill effects.

[Hedgie]

 

Petrol will have higher fuel consumption but no DPF issues and probably lower resale value.

 

HDI's don't necessarily have to have DPF issues.   2 ltr HDIs before 2004 don't have a DPF fitted and those built after 2004 can have them removed.   My own has been without its filter for more than two years without any ill effects.

 

 

Thats good news then,  I used to have a Volvo and the forum there was full of DPF misery....

[seefive]

If it has headlamp washers ( may have been an option) they would activate when you use the screen washers with headlights on.

No separate switch and no separate reservoir for the rear screen  or lights

 

 

[qman3428]

They would only operate every 10th time the washers are used, ther is only one resevoir for all the washers but unless it came as a specified option it is unlikely the VTR has headlight washers.

[paul.h]

The front and rear washers use the same tank and pump - it runs in opposite directions for front and back.

[Hedgie]

Ok 1000 miles into C5 (2006 vintage 2.0 petrol VTR estate) ownership and all seem pretty good.

 

• mostly town stuff so far and getting about 29 mpg (its the petrol remember) seems OK.
• tailgate glass wont release but not sure how usefull that would be anyway.....
• rear wash not working, dealer tried new pump apparently with no luck, wipe works fine in the wet.
• when operating the front passenger windown you need to use the passenger controls.  the drivers sdie control will take the passneger down though ?
• bit tappety on start up but quietens down very quickly and is very smooth when running
• very comfy

Are these known for oil consumption/  my old Honda would get though a fair chunk of oil every 3000 miles, alwys needed topping up/

 

Pleased so far.  Now to try and get the aux Ins activated on the stereo....

 

Best

 

Hedie

[paul.h]

Tailgate glass, works on mine but only used it once to see if it worked whilst still under warranty (and possibly when I replaced the high level brake light).

 

When you try the rear wash can you hear the pump running, if not it may be a problem with the wiper switch/comms 2000 unit and probably best cost wise to live with it, although in the wet the rear screen quickly gets filthy.

 

The driver's side window switch may have dirty contacts which it may be possible to clean, or replace the switch or possibly a wiring problem where the wires go from the door to the body.

 

An oil/filter change (when due) may help the start up tappet noise.