I Need Some Advice About Vehicle Change

[TEZ217]

Hi All,  Had my C3 diesel (70bhp) for over 3 year but have a silly intermitant fault one of them you may never be

able to find and before its worth nothing thinking of a trade in,  Now this citroen has been good to me and thought I would

stay with them.

I have seen a nice C4 1.6 hdi cachet good condition on an 08 plate been offered good part- ex deal and was nearly

sold on it,  but been on the net and discovered they have a problem with injectors and more so turbo's blowing.

So if I may I would like your opinion on this vehicle please

thanks

[Johndouglas]

From reading other posts, it seems that the 1.6 engine can suffer two faults.   One is that the seal around the injectors can leak allowing exhaust gasses to escape.   The other is that if oil changes are anything less than frequent and not correctly done, then the turbo suffers and breaks down.   I've never owned a 1.6 engine, but Paul has one and he will be along presently to give his take on it.

[paul.h]

If you want a C4 and the 1.6 hdi engine, then check it has had annual oil changes, does not smoke much on start up (if non DPF), does not smoke much on accelerating, no rattling noises on accelerating and then the turbo is likely ok - just based on my experience of early signs of a turbo failure on a Saab petrol engine. If unsure about the 1.6 then go for a 2.0 hdi - the extra fuel use and insurance will be recovered by not having the possible turbo failure cost - or have a good warranty with the car - a Citroen dealer will be 12 months.

 

The C4 is a good car, we had a 2008 1.6 hdi 110 hp VTR+ 5 door hatchback (non DPF) and took it from 14k to about 50k miles. It drove well, gave good fuel economy and only problem we had was oil leaking out of the doser valve casing joint and dripping on to the alternator. It was serviced every year by the Citroen dealer. We had no problems with the turbo or injectors.

 

We replaced it with a new shape C4 2011 1.6 hdi 110 hp VTR+ 5 door hatchback (with DPF since they all now have them) and have so far taken it from 16k to 30k miles. This car is even better than the other and gives improved fuel economy and performance but is comfier with less hard suspension.

 

The 1.6 hdi engine has annual oil changes or 12500 miles if sooner, the other engines are 2 years or 20k miles as for the C3. The 92 hp hdi engine may/or not give slightly better fuel economy, but depending on the model year may have lower car tax so it is worth checking the tax disc or V5C for the CO2 emisions since one model could be 128 g/km and £125 but if 120 g/km or less will be £30.

 

As for the 1.6 hdi 2008 catchet, it will have a glass roof which may or not appeal, you need to check it has had annual oil changes, if it does not have a DFP (exhaust particle filter), being a diesel, there may be a bit of smoke on starting but not much which could be a sign of the turbo wearing. If it has had a turbo change already, check what else was done and who by. Listen to the engine and if you can hear a chuffing noise it may be a sign of an injector seal leaking but if this bad it may not run that well. A common fault is failure of the wiring between the hatch door and the body which can lead to obvious symptoms of rear wiper faults/boot locking faults so check these work ok. There are also all the usual checks for any car to make sure everything works, tyres are in good condition (the VTR+ ones are expensive being an odd size and could be on this car 205/50R17W), rear exhaust box support strap is not rusted away (a new strap is not available, only a rear box), if it has a DPF check the mileage since if about 70k miles it will be due for renewal costing several £100, timing belts are also due at similar miles if being cautious, check the front and rear brake discs for wear - the rear ones are expensive and include the hub bearing and abs target, if it has climate control check the air con cools both sides equally. On a test drive the car should handle well, drive smoothly, accelerate quickly (unless possibly the 92 hp engine 0-62mph 12.5 sec vs 11.2 sec for the 110 hp) go round corners well, the brakes are very good requiring little effort - similar to the C3.

[TEZ217]

Thanks for all that info Paul, Very much appreciated and on consideration I may give this particular choice

of vehicle a miss

Thanks  TEZ

[paul.h]

I do not know where you are located, but my local dealer Bentleys in Warrington may still have for sale a 2.0 hdi C4 5 door exclusive, 2009 registered but a mark 1 C4. About 33k miles and in good condition and it does not have a DPF. We considered it for a relative but in the end she wanted another C3 thinking the C4 was too big.

[TEZ217]

Thanks Paul but to far down the road mate,  I live up here in Geordie land North east 

well to be precise were called sand dancer's here in sunny (yeh right)South Shields

[paul.h]

Our expert coastline taxis is in South Shields, you may be better off going for a C5 and he can help look after it.

[TEZ217]

I know coastline taxis but didnt realise it was our very own south shields company

thanks for that info paul