A Few Questions About Mk3 Tourer - Buying

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

For the year that you are looking, the 2.0 hdi engine should be 160 bhp and to have the hydractive suspension it will need to be an exclusive model since the VTR / VTR nav ones have steel coil springs and shock absorbers.

 

1. The 2.0 hdi is not known on this forum as having turbo problems, unlike the 1.6 hdi. Similarly, there are not many reports of problems with the dual mass flywheel on any models of C5. The one problem that seems to be common on the C5 (X7) is leaking of seals on the steering rack which require it to be replaced. Have a look at the C5 Technical section Common problems pinned post.

 

2. If you want an exclusive model, it will have an electric handbrake so this will affect work on the rear brakes, possibly needing diagnostic equipment. I can not remember any comments on the electric handbrake so probably it works ok. In the UK the exclusive model costs a lot more than the VTR / VTR nav models and as a result there are not many available to buy in the used market.

 

3. This would have been an opinion of a member which in the future may or may not happen. Members on the forum do not have any connection with Citroen as far as I know and most, if not all, do not have any connection with the motor trade.

 

4. In the UK it is not legal to remove the exhaust FAP and catalyst and if this happened the car would not pass the annual MOT test and it would not be covered by insurance. Since this comes from EU rules this should also apply across Europe. This forum can not recommend to remove the FAP and catalyst.

 

5. Whether you need an automatic gearbox or manual depends on your circumstances, but a manual ought to cost less to mantain over the life of the car and less in fuel costs. If you do not need an auto gearbox then it is probably best not to get one.

[Stylo]

Hi all ,

Thank you very much for the prompt response,
 

Right now i am considering the noise problem that i read about in the C5 forum and few more things and  i am about to go down there for a hunt - good news is i have the access to all EU market except, UK , north Europe etc.. So i will look for a model that perfectly suits my needs !  Thank you for the response  and i will post some pics when car  is ready for it ;)   


Tnks

[Mike O.]

Hi Stylo,

 

Re.3.   I have read in enough places, that the new C5 is going to be made in the Opel factory in Russelsheim, Germany, to be concerned. Like many other Citroen enthusiasts I have signed a petition (available on this forum, from memory) to keep the Hydractive suspension alive. Money talks, so it doesn't look good... 

 

Re.      Road noise

It is a very subjective thing. Test drive the model you intend to buy on the very roads you will drive it later.

If you are going to be driving mainly on smooth bitumen, then there is no problem. The problem becomes apparent on coarse chip surfaces (bitumen with gravel pressed into it), and even then many C5 owners when asked about the noise would answer: 

what noise? The new C5 is certainly quieter in all respects than many Mazda, VW/Skoda/Audi or Volvo models I have driven...

 

Re.5.   Auto transmission

Again a very personal thing. I personally would never buy a car with a manual transmission (not that I could buy a manual C5 in Australia anyway). If you are after a feeling of being "in control" of the car - buy a manual. If you value comfort, especially in heavy traffic - get an auto. When in Europe (which is every year) I hire a manual car, but it is not my cup of tea at all.

Yes, fuel consumption of a manual is a bit lower (certainly not 2+l/100km lower), but the convenience...

In my 30 years of driving automatics I have never had to have anything done to the transmission, except for simple service in case of old Holdens and Fords. Now even that is not necessary, they are sealed for life whatever that means. 

 

Cheers,

 

Mike O.

[Stylo]

hi  Mike, 

Thanks for replay, 
 

3. I will find the petition and sign it..  
4. Road noise - normally i am driving all around the Balkans - Greece, Bulgaria, Romania....Serbia and so on. - Highways are not good enough and i think the surface  here is exactly gravel+ bitumen because of traction needs. Ice snow etc, there is 4 seasons here /still/ anyway. I notice one strange thing after i read about surface issue.. On few highways here there is 2 types of surface - on the left line /fastest one/ is gravel thing /noisy and bumpy in same way/ but the most right line is smooth like mirror. So i believe this is the difference you are talking about...  My decision of the problem - I will buy 16" inch rims and now i am looking at a few websites what gives information for tires etc. Quiet index will be considered so i will minimize the output.
5. Auto is a problem here - we do not have a good technicians and experienced shops to maintain the auto boxes. So one of the reasons to stay away ....for now. 

10x 

Stiv 

[seefive]

When the Mk 3 was launched in 2008, hydractive suspension was standard on all VTR+ with the 2.2 engine and/or auto transmission , as well as Exclusives. Now It's on Exclusives only.

You should be able to pick up a 2008-2009 vtr+ with H3+

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[denis1304]

New to this forum.

I consider buying C5 but do not know which model should I go for.

 

Which car would you buy

1. http://www.avto.net/ad.asp?ID=7620305

or

2. http://www.avto.net/ad.asp?ID=8943178

 

and why?

 

Thanks, Denis

[Sixchannel]

Denis

First link does not work.

Second link looks like a tidy 2011 VTR. Like the alloys!

[Johndouglas]

Second link looks like a tidy 2011 VTR.

And not a bad price. Equivalent of £8900 - mind it's done 62K miles.

[denis1304]

 

Second link looks like a tidy 2011 VTR.

And not a bad price. Equivalent of £8900 - mind it's done 62K miles.

 

Is it possible to change language of the display? If I buy car made for Italian market for English (or Slovenian) language? Is there option in the menu or does it have to do it service?

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

You can select the car language using the Menu button on the radio, but when buying a car check that it will do the language you need.

[denis1304]

You can select the car language using the Menu button on the radio, but when buying a car check that it will do the language you need.

 So this would also effect language on odometer, board-computer, ETC...

 

Thanks

[Johndouglas]

In the menu you'll be able to choose between mph and kmh - as well as choosing a different language.

[denis1304]

What dimensions of the tires and rims are homologated (approved) for C5 164HP Exclusive model year 2010?

How often do you need to change timing belt to be on the safe side? How much does it cost and what is also replaced?

 

Thank you

 

@Johndouglas Thanks for your help

Edited November 17, 2014 by denis1304

[Johndouglas]

Tyres should be 225/55x17 101W - unless you've got large dia alloys. Timing belt is something silly like 150K miles or 10 years but I'm always happier doing them at 85K. Also it's false economy not to do the water pump and the tensioner pulleys at the same time. And for what it costs, it's worth putting on a new auxiliary belt.

[paul.h]

I replaced the timing belt and all the other bits John mentions on our C3 petrol a few years ago. The parts including the water pump, coolant, thermostat, aux belt and its pulleys were about £300 but if I had paid for the work doing there would have been maybe £200 labour on top. If only the timing belt and its tensioner had been replaced these were about £65 but the labour would not have been much less since the aux belt has to be removed to get to the timing belt.

 

The timing belt replacement mileage in a 2011 warranty /maintenance guide is 140k or 112500 for arduous duty or 10 years, whichever is first. Note that the mileage in the Citroen Maintenace/Warranty guide is for Citroen parts, if the car is using alternative ones they may have a different replacement frequency.

[MikeLane]

I changed my 1.6HDi's Timing Belt + tensioners, Water Pump and Aux belt at about 96K miles with a service for £490 if that's of interest.