Difference Between C5 - 2005, 06 And 07 Models?

[Comfort]

Hello I am looking to buy a used C5 and I don't like the fixed center of the steering wheel on the 'new gen C5' that exists on all models from 2008+. And I don't like the body of models prior to the 2005 facelift, so no models from 2004 or before... That leaves me with three years to pick from 05, 06, 07.

 

I have been searching the internet across 10+ google pages reading almost every article about the C5 but I can not find user manuals or a spec sheet that compares the features between the 05, 06 and 07 models.

 

Does anyone know the different features between 05, 06, 07?

 

What are the different interior features?

What are the different mechanical features, i.e. engine/spension updates.

What are the optional extras people could pay for, e.g. satnav etc or was there just one STANDARD with different colour choices and engines across the 05, 06, 07 models?

Are they mechanically different between each year even tho the features stay the same? Because the 07 is rated as more reliable than the 05, that could simply be because the 05 has 2more years on it (or the manufacturing process got better or was moved between the 05 and 07 build).

 

This was the BEST source I could find about the C5 was from a 2007 C5 review on topspeed dot com (can't link for some reason).

But it talks about the 2007 and doesn't mention which tech is new and exclusive to the 2007 that didn't exist on the 05 & 06, I assume that everything in the article also exists for the 05 and 06 makes.

 

I just want to know if I'm missing out on anything if I save money by purchasing an e.g. 2005 instead of 2007 model.

[Comfort]

Some models have hydroactive 3 and others come with hydroactive 3+ what is the difference and is there a way to tell them apart when shopping around for a C5?

 

Apparently there are THREE different 'Variable Assistance Power Steering' options.

1) pump unit

2) servotronic version

3) decreasing-flow unit driven by the engine

 

What are the differences, does one have more under/oversteer than the others etc or higher repair costs?

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

3+ will have a sport button on the console suspension height button which can be used to firm the suspension a bit. I used this on our mark 1 C5 sometimes but have not used it on our mark 2 2007 C5.

 

If you want built in sat nav you need a VTX model but some people prefer something like a Garmin.

A 2.2 hdi 173 bhp twin turbo came out in about 2006.

Apart from this there are probably no differences between the years.

Do not worry about the steering pumps, the type depends on the engine size/petrol or diesel.

Exclusives may have HID headlights.

All the diesels have a dpf so beware of ones that have been removed/drilled through (exhaust tailpipe should be clean metal internally) but at about 80k miles they need servicing.

 

If you can, try to avoid the 1.6 hdi since they are known for turbo failures.

 

Have a look on the Technical section Common Problems pinned topic for things to check.