Transition Complete

[ClaudetteC3]

After buying my C3 last Saturday, today the transition was completed - my beloved Alfa 147 went to her new owner. 3 years we have been together and travelled thousands of miles.

 

I'm hoping to travel less in the C3, but am finding she's grown on me somewhat - a loss of power and the 'solidity' hit me last week.

 

I wondered what your journey has been into Citroens and how you've found them? She does seem to have a fun side and my 3 daughters love her sweet beeps when she's communicating to me.. door open, seatbelt, lights left on.. that sort of thing. We've even joked about her being something out of starwars - C3PO or one of the droids (R2D2 or BB-8).

 

 

[Johndouglas]

I wondered what your journey has been into Citroens and how you've found them?

Welcome to the Citroen family. My own journey into Citroens began in 1990 with a BX-TZD Estate car. Over the last 26 years I've gone through BXs; Zantias; C5Mk2 and now a C5-X7. My enthusiasm has spread to the family who have had between them AXs; Xsaras; Pug 205s; 306s and C4. All of us are very happy with them.

[ClaudetteC3]

Ahh I remember the BX - they had adjustable suspension for rear wheel changes if I remember rightly? I worked in motor insurance from the late 80's for 6 or 7 years. :) That's good that your passion has spread and all happy with that too.

 

I've honestly never ventured into Citroen's so it'll be interesting getting to know our C3. I ordered a Haynes manual as you suggested, so am hoping to do some service bits n' bobs. Though she's had a basic service and oil is very clean so that's a good sign. I'm sure I'll adjust soon enough to the power deficit. :ph34r: My husband is really taken with the C3 I must admit. He drives a Scenic at the moment.

[Johndouglas]

Ahh I remember the BX - they had adjustable suspension for rear wheel changes if I remember rightly?

That was Citroen's own suspension system which was first introduced in 1955. It was a reliable innovatory system but also a simple idea which used gas and oil on each side of a membrane. The gas could be compressed which gave the comfort whilst the oil, through a pump managed the ride height. The system was carried forward into the Xantias and later the C5. Sadly, because Citroen is now the poor relative of Peugeot, it's very likely that we will shortly see the end of the hydraulic suspension. And Yes! You're right. On the BX you could raise the suspension, put some bricks under the cill, lower the suspension and the wheels lifted off the ground.

[paul.h]

If you do your own oil changes beware that the Haynes manual has the wrong amount (too much) of oil for the 1.4 petrol and there is a pinned topic in one of the C3 sections on here about it.

[ClaudetteC3]

Wow it dates that far back, amazing! Sad to hear about the poor relative side of things - so many car manufacturers have hit the pan or become part of a bigger company. it's a shame and the changing face of cars on the street is evident.

 

Ok.. mental note taken on the oil front! I need to check out what she needs too - I have 10/40 left from the Alfa but not sure that'll be any good.

[paul.h]

I used to put Castrol Magnatec 5w/30 A1 full synthetic in our C3. If you check the car Warranty and Maintenance book it will give you the oil type to use but I think you may find 10w/40 is not one of them. Make sure it is full synthetic since with a service interval of 2 years or 20k miles if sooner it needs a good oil. I also found between services the oil still looked clean and did not go black as with most other cars I have owned.

[ClaudetteC3]

Thanks :) will have a read and get the right oil in just in case, she's at a good level so that'll be a good basis to go on.

[paul.h]

The only Citroen we have had that needed the oil topping up between services was the 2010 C3 with the 1.4 vti 95 bhp petrol engine. The 2003 C3 with the 1.4 petrol 75 bhp engine did not need topping up so if your oil level does fall then maybe there is a leak (there is an oil way with a rubber seal in the head gasket at the driver's end of the engine that can perish and leak oil out).

[ClaudetteC3]

Thanks :) that is handy to know and one to watch for. I got a Haynes manual today (along with my logbook) in the post so plan to have a look at filters and bits I can do and see if they need doing. :)