Hello All.

[franglais]

Good day to you all. I`m not currently a Citroen owner, but may soon become one, again.

I had a Xantia several years ago, and apart from groaning noises from the suspension it was a reliable comfortable car.

I`m looking at buying a 2010 C5 Tourer, and have been reading the threads about them. Very helpful. I`ve had a quick test drive and was impressed with the car, having done some swatting up I`ll take a closer look ASAP. 

 

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

On the C5 Technical section read the pinned Common Problems topic for things to check when buying, particularly the steering rack column shaft seal for leaks, the front wipers work, the windows go down and up.

[franglais]

Welcome to the forum.

 

On the C5 Technical section read the pinned Common Problems topic for things to check when buying, particularly the steering rack column shaft seal for leaks, the front wipers work, the windows go down and up.

Thanks for the reply. I did look at those sections, and found them very informative.

On my test drive I did operate all the windows, but wasn`t then aware of the particular issues with them. I intend going back to the dealer for another look soon. A quick dekko under the car didn`t reveal any drips, wet patches etc, but a closer look will be taken. 

The particular one I`m looking at is a 2010, 160bhp, 2.0 diesel, manual, tourer. Being a LHD French model it may be a different spec to UK models: here it`s called a "Confort". Hydractive suspension (with sport mode) parking sensors fore`n`aft but no SatNav. Cloth seats, (non electric) with electric park brake. At 190k km (just under 120k ml) it`s been around a bit, but with a full service history and a new C.T. (test) I`m fairly confident about it. . . .(Hope that`s not going to be a "foot/mouth" moment). Wipers are obviously part of the test, so must work, but are there any warning signs of impending failure? 

I believe it`ll be due cam-belt and maybe FAP in a year or two? I`ll be using it for 60ml runs twice a week, a little bit of local work, and occasional long runs. It shouldn`t be held up in traffic too often. 

 

EDIT. 

I will need to fit a tow hook too, (occasional use of goods trailer, so single electrics). Any particular problems here? I believe it`ll need a relay box to isolate the car from the trailer in case of shorts damaging the car? 

Edited June 18, 2017 by franglais

[paul.h]

In the Warranty and maintenance guide that came with our 2010 C3, the C5 2.0 hdi timing belt should be done at 140k miles or 10 years if sooner. So it is due very soon. I would not leave it to the 140k miles though and there was a case on here where somebody went over 140k miles and the belt failed causing  a lot of damage. The tensioner, water pump and pulley should also be replaced at the same time.

 

It gives the FAP as needing checking ( probably replacing or cleaning) from 100k miles and the eolys fluid as needing topping up within a range of 50k to 80k miles.

 

If you do an advanced search on here on C5 towbar there are a few topics to read. For the wiring a dedicated wiring kit will be the easiest to install but will likely need a diagnostic to set it up so will not be as low cost as a wiring kit taking supplies from the battery to a relay and splicing in to the rear lights.

[franglais]

I went back to the dealer today, and had a second test drive. Wipers were fine, suspension raised and lowered, on high there was space to get under a little and look for signs of hydraulic fluid drips or staining (all ok). Only hiccup was the windows: they operated fine last week, but the passenger side was "graunchy" today, it made a bit of noise and wouldn`t close completely.

Anyway, I paid a deposit and collect the car (with repaired windows) next week. Looks like the right car, at the right price. It comes with a guarantee on engine/transmission. After a year my plan is to replace the cam belt, that`ll be well within time and distance recommendations. 

[paul.h]

If it is a Citroen dealer you could ask if they would replace the timing belt at a discount if it is done before you collect the car. Timing belt replacement is usually a fixed price item and there may be the price on your dealer website, our local one charges about £325 for the belt/tensioner plus about £100 to include the water pump.