Which Versions Of C5 Came With Hydractive 3 Plus Suspension?

[Guest rcihjenn]

Hi

I have an LX C5 estate, 2.0 HDi.

It has the H3 (4 sphere) suspension, which I've found disappointing.

I fancy trying a car with H3 Plus, as it seems to give more "fine tuning" options, having the extra spheres, but it's amazingly hard to work out which models came with H3+.

The Citroen Tech manual says everything above LX spec.

Mmmm... seems not.

But I thought that Exclusive's all had it, until talking to an Exclusive owner.

Can anyone shed a clear light on this?

Was it a VTR spec, or was it optional but not standard above a certain equipment level??

Very keen to hear!

Best regards

Richard

[Guest Visa10E]

Hi

I have an LX C5 estate, 2.0 HDi.

It has the H3 (4 sphere) suspension, which I've found disappointing.

I fancy trying a car with H3 Plus, as it seems to give more "fine tuning" options, having the extra spheres, but it's amazingly hard to work out which models came with H3+.

The Citroen Tech manual says everything above LX spec.

Mmmm... seems not.

But I thought that Exclusive's all had it, until talking to an Exclusive owner.

Can anyone shed a clear light on this?

Was it a VTR spec, or was it optional but not standard above a certain equipment level??

Very keen to hear!

Best regards

Richard

 

 

I always thought it was the exclusives too, maybe its just everything with the 2.2 HDi engine or the V6, SX & above? My 2.2 HDi Exclusive has it but I hardly ever use it unless I'm barrelling down a country road which is rare these days, but to be honest it corners very flatly anyway without it, the sport function just seems to make the ride more brittle

[seefive]

Does H3 + mean you get a sport button, and vice versa?

If so, I have it on my old petrol SX.

 

Later cars seem to be down-spec'd though. Don't think you get it on post-2004 vtr's, which is the equivalent middle of the range model.

[shallishanti?]

H3+ has 3 buttons iirc.

 

My 02 SX does not have sport mode - only 2 buttons. I understand that on Mk 1 C5's it was only Exclusive models that had H3+.

 

What do you find disappointing about the H3? Mine is excellent - maybe you have a fault?

[Randombloke]

H3+ has 3 buttons iirc.

 

My 02 SX does not have sport mode - only 2 buttons. I understand that on Mk 1 C5's it was only Exclusive models that had H3+.

 

I've seen C5 2.2 SXs with H3+, i.e. Sport button. I think Visa10E is right.

 

Not sure if you could not order it as an extra, though.

[davidad]

My Mk1 04 VTR 2.2hdi has the sport button. I have a little ritual of using sport mode on the bends on the M5 between junctions 1 and 2 in Birmingham, especially if the road is quiet and I'm cracking on a bit :lol: . Other than that I never use it.

[72dudes]

I always thought it was the exclusives too, maybe its just everything with the 2.2 HDi engine or the V6, SX & above? My 2.2 HDi Exclusive has it but I hardly ever use it unless I'm barrelling down a country road which is rare these days, but to be honest it corners very flatly anyway without it, the sport function just seems to make the ride more brittle

 

 

I think Visa10E is correct as well: All 2.2 HDi models had it as standard AFAIK, and it was an option on 2.0 petrol models. Not sure about the 110 bhp diesels or the later 138 bhp series 2 diesel models.

 

Like Visa 10E I tend to leave it in normal unless the road is very smooth and bendy, otherwise the ride can get jiggly on broken surfaces.

[Guest rcihjenn]

H3+ has 3 buttons iirc.

 

My 02 SX does not have sport mode - only 2 buttons. I understand that on Mk 1 C5's it was only Exclusive models that had H3+.

 

What do you find disappointing about the H3? Mine is excellent - maybe you have a fault?

I hope I have, in a way, cos I find that the ride is very joggly (side to side rocking on rough surfaces, enough to bang my head on the roof, and bouncy on bumps and undulations.

Quite unlike my BX's, unless they needed spheres - but the C5 spheres seem fine.

I've heard a real variation in reports from other C5 owners, on this site and others - many seem as unhappy as me, others quite pleased.

Down under (Aussiefrogs site), one owner has gone for H3+ with H3 Standard "Comfort" spheres, which are reported to give "Chateaux" ride a la XM/DS!!

 

Usual problem - main dealer uninterested, and Independent not familiar with C5's.

 

So any experiences of tackling prob most interested to hear!

Thanks for everyones input.

Richard

[shallishanti?]

Which part of the country are you in? someone may be able to suggest a better indy.

 

I certainly don't get anything like what you describe (thankfully!) although you could well be driving on rougher roads than me.

[davidad]

I hope I have, in a way, cos I find that the ride is very joggly (side to side rocking on rough surfaces, enough to bang my head on the roof, and bouncy on bumps and undulations.

It shouldn't be like that. There's definitely something wrong. What is the age and mileage of the car?

[Guest rcihjenn]

It shouldn't be like that. There's definitely something wrong. What is the age and mileage of the car?

Its a 2003 on 52 plate. High Miler -140,00miles, but one owner till 138,000 and full Main Dealer Stamped Book.

Local Independent has declared Spheres OK, and certainly the corners go up and down with a push very nicely.

I'm in Devon. Used to use Colin Salter, but when he retired didn't get on with new set-up.

Have tried other C5's and find them disappointing - I'm used to BXTZDs, and was spoilt. But try to track down a decent BX or ZX TD - it has to be something newer nowadays, hence the C5.

Thanks to all for interest - I would love to sort it - otherwise car very good!

Cheers