Newby Looking For A C5 Estate

[Guest the big lad]

Hi all, my sister has decided that she fancies the idea of a C5 diesel Estate and it looks as though her budget (£2500 max) will take us to 2001 - 03 territory, less than 100,000mls.

 

I've been tasked with finding her the best car possible so any and all buying advice would be welcomed.

 

I believe cambelt change is scheduled at 100,000mls so I'll be looking for one that's done (with paperwork to prove!!)

 

She's a careful driver so what should she expect to get from a manual 'box 2ltr 110hp diesel - 50mpg.

 

What specific things should I be checking for?

 

Many thanks in advance

[Randombloke]

Have look at this thread:

 

C5 annoyances specific to second hand cars

 

Also, you might be able to get the more powerful (138bhp) 16 valve engine or a six speed box, but unlikely.

 

Check also that all the central locking works, common fault that one or more doors stick locked or do not open.

 

There is a rear screen fix available here for free or on eBay for £14.99.

 

It's worth making sure that the car has a battery in top condition, either before buying or after by swapping it out.

 

If fuel economy is poor initially, make sure that the car is not suffering from brake drag.

[Johndouglas]

Hi Big Lad. Can't help but notice you're living in France. Are you looking for a French C5 or a BritishFrench? C5. I believe Citroen cars are more expensive in France than the equivalent car would be in UK. If you buy British, are you planning to change the headlights?

[paul.h]

Check the front footwell carpets are dry - if not it could be the air con drain could be blocked or it could be raining in through the cabin air intake below the driver's wiper grommit.

 

The rear brake calipers need removing every couple of years and corrosion removing/greasing where they contact the rear suspension arms. If needed, the signs are brake squealing and later knocking if they catch the inner wheel rims as the corrosion pushes the calipers out.

 

When driving it should feel as though it glides smoothly compared to other cars with normal types of suspension. If it has sport mode this will stop it rolling on bends. They are an excellent tow car remaining level with a caravan on the back.

[Guest the big lad]

Hi Big Lad. Can't help but notice you're living in France. Are you looking for a French C5 or a BritishFrench? C5. I believe Citroen cars are more expensive in France than the equivalent car would be in UK. If you buy British, are you planning to change the headlights?

 

 

HI there JD, yes I live in France, but if you do a vehicle for vehicle comparison, english vehicles are about half the price of a french equivalent.

 

I will be changing the headlights for LHD units, so if anyone has any good ideas where I might buy these items, please don't be shy !!!

[techbod]

not much help in the UK for LHD headlights but you could try eurocarparts ( that one word for a company I use ),

 

if they are HID lights then they just need to be reset for EU conditions and don't need changing but if not HID the french breakers is the way.

[Guest the big lad]

not much help in the UK for LHD headlights but you could try eurocarparts ( that one word for a company I use ),

 

if they are HID lights then they just need to be reset for EU conditions and don't need changing but if not HID the french breakers is the way.

 

 

 

That's interesting, so are you saying that if I buy a 2001 to 2003 car, with HID lights, I can switch the dipped beam so that it will dip to the right (for in France) as opposed to dipping to the left as in England?

 

The reason why I ask this is that I have made some brief enquiries about LHD headlights and they are dear - 125 to £150 each !!!

 

Many thanks in advance

 

Dave

[Guest the big lad]

Have look at this thread:

 

C5 annoyances specific to second hand cars

 

Also, you might be able to get the more powerful (138bhp) 16 valve engine or a six speed box, but unlikely.

 

Check also that all the central locking works, common fault that one or more doors stick locked or do not open.

 

There is a rear screen fix available here for free or on eBay for £14.99.

 

It's worth making sure that the car has a battery in top condition, either before buying or after by swapping it out.

 

If fuel economy is poor initially, make sure that the car is not suffering from brake drag.

 

 

Thank you very much for that information, it gives me something to ask about as part of the refining of a viewing list. Most helpful.

 

Cheers

Dave

 

Ps I'm a Landrover man myself and we are used to big batteries, things like 800+cca and 85amp/hrs. Would that be appropriate for a C5?

[techbod]

sorry for any delayed answer.

 

HID headlight are software/diagnostic altered so need no new headlights required,

 

standard lights are lenses controlled and the UK have blinkers that can be applied to the lenses to alter the fraction of the beam so as not to blind EU countries with right hand drive lights at a fraction of the cost,

 

complete renewal of the headlight can be expensive or you could get new lenses/glass without the complete headlight unit from eurocarparts

 

( forget the battery off a landrover on the C5 it wont be able to fully charge it )

[coastline taxis]

Ahhh techbod how you doing you havnt been on for a while and hows the 2 wheel thing going

[techbod]

got rid of the 2 wheeled thing twas too cold,

I still have the diagnostic tool for sale ( same price £250 + delivery) but latest software at no extra cost,

will deliver at your cost and might even load it up for you and show how it works :rolleyes: awesome stuff it is especially for the dirty diesel owners ( FAP/ELOYS ) and at £700+ by the stealers who fix which we all know is capital criminal rip off when all it needs is regenerating

[Randombloke]

standard lights are lenses controlled and the UK have blinkers that can be applied to the lenses to alter the fraction of the beam so as not to blind EU countries with right hand drive lights at a fraction of the cost,

 

Having had a few friends who have moved RHD cars out to the continent and registered them in France, I'm almost sure that you will not get a Controle Technic with lights fitted with stickers.

 

So in order to register it in France and pass the CT, you'll need to swap out if they are standard lights, IMV. Of course, if you intend to stay on Brit plates, not a problem. The issue of tax and MOT will be a pain, and in France there is CT every 2 years and no tax.

 

Also, a UK spec car will be cheaper but have almost no resale value. Continental prices are partly higher because cars do not do the enormous mileages they do in this country on company duty or mega commutes.

 

RHD in Europe is a pain in the a**e when you drive alone at every car park and toll booth. Hate it with a vengeance, which is why I use a LHD French registered 1989 Corsa in France most of the time.

[Guest the big lad]

Having had a few friends who have moved RHD cars out to the continent and registered them in France, I'm almost sure that you will not get a Controle Technic with lights fitted with stickers.

 

So in order to register it in France and pass the CT, you'll need to swap out if they are standard lights, IMV. Of course, if you intend to stay on Brit plates, not a problem. The issue of tax and MOT will be a pain, and in France there is CT every 2 years and no tax.

 

Also, a UK spec car will be cheaper but have almost no resale value. Continental prices are partly higher because cars do not do the enormous mileages they do in this country on company duty or mega commutes.

 

RHD in Europe is a pain in the a**e when you drive alone at every car park and toll booth. Hate it with a vengeance, which is why I use a LHD French registered 1989 Corsa in France most of the time.

 

 

Hi Randombloke and thank you for your comments.

 

Having lived in France for about 9 yrs now I'm familiar with the procedures and practices regarding importing and operating RHD cars in France and for the most part don't find a problem. Toll booths however are a pain as you said.

 

Re the CT, I have several friends who recieved passes with the light beam adjuster stickers, I myself however had to buy a new set of lights for my BMW 7 series which were OUCH!!!!!!!! expensive. :rolleyes:

 

Up to now I have sold 8 cars in France all of which were RHD Land Rovers and have made a reasonable profit on all of them. I suspect however, this C5 which is destined for my sister, will not be amongst them :D :D

 

 

Thanks again for all your comments, keep 'em coming please.

 

Cheers

Garlic Dave

[Randombloke]

Toll booths however are a pain as you said.

 

I have found that SANEF (alone in all the motorway companies) will sort you out a Telepéage badge which they will accept a UK based credit card to pay for. In July the queues for the péage can it make it worth it - surcharge for my tariff is €2 for every month in which I use it. Bought from the SANEF office at the beginning of the A16 just South of Boulogne.

[Johndouglas]

A search of 2 to 3 years back will bring up a story about a girl who needed Controle Technic on a RHD C5 with HID lights. Apparently they wouldn't pass it without changing the lights.