S40 or C5

Daroxtar

I've been looking at both of these. Both 02 reg diesels, both pretty much the same price and milage. So, any ideas? Anythin to watch out for? cheers

Ferris

I know that the citroen hdi diesels are pretty much bulletproof and the air suspension on citroens is the most comfortable around. Also isn't the C5 a far larger car than the volvo?

Apart from that the Volvo looks (slightly) better

Gregor Samsa

betafrog wrote: »

Isn't the 02 S40 the older one one thats basically a rebadged Mondeo? I really like the newer S40's but I never liked the idea of driving a Volvo that was basically a Mondeo in different clothing. Would go for the C5 in this case. If it's the newer S40 then I would say definitely go for it....

the S40 (up to 2004) shared a platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma. The Current S40 shares the same platform as the Ford Focus. So you didn't like the old one because you incorrectly thought it was "basically a re-badged " Ford, yet you like the new one that actually is based on a Ford. And you fail to classify the C5 as a just a Peugeot 407 in different clothing

I don't understand the issues people have with platform sharing, and claiming it's "just a re-badged XYZ". Sure some cars are identical apart from the badge , but in this and many instances there's major differences, apart from the shared platform.

patrickc

that diesel volvo has a renault engine in it, and it's bloody good I must say

EPM

My buddy has that engine in his S40. Car gets constant abuse and never misses a beat. 150 odd up on it last time I drove it and an awful lot more since

crosstownk

Watch out of it's a 1.8 GDI engined S40 - those engines are notorious for coking up.

slimjimmc

Ferris wrote: »

I know that the citroen hdi diesels are pretty much bulletproof and the air suspension on citroens is the most comfortable around. Also isn't the C5 a far larger car than the volvo?

Apart from that the Volvo looks (slightly) better

Many people confuse to two but it not air suspension, it's hydropneumatic suspension which a far superior animal altogether. Basically each struct consists of a hydraulic ram with a nitrogen gas sphere attached to the top. The ram is supplied with hydraulic oil pumped under high pressure and supports the weight of the car like a spring and the sphere provides the damping like a normal damper.

The C5 has the hydroactive3 generation which uses a computer to mange the ride. The system computer reads steering angle, body roll and road speed to progressively stiffen the ride when cornering, soften it when on the straight, lower the car a bit when at high speed and raise it a bit when at low speed or on bumpy roads. Meanwhile, while all this is going on it keeps the car completely level no matter if you got a full load. Citroen brand the C5's system as "Hydroactive 3" to differentiate if from earlier less-computerised generations.

Citroens' hydropneumatic suspension is also very reliable despite it's perceived complexity. The rams should last the lifetime of the car but the hydraulic fluid should be replaced every few years (just like brake fluid should be). The gas spheres may need changing every 5-6 years but they're cheaper and easier to swap than normal dampers in steel spring suspension, a quick 5min screw off/on.

My choice would be the C5 any day, more room, better ride, better engine and cheaper to buy due to buyers afraid of anything french. The Volvo might be a bit nippier.