Citroen C5

dromdrom

Looking at buying a diesel car (going to spend about 2,500) I have noticed that there seems that there is lots of C5's on the go for what seems a lot cheaper than other similar diesel cars. I like the look of the C5 and am going to look at one tomorrow with a view to buying it but just wondering what is the reason they are so cheap , is there some fault with them? (looking at a 2002 model)

€2500 isn't looney cheap for a 2002 C5, they'll all probably have a good lash of miles on them, also Citroen are not loved and still have a bit of a sh1tty image in many folks eyes. My Uncle had a 2004 C5 in 1.6 diesel from new until 2009 I think, he put 90K miles on it troublefree. Now has a 2009 one. Lad at work has a 2002 or 2003 C5 2.0 diesel he got two years ago. He does 400 ish miles a week and he speaks very highly of it. Buy a good one and I doubt you'd regret it.

Owen

Good car, but my god it's boring. It has quite possibly the worst interior of any car I've ever seen. It's like they got bored after doing the outside, and then stopped completely when it came to the interior.

dromdrom

RoverJames wrote: »

€2500 isn't looney cheap for a 2002 C5, they'll all probably have a good lash of miles on them, also Citroen are not loved and still have a bit of a sh1tty image in many folks eyes. My Uncle had a 2004 C5 in 1.6 diesel from new until 2009 I think, he put 90K miles on it troublefree. Now has a 2009 one. Lad at work has a 2002 or 2003 C5 2.0 diesel he got two years ago. He does 400 ish miles a week and he speaks very highly of it. Buy a good one and I doubt you'd regret it.

Cheers, set aside my concerns, if the mechanic thinks its okay i'll go ahead and buy the one I'm looking at tommorrow.

johnos1984

Find out if the major suspension overhaul was done and if there any receipts for it.

Its due circa 100k miles or 5/6 years.

Its not a major job or hugely costly either but you don't want to be doing it straight after getting the car.

They are a very nice car to drive and be driven in, very comfortable and smooth.

Good luck

Owen

RoundyMooney on here has one too, AFAIK, he loves it.

dromdrom

johnos1984 wrote: »

Find out if the major suspension overhaul was done and if there any receipts for it.

Its due circa 100k miles or 5/6 years.

Its not a major job or hugely costly either but you don't want to be doing it straight after getting the car.

They are a very nice car to drive and be driven in, very comfortable and smooth.

Good luck

Cheers a million, would not have known that

slimjimmc

johnos1984 wrote: »

Find out if the major suspension overhaul was done and if there any receipts for it.

Its due circa 100k miles or 5/6 years.

Its not a major job or hugely costly either but you don't want to be doing it straight after getting the car.

They are a very nice car to drive and be driven in, very comfortable and smooth.

Good luck

Would this major overhaul you refer to be the replacement of the hydro-pnuematic spheres? As you say not a major job, certainly a lot easier than replacing shock absorbers on a spring suspension and shouldn't be any dearer (and perhaps cheaper) too.

C5 is a great cruising car, very reliable.

johnos1984

slimjimmc wrote: »

Would this major overhaul you refer to be the replacement of the hydro-pnuematic spheres? As you say not a major job, certainly a lot easier than replacing shock absorbers on a spring suspension and shouldn't be any dearer (and perhaps cheaper) too.

Indeed thats it Slim Jim.

I've heard of it scaring people off them before as a used car purchase but it really isn't anything to worry about OP

Most people just forget/don't know to ask about it.

Ask for details and if it hasn't been done account for it in the price

mickdw

Do all C5s have the sphere suspension? I thought the smaller engined ones didnt have that setup?
I think they are one of the most disgusting looking cars ever btw.

Yeah, they look a bit Brian Cowenesque don't they
New ones are nice though, was very impressed when the uncle got his.

mickdw

RoverJames wrote: »

Yeah, they look a bit Brian Cowenesque don't they
New ones are nice though, was very impressed when the uncle got his.

New one is a huge improvement although still looks to be on stilts.

slimjimmc

mickdw wrote: »

Do all C5s have the sphere suspension? I thought the smaller engined ones didnt have that setup?
I think they are one of the most disgusting looking cars ever btw.

Spring supspension only became available with the 2nd generation C5 launched in 2008. All previous models of C5 have hydro-pneumatic suspension only. I agree the first release C5 was no looker but things improved a lot with the 2004 facelift, and the 2008 model is georgeous.

si_guru

Check the rear pads and discs... they are a pig to change if they have never been serviced.. the bolts become seized and need hours of work to get them out.

dromdrom

si_guru wrote: »

Check the rear pads and discs... they are a pig to change if they have never been serviced.. the bolts become seized and need hours of work to get them out.

Well after all that didn't go for the C5, the one I went to look at wasn't great (interior looked like someone had lived in it). My partners brother is a mechanic so picked up a nice diesel golf for good money from somebody he knew. Mightn't be sexy but practical for the amount of miles I am going to be doing every week.

PWR

getting a 2005 C5 later this week from dealer with 3 month warranty and a new NCT as condition of sale, intend to bring to a Citroen specialist to check out, will post on results. Suspension not yet been done, as car has only 62K miles on it, so will be interesting to see what a specialist will think.

Best,
PWR

johnos1984

Is the suspension age/mileage related.

I think it could be every 100k or 6/7 years

PWR

yes, dealer said due at 100K, its only 62K now. ANy other issues with these as a 2nd hand buy? CAr is in lovely condition, very clean looking, no signs of crash, had a history check on it done, all seems fine ...

johnos1984

AFAIK the suspension is due now due to the age of the car not the mileage

Guy:Incognito

johnos1984 wrote: »

Is the suspension age/mileage related.

Yes and no. Your dealign with rubber disphragms so lots of factors can determine they're lifespan.

The spheres will let you know when it's time to change

johnos1984

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

The spheres will let you know when it's time to change

Strictly speaking it is due, but the above is very true. The ride will become very poor when its due.

If your getting it cheap and its in good condition it would be hard for the dealer to sort everything and make money

PWR

ta all, will let you know what happens at the expert check. Anyone know what the major suspension service might cost?

cheers.

PWR

expert check tomorrow will post results. One Citroen dealer said not to bother with the suspension service, had cars go 200K with no trouble!

PWR

expert check not done yet, mechanic on hols ...

PWR

expert check came up trumps, says the car is all fine, so happy days.

PWR