08 C5 Opinions

lastbuilders

Hi All,

Looking at changing our 03 Cordoba and are thinking of the Citroen C5 and wanted to check members opinions on it.

Our requirements are:
Comfortable as will be used for commuting approximately 450 miles a week on pretty bad roads
Safety as builders junior will be a passenger
Diesel
Looks pretty good
Cost of maintenance\parts
Low road tax
Budget: approx 15K

I am not sure about the maintenance\parts costs but I think the C5 satisfies the other items above. I have always had a fear of the reliability of Citroens but from http://www.reliabilityindex.com/top-100 this seems to be a thing of the past.

Cheers,
Lastbuilders

Cultaca

Hi,

I have a 08 C5 1.6 diesel. The only problem i have had is the regulator failing on the drivers window. Other than that i can't complain.

The service interval is 16K. And if your doing 450 miles a week i would look at the 2.0 version.

Terrontress

Is it the new model?

I think that they are a cracking looking car, people I know with them have had no issues with them as regards reliability and they seem to be loaded with technology.

I'd certainly give one a try above a Mondeo or Vectra.

Cultaca

Yeah mine is the new model. One small gripe that i have is the cup holder in the arm rest is useless.

Padraig Mor

Had a 08 petrol Dynamique model for two years. Great barge if you're on the road a lot! Problems I had:
1. Power steering fluid leak (fixed under warranty).
2. Air con leaked.
3. Couple more very minor 'wouldn't bother getting it done if it wasn't in warranty' issues.

Only take the Dynamique (Irl after 2009 and UK since launch: VTR+) spec or higher. Obviously the 2.0 HDi would be best but the 1.6 ain't bad in all honesty. 20k km servicing on 1.6 and 30k km on 2.0. And yes, the cupholder is a rather hilarious design!

lastbuilders

Thanks for the feedback.

Few more quick queries.

Are the parts for a Citroen expensive compared with other makes and how much maintenance can an owner do such as changing oil, filter, bulbs etc?

Lastbuilders

crosstownk

Early New Citroen C5 wont have bluetooth as standard. That's the main difference between the 2008 and the 2009. The 2008 is tax band C whereas the 2009 is band B. It's easy to tell them apart - the 2008 has better looking 17" alloys the 2009 has 16" alloys.

Very comfortable car and looks great. 1.6 HDi 110 BHP is economical to run. I regularly got over 1100km to a tank.

lastbuilders

lastbuilders wrote: »

and how much maintenance can an owner do such as changing oil, filter, bulbs etc?

Lastbuilders

No bother at all doing the oil and filter, I think the engine in these is the same as the 1.6 Focus one? So the oil must be drained not sucked out and the oil filter allowed to drain fully before the sump is drained.

My uncle has an 08 C5 1.6, he's a rep, does about 20k miles a year I think, he's had no issue at all with it from what I can gather. Tasty looking car too, inside and out :cool:

crosstownk

RoverJames wrote: »

I think the engine in these is the same as the 1.6 Focus one?

Yep it's the PSA engine.

THE LINK WALSH

Ive an 06 C5 1.6HDI that has given me no trouble in 108k other than changing two handbrake cables,I also own a 07 C4 Grand Picasso and have consistently found parts to be a fair bit cheaper in Northern Ireland than in Irish dealerships once stg stays around .85 or so,a mirror for the C4 was €250 here but i got it shipped to me from Donnellys NI for €120.

Ive driven the new type C5 and found it to be a sturdier drive than the old model its probably a bit heavier,id miss the hydraulic suspension which is only available on top spec new models but id live without it,hoping to buy a 08 one later this Year,hopefully Citroens bad name lasts until then.

crosstownk

THE LINK WALSH wrote: »

have consistently found parts to be a fair bit cheaper in Northern Ireland than in Irish dealerships once stg stays around .85 or so,a mirror for the C4 was €250 here but i got it shipped to me from Donnellys NI for €120.

Prices in the Republic should be competitive with Northern Ireland since Citroen took over from Gallic Distributors (early 2010). The exchange rate will always be a factor but in general prices should be on a par.

Post any major differences you encounter.