Citroen DS5 or more sensible option?

sleepyholland

We need to buy a 2nd car. (other one is an estate and covers most family stuff)

The new car will primarily be used for once a week solo motorway trips to Dublin - 400k return. A little bit of mixed usage outside that.

Budget: up to 10k
Annual mileage: 15 to 20k kms
Priorities: refinement, reliability, decent phone/media system, design/looks

I've had a Passat and a Golf before and liked them, so my default options this time were to look at those or Octavias, A4s, older A5s and A6s

But every one of my neighbours has a Passat or an A4 and I'd love something a little more interesting.

So this took me to considering Volvo S60s, Passat CCs, Mercedes C220s and then a Citroen DS5 popped up in another thread and turned my head. I test drove a basic spec one yesterday and liked it a lot. Beautiful interior and quite unique outside. It's not for everyone but I'm definitely going to take a spin in a top spec one now too.

Am I mad to go for one of these and should I stick to more conventional options?


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(here are a few cars on my shortlist)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-ds5-automatic-one-year-free-road-tax/21171494

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-citroen-ds5-2-0-hdi-160-hp-warranty-finance/21939229

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-volkswagen-passat-cc/21325366

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volvo-s60-2-0-d3-es-2012/22336650

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/volkswagen-passat-cc-177ps-top-spec-2-0-tdi-gt-bmt/22487896

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/141-skoda-suberb-elegance-dsg-reduced/22172249

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2012-mercedes-benz-c220-cdi-be-sport-auto/22481580

AMKC

If you like the DS5 then go for it. I think they are great looking so much more stylish than all the mundane German cars and they are under appreciated too.

The DS5 reviewed poorly for suspension comfort, so make sure you take one for a decent spin on the least comfortable roads you're going to regularly drive on.

ShadowHearth

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The DS5 reviewed poorly for suspension comfort, so make sure you take one for a decent spin on the least comfortable roads you're going to regularly drive on.

This.

My buddy asked me to do some research on these as he wanted to get it for his misses when her car died.
After little bit of research I told him that suspension is very harsh for that type of car. And they look big, but inside it's not very roomy as you would expect. Another thing to know: avoid diesel hybrid ones.

He still went for it. Got himself 131 2.0 diesel last year. His misses likes it, but he always complains how harsh it feels on the road, other then that, he likes it.
So far, he had no major issues for it. Just now and then some electrical gremlin. That's it.
Just my own personal opinion: DS5 is a lot of bang and spec for the money in second hand form. That's ofc if you can live with boy racer suspension setup.

sleepyholland

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The DS5 reviewed poorly for suspension comfort, so make sure you take one for a decent spin on the least comfortable roads you're going to regularly drive on.

Thanks for the replies.
This is a good suggestion. I've read that poor suspension stuff too. 99% of my driving will be motorway and national roads but it's worth testing on a back road too.

There's a lot of talk on uk forums about people changing out the rear shocks to a different Sachs part that seems to alleviate the stiffness problem somewhat. Obviously that shouldn't be necessary in a 30k+ new car but by most accounts Citroen got it really wrong with the suspension on the first version of this car.

Still, it doesn't stop me wanting one. Nice interior on this one...
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-ds5-2012-huge-spec-leather-2-0-dies/22552644

I've driven cars with very stiff suspension. I didn't mind, the rest of the car made up for it. Test drive and make your choice!

CorkMan_

The early models were very stiff alright but 10k prob won't get you a later model when they sorted it. Beautiful car and the interior is gorgeous. I tried two and one had the sunroofs and one didn't. It's very dark inside without the sunroofs imo.

Also one was hybrid. No boot space to talk of plus I didn't really take to it. Didn't end up buying one as the wife found out she was pregnant that evening so we put off changing!

sleepyholland

I test drove a basic spec one (still very nicely kitted out).
It didn't have rear parking sensors or reversing camera which I think is a deal breaker as rear visibility is poor.

Going to test a couple of higher spec ones this week with sensors, camera, leather seats, sun roofs, fancy seats etc.

Might end up going north or even to the UK as there aren't that many for sale here, sterling has taken a nosedive and VRT isn't bad. Just over 900 for a 2012 one, 1300 for a 2013.

zilog_jones

Looks like the suspension wasn't changed until the 2015 facelift. There's something fundamentally wrong with a Citroen that has a harsh ride. I'd much rather go for a C5 with Hydractive suspension, or a 508.

NIMAN

Don't appear to be well reviewed cars, but I have to admit they are nice designs.
All the DS cars.

sleepyholland

They did get mixed reviews alright.

Somewhat to do with the suspension. And a lot to do with the 30k+ price point.
Most reviews I've seen consider it as a competitor to the 3 Series, A4 and C-Class. (and it gets criticised for not being a top-end executive saloon)

The looks, engines, spec and the rest were very well received.

I think it's a lot more attractive as a 6 year old 8k car than it was brand new.

Test driving another one at the end of the week. Will report back.

NIMAN

To be fair, the French have got their styling spot on the last few years, load of their cars look the business.

sleepyholland

Thanks to any of you who contributed.
I collected a nice DS5 in the north yesterday.
2012 Dsign model.
Full service history, very clean, not the top spec, but plenty of tech and gadgets for a 7 year old car.

Delighted with it so far, albeit only 200km in.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2012-Citroen-DS5-2-0-HDI-D-STYLE-FULL-CHARLES-HURST-SERVICE-HISTORY-242136607