My C3 HDI 16v at 2,000 miles has just taken about half a litre plus of oil (approx). It doesn't sound excessive to me. As SjB suggests, new engines often use a bit until they are run in.
Reggie
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Alf,
Your C3 has a light body with a powerful engine and high gearing. "Snail like" is possibly a long way from a useage that will properly run it in.
Sensible brisk motoring without labouring or excess revs are the order of the day. Gradually extend the useage over the first few thousand miles and do remember to give it a blowout now and again once run in.
Has yours needed any dealer call-backs yet?
MM
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Thanks for your thoughts guys, any others would be welcome.
I take your points about running-in, I'll follow HJ's guidelines. I'm still concerned as the Picasso hasn't used any oil at all. Why the big difference?
I have not received any recall notices for the C3. I ordered it on March 30th and collected it on April 5th. When did you buy your car and what recall notices have you had?
Also when hauling thru 2,500rpm I get a momentary vibration sufficent to distort vision in the rear view mirror. Is this amount of vibration normal?
Regards,
Alf
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Alf,
Don't own one but a lot of happy contacts with them. Not heard the 2500rpm vibration commented on.
Recalls... perhaps more on the 2002 built cars ref timing gear, ABS etc.
MM
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Alf,
I don't own a C3 but I had the privledge of renting a C3 1.4 HDi in Spain last year. I didn't see the mirror vibrating even at very high speeds. I took the C3 right to the limit on the motorway from Valencia to Barcelona to see what it was capable of - I managed to get it to 200Kmh(124Mph which is above the top speed I think)
Its the second diesel I have driven I must say I was very impressed!I thought it was a great little car with very good fuel economy even with the speed I drove it at.
306 2.0 SE Cabriolet
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Alf, I don't get a vibration at 2,500rpm. How severe is it?
Reggie
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I've just left my C5 at a dealers for sphere work, they lent me a C3 HDI 16v, which makes a small but noticeable rattle at 2500rpm, 55mph in 4th. It sounded like the glovebox.
All in all, the car wasn't too bad, a bit more of a city car than a high speed county road car, I think the C5 does that better.
I was amazed at how much they fitted under the bonnet, intercooler and battery as well. However, the centre of gravity seemed high, the handling isn't quite as good as the Picasso HDI or C5 HDI. (I add HDI as the engines weigh more then the petrols and must affect handling).
Ben
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The vibration is just enough to blurr the rear view mirror and a little rattle from the interior trim. It's not like the car is shaking apart or anything, but it is quite noticeable around 2,500rpm. Apart from that the car is pretty amazing, excellent power/weight ratio, excellent economy and great stopping power, discs all round , front ones are ventilated.
Only other thing, the oil level indicator/sender is mad, sometimes its on three circles and sometimes its on six and flashing (overfull) then its back down to four or whatever (but it has actually used oil). Anyone else get this?
Regards,
Alf
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I think you'll find the oil level gauge is affected quite a bit by the angle of the ground you're parked on. It's really only a rough check and no substitute for the dipstick once a week. In any case you'll get used to the gauge and learn to work out what causes it to read low. If it's any consolation my Pug Partner HDI (2.0 litre) used quite a bit of oil (about half a litre) between 2000 and 3000 miles, but has now settled again and is not noticeably using any. I was quite worried when it suddenly started using like that but I've put it down to bedding in and am just checking it regularly. The engine is truly a revelation even in a heavy, brick-like beast like the Partner.
Chris
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My C3 HDI 16valve did vibrate a little for the first 6000 miles or so, it came from the gearstick. I intended to complain at the first service (12500 miles) but it had gone by then.
From new to the first service the oil level indicator went from full to 2 dashes showing, so never needed any topping up. I will be taking it for the second service this Friday and again it has not used any oil to speak of.
My speedo also shows around 125 mph at max speed but the GPS confirms this as around 113 ish.
Now with 24000 miles (mostly motorway at 85 to 90 mph) the consumption has settled to around 69 to 73 MPG. That is 645 miles from full tank to light coming on.
One thing that you will notice is how the engine frees up after about 8000 miles, mine would not pull top gear below 2000 rpm at fist, but it is now happy to pull from about 1300 rpm in top.
I also ran mine in very well but at 3000 rpm in top it does about 88 mph so you don't need to hang about.
Bob T
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I don't know if this has any bearing on the C3, but my C5 doesn't need any topping up between services (12,500 miles) at all.
That does sound a wee bit excessive, but I'd tend to run it for maybe 10,000 miles before you decide. Diesels do sometimes take a long time to bed in. I'd certainly agree with other posters that you need to vary the engine speed and expose the car to different driving conditions. I do understand your desire to 'nurse' the new engine, but maybe it's not getting a chance to bed the rings. Get the revs up - but not excessively - and don't let the engine labour either. Alternate between gentle running and good spirited blasts down the motorway.It's more important to watch the revs than the actual road speed.
I had a C3 out as a courtesy car too. Nice little compact motor, with willing engine. Fun to drive. Mind you (like my C5) harder suspension than you might expect from Citroen!
Graeme
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Wow Bob, 125 mph on the clock! is that why you are called madman? At the speeds you mentioned, your mpg is feenomeenal!
The ride of the C3 is pretty good I think when compared to other cars in its class. I road tested farsands and the one that stuck in my mind was the Honda Jazz a brilliant, innovative car spolied by one thing: Most motoring magazine car reviewers would describe it as 'could be better' but because I don't have to sleep in any car company beds, I can honestly say its the worst ride I have ever experienced in my life (except for a ride in a Maltese bus once. i dont understand how theyve sold so many of these 'boneshakers'.
Regards,
Alf
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Graeme
I've just spent 70 miles in a C3 HDI 16v, not too bad, might even be a little quicker than the C5, but that was full throttle. Nowhere near as relaxing. I found the C3 suspension to be the opposite of the Xsara and Saxo, i.e. the front end steps out more than the back when you hit a rut in the road mid hard cornering.
I found the C3 16v turbo to cut in at about 1700 rpm, and far more violently than the turbo in the C5 2.0 HDI 110. You hardly feel the turbo cut in, very smooth in my car.
The C3 seemed economical, shame I can't get 50mpg from my car.
Well, I now have a quieter ride and am pleased.
Ben
On my 3rd Citroen. Saxo, Xsara, C5.
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My speedo also shows around 125 mph at max speed but the GPS confirms this as around 113 ish.
The top speed listed in literature is a lot lower than the 200kM/h (124-5mph) I managed to achieve. The car seems very stable at that sort speed, which really suprised me.
306 2.0 SE Cabriolet
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