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Has anyone had personal experience of how reliable C5's are? any expensive glitches especially over high mileage. The deals are great but I don't want to buy a lemon.
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I suppose my answer will be predictable, but I hope realistic!
My C5 is a 2001 build (bought new 2002!) It is one of the earliest and the earliest are the most unreliable.The first ones had rattling / hard rear suspension, which had to be fixed under warranty with revised spheres and soundproofing. The new ones don't have this problem.
There were odd glitches with the electrics on early cars and automatics were sometimes 'sharp' on changes.
Now the good news! Despite all this, my own one (which ought to be a real lemon) has now done 18,000 miles without a hitch. It is a 2.2 HDI which is an absolute gem of an engine. The car is unbeatable in terms of value for money, comfort, economy, room ....I could go on!
If you get a 'fresh' one (check orga number) it should be a cracker.
One last thing - buy it from a Citroen dealer who knows his stuff. Citroens are generally good cars - let down by poor dealers.
Look after them, drive them with some appreciation of how they tick and they are a joy to own.
Graeme
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As I C5 owner, I cannot find anything really bad to say about them.
When looking before I bought, I noticed that Autotrader showed several 50-60,000 mile examples, perhaps you would like to have a look at them.
As Graeme says, newer ones should be OK. Most people prefer the diesel engines. The 2.0 litre diesels are very similar to the HDI engines fitted to the Xantia, there are no major problems reported there.
My dealer is very honest with me, he has said about known problems and they are mostly knocking rear suspension, which many people will confirm, the Citroen fix really works now.
I'll stop now, but if you click my name, you'll get my email if you want to message me off-list.
Ben
On my 3rd Citroen. Saxo, Xsara, C5.
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Thanks, this all sounds reassuring.
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I have my C5 2.2HDI, made 20th July 2001, delivered a month later, 29.000Km covered so far. No problems, except already reported knocking rear suspension, which was sorted a loooooong time ago. I love the car more and more. No rattles, squeaks just a very quiet cruising. Small reservation against the fuel consumption (nothing to worry about, but some are supposed to do better), probably due to a FAP. The 2.2HDI got award for 'The best engine in category of 2-2.5 litres' last year. It needs some time for full running-in but then it becomes a real cracker, in terms of refinement particularly! And above all you'll be cossetted by the hydropneumatic suspension...
VV
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