Hi
Can anyone out there elucidate on the question of which type 1 C5 diesel estates were fitted with H3 Plus suspension.
I have an LX and it certainly doesn't.
I had been under the impression that anything above an LX spec did - that is not the case, but it's proving astonishingly hard to find out which models did.
I presumed the Exclusive spec included H3+ (H3+ cars have a switchable Sports/Comfort setting, bringing in and out of circuit a set of centre spheres, a la Xantia/XM), but was told recently by an Exclusive owner he didn't have that?!
It may be only the 2.2HDI models, may be the VTR spec.
Be delighted if anyone can shed some light on this.
PS Reason for interest, I find my H3 C5 very harsh and bumpy to ride in (no, spheres not gone hard), after years of BX's, and am keen to try the versatilty of H3+. Would be most interested to learn of any other C5 owners experience on ride front, and any tips on smoothing it out!
Richard
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The Mark 1 (ugly front) C5's had H3+ suspension with sports mode on the 2.0 petrol models, 2.2 diesel and the V6.
I think that the Mark 1 exclusive came in a 2.0 and a 2.2 diesel, but only the 2.2 had sport mode suspension.
I had comfort spheres fitted to my Mark 1 2.0HDI saloon, now they made a massive improvement. I bought them from AEP Direct mail order and had them fitted by an independent near me in Yorkshire.
Ben
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I think on the Mark 1 C5s it was the engine rather than the trim level that determined whether you got H3 or H3+ suspension.
My last C5 was a March 2004 2.0 HDI110 VTR. That had the H3 suspension, and to be honest the ride, whilst much better than any other modern car I've driven, was not as good as the BX or XM.
When that car was scrapped last month, I bought a September 2004 2.2 HDI Exclusive - one of the last with the ugly front (though the later one wasn't much prettier).
For the first two days the ride quality was superb - much better than the H3 VTR. However, as this was a Citroen Approved Used Car, on the third day of ownership the front spheres failed and the ride quality became absolutely dreadful.
I then had to deal with Citroen's after sales "service" and learned why they frequent the lower end of customer satisfaction surveys.
So yes - to get to the point, H3+ is much better than H3 when it works. Both systems ride much better than the Volvo hire car I've been given.
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Couldn't get HJ to allow me to post. !?
Really sorry to hear of yr probs - hope back on course now.
It does seem the only diesels with H3+ are the 2.2 's.
Been put off them by tales of Emissions filters / Eloys fluid horror stories.
How do you find the fuel consumption on the 2.2 compared to the 2.0 ? - you're definitely well placed to compare, unless you've radically changed your driving style of late!
Thanks for your input
richjenn13
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I've got a 53 plate 2.0 HDi Exclusive. It's only fitted with Hydractive 3 type hydraulics. I find that the ride quality is generally good and usually commented on by passengers. Severely broken roads give a harsh ride but I've not compared it to an ordinary sprung car so it could be relatively good by comparison. Compared to my XM (or the Xantia Exclusive I had before that) I find the suspension is trouble free and fast to change ride heights if needed. I did want a 3+ C5 but the lower MPG of the 2.2 HDi along with the particulate filter and higher tax band put me off.
Is the 3+ as trouble free as the 3 or as temperamental as the old Hydractive 2?
Steve.
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Just tried out a 2.2 HDi auto. Suspension (H3+) definitely smoother than my H3 LX, but surprised by lack of urge - my 2.0 feels livelier.
Interested in what the real extra fuel consumption is in day to day use on the 2.2 over the 2.0 diesel.
Anybody got an answer?
Best wishes
richjenn13
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Fuel consumption on my 2.2 is averaging out at around 36mpg, which is pretty rubbish for a diesel in my opinion.
On the 2.0, I would get around 42mpg, according to both the trip computer and my sums. However, my wife would get just over 50mpg on some journeys, and a work colleague typically got 28mpg, so driving style will make a big difference.
There was a gap of around a month between me scrapping the 2.0 C5 and buying the 2.2, but even so, the engine in the 2.2 C5 feels a lot more enthusiastic. Both cars are/were manual. It might be that the automatic transmission is masking some of the oomph from the engine. The C5 never seems to feel as fast as it is.
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