Citroen DS3 Racing - My Story!
Discussion
At the beginning of May 2011 I bought a brand new Citroen DS3 Racing, it was a fantastic car and initially I enjoyed every minute of ownership, until it reached 1,000 miles that is.
It then started to hesitate when pulling away and misfire at speed, the dealer I bought it from found no fault at the 1,000 mile check, it got progressively worse and Citroen started to look at it in depth in July, they threw several parts at it and by the beginning of December it had been off the road for more than 2 months and was finally diagnosed as needing an engine replacement, this wouldn't arrive from France until a few days before Christmas (they were on back order, I found out that 3 other DS3 Racings were waiting for new engines) and wouldn't be fitted until the first week of January I refused to accept a new engine but was initially ignored (seems to be the Citroen Customer Service way), finally I was given a brand new DS3 Racing in the middle of December.
Just as this one came past 1,000 miles it also started to exhibit the same fault so I rejected it and in accordance with the UK Sale of Goods Act I asked for the refund of my deposit and all monthly payments that I was legally entitled too. Citroen have refused and stated they will give me back my deposit and as a gesture of goodwill 3 months payments to cover the 3 months that my car was in the garage! Cheeky feckers!!
So be warned DO NOT BUY A CITROEN DS3 RACING and you will also find that the 1.6 THP engine used in their Dsport model (in lower tune) also seems to be failing at alarming rates with timing chain failures and lots of other issues. Be very wary of buying any used DS3 Racing or THP, ask if the engine has ever been replaced or if the car has been rejected, avoid RX11 OEP and HN61 HLD.
Stef
It then started to hesitate when pulling away and misfire at speed, the dealer I bought it from found no fault at the 1,000 mile check, it got progressively worse and Citroen started to look at it in depth in July, they threw several parts at it and by the beginning of December it had been off the road for more than 2 months and was finally diagnosed as needing an engine replacement, this wouldn't arrive from France until a few days before Christmas (they were on back order, I found out that 3 other DS3 Racings were waiting for new engines) and wouldn't be fitted until the first week of January I refused to accept a new engine but was initially ignored (seems to be the Citroen Customer Service way), finally I was given a brand new DS3 Racing in the middle of December.
Just as this one came past 1,000 miles it also started to exhibit the same fault so I rejected it and in accordance with the UK Sale of Goods Act I asked for the refund of my deposit and all monthly payments that I was legally entitled too. Citroen have refused and stated they will give me back my deposit and as a gesture of goodwill 3 months payments to cover the 3 months that my car was in the garage! Cheeky feckers!!
So be warned DO NOT BUY A CITROEN DS3 RACING and you will also find that the 1.6 THP engine used in their Dsport model (in lower tune) also seems to be failing at alarming rates with timing chain failures and lots of other issues. Be very wary of buying any used DS3 Racing or THP, ask if the engine has ever been replaced or if the car has been rejected, avoid RX11 OEP and HN61 HLD.
Stef
Edited by StefanVXR8 on Friday 3rd February 18:54
Legacywr said:
Oooh look what you have bought now Stef!
I do believe that that 16i engine is being used in a BMW badged vehicle too.. but I can't remember which one?
Not sure Rod, I know the current MINI Cooper uses it and the Pug 207, the version in the RCZ is modified and also I believe in the DS4.I do believe that that 16i engine is being used in a BMW badged vehicle too.. but I can't remember which one?
The general thought is (aside from the timing chain issues) that the PCV system is venting more than oil vapour back in to the intake and that this oil is interacting with the fuel and gumming everything up. Citroen denied this was an issue with the Racing even though all the evidence points to it and that you can also buy genuine parts from Peugeot to remove the pipe and blank of the outlet and inlet.
We're also seeing massive amounts of oil from the second breather which vents in to the turbo inlet too.
But, yes, as you've noticed, my replacement car is, ahem, a bit different than the DS3R!
It is such a shame as you know the day I took you out in the DS3R it is a fantastic little car.
Stef
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