Citroen C5 buying advice

[BigTallG87]

Morning all

As the title suggests I'm thinking about diving into French car ownership. I'm looking at getting a 2009 2.0 HDi Exclusive C5 Tourer.

Any advice about what to look for when viewing one and the potential pitfalls of ownership?

This will be my first French car after owning quite a few other marque's.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[Fitz666]

My local friendly mechanic warned me never to buy anything French you can’t eat or drink.

[BigTallG87]

Well yeah I used to think that too beings as I used to be a mechanic but there's a niggle in my brain that's telling me to take a chance on it and experience one at least once. Am I mad?

Although the other half of my brain is telling me that I don't want to become financially ruined also. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Cheers

[TonyAM66]

..... amongst, other cars .... I have a 2008 C5 2.0 Exclusive Tourer ..... currently at 481,000 miles which has never let me down and is still running strong, it has been semi-retired for 18 Months and used as a 'dirty' load carrier ..... and it's replacement is a 2011 C5 2.0 Exclusive Tourer ...... which is bearly run-in at 126,000 Miles and to-date has never let me down.

Previously, i have run Mercedes and Audi Estates ....... neither of which were anything like as reliable as the 'branding' would suggest and were not anyhing like as reliable, efficient and economical as the C5s covering a lot less mileage.

I only ever read the odd report about some minor issue with any Citroen, but these reports would appear to echo, permeate and 'stick' as entirely representative of the Citroen brand, when an issue is publicised about a Mercedes or Audi etc..... the owner was unlucky to have unfortunately bought a 'rouge' car ....... ???

My only concern with my current C5 is, that when the time comes to replace it, Citroen have not introduced an equivalent.....

[s111dpc]

Don’t have personal experience but a work colleague had at least 3 C5 estates as company cars and really rated them. He used to row a caravan with them and I don’t recall him having any issues with reliability.

[Jack_and_MLE]

I have a 2013 C5 auto 2.2 diesel with the hydropneumatics suspension and it has been fine with no issue since I got it in 2015.
The most comfortable car i ever owned. It's a proper GT.

The only problem I had was when changing tyre the fitter damaged the sensor inside the tyre.

I had an Audi A6 previously it had a gearbox rebuilt (CVT) when it was 5 of 6 year old.

Jack

Edited by Jack_and_MLE on Monday 1st February 15:45

[anonymous-user]

This is a timely thread. Looking at a 2010 Exclusive Tourer 2.0 HDI 160 Auto. My digging has led me to uncover the following common issues:

- leaky rack (oo-er), have asked the dealer, perhaps slightly cheekily, for a vid of it up on a ramp
- cables for the windows, whatever
- air con compressors, easily checked

Not sure if there is anything else that tends to go wrong on these? Anyone know?