Advice please: 1.2 Puretech engine Citroen C3, Clio TCe
Discussion
Not a very PH car, I realise, but my wife is considering a 2015 C3, with the 1.2 82hp 3 cylinder Puretech engine. The car advertised stacks up, it is described as having a full service history, I don't know to what extent, but the dealer tells me there is no evidence of a cambelt change. The car has done 49k by 4 owners.
The 1.4 PSA engine in her current Mini has been problematic, to put it mildly (they all do that, sir) and we've thrown money at it over the years. I attributed its foibles to being Citroen/Peugeot running gear. Therefore prior to spotting this particular C3, which looks to be in very good order, there's no way on earth we'd have considered something Citroen/Peugeot.
I'd really like to hear opinions on reliability of this 3 cylinder engine used in the 208/C3, et al. A little concerning, after some Googling suggests disintegration of the "wet" cambelt with rubber debris causing catastrophic engine failure, and these engines burning oil excessively (which is precisely what the Mini has always done).
Any remarks about this gratefully received. The alternative would be a Clio with the trusty 1.2 16v, or the 0.9tce, the latter of which I know little about and have yet to do my homework. The C3 and the Clio's running costs are very appealing, especially the £20 p.year tax. I'm just very aware of the retrograde step in reliability we're experiencing nowadays with these tiddly engines.
Thanks all.
The 1.4 PSA engine in her current Mini has been problematic, to put it mildly (they all do that, sir) and we've thrown money at it over the years. I attributed its foibles to being Citroen/Peugeot running gear. Therefore prior to spotting this particular C3, which looks to be in very good order, there's no way on earth we'd have considered something Citroen/Peugeot.
I'd really like to hear opinions on reliability of this 3 cylinder engine used in the 208/C3, et al. A little concerning, after some Googling suggests disintegration of the "wet" cambelt with rubber debris causing catastrophic engine failure, and these engines burning oil excessively (which is precisely what the Mini has always done).
Any remarks about this gratefully received. The alternative would be a Clio with the trusty 1.2 16v, or the 0.9tce, the latter of which I know little about and have yet to do my homework. The C3 and the Clio's running costs are very appealing, especially the £20 p.year tax. I'm just very aware of the retrograde step in reliability we're experiencing nowadays with these tiddly engines.
Thanks all.
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