Citroen C5 - Air suspension - opinons thereof??

Citroen C5 - Air suspension - opinons thereof??

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Discussion

Leptons

5,113 posts

175 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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itcaptainslow said:
This. They're thinking of the old Xantia back LHM system which was literally the lifeblood of the car-the brakes ran off it too.

The C5 switched to "normal" brake fluid, I believe due to the cost/complexity of making a specific ESP/EBD system which would work with LHM/LDS.

The first generation C5 had a very common issue with calcium building up between the caliper and mount, pushing the caliper outwards and causing it to bind. It's a pain to sort out as the two long through bolts are usually thread locked in massively and can sometimes snap upon removal.
This, my dad had it on his. Required 2 new calipers.

Pentoman

4,814 posts

262 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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feef said:
Completely agree with Flatso and daytona111r. My daily driver is a Citroen C6, but I've a modified MX5 for fun. For all the times I'm driving up or down the country to Scotland to visit family or onto the continent on a holiday (with the exception of road-trips/driving holidays), the C6 is just the ideal tool for the job, and I couldn't imagine doing it in something with even a remotely 'sporty' ride.
I'm in a similar boat to you. As I wafted for 105 miles to get in to work this morning, in incomparable serenity, I had plenty of time to thank myself for choosing to bring the C5 and not the V8 Vantage.

The thing that I particularly like about the current C5 (2008 onwards)? It also comes with a decent interior. You no longer have to put up with cabin that's inferior to the Germans. Swap from mine into an E90 3-series, and it feels like a Dacia Sandero. There's even a huge difference to how it feels to close a door. The build seems to be brilliant. Miine has 142,000 miles but the condition is incredible.


TheInsanity1234

740 posts

118 months

Tuesday 26th August 2014
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Pentoman said:
I'm in a similar boat to you. As I wafted for 105 miles to get in to work this morning, in incomparable serenity, I had plenty of time to thank myself for choosing to bring the C5 and not the V8 Vantage.

The thing that I particularly like about the current C5 (2008 onwards)? It also comes with a decent interior. You no longer have to put up with cabin that's inferior to the Germans. Swap from mine into an E90 3-series, and it feels like a Dacia Sandero. There's even a huge difference to how it feels to close a door. The build seems to be brilliant. Miine has 142,000 miles but the condition is incredible.

That's the other thing I adore about Citroens of this type, they always come with lots of cream coloured surfaces, which makes the car feel light and airy, whereas the German cars come with black, or black, or possibly black-ish black interior colours, which makes them feel dark and slightly cramped.

corvus

431 posts

151 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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feef said:
I'd say that in the days after the XM and Xantia, it's far less wallowy and the brakes more 'conventional' in feel than they used to. The suspension is still soft, but with Hydractive 3+ (in the C5 and C6), the ride height automatically adjusts down by 15mm at speed on the motorway, and automatically raises it by 13mm on rougher roads. You can still raise and lower it with the buttons too. With the sport mode, which introduces an additional sphere into the system, the ride is almost 'conventional' in its firmness.
OK so they're quiet and ride well.

What are the seats like for long distance work? Supportive?

flatso

1,240 posts

128 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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corvus said:
OK so they're quiet and ride well.

What are the seats like for long distance work? Supportive?
The exclusive spec C5's come with massage seats in the front; try getting that from your VW!

saaby93

32,038 posts

177 months

Saturday 30th August 2014
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How do you tell which of the later C5s have wafto suspension?

dave_s13

Original Poster:

13,813 posts

268 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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saaby93 said:
How do you tell which of the later C5s have wafto suspension?
I think it's only on the exclusive spec model.

With regard the seats, I've had a Saab 95 and a Volvo V70 and I would say the C5 is more comfortable than either.

Noticed a weird issue with my car since last posting anyway. The offside rear wheel is sitting slightly aft compared to the nearside and even after having the radius arm bearings replaced it's still not right! Still drives spot on though.

details here if you can be arrised to look

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.ph...

^^^good forum in you've got a french motor!

corvus

431 posts

151 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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dave_s13 said:
I think it's only on the exclusive spec model.

With regard the seats, I've had a Saab 95 and a Volvo V70 and I would say the C5 is more comfortable than either.
Really? I've sat in an S80 and thought those seats were fantastic. Might have to check these out as they're so cheap. Passat B5.5 is on my list - only because I found the seats and driving position spot on. Did some earlier research and C5's have had less warranty claims than Passats.

dave_s13 said:
Noticed a weird issue with my car since last posting anyway. The offside rear wheel is sitting slightly aft compared to the nearside and even after having the radius arm bearings replaced it's still not right! Still drives spot on though.
I was thinking maybe a bent arm from a previous prang but you know the cars whole history. I've had two cars that wouldn't track properly and had to replace bent struts.

miniman

24,824 posts

261 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Here's a lot of car for the money...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Very tempting.

Citman

305 posts

183 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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This popped up in my Autotrader alerts the other day - if I wasn't already hoofing around in a thousand quid smoker...

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20140829696...

FRA53R

1,077 posts

167 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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If anyone's looking for an XM here's one about to end on E-bay looks not bad for the cost of an MOT, tax and at the moment £245. If I weren't in the Highlands I'd be popping a cheeky bid in!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-CITROEN-XM-2-5-VSX-...

Edit to ad linky

Edited by FRA53R on Sunday 31st August 15:47

flatso

1,240 posts

128 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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corvus said:
You cannot even start to compare the level of refinement of a Passat with a C5. It starts with the design and continues from there. The 3.0 HDI is a fine motor and coupled with the waftastic HP is rather a lovely cruiser. Reliability wise even the german press gives the hats off to the Citroen.
And for the last argument; what would you rather remember in your old age as having owned , a Passat or a big Citroeb?


corvus

431 posts

151 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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flatso said:
You cannot even start to compare the level of refinement of a Passat with a C5. It starts with the design and continues from there. The 3.0 HDI is a fine motor and coupled with the waftastic HP is rather a lovely cruiser. Reliability wise even the german press gives the hats off to the Citroen.
I was referring more to the mk1/2 shape than the 08 onwards.

Regarding reliability, just don't click on Honest John Car by Car Breakdown hehe

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/citroen/c5-20...

JimmyTheHand

1,001 posts

141 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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corvus said:
I was referring more to the mk1/2 shape than the 08 onwards.

Regarding reliability, just don't click on Honest John Car by Car Breakdown hehe

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/citroen/c5-20...
I had quite a few issues with a MK2 (very early one) - I think the problems actually come down to loose battery lead and the garage replacing everything expensive they could possibly blame issue on until RAC found issue when it wouldn't start (about 6 weeks old at that point). Then they did the same at about 2.5 years old and again turned out to be brake light switch - which I am pretty certain was damaged by garage fixing stuff first time.

I suspect the only real fault (i.e. not a garage related one) during the three years was a broken radio on/off switch. Needless to say I traded it before warranty expired

BrownBottle

1,365 posts

135 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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dave_s13 said:
saaby93 said:
How do you tell which of the later C5s have wafto suspension?
I think it's only on the exclusive spec model.
I'm pretty sure it's not just the exclusive.

I think it goes something like this

All 1.6 Hdi's = Steel springs
Lowest trim level 2.0 Hdi's = Steel springs
Rest of 2.0Hdi's = Hydro
Exclusive any engine = Hydro



It really is a great suspension system and to echo other posters in my experience very reliable.

I was very disappointed when I found out it wasn't fitted to the DS5, which then came in for a lot of criticism regarding the overly hard ride which is a shame as I think it looks fantastic, very bad decision IMO.

Visionist

120 posts

149 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Why Oh Why haven't Citroen seen fit to fit this wonderful system to any of their smaller cars? The DS5, DS4 or even DS3 would instantly become "must buy" for me, in my current situation, no questions asked. It can't be price; the DS4 specced up costs the full-fat forty thousand Euros in Italy!

Hasn't anyone considered that tight, old roads are always the worst paved?!

dave_s13

Original Poster:

13,813 posts

268 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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Visionist said:
Why Oh Why haven't Citroen seen fit to fit this wonderful system to any of their smaller cars? The DS5, DS4 or even DS3 would instantly become "must buy" for me, in my current situation, no questions asked. It can't be price; the DS4 specced up costs the full-fat forty thousand Euros in Italy!

Hasn't anyone considered that tight, old roads are always the worst paved?!
Indeed... I've just driven from one side of Leeds to the other. This includes an obstacle course of potholes, speed bumps and generally knackered roads. This car, although lacking straight line grunt just floats over everything. I swear it's quicker than my recently departed seat leon cupra r... That think used to make you wince at the mere hint if a bump in the road.

With regard to reliability, you've got to admit that the honest John thing is a damming insight but my car, owned by my dad from new, has never gone wrong, ever. Kiss of death obvs.

lufbramatt

5,317 posts

133 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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We had a C5 as a pool car at work for a few years. It got given absolute death for 160000+ miles before they finally auctioned it off, and it still drove fine after all that with the bare minimum servicing. Engine pulled well and the seats were comfy. Nothing fell off the interior, it was pretty basic inside but got the job done. The adjustable waft-o-matic suspension was very useful for getting off a very muddy, rutted showground after I took it to the War+Peace show one year biggrin

The 59-plate Mondeo that replaced it is now on 130000 miles and is falling to bits, loads of the interior has broken and it has a fuelling issue that no-one seems to be able to fix properly..

Edited by lufbramatt on Monday 1st September 21:44