Citroen C5 - Air suspension - opinons thereof??
Discussion
So, I've acquired my Dads 2005 Citroen C5 2.0 HDI VTR, 92k miles, owned from new by my old man.
It has the hydropneumalastic suspenders and it give a really nice cushioned ride, very plush.
Part of this system includes an up/down button in the centre console that allows you to make it go well err...up and down. I was just wondering....why would I ever need to make it go up and down?
I would usually never, ever, entertain and old french diesel car but this was cheap and it's in good nick. I'm pleasantly suprised by how nice it is to drive and how it tends to corner almost flat regardless of entry speed. Quite impressed really. Other than the odd intermitent interior trim rattle and a very, very slight whine when in gear and under load (probably a gearbox bearing) it's very nice.
Anyone else had one of these, what did you think?
It has the hydropneumalastic suspenders and it give a really nice cushioned ride, very plush.
Part of this system includes an up/down button in the centre console that allows you to make it go well err...up and down. I was just wondering....why would I ever need to make it go up and down?
I would usually never, ever, entertain and old french diesel car but this was cheap and it's in good nick. I'm pleasantly suprised by how nice it is to drive and how it tends to corner almost flat regardless of entry speed. Quite impressed really. Other than the odd intermitent interior trim rattle and a very, very slight whine when in gear and under load (probably a gearbox bearing) it's very nice.
Anyone else had one of these, what did you think?
Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 22 August 14:37
Four positions.
Lowest - on the bumpstops. Totally flat. Depressurises the hydraulics for maintenance. DO NOT DRIVE.
Normal
High - Raised height, OK to drive, use over rough ground to prevent grounding.
Highest - on the bumpstops. Full suspension pressure pushing it up to the bumpstops for maintenance. DO NOT DRIVE.
You can use the height lever for zero-hassle wheelchanging. Put it on high, put an axle stand under (the supplied jack on hydraulic Citroens used to be basically an axle stand), then drop it to flat. It lowers the other three corners and sucks the flat wheel upwards, like a cat with a hurt paw.
It's worth cycling the suspension through all positions semi-regularly, to keep everything moving properly and move the fluid around.
(Oh, and it's not air suspension...)
Lowest - on the bumpstops. Totally flat. Depressurises the hydraulics for maintenance. DO NOT DRIVE.
Normal
High - Raised height, OK to drive, use over rough ground to prevent grounding.
Highest - on the bumpstops. Full suspension pressure pushing it up to the bumpstops for maintenance. DO NOT DRIVE.
You can use the height lever for zero-hassle wheelchanging. Put it on high, put an axle stand under (the supplied jack on hydraulic Citroens used to be basically an axle stand), then drop it to flat. It lowers the other three corners and sucks the flat wheel upwards, like a cat with a hurt paw.
It's worth cycling the suspension through all positions semi-regularly, to keep everything moving properly and move the fluid around.
(Oh, and it's not air suspension...)
I've had 5 hydro- Citroens over the years and never, ever had any trouble with the suspension. (And as already mentioned - there's no air in the suspension, just fluid).
Bear in mind that the system is operated by pressurised spheres which don't last forever - anything beyond 5 years and they go flat, giving a firm ride. They are (or were...) only about £20 each to replace; I think the C5 probably has six or seven of them.
Change the fluid when recommended, too - mine was done every 40k miles IIRC and it's an easy DIY job.
Lovely cars!
Bear in mind that the system is operated by pressurised spheres which don't last forever - anything beyond 5 years and they go flat, giving a firm ride. They are (or were...) only about £20 each to replace; I think the C5 probably has six or seven of them.
Change the fluid when recommended, too - mine was done every 40k miles IIRC and it's an easy DIY job.
Lovely cars!
It is a few years ago but I was able to drive both the steel and hydropneumatic versions of the Citroen C5. The latter was, in my opinion, better to drive; not dramatically so but certainly noticeable, slightly more comfortable without spoiling the handling (even if the motoring press didn't seem to offer the same verdict).
I've also had a couple of more old-school oleo-pneumatic Citroens (a brace of BXs). The system has its quirks but on the whole I liked how it behaves. As others have said, cycling the suspension between high and low settings occasionally (sometimes referred to as Citaerobics) is a good idea to ensure everything keeps working as it should.
With the roads in the state that many of them are, it is hard to argue against the virtues of soft suspension.
I've also had a couple of more old-school oleo-pneumatic Citroens (a brace of BXs). The system has its quirks but on the whole I liked how it behaves. As others have said, cycling the suspension between high and low settings occasionally (sometimes referred to as Citaerobics) is a good idea to ensure everything keeps working as it should.
With the roads in the state that many of them are, it is hard to argue against the virtues of soft suspension.
t.I'll repeat the comment that there is nothing wrong with Cit Hydropneumatic. I've had three XMs over a period of about 15 years and only once had a problem with the suspension - hose split and pissed the fluid out. Cost me £12 for the hose, about £10 for fluid and an hour to do it on the drive.
I used to replace the spheres every 3 years/25,000 miles or so on mine. One I changed was a real sod to get off (resorted to lump hammer and cold chisel and a lot of swearing in the end) and it turned out that it hadn't been changed in about ten years. Made a huge improvement to the ride.
I used to replace the spheres every 3 years/25,000 miles or so on mine. One I changed was a real sod to get off (resorted to lump hammer and cold chisel and a lot of swearing in the end) and it turned out that it hadn't been changed in about ten years. Made a huge improvement to the ride.
Aha - this is right in my wheelhouse!
I have had a 2002 2.0Hdi C5 for 9 years. It has never had any issues with the hydo suspension and I live in an area infested with speed humps. I can virtually ignore them. The suspension is bomb=proof in my experience. As for raiding or lowering the suspension - in normal circs there is no reason to play with it and I really don't remember the last time I did.
Until it develops some terminal issue (if I had to guess it will be the auto box) I will continue to run it.
I have had a 2002 2.0Hdi C5 for 9 years. It has never had any issues with the hydo suspension and I live in an area infested with speed humps. I can virtually ignore them. The suspension is bomb=proof in my experience. As for raiding or lowering the suspension - in normal circs there is no reason to play with it and I really don't remember the last time I did.
Until it develops some terminal issue (if I had to guess it will be the auto box) I will continue to run it.
Very useful when driving through floods too. Also makes a brilliant tow car. You can drop the back end of the car to get under the trailer coupling, then raise it up to attach the trailer without having to mess about with jockey wheels and things. Once connected, the suspension also self levels. Had one for 100k miles, and it was by far the most comfortable (and reliable!) car I've ever had. Friends with recent German cars couldn't believe that a car could ride so comfortably.
Not sure about the modern citroen but my DS is the comfiest car I've ever driven or owned and with state of the roads the different ride settings work a treat, do the modern ones do the trick of raising the hight, sucking a jack type tool under one side then lowering it to tilt the car to change a wheel? Only citroen would come up with something as clever as that then make it so you have to take a full back wing off to change the tyre- negating any usefulness of the tilt thing :-)
I like this thread, lots of love for the old Citroen.
My old man has a bit of a thing for them. Had a 2.0 petrol XM in the past that was pretty epic at the time. Also had (until very recently) an ancient 2cv tucked up the garage for many years - the very essence of quirky motoring.
I need to delv into the history then and see if there's evidence of a suspension fluid change. TBH it seems to ride fine but you do "hear" the bumps and rumbles, I'm not sure if they are supposed to be whisper quiet along with the magic carpet effect or not though. Any way to tell if the fluid need a refresh?
My old man has a bit of a thing for them. Had a 2.0 petrol XM in the past that was pretty epic at the time. Also had (until very recently) an ancient 2cv tucked up the garage for many years - the very essence of quirky motoring.
I need to delv into the history then and see if there's evidence of a suspension fluid change. TBH it seems to ride fine but you do "hear" the bumps and rumbles, I'm not sure if they are supposed to be whisper quiet along with the magic carpet effect or not though. Any way to tell if the fluid need a refresh?
TooMany2cvs said:
fourwheelsteer said:
It is a few years ago but I was able to drive both the steel and hydropneumatic versions of the Citroen C5.
That's the Mk3 "German" C5. The Mk1/Mk2 were hydraulic only.I have driven a Mk1 (I think); it was a V6 petrol, auto, estate. Lovely car; but, I imagine, not an engine/transmission combination that attracted many customers.
The big change with the C5 was separating out the hydraulic pumps. Prior to that, the power steering pump and high-pressure pump for the brakes and suspension were a single unit with different chambers for high and low pressure operation. (BX, Xantia and XM). And before that, there was a single pump with pressure regulators and distributors to split the pressure and flow out to the suspension, brakes and steering. (CX, GSA, DS, SM etc) . With the C5, and other models thereafter, the suspension pump went onto being electrically powered on it's own rather than belt driven with the power steering pump. Now, as soon as the car is unlocked, you hear the pump whizz away and see the ride height be corrected before you've even opened the door.
dave_s13 said:
Anyone else had one of these, what did you think?
Had a couple - plenty of room, functional etc. Suspension is nice and raising useful when ground very rough or you have to go through a puddle (though I am sure going through a flood that made my brakes squeal).Why I changed from Citroens - the garage was worse than useless.
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