RE: Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi | Shed of the Week
Discussion
georgeyboy12345 said:
These have the Prince engine, which suffer from catastrophic timing chain failure, high pressure fuel pump failure, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, crankshaft issues, oil seal issues, thermostat and other sensor issues. Crappily, cheaply made engines that are full of plastic.
Other than that they are great reliable engines!I wondered how a DS3 could be in shed territory, didn't realise that they'd been making them so long. Not for me.
We have a diesel Ds3 (2015) and a diesel Mini (2015) at the moment. Both in a similar state of tune. Our Mini is obviously the next model on, but the DS3 is the facelift.
Both are cheap to run. The MINI is arguably the better car, more composed, quieter, nicer place to be, better screwed together. The electrics just work. The DS3 touchscreen is a complete mess (probably need a software update). The trim in the boot of the DS3 is shoddy, the armrest rattles, the clips for the front bumper are suspect so keep need pushing in, the interior lights pop out if you have a clumsy passenger etc etc.
However, arguably because of many factors, the DS3 is a little more fun. The poor sound deadening means the noise is more intrusive at speed. The turn in is a little sketchy at lower speeds, making the involvement a little greater. It feels more spritely probably because it has lost weight with all the fastenings dropping off.
Far from my ideal car but it performs a task of commuting frugally and with some fun. I won't miss it when I come to change it though.....
Both are cheap to run. The MINI is arguably the better car, more composed, quieter, nicer place to be, better screwed together. The electrics just work. The DS3 touchscreen is a complete mess (probably need a software update). The trim in the boot of the DS3 is shoddy, the armrest rattles, the clips for the front bumper are suspect so keep need pushing in, the interior lights pop out if you have a clumsy passenger etc etc.
However, arguably because of many factors, the DS3 is a little more fun. The poor sound deadening means the noise is more intrusive at speed. The turn in is a little sketchy at lower speeds, making the involvement a little greater. It feels more spritely probably because it has lost weight with all the fastenings dropping off.
Far from my ideal car but it performs a task of commuting frugally and with some fun. I won't miss it when I come to change it though.....
Wife had one of these with the 1.6 THP 155bhp engine in Dsport+ trim with a pink roof, Alcantara seats etc.
Was an excellent little hot hatch right up until the timing chain stretched itself out at 3000 miles, had the RAC try and tell us sounding like a diesel and drinking all of its oil in 50 miles was normal. Well I suppose it was, it's just not what it was supposed to be.
Got it taken to the dealer who then changed the timing chain but then it wouldn't start as the cam timing adaptations wouldn't reset from where it had gone so far out of timing, had to wait 3 weeks for a dial in from Citroen who couldn't get the ECU cleared, someone started it to move it off the ramp and ruined the head. So new head, new timing chain, new ECU, car ready to collect, took it out of forecourt onto first roundabout and a loud pop and no go, limped back to dealer who discovered turbo pipe had popped off, refitted and off we went (after the Service Manager and I exchanged words and my wife was told I wasn't allowed back on the forecourt). Never really ran the same again and was glad and sad to see the back of it.
Would never go near this engine in anything it is in, mate of mine is a BMW/Mini specialist, says the same but does a rather excellent trade in changing the timing gear etc so is happy other people will as it pays his mortgage
Anyone who says regular oil changes help is talk complete b
ks, the timing chain and plastic guides are the issue.
Was an excellent little hot hatch right up until the timing chain stretched itself out at 3000 miles, had the RAC try and tell us sounding like a diesel and drinking all of its oil in 50 miles was normal. Well I suppose it was, it's just not what it was supposed to be.
Got it taken to the dealer who then changed the timing chain but then it wouldn't start as the cam timing adaptations wouldn't reset from where it had gone so far out of timing, had to wait 3 weeks for a dial in from Citroen who couldn't get the ECU cleared, someone started it to move it off the ramp and ruined the head. So new head, new timing chain, new ECU, car ready to collect, took it out of forecourt onto first roundabout and a loud pop and no go, limped back to dealer who discovered turbo pipe had popped off, refitted and off we went (after the Service Manager and I exchanged words and my wife was told I wasn't allowed back on the forecourt). Never really ran the same again and was glad and sad to see the back of it.
Would never go near this engine in anything it is in, mate of mine is a BMW/Mini specialist, says the same but does a rather excellent trade in changing the timing gear etc so is happy other people will as it pays his mortgage
Anyone who says regular oil changes help is talk complete b
ks, the timing chain and plastic guides are the issue.Andy86GT said:
Being a direct injection, does this engine have problems of clogged up valves?
Yes, we (Citroen dealership) were having to decoke them at two to three years old!Someone else has mentioned all of the other issues this engine suffers with. No, nope, and more nope from me. With this engine, and no doubt how this one has been treated, it’ll be a terrible shed that’ll either bankrupt you or need putting in the bin prematurely.
Still a good looker ( shame about the Prince engine- is there a diesel version?). However, surely the seller shouldn’t have taken poor photos by the bins! There must be a half decent park nearby, green shoots, daffodils, all the cliches, or if not ,use the drive of a mate’s posh house, gravel preferred.
georgeyboy12345 said:
Might as well set fire to 2 grand, it’ll be better value.
These have the Prince engine, which suffer from catastrophic timing chain failure, high pressure fuel pump failure, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, crankshaft issues, oil seal issues, thermostat and other sensor issues. Crappily, cheaply made engines that are full of plastic. They’ll remap to 190 bhp though.
Also this car is for sale in the most dodgy part of Manchester. The most dodgy part of an already dodgy, crime ridden city. Cheetham Hill is a part of town regularly subjected to raids by the police on places dealing in counterfeit goods, tax dodging, modern slavery, organised crime and worse!
This 100%These have the Prince engine, which suffer from catastrophic timing chain failure, high pressure fuel pump failure, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, crankshaft issues, oil seal issues, thermostat and other sensor issues. Crappily, cheaply made engines that are full of plastic. They’ll remap to 190 bhp though.
Also this car is for sale in the most dodgy part of Manchester. The most dodgy part of an already dodgy, crime ridden city. Cheetham Hill is a part of town regularly subjected to raids by the police on places dealing in counterfeit goods, tax dodging, modern slavery, organised crime and worse!
Lester H said:
Still a good looker ( shame about the Prince engine- is there a diesel version?). However, surely the seller shouldn’t have taken poor photos by the bins! There must be a half decent park nearby, green shoots, daffodils, all the cliches, or if not ,use the drive of a mate’s posh house, gravel preferred.
Yep 1.6 diesel available in various states of tune. I have a 129bhp version.So far so good.....
georgeyboy12345 said:
Might as well set fire to 2 grand, it’ll be better value.
These have the Prince engine, which suffer from catastrophic timing chain failure, high pressure fuel pump failure, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, crankshaft issues, oil seal issues, thermostat and other sensor issues. Crappily, cheaply made engines that are full of plastic. They’ll remap to 190 bhp though.
Also this car is for sale in the most dodgy part of Manchester. The most dodgy part of an already dodgy, crime ridden city. Cheetham Hill is a part of town regularly subjected to raids by the police on places dealing in counterfeit goods, tax dodging, modern slavery, organised crime and worse!
Cheetahs hill is a fine place to go for any knocked off itemsThese have the Prince engine, which suffer from catastrophic timing chain failure, high pressure fuel pump failure, poor fuel economy, high oil consumption, crankshaft issues, oil seal issues, thermostat and other sensor issues. Crappily, cheaply made engines that are full of plastic. They’ll remap to 190 bhp though.
Also this car is for sale in the most dodgy part of Manchester. The most dodgy part of an already dodgy, crime ridden city. Cheetham Hill is a part of town regularly subjected to raids by the police on places dealing in counterfeit goods, tax dodging, modern slavery, organised crime and worse!
Suspect car is not 100% kosher
Can’t mention demographics or will get called a racist
Or possibly let me know when something was bought from there with a warranty (which was legitimate)
Edited by C70Rev on Saturday 30th March 00:45
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