Opinions on the Citroen DS3
Discussion
Know 2 people who've had one. The 1st guy had a catalogue of problems and loads of parts changed,luckily all warranty work. He told me that one of the guys in the workshop at the local Citroen Dealer said that they had no end of people returning with problems mainly on the 1.4 petrol models, not engine problems but steering issues etc. This was an earlier one though so the newer ones could/should be much improved.
The second guy has had his a year from new, 1.6 petrol model; assuming that's the 120 you are considering. He loves it and has had zero trouble in 14000 miles.
As for diesel,I guess it depends on how many miles you do.
They do look good in certain colours and trim.
The second guy has had his a year from new, 1.6 petrol model; assuming that's the 120 you are considering. He loves it and has had zero trouble in 14000 miles.
As for diesel,I guess it depends on how many miles you do.
They do look good in certain colours and trim.
my wife had the loan of a brand new one for about 3 weeks, so we had a fair drive. a truely appalling car.
rattley, poorly built, felt cheap inside. gutless engine (1.6hdi) , as a diesel fuel economy wasn't even that great. I can't believe what was perhaps a £15k was just so bad. maybe as a £7k brand new car, you'd think....... cheap motoring.
maybe style wise, didn't look too bad parked up: but thats where it stopped.
it felt like a car from the 80's: just nothing had moved on.
i'd say spend yr money eleswhere.
rattley, poorly built, felt cheap inside. gutless engine (1.6hdi) , as a diesel fuel economy wasn't even that great. I can't believe what was perhaps a £15k was just so bad. maybe as a £7k brand new car, you'd think....... cheap motoring.
maybe style wise, didn't look too bad parked up: but thats where it stopped.
it felt like a car from the 80's: just nothing had moved on.
i'd say spend yr money eleswhere.
Driven a couple of them briefly and thought the DS3 was an entertaining warm hatch with quite a funky interior. The DS3 Racing is the only one you'd really call hot, though.
To be honest, I think the DS3 made a better case for itself before the arrival of the Fiesta ST/Peugeot 208 GTi/Clio Renaultsport 200 triumvirate.
To be honest, I think the DS3 made a better case for itself before the arrival of the Fiesta ST/Peugeot 208 GTi/Clio Renaultsport 200 triumvirate.
Had one as a hire car in Germany - it was OK. Makes a lot of sense as a cheap lease (have seen diesels for around £150pm), not sure I'd want to own one beyond 2 or 3 years old.
No cupholders and very little in the way of internal storage at all, which is a bit odd in this day and age.
No cupholders and very little in the way of internal storage at all, which is a bit odd in this day and age.
Also had one as a hire car, 1.6 turbo petrol engine. Really enjoyed driving it reasonably hard, got more interesting up the top of the rev range. Liked being thrown around back lanes.
Tempted by one a while ago as I had a possible job offer that came with a car allowance, but went for another job that didnt have car as an option.
Not sure I'd spend my own money on one of the lower model versions
Tempted by one a while ago as I had a possible job offer that came with a car allowance, but went for another job that didnt have car as an option.
Not sure I'd spend my own money on one of the lower model versions
Tuvra said:
Escy said:
To put some perspective on it, what do you drive currently?
....and whats your budget?If new then I'd assume the Fiesta ST is the ultimate choice considering they can be had for less than £15k (DS3 Money). Second hand, get an R56 Mini Cooper S, preferably JCW instead.
Thanks for the replies.
Had one as a hire car. I don't recall the engine size but it was a rough and gutless petrol.
Interior looked nice for a cheap car but that's about all I can say in it's favour.
Comparing it to other hire cars I've had in the same bracket it was one of the better ones. Beats the Polo, Fiat500 and Corsa.
Beats taking the bus, but only just.
Interior looked nice for a cheap car but that's about all I can say in it's favour.
Comparing it to other hire cars I've had in the same bracket it was one of the better ones. Beats the Polo, Fiat500 and Corsa.
Beats taking the bus, but only just.
My wife has had her 1.6 VTi 120 for about 18 months so I have a fair bit of experience with one. They're decent little cars.
The engine is a pretty responsive unit and, from a mix of motorway and urban driving, we get an average of 38mpg - It'll get mid 40s on a run. It could really do with a 6th gear though as it's not the quietest at motorway speeds. Other (minor) gripes? The clutch: It just feels a bit 'vague'. Steering: Very light and, in my opinion, way over-assisted but it keeps the wife happy. On a related note, road noise is quite apparent on the 17" 'Bellone' alloys. Predictably, I preferred the ride when I tried a car with the smaller wheels.
The interior is quite a nice place to be. We had one issue early on with a squeaky centre console but it was fixed under warranty with no fuss. No reliability concerns although the fuse for the washer jets blows in very cold weather - I would rather the fuse going than running the risk of burning out the pump though... That's really it, very minor.
I know looks are subjective but I think it's a great looking hatch, certainly more appealing than some of the blander efforts in that class.
The engine is a pretty responsive unit and, from a mix of motorway and urban driving, we get an average of 38mpg - It'll get mid 40s on a run. It could really do with a 6th gear though as it's not the quietest at motorway speeds. Other (minor) gripes? The clutch: It just feels a bit 'vague'. Steering: Very light and, in my opinion, way over-assisted but it keeps the wife happy. On a related note, road noise is quite apparent on the 17" 'Bellone' alloys. Predictably, I preferred the ride when I tried a car with the smaller wheels.
The interior is quite a nice place to be. We had one issue early on with a squeaky centre console but it was fixed under warranty with no fuss. No reliability concerns although the fuse for the washer jets blows in very cold weather - I would rather the fuse going than running the risk of burning out the pump though... That's really it, very minor.
I know looks are subjective but I think it's a great looking hatch, certainly more appealing than some of the blander efforts in that class.
I've had a 1.6 DStyle+ for 28 months and 26k miles, in white with black roof and black wheels.
looks - subjective but I think it looks good in white/black combo.
economy - I'm averaging 43mpg on a mix of round town and regular 80-100mile motorway journeys.
The 1.6 is poky enough for what I need but it's no GTi. It can be a little raucous too.
comfort - can't get the seat/steering wheel interface 100% for me and I feel like I'm canted towards the centre of the car. Aircon is pretty good although the screen takes an age to clear.
stereo - isn't too bad and has an aux input for ipod etc. No direct ipod control as standard.
there is a lack of cubby hole storage and no cupholders.
the centre arm rest is a PITA as when it's down it obstructs the handbrake.
It handles ok for what it is.
It's noisy on bad road surfaces with pronounced tyre roar - mainly due to the large wheels and low profiles.
It's quite noisy on the motorway due to the strange gearing - c4k revs at 80ish.
Back seat is a little claustrophobic due to the black interior, black headlining and smoked back windows.
A couple of interior creaks are just starting to manifest themselves but overall it hasn't missed a beat.
I lease mine and it's due to go back in September. I won't miss it but it's done its job with no faults. Local dealer (Charters in Aldershot) have been fine.
looks - subjective but I think it looks good in white/black combo.
economy - I'm averaging 43mpg on a mix of round town and regular 80-100mile motorway journeys.
The 1.6 is poky enough for what I need but it's no GTi. It can be a little raucous too.
comfort - can't get the seat/steering wheel interface 100% for me and I feel like I'm canted towards the centre of the car. Aircon is pretty good although the screen takes an age to clear.
stereo - isn't too bad and has an aux input for ipod etc. No direct ipod control as standard.
there is a lack of cubby hole storage and no cupholders.
the centre arm rest is a PITA as when it's down it obstructs the handbrake.
It handles ok for what it is.
It's noisy on bad road surfaces with pronounced tyre roar - mainly due to the large wheels and low profiles.
It's quite noisy on the motorway due to the strange gearing - c4k revs at 80ish.
Back seat is a little claustrophobic due to the black interior, black headlining and smoked back windows.
A couple of interior creaks are just starting to manifest themselves but overall it hasn't missed a beat.
I lease mine and it's due to go back in September. I won't miss it but it's done its job with no faults. Local dealer (Charters in Aldershot) have been fine.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff