From Le Shed to Le DS5 - Ahead of it's time?

[The Modfather]

So after 2 months of shedding, it wasn't for me.

I was after something that can seat 5 comfortably, diesel, be half interesting and not be horrendously slow under 9k.

After trawling the net looking at BMWs, Audis, Mercedes and viewing a few, they were all just so bland and I felt like none of them excited me, granted the 530d's are fast, the e320s feel ergonomically lovely and certain Audis have a strong look, however they all just fade into the background and didn't make me want to part with my money.

After having a good think I remembered the DS5 and punched it into Google, 2 star reviews and barely any for sale! The perfect car for me.

Roll on 1 week and here is 'Claude'.





Let me start with the looks, I am 100% biast but it's one of the best looking cars on the road today. No one asked for this car to look that good when it was released, let alone still looking fresh today.

Secondly the interior is futuristic and fun, you can forgive the plastic and dated parts because it makes you smile. Heated and massaging seats are also lovely on long winter journeys. It fits 5 comfortably and a german shepherd in the boot!

It drives pretty well, it's no c6 but nowhere near as bad as it's made out to be compared to BMWs, Audis etc. Decent acceleration, nice torque and very smooth. The manual gearbox feels good and precise.

But ultimately this doesn't matter because the reason you buy this car is to be different, it turns heads, it makes you smile. Yes you can get a bmw, Audi etc. But it will never be as fun and enjoyable to own.

I have already refurbed the wheels grey from the silver diamond cut alloys and play to wrap the chrome parts carbon. Let's see how this works out!

Cheers

[dandam]

Lovely, and I agree 100% about the fact that it is different (in a positive way). I love the Citroen and DS ranges, their designs are (on the whole) refreshingly different and I thank the brave souls who bear the brunt of depreciation in the early years !

[DodgyGeezer]

I was tempted with a DS5 - IMO quite stylish for an MPV type vehicle (look quite funky inside too), in fairness what killed it for me was the boot being slightly smaller than desired and a worry about French electronics. Interested to see how this pans out

[Baked_bean]

Lovely left field option, I worked for Citroen 5 years ago and I loved the looks, interior etc. Even if it wasn’t the best drive.

It is your car, so none of my business, but I think the carbon fibre will ruin the looks. It won’t give the contrast that the chrome does and removing some of the cars appeal.

[Muddle238]

Nice.

I had one of these for four years, a 2013 DSport 2.0HDI manual, sold in 2019. I agree about the futuristic design, they were exceptionally striking when new and still are today. I loved mine, had all manner of toys; HUD, bendy Xenons, massage seats, three part sunroof, plus all the usual toys, nothing ever went wrong and it always managed a clean sheet pass for the MOT.

Ultimately I sold it as I bought an older automatic barge for my commute, which was simply more relaxing for the commute I do, mainly due to the auto box. It was the only car I ever felt genuinely sad selling, but very glad to have had one of these big quirky Citroens. Always thought they should have stuck a V6 in it and Hydractive 3, missed a trick there.

[RC1807]

I really like modern Citroëns... sorry, DS.

Living on the continent I see more of these than you perhaps do in the UK.
Good choice, OP.

[Dannbodge]

Had an early DS5 as a hire car and was impressed. Very comfortable and refined car.

[The Modfather]

So a great start already, 150 miles in and I get service vehicle now, you are low on oil.........after checking it is below minimum on the dipstick.

Given it was serviced on 20/10/2021 this is not good and its booked into my local Citroen garage on Tuesday to find out where the 3-4 litres of oil has disappeared too.

The good news is it has a 1 year warranty and the Citroen mechanics in-between cheese and wine will be looking over the car to see if there is any other issues they can sort under warranty. (Borat Voice ''Very Nice'')

Still loving it and still prepared to look past this mishap.

Viva la France!

[The Modfather]

So the DS5 is being returned to the dealer on Thursday, heated seats don't work, tracking out, brake pads had 3mm left but changed pads only and said they serviced it but didn't due to a system error.

Snows Peugeot = Crap.

To summarize the things I liked and disliked.

Liked -

The looks
Interior
Good engine and gearbox
Knowing it's unique
Massage function on seat


Disliked -

Steering wheel shape for everyday driving
Ride wasn't great
Placement of the cruise control resume button

[DodgyGeezer]

[markirl]

So are you getting another?

[boyse7en]

Are you returning it for them to fit new pads and do the tracking and seats, or are you returning it for a refund? Seems a bit drastic if you otherwise liked the car, as those are easily rectified issues.

[Magnum 475]

The Modfather said:

So the DS5 is being returned to the dealer on Thursday, heated seats don't work, tracking out, brake pads had 3mm left but changed pads only and said they serviced it but didn't due to a system error.

Snows Peugeot = Crap.

To summarize the things I liked and disliked.

Liked -

The looks
Interior
Good engine and gearbox
Knowing it's unique
Massage function on seat


Disliked -

Steering wheel shape for everyday driving
Ride wasn't great
Placement of the cruise control resume button

What is with main dealers? I recently bought an 'Approved Used Car' from a a main dealer that has a major smoking habit - so far they've replaced most of the crankcase ventilation system, and are now installing a replacement turbocharger. I can't understand how a car that's supposedly been through numerous tests, and fully serviced, to be 'Approved' can then be sold with glaring problems... Maybe they expect the warranty to resolve the issues so that the dealer doesn't have to pay up??

[Polome]

Magnum 475 said:

The Modfather said:

So the DS5 is being returned to the dealer on Thursday, heated seats don't work, tracking out, brake pads had 3mm left but changed pads only and said they serviced it but didn't due to a system error.

Snows Peugeot = Crap.

To summarize the things I liked and disliked.

Liked -

The looks
Interior
Good engine and gearbox
Knowing it's unique
Massage function on seat


Disliked -

Steering wheel shape for everyday driving
Ride wasn't great
Placement of the cruise control resume button

What is with main dealers? I recently bought an 'Approved Used Car' from a a main dealer that has a major smoking habit - so far they've replaced most of the crankcase ventilation system, and are now installing a replacement turbocharger. I can't understand how a car that's supposedly been through numerous tests, and fully serviced, to be 'Approved' can then be sold with glaring problems... Maybe they expect the warranty to resolve the issues so that the dealer doesn't have to pay up??

Your spot on with your thoughts on expecting warranty to sort out…amazing the buyers that just accept the salesman’s “ 105 point checks” all done sir as being gospel…couldn’t be further form the truth at some dealers…

[The Modfather]

markirl said:

So are you getting another?

I wont be, my little dislikes unfortunately make it quite annoying to drive daily.

[The Modfather]

boyse7en said:

Are you returning it for them to fit new pads and do the tracking and seats, or are you returning it for a refund? Seems a bit drastic if you otherwise liked the car, as those are easily rectified issues.

They wont be doing the seats as due to design, you cant just replace the element or heating pads etc. you need to change the seats, they also wont do the tracking and discs as its not an MOT failure.

[The Modfather]

Polome said:

Magnum 475 said:

The Modfather said:

So the DS5 is being returned to the dealer on Thursday, heated seats don't work, tracking out, brake pads had 3mm left but changed pads only and said they serviced it but didn't due to a system error.

Snows Peugeot = Crap.

To summarize the things I liked and disliked.

Liked -

The looks
Interior
Good engine and gearbox
Knowing it's unique
Massage function on seat


Disliked -

Steering wheel shape for everyday driving
Ride wasn't great
Placement of the cruise control resume button

What is with main dealers? I recently bought an 'Approved Used Car' from a a main dealer that has a major smoking habit - so far they've replaced most of the crankcase ventilation system, and are now installing a replacement turbocharger. I can't understand how a car that's supposedly been through numerous tests, and fully serviced, to be 'Approved' can then be sold with glaring problems... Maybe they expect the warranty to resolve the issues so that the dealer doesn't have to pay up??

Your spot on with your thoughts on expecting warranty to sort out…amazing the buyers that just accept the salesman’s “ 105 point checks” all done sir as being gospel…couldn’t be further form the truth at some dealers…

What is worse is that Citroens 1000000 million point check identified these problems and conveniently Peugeots same check didn't.
The same geniuses that serviced the car but didn't service the car, due to a system error.