2003 Citroen C5 SX 2.0 petrol

Summary:

An automobile to look forward to driving, time after time

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong yet.

The front ashtray seems to have trouble staying shut, so I can't really use it as a viable storage compartment. Fortunately, there are many other storage areas throughout the interior.

The car was delivered with some smudges on the leather trim on the front passenger's door.

I find that if I slam the tailgate too hard, the rear sun-blind is dislodged and retracts.

General Comments:

The university campus in which I work has many speed bumps and regulating strips of varying heights and sizes. in addition, the car-parks are cobbled. I find that I am able to drive over these calming measures with impunity.

Specifically, when the front axle hits the first bump, it hits stiffly because the suspension setting I guess is at a fairly stiff setting since I am at speed. But the system reacts so brilliantly quickly that in the milliseconds of time interval between the front axle hitting that first bump and the rear axle hitting the same bump, I do not feel the rear axle going over that same bump.

By this time, the suspension is set at a more supple setting, so subsequent bumps, regardless of size, are just taken as if they literally aren't there.

I have been so pleased with the way the suspension works in its default mode that I have not tried the 'Sport' setting yet.

The air-conditioner is extremely efficient at cooling the car, even on a hot day.

I am not sure if there is another way to release the fuel filler cap, without having to use my ignition key to unlock it.

I also wish that there was a way to regulate the radio's volume using the steering-wheel-mounted remote. If there is, I haven't found a way yet. It would also be good for the buttons on the remote to be lit at night.

I find the squab on the front seats a little too short for my six-foot frame. On the whole the seats are very comfortable and are set at a suitable height for egressing.

I find that I still need to get used to the eagerness of the gearbox to change down on a trailing throttle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th December, 2003

13th Sep 2004, 06:09

The radio stalk does allow volume adjustment. The two large pads on the reverse face control this. You have to click them several times to have an affect. Each press results in one increment up or down. Holding the pad in will not affect the volume.

16th Oct 2004, 04:22

What a beautifully written review.

Thank you.

2001 Citroen C5 1.8

Summary:

A solid car, but let down by poor technical support from the dealer

Faults:

The engine oil warning light started flashing 3 days after the first servicing at the authorised dealer workshop.

Basically, the dealer doesn't have a clue on how to rectify the problem.

On top of that, they tried to deceive me by telling me that this is normal.

After much discussion with the service advisor at the dealer workshop, they will bring this up with Citroen France and seek resolution.

The dealer really need to buck up their technical expertise.

I also suspect that the workshop messed with my car audio system because all the pre-settings were messed up and the speakers sounded as though they were being blasted excessively.

Oil stains were found on the bonnet of my C5 when the workshop handled the car back to me after the servicing.

The car's height was also not adjusted back to the normal driving position.

Lastly, the dealer really need to expand the workshop in view of the great sales achievement they have with the Citroen C5 in Singapore.

There isn't even enough parking for car to be serviced !

The showroom was just renovated, but nothing was done to the workshop.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable, especially when cruising on the highway.

However, when it encounters a hump during cornering, the car rocks as though you're in a boat.

Should have electric windows for the rear passenger door as well. The C5 is considered an advanced technology automobile, but the rear passenger window is manually operated. What a joke!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th February, 2002

16th May 2002, 01:32

As this car is very silent, you are able to hear even a hardly noticeable squeak, a CD case rattling in the rear doors pocket, a seat belt buckle hitting the door, or anything loose in the boot.

I drive a company car, a C5 2.2 HDI SE, and give it heaps; motorways, dirt roads, and gravel, and in 11000 km it gave us no problems at all.