Faults:
My driver's electric window switch needed replacing after only owning the car a month.
My power steering stopped working one day, and decided to work again on its own. The car was 3 months old.
My engine had cut out on a hill, and I couldn't stop the car because the brakes and the power steering shuts off. I had a narrow escape; the car was 6 months old.
My brakes had to be replaced at 15,000 miles.
At 20,000 miles service it needed a new third stop light bulb.
At 11 months old the fuse kept on blowing for my windscreen washers.
At 12 months old the electric window switch had broke again.
At 13 months old the gear box kept going into snow mode all the time.
At 16 months old it wouldn't go over 8mph.
At 16 months old it needed a new CD player.
At 18 months old the brakes was getting stuck.
At 21 months old the gears was slipping and was going into snow mode.
At 23 months old the electric window switch had broken again.
At 23 months old it had to have a new automatic gear box, because oil had leaked into the box and it needed two new shock absorbers.
General Comments:
For a good performance, you would have to use snow mode; for example, it's good when you want to overtake.
It's not really powerful on the hills; this is when sport mode comes in handy again.
There is a risk with this car when overtaken, because there is always a chance that it could go into snow mode on its own, and then you start losing power.
The brakes are really good.
The car is too low though, because when coming down certain hills it scrapes against the road.
The bodywork is not very strong, because if you pushed it with your hand you could easily make a dent.
The interior is lovely, and the seats are comfortable. The only problem is that the material on the door panels get really dirty. The front foot wells are not that strong; they keep coming off.
17th May 2005, 09:17
I totally agree with all your comments and review about the C3. I own a C3 sensodrive in Dec 2003. I can't afford to sell away the car now because it's just too expensive to do so. Too bad, I'm stuck with a bad car. Actually, I face more problems than what you had identified in your review.
My car seat squeaks, there are just too many noise coming from everywhere around the car. The fuel indicator is not accurate, the digital clock in the middle of the dashborad stop working, the paint work is done thoroughly done on the car, there is definitely problems with the gear box. It's performance over humps is not fantastic either. The pick up is slower than a 1000cc car. Whenever you send the car to the workshop, I only receive a standard reply that is "the car is meant to be like that, or it is very normal for the car to have such sound. I seriously wonder what can Citroen do to rectify the problem. I'm sure every C3 owner faces the same problem within the warranty period of the car, but the problem I believe is still present. By the way, I just feel very embarrass to invite anyone into my car. I did not have such problem before when I drove other makes of older cars before.
The plastic in the car is terrible. It looks inferior and has sharp edges and gets easily stained.
I think by writing this I'm at least able to share my experience and also to release the stress I have with the car. The list does not stop here, there are more to it, but I think enough for now.
Thanks for your review, at least I know that I'm not the only one with a bad experience.