C5 - First Impressions from an ex-Xantia Owner

Steve Durbin · 2005-01-18T23:03:31+00:00

Just traded my Xantia SX 1.9TD in for a C5 SX, 2.0HDI 110. Very disconcerting at first!The stalk radio controls took ages to figure out - for the poster a couple of days ago who couldn't work out the volume control, commiserations - I couldn't figure it out from the manual either. Turns out volume is on the back, and mute is press both volume controls for about 1 sec.The engine is excellent - acceleration surprising if you're used to the older diesels; happily accelerated to somewhat beyond the legal limit going up a 1-in-6 hill in 3rd before I glanced at the speedo... noise levels deceptively low too! Old Xantia and Peugeot before that always let you know how hard they were working...Starting threw me, too - spent ages looking for the preheat light. It's there, but the car starts preheating when you unlock the doors - by the time you're in it's finished preheating; thought for a horrid moment I'd got the petrol by mistake!The new suspension is almost back to the magic carpet ride of the DS21 (unless my memory is giving that car more credit than it deserves). Practically zero body roll even when pushed hard, rough roads dealt with smoothly, and little jar from potholes.The automatic adjustment works excellently, but, as one would expect from a Citroen, sometimes surprises - at low speeds on bumpy roads it automatically raises to the high position(3rd notch on the old Xantia manual system); bit annoying when you're trying to reverse into a drive on mirrors and the car suddenly goes up 6"...Climate control is seamless - you need to keep all the vents open for the full auto mode but it happily maintains both me and SWMBO at the temperatures we prefer; a 2C difference each side doesn't bother it. Early morning heating seems faster too - from the hints in the handbook I suspect it has an air preheat system for the interior.Just waiting for the first service to see whether I can afford to run it...- -- Steve Durbin | Look! Minimalism and pointillism comes to ASCII art! ...

Jan 18, 2005 5 Replies

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Steve Durbin 21 years ago

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Mr Benny 21 years ago

"Steve Durbin" wrote in message news:csk4k4$egv$1$ snipped-for-privacy@news.demon.co.uk...

I'm glad you love your new car. I think pretty much the same.

Your glowplug light does come on, about quarter of a second at temps below 4 (maybe zero) degrees.

Climate control is ace, no messing around. Just choose auto, eco or demist, let the car do the rest!

My C5 is the best car I have been in.

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Mr Benny 21 years ago

"Steve Durbin" wrote in message news:csk4k4$egv$1$ snipped-for-privacy@news.demon.co.uk...

You can also have cruise control added to your HDI. It is worthwhile for £125ish.

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Dave Jones 21 years ago

First service about 200 smakaroos

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Mr Benny 21 years ago

Depends where you go! I was quoted £145 to £180 in Yorkshire.

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Steve Durbin 21 years ago

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