Model not specified
Mileage unknown
C5 II: Comfortable and Affordable
A comfortable and surprisingly affordable car to maintain, contrary to what some critics say. There's no mention of extraordinary reliability issues. This is my second French car, and my next will be a 4x4. I'd love a 508 RXH, but its ground clearance is a bit too low for my difficult mountain plot access. Parts are inexpensive: brake pads, discs, filters, etc. The only significant expense is for good quality tires, costing over 2,000 PLN with installation. A well-maintained C5 (prices vary from 5 to 15k PLN; I don't recommend the cheaper ones. In Germany, a nice, low-mileage C5 costs around 3-4k EUR) 2.0.
Pros:
Comfortable ride, Affordable maintenance, Readily available and cheap parts (pads, discs, filters), Good value for money
Cons:
High cost for quality tires (over 2000 PLN with installation), Limited ground clearance for off-road use
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Citroën C5 III: A Comfortable Hybrid Choice
After driving several Toyotas, I switched to Citroën, drawn by good reviews and an LPG-compatible engine. I'm satisfied. My car has hydropneumatic suspension, ensuring comfort, though not quite the 'cloud-like' ride some imagine. Casual passengers notice little difference, but the special suspension is there. Previously, long drives caused back pain; the C5's suspension and comfortable seats significantly reduce this issue.
Pros:
Excellent comfort from hydropneumatic suspension, Comfortable seats reduce back pain, LPG compatibility
Cons:
Ride comfort not as extreme as some might expect
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Citroën C5 III: A Competent Yet Unremarkable Estate
A decent car, but nothing to rave about. The hydraulic suspension is reasonably comfortable, though I find it overly complicated. The difference from traditional suspension is minimal. Lowering or raising the suspension is largely useless as you can't exceed the speed limit for each mode. In the raised mode, the car is far too stiff. In the lowered position, you can only drive at a leisurely pace. The turning radius is quite large, making maneuvering difficult. Otherwise, it's an economical and comfortable estate.
Pros:
Reasonably comfortable hydraulic suspension, Economical estate
Cons:
Overly complicated suspension, Limited practicality of suspension adjustment, Stiff in raised mode, slow in lowered mode, Large turning radius
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Citroën C5 III: A Troublesome Ride
This car is falling apart faster than morality in the Polish government. First, two wheel bearings, control arms, dual-mass flywheel, clutch, radio, amplifier, and a host of minor issues. The car has power, but using it is torture. Shifting gears makes you sick. The hydro suspension is decent, but putting it in this pile of dung doesn't improve things. The hi-fi audio is a joke; the door woofer magnets are the size of cola bottle caps. Operating anything without Lexia/Diagbox is impossible. After shampooing the upholstery, the radio display died.
Pros:
Powerful engine, Decent hydro suspension
Cons:
Extremely unreliable, frequent breakdowns, Poor build quality, Awful gear shifting, Underwhelming audio system, Complex diagnostics required for operation
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Citroën C5 III: An 8-Year Ownership Review
After over eight years of use, I can confidently review this car. For those wanting a Citroën C5 with hydropneumatic suspension, check if there's a mechanic in your area who can handle this type of suspension. If not, look for a model with conventional suspension. The car is truly great. The engine is durable, ideal for LPG, and low-maintenance. The hydro suspension makes this car glide on the road and, contrary to popular belief, it doesn't break down as much as it wears out. The gearbox could be better.
Pros:
Smooth hydropneumatic suspension, Durable engine, great for LPG, Comfortable ride
Cons:
Mechanic availability for hydropneumatic suspension, Gearbox could be improved
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
C5 III: 11 Years and 270,000 km of Reliability
After 11 years of ownership and over 270,000 km, I can't fault this car. It has never let me down, never broken down roadside, or needed a tow truck. The only costs have been running costs. The biggest repairs were: front shock absorbers at 215,000 km, DPF cleaning at 240,000 km, and EGR replacement at 265,000 km. As someone commented, the automatic gearbox used to lag on sudden acceleration, but this hasn't been an issue for a long time.
Pros:
Exceptional reliability, Low running costs, Minimal major repairs
Cons:
Occasional automatic gearbox lag (resolved)
