I own one of three white C5 estates 2002 model in the UK, it is the base model so only has electric front windows, manual at the rear. The biggest plus is that in the last month we have changed the alternator at 252,000 miles and found that it was the original as fitted in 2002.
Headliners seems very susceptible to heat. Looking at American youtubers, a great deal of cars seems to have bad headliners. In Sweden, where I live, I have more or less never heard of a car dropping the headliner, no matter what age. I certainly have never seen one, thats for sure. So I am sure it will make a world of difference when its fixed.
I own a C5 2.2 Hdi exlusive. The best car I ever had, it is the second generation. All my other cars I sold them after 5 years, this one I have for 14 years, and I am planning to keep it way longer,
@@peterriggall8409 I wouldn't know. The only thing I know that the turbo is a piece of art and very expensive, and very, very smooth. The motor has one the motor of the year award is what I am told.
@@airgead5391 I think I am right in saying 2.2L were twin turbo, one very small and one a little bigger. The 2L single turbo. The 2.2L had significant more performance but were more highly stressed. My mechanic says the 2L turbos were pretty well unbreakable but the 2.2L were a little more troublesome. A friend has had several 2.2L. and he has always preferred them to the 2L particularly towing a pop-top caravan.
@@HubNut Think I gotcha Ian. The 2.2L was available in a bi-turbo for a short time. This 2006 article refers to it:- www.goauto.com.au/future-models/citroen/c5/hdi/first-look-twin-turbo-diesel-for-c5/2006-06-13/16270.html
I miss my 2.2 hdi which certainly had a lot more punch than this one. Took a bit of getting used to the gappy gear spacing but once I'd adapted it was such a comfortable car, one of the best I've ever driven. I bought mine advertised as spares because the main suspension bearing was shot. It was a much easier job than I thought and fixed it for next to nothing. It served us well for four years and 50,000 miles. Wouldn't have sold it but we needed a 4x4. Drove it from SE England to the Highlands several times. I don't think I will ever find a better car for long journeys. So comfortable and very frugal.
7:43 Now an owner of a PSA group car from this era, I now understand why a previous owner has had the amazing idea of sowing a shirt button on the seatbelt as a solution to this.
As a former BX owner I can confirm that, not only did they have electric windows, but mine even included the intermittent up function that your C5 enjoys - even when it was new.
Had a mk1 C5 2.2HDi for 8 yrs, it was almost my best ever car. Spacious, comfortable, quiet, smooth and with suspension in sport mode took bends like it was on rails. Very quick off the line, regularly outran BMs, Merc and Audi TTs, some revving their guts out. Always used Miller's ecomax in the fuel, made it quieter, smoother and quicker. Fortunately everything worked on it! I thought the car was beautiful to look at and regularly photographed it. However, my current car just beats it, a 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso Flair BlueHDi. The drive is even quieter and comfortable even when you're not using the massage seat function! I never want to get rid of this one. Thanks for an interesting video.
I had a Zantia estate and a 2008 C5 estate. Both great long distance cruisers. Said to my wife just last week if there was one car I would have again it would be a C5. Followed it with a very rare Piccaso 2 litre manual. Beautiful machine but non stop trouble. Have now gone Japanese and so far no problems.
Our 2001 2.2 hdi was an excellent family barge for the last 20 years and I will miss it greatly as it started to fall apart and it's sadly unreasonable to pour in the amount of money that would take to bring it to very good condition. Very relaxing family cruiser!
Very underrated car Ian, my brother has one with 290k on the clock, thats all he has bought for the last 20 years c5s Yours has only just been ran in lol..my last one had 170k ..but your Betty has a place here now..all good stuff..👍🍻
its good to hear some positive views on the C5 , Ive got a 2007 Mk2 exclusive 2.0 litre turbo diesel and I have a lexia to iron out all the nasty little electrical niggles before each MOT. if your buying one consider buying a lexia join the french car forum and learn how to use it . I love my Citroen C5. The LDS system is far superior to the LHM suspension system and people tend to not replace the spheres as frequently as the lhm spheres cos they last a little longer so they neglect their replacement a lot more the oldlhm spheres lasted about 3 years whereas the lds spheres last about 8.
I remember sitting in a supermarket carpark and a Citroën opposite me decided to open its tailgate as the owners walked off into the shop to do their shopping, and they did not notice. Really secure!
Miss HubNut was very, very keen on the C6 in the Fairmont pickup video. Personally hope that Ian at some point gets another classic Citroen, an Ami or a Dyane maybe to give Elly and Giselle more company.
I always liked the early C5's. They are quite characterful. I'm glad to hear this one's gone to someone who'll work through its broken bits and keep it going like it should. Sadly both these and the facelift are no longer an everyday sight now.
I love my C5, there will certainly always be a C5 on my fleet, they are such great cruisers. The only one I have not had yet is the 3.0 petrol, however it is planned for the future :-)
I know my comment comes late to the show, but when new my look on the C5 agreed with HubNut. As a long time XM owner I tended to look down on the C5. This year I changed my view... I bought a cheap one, a facelift C5 1.6 HDI to drive it to Morocco and back. What do I say? Whilst the ride is not as magnificent as the XM and comparing the small Diesel with the 24v V6 is pointless, the C5 proved an utterly great car for the journey. In 15 days we covered nearly 6000 miles from Germany down to the Sahara in South Morocco and back. Including not far of 1000 miles off road. The ride and roadholding are excellent. Except for deep, soft sand, the ability to raise the suspension made all kind of tracks accessible. And that little diesel had more than enough power, but sipped fuel. Actually, now I do like it....
To be fair, PSA automatic wipers didn't work when they were new, my 406 used to randomly wipe the screen when there was mist in the air, but wouldn't when it was pouring down.
@@Martin2153 one must bear in mind…do not get the heaviest caravan you can tow….you need to allow for whatever you might wish to pack into the caravan!
@@jonnycando You're absolutely right. 2,300kg is the total mass towed, including water, and everything else you pack. I used to have a 2001 Series II version of these, so I'm familiar with them.
@@Martin2153 one thing that totally confuses me is all these towing weights, total weights max tow etc etc. I brought a caravan for the first time two years ago for my Passat and when I went to pick it up the guy who sold me the caravan asked me “have you checked the max two weight for your car” I just gave him a confused look and said “what”? 😂 fortunately my Passat being a 2 litre 175 BHP turbo diesel it pulled it with ease. I’ll be honest I have absolutely no idea if I’m even road legal with the weight to car weight ratio.🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
@@matty6848 You are correct, it is necessary to work out the vehicle mass, the towed mass, the load in both car and trailer and the total combined mass and the manufacturers recommendations. For many years the different states and territories of Australia had their own regulations. I'm not sure when it was standardised, but it caused problems for travellers in the past. This is from the state government transport website for NSW. "Towing ratio requirement The loaded mass of the trailer must not exceed the lesser of: rated capacity of the towbar and tow coupling, maximum towing capacity of the vehicle, maximum carrying capacity of the trailer, maximum rated carrying capacity of the tyres. If the vehicle manufacturer has not specified the maximum towing mass, the maximum towing mass is: one and a half times the unladen mass of the towing vehicle, provided that the trailer is fitted with brakes which are connected and in working order, or the unladen mass of the towing vehicle if the trailer does not require brakes. Vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross combination mass (GCM) more than 4.5 tonne may tow in accordance with the above requirements. The GCM is the gross combination mass of the car and loaded trailer." Is it any wonder that people get it wrong?
I would suggest a Volvo 850/V70 estate/wagon if you do need a new family car, but I'm 99.9% positive that the AU will be pretty much perfect as they do a great job here as family cars, it does ok on fuel, surprisingly a lot better than I thought being a massive 4.0L N/A engine. Will miss the C5, was one of your better purchases, but me being biased, I am happy its gone for an Aussie icon
My dad had a C5 brand new (HY02 BWF) and from new it had electrical gremlins. The auto lights failed almost immediately. The traffic master came on randomly. The list went on. But it always got us home.
The Ford Falcon/Fairmont AU(Who, Me?) model also came in utility *and* station wagon body formations. A friend of mine drives a Falcon AU station wagon.
This review is brilliantly hilarious! Ian loves this car despite everything either working intermittently or not at all apart from the bits that make it go. But...comfort is very hard to find in a modern car these days so I can see why he likes it despite all its faults.
Just to mention that Porlock is actually in Somerset, not Devon ! We were there last week in my Stag, having left my ultra reliable 170,000 mile twin turbo Citroen C8 2.2 HDi 173 hp at home.
I have had both cars the AU and the C5, I still very much miss my C5, The leather seats were amazing, i also had my tailgate drop on my head many times.
I agree... I had 2 Picassos, the first a 90bhp 2.0. Lovely to drive, if not the fastest of cars. Perhaps foolishly, I was seduced by the lure of the later 110(or was it 115?)bhp 1.6 - yes, it was ultimately a bit faster, but it encouraged driving like a hooligan (needed revving) and was nothing like as relaxing or flexible as the 2.0.
Funny thing is that the most fuel efficient car I have owned was my custom ordered from new 89 Mercury Grand Marquis with the 351W and Trailer Tow III Package. It would do a solid 625 miles to the tank. Torque and gearing make all the difference in the world.
Everyone hates the Vectra B but loves the mirrors. They had great engines, comfy mid-range seats and interiors that worked front and rear. Same as the vectra C and the Omega. My first real car (after a 1995 fiat punto 55 1.2) was a 2003 vectra C 2.2 DTI. It had 120000 miles and I ran it until 148000 with not a single problem until a micra hit the side. I replaced it with a 2001 528 which was awful. Then a 2012 A5. I always wanted a vectra B. The vectra have always been in many peoples hearts
Yes i had a c6 some years ago a real godess. Only one issue I never got the grip of was i driving the car or was the car driving me. Guess autos can get too comfotable. Real strong dieselengine lots of pover.2,7 l bitorbo is a great choyce for this car.
Ian in regards to the fairmont what happens if you need parts? On your a well connected man in the car world but i imagine getting hold of parts will be a sod.?
I can epitomise Citroen. I couldn’t lower the passenger side window in my Dispatch from the driver’s side switch, so I bought a replacement. It didn’t work, so I spent 4 hours disassembling them and fitting the new switches into my old unit. It worked! Three hours later, THREE hours, I put the window down, and there was a loud crack. The glass dropped all the way down, and there it stayed! Bad electrics and plastic. That’s Citroen !
Great recount of your time with this specifc C5, like the classic tripod presentation shots, perhaps a diesel Xantia Break for Winter when Betty is stored, also good to film in the field next door, nice backdrop, thanks.
Those electric window woes are very similar to our C4 Picasso. Also similar on my 02 C3. Clean the switch contacts and they're ok for a little while longer.
Same as the Xsara Picasso - and then realise it's deliberate: first 'stop' is set so you don't smash it into the regulation minimum ceiling height of a French underground car park!
Sad to see the Citroen go. It is a lovely looking car. Comparing the specs, my Volvo 240 is about 50cm shorter than Betty, but being a rear wheel drive estate, the space on offer is amazing. What does surprise me is the fuel consumption of Betty. I have seen 40+ mpg out of a full sized North American land yacht with a 5.8 litre V8 on the open road. I am glad to hear the Citroen is going to a good home. She deserves it. A true and trusty steed indeed.
I have had a C5 Mark 1 facelift VTR for 12 years now and I love it, I hope it will last me another 12 years, as for the window winding down and hard to get back up, if you take the back of the window unit off and clean the PCB with an alcohol-based wipe, it should help you out, if it should start to get to the stage when winding it back up becomes an all-mighty task. 😐
@@Ul.B I thought it was the MkII version when I got it, but no ! it isn't it is called a MkI facelift, just go on to any Citroen c5 owners club and you will be laughed off the site for calling it MkII. ruclips.net/video/AXvsjRIvOY4/видео.html
@@jonathanmaybury5698 My papers said it was a C5 II in 2005 when I bought it from my local Citroen dealership. At least Citroen should know what they built and sold. Incidentally, the next sentence contains a brazen misstatement. Both the motor-talk site and the André Citroen Club know the C5 II and know that it is the vehicle that was built from 2004 - 2008 and of course nobody laughs.
@@jonathanmaybury5698 I do not believe that. The car was delivered to my authorised Citroen dealer from the Rennes factory. It was a new car back then by the way, as I needed a new car after an accident with my old Volvo 240, which was 18 years old at the time. The papers that were handed to me by my dealer stated the correct designation, for this vehicle C5 II. As the André-Citroen-Club knows, the Citroen C5 has been available in three series so far. Other German websites know that too. The problem for many is that the first and second series differ little on the outside. Therefore, many do not perceive the second series as a separate series. Only, one of my tenants drove a C5 I at the time, I bought me a C5 II after he had probably advertised me enough. On the other hand, I've always been a big Citroen lover, also because of the hydropneumatics. Since these are no longer available, I now drive a Peugeot. The C5 I and the C5 II looked somewhat similar on the outside (less at the front, more at the back except for the rubber lip), but the differences began under the hood and inside. According to Citroen, however, there were three different series.
"Citroen quirks". After changing a clutch on a Berlingo these past few days, quirks become more like grievances! Your C5 will probably have a DMF and an ML5C gearbox, which is likely even more fun to work on. Standard clutch and BE4R gearbox on my Berlingo, but plenty of "quirks" to contend with, nevertheless. Half the time was spent on removing all the gubbins that they decided were best bolted to the gearbox, instead of somewhere out of the way. Did it all and then found that I'd been sold a duff pressure plate. Had to do an action replay. At least I was aware of the "quirks" the second time round.
I bought one a month ago for 900€, a 1.8 Petrol Hatchback. I thought it was ugly but now, a month later, I pretty much liked the look. I bought him 4 new comfort "shock absorber balls" , don't know the english word, and it drives like a flying carpet. Very relaxing car.
I quite like this Citroën C5 Estate, its styling is still fresh, and current. Interior controls, the same. As for the air conditioning, I would see whether or not it has a leak before I would regas, and the system would need to be evacuated. A shame it is moving on, so yes, I understand why. As you stated, savings from not replacing the clutching will go into the petrol tank of Betty. And a saloon is quite different from an estate, so we will see how Betty makes out on a long journey in the UK 🇬🇧! I definitely love and adore that Citroën C6 that chauffeured you to pick up Betty, THAT I could see being a part of your fleet in the future. The C6 is exquisite, and it is still so fresh and au currant !
Sad to see this go, but nice to have Betty back. - BTW, I salute you for being able to actually sell cars you have owned. Me, I'd like to keep the old one when I get a new one...
Car sickness is weird, I don't have it with comfortable cars, I have it with cars with a stiffer suspension setup. VW's really don't work for me usually. That Primera; I saw you drive a Nissan in the video where you went to look at Betty for the first time after her trip to the UK. I was thinking to myself 'what's that Nissan? Where did he get a Nissan?'. Apparently the Primera was easily forgettable... Bye, pretty C5. You were shining in absence in these videos, but I am a fan!
Spending £4k+ to buy and import a car from Australia is definitely better, spending 700 on a clutch would be madness. -ahem- (Though I'm hugely glad to see Betty back.)
I had a (hatchback/liftback?) one. The facelift version from 2005 onwards, it was supposed to be better for electrical gremlins, at least when new in any case. Looked a bit better to me as well. Had a 2 liter petrol but was quite well equipped with automatic wipers/lights, parking sensors front and rear, tow hitch etcetera. Everything worked well. Towed a boat on trailer weighing almost 3 ton with it, no problems at all. Paid about 900 quid for it and the only fault with it was that I recognise from yours is the windows acting up a bit sometimes, though not as frequent at yours did it seems. AC worked as well, so didnt roll my windows down very often to be fair. Certainly the best car I ever sold when one took the price into account, and I only ever did so because I got into my head I wanted to try a "super-SUV-offroader", whaterever the hell that is, with a burbling turbo v8.
Ian Tailgate randomly opens and the glass doesn't open, air con doesn't work,windows sort of work,drivers seat goes down on its own,some of the gauges don't read correctly,and the clutch is on its last legs. But they are not reasons to hate her ❤️ Me Some gits stole 1 of my dust caps,I need to sell the car/ immediately buy a matching set of 5 (we have a spare) from Halfords today. 🤔
Thing is, 60 at 2000rpm used to be only possible in a diesel. But that no longer holds true. My petrol car is rated about the same…and it’s a smaller capacity engine. Likewise 50mpg average used to be only possible in a diesel. But this now possible in modern petrol cars. I’m currently averaging 49.5mpg…and this will go back to average 52-53mpg once ambient temp reaches 15c or higher. On a long run in summer i can average 55mpg. My car is automatic as well.
Never had a C5 but had HDi engines in a variety of things. The 2.0 120 in our dispatch van gets it up the hills here in Cumbria impressivly well, Hardknot Pass was no bother and it's a mile eater on the motorway with 6 gears. It does have the electric windows with a mind of their own too though..and rust :D
I've always had an itch for buying different cars, and my 2006 C5 Estate (Exclusive) is the only car that has ever made me not long for something else.
Well, even though I'm over the moon that Betty is back, I quite liked the C5! It seemed like quite a nice all round family car package! Certainly here in Australia, French cars often get dismissed as unreliable/too odd, but HubNut has certainly made me reassess such automotive biases, and having driven a couple of Peugeots and Renaults recently, I can see the appeal! No Hydropneumatic Citroens yet, hopefully I'll get to sample one someday 🙂👍
Always loved the quirkiness of Citroën's but have been put off by their complexity so never owned one, driven many and loved them. Why do some people allow rubbish to build up in footwells, disgusting habit, use a bag as a rubbish bin and put in an actual bin at a fuel or rest stop. Personally never permitted eating or drinking in a motor, much better to get out and sit at a table in a café or picnic table if the weather permits. Even lay the blanket on the ground, now where have I heard that?
To my eyes it looks like a very close rival to the American Mercury Sable wagon. The Mercury is significantly more thirsty than the Citroën, though, but similar in size and styling.
I have to agree with you on this! The Fairmont looks like the US Taurus/Sable styling, I see the American influence while remaining very Down Under! Although the C5 styling I like more than the Ford/Mercury, the dependability, well, that varies, just like Citroën !
We nearly got a facelift version saloon in the late noughties, but the interior plastics were poor, we ended up getting a late 2006 Mondeo, so much better quality
Faults sound familiar. Mostly just little problems that won't stop you driving it every day. Except if you are in Australia where you can only get diesel as automatic with a German gearbox that will eventually send it to the crushers. I just bought a MANUAL series 1 Bx estate that hopefully lasts longer.
Getting rid of an estate to drive a Ford with a trunk is beyond my imagination... I had a 1992 Ford Scorpio estate which I would buy again anytime, but not what you imported...
@@matty6848 Concerning fuel effiency and other aspects of cheap faulty American design, who needs a V8 if a V6 is doing its stuff way better? Even some V4 can do it. I never had a European car where headliners were falling down...
@@rheinerftvideo2647 yeh didn’t the Scorpio’s have a V6 in them if my memory serves me well? It’s just the bubble noise those American V8s make and given how old the design of some of those V8s are you can’t deny their overall a good hardy engine. Although I must admit I did like the Scorpio. My dad used to have a Granada 2.8i Ghia with the V6 engine and that was a beauty. Went like the clappers and reliable. We’re talking electric leather seats, air conditioning and cruise control in the early 90s. Spec that even some modern cars don’t have. I take it your Scorpio had the same spec? What car had the V4 by the way?
@@matty6848 As far as I remember, my 1987 Ford Sierra was 2 litre 4 cylinder. I´m not sure about the Scorpio. These are the Germany Cologne models of Ford which we could buy here. Maybe in other countries, it was different. The Sierra and the Scorpio had been the most reliable cars I ever used, and a way of luxury that is still uptodate. The last german Ford offering this was the Mondeo around 2002. After that, they turned pretty much into mainstream scrap.
I had the 2.2 HDI with Hydractive 3 and it used to really really annoy Audis and BMWs. My mates used to say they got Citroened. It used to be called the Silver Machine. However I spend. Fortune on stopping it going into limp home mode. Get the DPF deleted folks
Drink for every time Ian says: "that doesn't work".
Are you trying to get people killed?
DRUNK AM I, YOU CITROEN THANK
I passed out before the middle of this vid.
I own one of three white C5 estates 2002 model in the UK, it is the base model so only has electric front windows, manual at the rear. The biggest plus is that in the last month we have changed the alternator at 252,000 miles and found that it was the original as fitted in 2002.
Glad to hear that the C5 has got a new loving home and that it leaves on a high. Better than a "Buy my xxxx. It's rubbish" pitch.
Fast-forward to May 2023: Hubnut made a RIDICULE car purchase...
The C5 has a perfect headlining....
That has to be bettys first fix as it looks like a camper van with curtains ☺👍🇮🇪
Headliners seems very susceptible to heat. Looking at American youtubers, a great deal of cars seems to have bad headliners. In Sweden, where I live, I have more or less never heard of a car dropping the headliner, no matter what age. I certainly have never seen one, thats for sure. So I am sure it will make a world of difference when its fixed.
I have owned a 2004 Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi for 10 years and got 213,000 miles on now and still going well. I really like the C5. Andrew
I own a C5 2.2 Hdi exlusive. The best car I ever had, it is the second generation. All my other cars I sold them after 5 years, this one I have for 14 years, and I am planning to keep it way longer,
I think the 2.2 L was a twin turbo?
@@peterriggall8409 I wouldn't know. The only thing I know that the turbo is a piece of art and very expensive, and very, very smooth.
The motor has one the motor of the year award is what I am told.
@@airgead5391 I think I am right in saying 2.2L were twin turbo, one very small and one a little bigger. The 2L single turbo. The 2.2L had significant more performance but were more highly stressed. My mechanic says the 2L turbos were pretty well unbreakable but the 2.2L were a little more troublesome. A friend has had several 2.2L. and he has always preferred them to the 2L particularly towing a pop-top caravan.
No, 2.2 was still single turbo. It was the 2.7 that was twin. Quite a problematic motor.
@@HubNut Think I gotcha Ian. The 2.2L was available in a bi-turbo for a short time. This 2006 article refers to it:-
www.goauto.com.au/future-models/citroen/c5/hdi/first-look-twin-turbo-diesel-for-c5/2006-06-13/16270.html
Onto better things now Mr Hubnut, Citroen was a good sensible buy alongside the Primera, looking forward to a review of Betty on UK roads.
Who would've thought that Hubnut would sell a Citroën and buy a Ford!
Hubnut does not like Fords or Automatic transmissions,,,,,,,,,,
HubNut is starting to feel his years?? Buys house, buys Ford?
@@philiplindley7384 what do you mean. I brought a Ford and my first house at 26😂
@@matty6848 I'm sorry, perhaps you'll get a few years of fun when you retire??😂😂
I miss my 2.2 hdi which certainly had a lot more punch than this one. Took a bit of getting used to the gappy gear spacing but once I'd adapted it was such a comfortable car, one of the best I've ever driven. I bought mine advertised as spares because the main suspension bearing was shot. It was a much easier job than I thought and fixed it for next to nothing. It served us well for four years and 50,000 miles. Wouldn't have sold it but we needed a 4x4. Drove it from SE England to the Highlands several times. I don't think I will ever find a better car for long journeys. So comfortable and very frugal.
7:43 Now an owner of a PSA group car from this era, I now understand why a previous owner has had the amazing idea of sowing a shirt button on the seatbelt as a solution to this.
As a former BX owner I can confirm that, not only did they have electric windows, but mine even included the intermittent up function that your C5 enjoys - even when it was new.
Wasn’t it on the TRS Ian I am sure I remember my cousin showing me them on his 19TRS in the 80s when they were still unusual on most family cars
Electric windows were fitted from the RE/RD models upwards, which were a rival to the L spec of other manufacturers.
Had a mk1 C5 2.2HDi for 8 yrs, it was almost my best ever car. Spacious, comfortable, quiet, smooth and with suspension in sport mode took bends like it was on rails. Very quick off the line, regularly outran BMs, Merc and Audi TTs, some revving their guts out. Always used Miller's ecomax in the fuel, made it quieter, smoother and quicker. Fortunately everything worked on it! I thought the car was beautiful to look at and regularly photographed it.
However, my current car just beats it, a 2017 Citroen C4 Picasso Flair BlueHDi. The drive is even quieter and comfortable even when you're not using the massage seat function! I never want to get rid of this one.
Thanks for an interesting video.
I had a Zantia estate and a 2008 C5 estate. Both great long distance cruisers. Said to my wife just last week if there was one car I would have again it would be a C5. Followed it with a very rare Piccaso 2 litre manual. Beautiful machine but non stop trouble. Have now gone Japanese and so far no problems.
Our 2001 2.2 hdi was an excellent family barge for the last 20 years and I will miss it greatly as it started to fall apart and it's sadly unreasonable to pour in the amount of money that would take to bring it to very good condition. Very relaxing family cruiser!
Very underrated car Ian, my brother has one with 290k on the clock, thats all he has bought for the last 20 years c5s Yours has only just been ran in lol..my last one had 170k ..but your Betty has a place here now..all good stuff..👍🍻
And it’s a American V8 not some crappy diesel. Just the sound alone is worth buying the Fairmount🇺🇸👍
its good to hear some positive views on the C5 , Ive got a 2007 Mk2 exclusive 2.0 litre turbo diesel and I have a lexia to iron out all the nasty little electrical niggles before each MOT. if your buying one consider buying a lexia join the french car forum and learn how to use it . I love my Citroen C5. The LDS system is far superior to the LHM suspension system and people tend to not replace the spheres as frequently as the lhm spheres cos they last a little longer so they neglect their replacement a lot more the oldlhm spheres lasted about 3 years whereas the lds spheres last about 8.
I remember sitting in a supermarket carpark and a Citroën opposite me decided to open its tailgate as the owners walked off into the shop to do their shopping, and they did not notice. Really secure!
He must have activated his key fob in his pocket without realising it, I have done it myself
Oh, I'll miss this C5. I really will. Who knows, maybe you'll get another one in the future, or even an X7 generation.
Miss HubNut was very, very keen on the C6 in the Fairmont pickup video. Personally hope that Ian at some point gets another classic Citroen, an Ami or a Dyane maybe to give Elly and Giselle more company.
The X7 is great, I love mine. Ian might not like the modernity but it's really underrated.
I always liked the early C5's. They are quite characterful. I'm glad to hear this one's gone to someone who'll work through its broken bits and keep it going like it should. Sadly both these and the facelift are no longer an everyday sight now.
Re watching this 8 months later, oh how we all wish we had those petrol prices now.
I love my C5, there will certainly always be a C5 on my fleet, they are such great cruisers. The only one I have not had yet is the 3.0 petrol, however it is planned for the future :-)
I know my comment comes late to the show, but when new my look on the C5 agreed with HubNut. As a long time XM owner I tended to look down on the C5.
This year I changed my view... I bought a cheap one, a facelift C5 1.6 HDI to drive it to Morocco and back. What do I say? Whilst the ride is not as magnificent as the XM and comparing the small Diesel with the 24v V6 is pointless, the C5 proved an utterly great car for the journey. In 15 days we covered nearly 6000 miles from Germany down to the Sahara in South Morocco and back. Including not far of 1000 miles off road. The ride and roadholding are excellent. Except for deep, soft sand, the ability to raise the suspension made all kind of tracks accessible. And that little diesel had more than enough power, but sipped fuel. Actually, now I do like it....
To be fair, PSA automatic wipers didn't work when they were new, my 406 used to randomly wipe the screen when there was mist in the air, but wouldn't when it was pouring down.
Yeh French cars and electrics is like putting a live lightbulb under a running tap.
You can’t keep ‘em all. However, I bet Miss Hubnut has researched the tow rating of Betty for a caravan…
it is 750kg unbraked and 2300kg braked with a 230kg max download on the towball. But I'm sure she's already read that in the owner's manual.
@@Martin2153 one must bear in mind…do not get the heaviest caravan you can tow….you need to allow for whatever you might wish to pack into the caravan!
@@jonnycando You're absolutely right. 2,300kg is the total mass towed, including water, and everything else you pack. I used to have a 2001 Series II version of these, so I'm familiar with them.
@@Martin2153 one thing that totally confuses me is all these towing weights, total weights max tow etc etc. I brought a caravan for the first time two years ago for my Passat and when I went to pick it up the guy who sold me the caravan asked me “have you checked the max two weight for your car” I just gave him a confused look and said “what”? 😂 fortunately my Passat being a 2 litre 175 BHP turbo diesel it pulled it with ease. I’ll be honest I have absolutely no idea if I’m even road legal with the weight to car weight ratio.🤦🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
@@matty6848 You are correct, it is necessary to work out the vehicle mass, the towed mass, the load in both car and trailer and the total combined mass and the manufacturers recommendations.
For many years the different states and territories of Australia had their own regulations. I'm not sure when it was standardised, but it caused problems for travellers in the past. This is from the state government transport website for NSW.
"Towing ratio requirement
The loaded mass of the trailer must not exceed the lesser of:
rated capacity of the towbar and tow coupling, maximum towing capacity of the vehicle, maximum carrying capacity of the trailer, maximum rated carrying capacity of the tyres.
If the vehicle manufacturer has not specified the maximum towing mass, the maximum towing mass is:
one and a half times the unladen mass of the towing vehicle, provided that the trailer is fitted with brakes which are connected and in working order, or
the unladen mass of the towing vehicle if the trailer does not require brakes.
Vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross combination mass (GCM) more than 4.5 tonne may tow in accordance with the above requirements. The GCM is the gross combination mass of the car and loaded trailer."
Is it any wonder that people get it wrong?
I would suggest a Volvo 850/V70 estate/wagon if you do need a new family car, but I'm 99.9% positive that the AU will be pretty much perfect as they do a great job here as family cars, it does ok on fuel, surprisingly a lot better than I thought being a massive 4.0L N/A engine. Will miss the C5, was one of your better purchases, but me being biased, I am happy its gone for an Aussie icon
My dad had a C5 brand new (HY02 BWF) and from new it had electrical gremlins. The auto lights failed almost immediately. The traffic master came on randomly. The list went on. But it always got us home.
Favourite car of your fleet for me, brings back happy memories of mine
Fair play, I do enjoy your channel and it’s content. I’m only a few miles down the road from you in Aberaeron 👍
The Ford Falcon/Fairmont AU(Who, Me?) model also came in utility *and* station wagon body formations. A friend of mine drives a Falcon AU station wagon.
The AU was the last car to feature a Fairmont wagon too might I add
This review is brilliantly hilarious! Ian loves this car despite everything either working intermittently or not at all apart from the bits that make it go. But...comfort is very hard to find in a modern car these days so I can see why he likes it despite all its faults.
Just to mention that Porlock is actually in Somerset, not Devon !
We were there last week in my Stag, having left my ultra reliable 170,000 mile twin turbo Citroen C8 2.2 HDi 173 hp at home.
I have had both cars the AU and the C5, I still very much miss my C5, The leather seats were amazing, i also had my tailgate drop on my head many times.
I have a C5 in Brazil right now and for us is a big problem, because we don't have any parts here, but I love my C5.
The 2.0 hdi is a cracking engine, I would say adequate amounts of power and good economy, I also love an estate car, very practical
I agree... I had 2 Picassos, the first a 90bhp 2.0. Lovely to drive, if not the fastest of cars. Perhaps foolishly, I was seduced by the lure of the later 110(or was it 115?)bhp 1.6 - yes, it was ultimately a bit faster, but it encouraged driving like a hooligan (needed revving) and was nothing like as relaxing or flexible as the 2.0.
Well I'm hanging on to my 2006 C5 1.8i no matter what you say!! 😂
Learnt so much about the C5 from your brief ownership. Much appreciated😊👍
As a guy living in Canada, where boring American gas guzzlers are mandatory, I just have to shake my head.
Funny thing is that the most fuel efficient car I have owned was my custom ordered from new 89 Mercury Grand Marquis with the 351W and Trailer Tow III Package. It would do a solid 625 miles to the tank. Torque and gearing make all the difference in the world.
I’d rather have a American car over anything french
@@bmwman1981 et moi je préfère une Citroën plutôt qu'une BMW en hiver sur route glissante ..
I always loved the way the suspension and mirrors on my 3.0 Exclusive 'talked' to me when I unlocked it.
I still find the vectra the most interesting although not Ians cup of tea as we found out, I'm glad it got a small period on the fleet.
Everyone hates the Vectra B but loves the mirrors. They had great engines, comfy mid-range seats and interiors that worked front and rear. Same as the vectra C and the Omega. My first real car (after a 1995 fiat punto 55 1.2) was a 2003 vectra C 2.2 DTI. It had 120000 miles and I ran it until 148000 with not a single problem until a micra hit the side. I replaced it with a 2001 528 which was awful. Then a 2012 A5. I always wanted a vectra B. The vectra have always been in many peoples hearts
It's not often you hear "Vectra" and "most interesting" in the same sentence 🤣
I'd like to see Ian end up with the rather lovely C6 one day.
Pity no C6 wagon (estate).
@@CathodeRayNipplez
That would of been mightly impressive
Yes i had a c6 some years ago a real godess. Only one issue I never got the grip of was i driving the car or was the car driving me. Guess autos can get too comfotable. Real strong dieselengine lots of pover.2,7 l bitorbo is a great choyce for this car.
Genuinely not sure I fancy one. Far too complex.
@@HubNut
Or a late CX 25 GTI Turbo 2 dream Citroën of mine.
If you can't get 4 ppl, 2 small dogs, and all yr shite for a weekend into the Falcon then *you're* doing it wrong.
One advantage the Fairmont has over the C5 is that insubstantial quality called “presence on the road”.
Ian in regards to the fairmont what happens if you need parts? On your a well connected man in the car world but i imagine getting hold of parts will be a sod.?
I can epitomise Citroen. I couldn’t lower the passenger side window in my Dispatch from the driver’s side switch, so I bought a replacement. It didn’t work, so I spent 4 hours disassembling them and fitting the new switches into my old unit. It worked! Three hours later, THREE hours, I put the window down, and there was a loud crack. The glass dropped all the way down, and there it stayed!
Bad electrics and plastic. That’s Citroen !
Great recount of your time with this specifc C5, like the classic tripod presentation shots, perhaps a diesel
Xantia Break for Winter when Betty is stored, also good to film in the field next door, nice backdrop, thanks.
This is why I love Citroen
They often break but regularly repair themselves.
Cracking cars.
She was a lovely car, but I think you’ve invested wisely in Bella
Spotted yesterday with its new owner At the Chevrons Rally and it's in good shape! I can see why these are popular.
Falcons take to LPG very nicely, if fuel consumption is a real concern.....
Those electric window woes are very similar to our C4 Picasso. Also similar on my 02 C3. Clean the switch contacts and they're ok for a little while longer.
Had to give up my licence due to Epilepsy with your videos , i ‘m still driving and enjoying cars 👍🏻
I remember the endless amount of times I've caught my head on the C5 estate tailgate as it never goes up far enough without giving it a push😂
Same as the Xsara Picasso - and then realise it's deliberate: first 'stop' is set so you don't smash it into the regulation minimum ceiling height of a French underground car park!
@@wheelsofrubber instead it smashes into the edge of my head lol.
@@interceptor-ss8kb Ah. What a b****** lol
I was hoping you'd keep this car, but I wouldn't want to deal with keeping one Citroen on the road let alone three. Love the channel.
Sad to see the Citroen go. It is a lovely looking car. Comparing the specs, my Volvo 240 is about 50cm shorter than Betty, but being a rear wheel drive estate, the space on offer is amazing. What does surprise me is the fuel consumption of Betty. I have seen 40+ mpg out of a full sized North American land yacht with a 5.8 litre V8 on the open road. I am glad to hear the Citroen is going to a good home. She deserves it. A true and trusty steed indeed.
A video worthy of William Woolard himself 👌
I have had a C5 Mark 1 facelift VTR for 12 years now and I love it, I hope it will last me another 12 years, as for the window winding down and hard to get back up, if you take the back of the window unit off and clean the PCB with an alcohol-based wipe, it should help you out, if it should start to get to the stage when winding it back up becomes an all-mighty task.
😐
C5 mk 1 facelift? There was no facelift. You're probably talking about a C5 II (2004 - 2008). But don't worry, many people confuse that.
@@Ul.B I thought it was the MkII version when I got it, but no ! it isn't it is called a MkI facelift, just go on to any Citroen c5 owners club and you will be laughed off the site for calling it MkII. ruclips.net/video/AXvsjRIvOY4/видео.html
@@jonathanmaybury5698 My papers said it was a C5 II in 2005 when I bought it from my local Citroen dealership. At least Citroen should know what they built and sold. Incidentally, the next sentence contains a brazen misstatement. Both the motor-talk site and the André Citroen Club know the C5 II and know that it is the vehicle that was built from 2004 - 2008 and of course nobody laughs.
@@Ul.B I think you may have fallen foul. To a dodgy Rep dealer. As the video shows later, there is also. The mark two faced lift.
@@jonathanmaybury5698 I do not believe that. The car was delivered to my authorised Citroen dealer from the Rennes factory. It was a new car back then by the way, as I needed a new car after an accident with my old Volvo 240, which was 18 years old at the time. The papers that were handed to me by my dealer stated the correct designation, for this vehicle C5 II. As the André-Citroen-Club knows, the Citroen C5 has been available in three series so far. Other German websites know that too.
The problem for many is that the first and second series differ little on the outside. Therefore, many do not perceive the second series as a separate series. Only, one of my tenants drove a C5 I at the time, I bought me a C5 II after he had probably advertised me enough. On the other hand, I've always been a big Citroen lover, also because of the hydropneumatics. Since these are no longer available, I now drive a Peugeot. The C5 I and the C5 II looked somewhat similar on the outside (less at the front, more at the back except for the rubber lip), but the differences began under the hood and inside. According to Citroen, however, there were three different series.
"Citroen quirks". After changing a clutch on a Berlingo these past few days, quirks become more like grievances! Your C5 will probably have a DMF and an ML5C gearbox, which is likely even more fun to work on.
Standard clutch and BE4R gearbox on my Berlingo, but plenty of "quirks" to contend with, nevertheless.
Half the time was spent on removing all the gubbins that they decided were best bolted to the gearbox, instead of somewhere out of the way. Did it all and then found that I'd been sold a duff pressure plate. Had to do an action replay. At least I was aware of the "quirks" the second time round.
Oh no!
I bought one a month ago for 900€, a 1.8 Petrol Hatchback. I thought it was ugly but now, a month later, I pretty much liked the look. I bought him 4 new comfort "shock absorber balls" , don't know the english word, and it drives like a flying carpet. Very relaxing car.
We call them spheres. I do miss this car for comfort.
I quite like this Citroën C5 Estate, its styling is still fresh, and current. Interior controls, the same.
As for the air conditioning, I would see whether or not it has a leak before I would regas, and the system would need to be evacuated.
A shame it is moving on, so yes, I understand why.
As you stated, savings from not replacing the clutching will go into the petrol tank of Betty. And a saloon is quite different from an estate, so we will see how Betty makes out on a long journey in the UK 🇬🇧!
I definitely love and adore that Citroën C6 that chauffeured you to pick up Betty, THAT I could see being a part of your fleet in the future. The C6 is exquisite, and it is still so fresh and au currant !
Sad to see this go, but nice to have Betty back. - BTW, I salute you for being able to actually sell cars you have owned. Me, I'd like to keep the old one when I get a new one...
Car sickness is weird, I don't have it with comfortable cars, I have it with cars with a stiffer suspension setup. VW's really don't work for me usually.
That Primera; I saw you drive a Nissan in the video where you went to look at Betty for the first time after her trip to the UK. I was thinking to myself 'what's that Nissan? Where did he get a Nissan?'. Apparently the Primera was easily forgettable...
Bye, pretty C5. You were shining in absence in these videos, but I am a fan!
We had a C5 saloon in green , VERY comfy car however gulped petrol like a demon . Our bank account sighed with relief when we sold it .
I do like a Citroen despite never owning one. Good luck with Betty in the UK!
You mean because I've never owned one.
@@jonm2884 maybe lol.
Brilliant video Ian 👍
Quirks are good. Th estate is certainly the one to go for. Can't wait to see what comes next.
I would say theyre comfortable in the back ive been in a few of them my uncle had a picasso that was comfortable nice and high up
Swap it for a car that cost ten times as much, is less practical and drinks more fuel!
Because HubNut.
Spending £4k+ to buy and import a car from Australia is definitely better, spending 700 on a clutch would be madness. -ahem-
(Though I'm hugely glad to see Betty back.)
MAN MATHS.
Farewell old friend. It has been a pleasure
I had a (hatchback/liftback?) one. The facelift version from 2005 onwards, it was supposed to be better for electrical gremlins, at least when new in any case. Looked a bit better to me as well. Had a 2 liter petrol but was quite well equipped with automatic wipers/lights, parking sensors front and rear, tow hitch etcetera. Everything worked well.
Towed a boat on trailer weighing almost 3 ton with it, no problems at all. Paid about 900 quid for it and the only fault with it was that I recognise from yours is the windows acting up a bit sometimes, though not as frequent at yours did it seems. AC worked as well, so didnt roll my windows down very often to be fair.
Certainly the best car I ever sold when one took the price into account, and I only ever did so because I got into my head I wanted to try a "super-SUV-offroader", whaterever the hell that is, with a burbling turbo v8.
Your going to miss it like the way you loved the C6 getting Betty !
The Citroen C5 is a far better car.
But is though? I'm really not sure.
Apples and oranges, surely? You'd have to compare Betty to an XM....
Glad to see the head unit made it into the dash. Did you get the steering wheel controls working? I think I included the relevant adaptors.
Now I remember why I have only bought one Citroen.
I got this car to work on this weekend, I been asked buy the current owner to do a video on it
Ian
Tailgate randomly opens and the glass doesn't open, air con doesn't work,windows sort of work,drivers seat goes down on its own,some of the gauges don't read correctly,and the clutch is on its last legs. But they are not reasons to hate her ❤️
Me
Some gits stole 1 of my dust caps,I need to sell the car/ immediately buy a matching set of 5 (we have a spare) from Halfords today. 🤔
Thing is, 60 at 2000rpm used to be only possible in a diesel.
But that no longer holds true. My petrol car is rated about the same…and it’s a smaller capacity engine.
Likewise 50mpg average used to be only possible in a diesel.
But this now possible in modern petrol cars. I’m currently averaging 49.5mpg…and this will go back to average 52-53mpg once ambient temp reaches 15c or higher. On a long run in summer i can average 55mpg. My car is automatic as well.
the ford will make you really miss the c5
Never had a C5 but had HDi engines in a variety of things. The 2.0 120 in our dispatch van gets it up the hills here in Cumbria impressivly well, Hardknot Pass was no bother and it's a mile eater on the motorway with 6 gears. It does have the electric windows with a mind of their own too though..and rust :D
People often ask me why I have so many Citroëns, it's because they are very comfortable and very economical
I've always had an itch for buying different cars, and my 2006 C5 Estate (Exclusive) is the only car that has ever made me not long for something else.
Well, even though I'm over the moon that Betty is back, I quite liked the C5! It seemed like quite a nice all round family car package! Certainly here in Australia, French cars often get dismissed as unreliable/too odd, but HubNut has certainly made me reassess such automotive biases, and having driven a couple of Peugeots and Renaults recently, I can see the appeal! No Hydropneumatic Citroens yet, hopefully I'll get to sample one someday 🙂👍
Always loved the quirkiness of Citroën's but have been put off by their complexity so never owned one, driven many and loved them. Why do some people allow rubbish to build up in footwells, disgusting habit, use a bag as a rubbish bin and put in an actual bin at a fuel or rest stop. Personally never permitted eating or drinking in a motor, much better to get out and sit at a table in a café or picnic table if the weather permits. Even lay the blanket on the ground, now where have I heard that?
Um, Betty was quite the state by the time we got back to Wales. Rubbish all over the footwell!
To my eyes it looks like a very close rival to the American Mercury Sable wagon.
The Mercury is significantly more thirsty than the Citroën, though, but similar in size and styling.
I have to agree with you on this! The Fairmont looks like the US Taurus/Sable styling, I see the American influence while remaining very Down Under!
Although the C5 styling I like more than the Ford/Mercury, the dependability, well, that varies, just like Citroën !
Well it's Goodbye to the C5 and GDay to Betty the Ford Fairmont AU. Here's to many happy miles with Betty. 🙂🐲🐲🐲👍👍
We nearly got a facelift version saloon in the late noughties, but the interior plastics were poor, we ended up getting a late 2006 Mondeo, so much better quality
I love the outtakes 😅😅
I'd love one and especially an estate , may see if i can do a swap on my rather basic Cordoba Vario
Faults sound familiar. Mostly just little problems that won't stop you driving it every day. Except if you are in Australia where you can only get diesel as automatic with a German gearbox that will eventually send it to the crushers.
I just bought a MANUAL series 1 Bx estate that hopefully lasts longer.
Thanks for great review. If you did ever go back to a C5 I would really recommend the 2.2 diesel. Even more fun and even longer legs.
My dad had a skoda octavia estate boot space was awsome to fit in his golf clubs and that electric buggy that holds them
I have one of these and the tailgate is a bit iffy, the electric windows unpredictable and a SHOCKING triangle of doom! I love it though! 🥰🥰🥰
Ian get a reversing camera for Betty. I use a cheap wired one on my little van and its been a godsend. Very clear screen and very simple to fit.
Getting rid of an estate to drive a Ford with a trunk is beyond my imagination...
I had a 1992 Ford Scorpio estate which I would buy again anytime, but not what you imported...
Yeh but your Ford Scorpio didn’t have a American V8 under the hood.
@@matty6848 Concerning fuel effiency and other aspects of cheap faulty American design, who needs a V8 if a V6 is doing its stuff way better? Even some V4 can do it.
I never had a European car where headliners were falling down...
@@rheinerftvideo2647 yeh didn’t the Scorpio’s have a V6 in them if my memory serves me well? It’s just the bubble noise those American V8s make and given how old the design of some of those V8s are you can’t deny their overall a good hardy engine. Although I must admit I did like the Scorpio. My dad used to have a Granada 2.8i Ghia with the V6 engine and that was a beauty. Went like the clappers and reliable. We’re talking electric leather seats, air conditioning and cruise control in the early 90s. Spec that even some modern cars don’t have. I take it your Scorpio had the same spec? What car had the V4 by the way?
@@matty6848 As far as I remember, my 1987 Ford Sierra was 2 litre 4 cylinder. I´m not sure about the Scorpio. These are the Germany Cologne models of Ford which we could buy here. Maybe in other countries, it was different.
The Sierra and the Scorpio had been the most reliable cars I ever used, and a way of luxury that is still uptodate.
The last german Ford offering this was the Mondeo around 2002. After that, they turned pretty much into mainstream scrap.
The Fairmont isn't available with a diesel. To some, that's a good thing.
A certain Mister Lloyd for example.
Yeh but who would want a diesel when you can have a American V8?!?
I had the 2.2 HDI with Hydractive 3 and it used to really really annoy Audis and BMWs. My mates used to say they got Citroened. It used to be called the Silver Machine. However I spend. Fortune on stopping it going into limp home mode.
Get the DPF deleted folks
Goodbye C5 sorry to see you go
Betty's thirst is going to do your nut Ian.
Aaah Mr Hubnut in action ...many try to emulate few succeed.