Citroen C3 1.4 HDI Exclusive

My husband decided to buy me this car without a test drive (not a good move). The car is certainly comfortable, plenty of space for the driver and front passenger, though perhaps a bit cramped in the rear for 3 adults, though it's fine for my 3 children. The boot space is good, and there are good gadgets with a great stereo and built in blue tooth in the VTR+ model that I have.

Driving it however is another story. The steering is very very light, so light however that it can feel that the slightest twitch will have the car going all over the road. The rear suspension is absolutely dreadful. The car does not take bumps well, and driving along motorways or dual carriageways at 50mph and above can be a scary experience. On encountering dips, bumps and uneven road surfaces the car has a nasty tendency to bounce all over the lane, leaving the driver feeling out of control. At over 60mph, the steering and suspension combines to leave you feeling that you are driving on a road surface that has been covered in sheet ice and ball bearings. The car feels skittish and hard to control. It's cornering ability is dreadful. It wallows around and again the rear wheels feel as if they are about to give way and cause the car to roll. Most unpleasant.

Overall, the car has good economy, good cabin space, nice gadgets and the panoramic 'Zenith' windscreen gives good visibility, but this is definitely not a 'drivers' car. It's fine in town, where the light steering is a definite bonus and makes parking very easy, but the driving experience on the open road is hugely disappointing and frankly scary. Wish I had been able to keep my Subaru Forester!!!

O

On my first Major run i was going from Essex to Leeds after 17 miles the engine cut out on busy roundabout on the dashboard computer it said (Anti Pollution)the RAC could not fix it. it went to the Dealer had 3 days but could not give an explanation as to it meaning .I Phoned Citroen it was that the diesel engine needed to longs run once a week or monthly.

I am now wondering what will happen on my next long trip.

I Don't think that Citroen could give me an explanation. I Was not happy with the answer . the Car Citroen C3 Exclusive Diesel.

G.J.C.

This is a review of the new C3 1.4 HDi 5dr purchased 2010. I test drove a number of cars which had to have the following specification: comfort but be able to cope with spirited driving when required, economical daily driver but not be left behind in fast moving traffic, modern looking and low insurance/tax costs, with decent space for 5 adults..oh and some gadgets.

I had looked at most other small cars but fell for the quirky good looks (with moving headlining to give vast front screen), the space including 5 shopping bags worth of boot, comfort and 60+ mpg. The diesel engine is quite powerful enough to overtake and seems to have a good power band between 30 and 70mph. Soaks up the bumps. No creaks or rattles yet and has been totally reliable. And quiet too! Excellent.

Other than the suspension problem the Citroen C3 1.4 HDI Exclusive is a great little car.Very economical (66 mpg).

Quiet for a small car.

Very relaxing drive, almost like a big saloon.

Remarkable amount of space, especially with the rear seats down. I can get a bass amp, guitar amp, P.A. and guitars in there.

I have a 2003 Citroen C3 1.4HDi. A couple of times the car has refused to start. I've called the AA, but had to cancel, as half an hour later the car starts with no problem. I once got locked into my wife's petrol model C3. Doors would not open from the inside. Engine cuts out while driving. On motorway at 70, going up 1/4 hill in 2nd, overtaking in 3rd, etc. No fault found by garage. Happens at least once a week.

I read a lot of reviews before buying a Citroen C3 and though I was attracted by reports of exceptional mileage from the HDi diesel, I was frankly a little worried by some very negative ones about computers falling over, doors failing to open and the like. In the end my experience has been almost completely positive.

I went for the HDi 1.4 Exclusive diesel with extras such as climate control, cruise control and arm rests. Add them together to general quietness (apart from some wind noise from the thick door pillars) and a slightly raised driving position in the light and airy cabin, and it makes for remarkably stress free motorway driving with a large car feel - if the arm rest were more adjustable it would be as near perfect as you're likely to get in a smaller car. Since I travel the country a lot this is precisely what I wanted.

On smaller roads with poor surfaces things are less relaxed. Though this may in part be due to the low profile tyres on the Exclusive, I also suspect the regressive (for Citroen) Macpherson strut and trailing arm suspension. The ride isn't bad, just rather hard and German for a Citroen. Oh, and the turning circle is as pathetic as some others have noted, so don't get stuck down a country lane with no turning points. It can also be quite embarrassing in towns while being observed by black cab drivers.

Boot space looks terrible at first sight, but if you think vertically it's actually not bad and can hold a surprising amount. In terms of comfort for the driver it is hard to beat in a small car, and on motorways when the traffic is light enough to use the cruise control (unusual on a manual but very effective), with the effective climate control set to a moderate temperature and a decent CD in the player or a good programme on the radio - the Clarion radio/CD player is very good - the miles just vanish and it's almost as relaxing as a trouble free train journey.

Mileage is exceptionally good from the 1.4HDi engine. Mine comes in almost boringly at approximately 67mpg almost every time, and I am NOT a restrained driver. I understand that the less highly stressed diesel in the Desire range gives even better mileage, but I can't verify this. 12,000 mile service intervals for the diesel versions help the general exceptional economy. Only the servicing costs blot the copy book. I was charged 54 pounds for oil at my last service. Stunned, I queried this and was told that they had used "the Chardonnay of oils" for the highly stressed diesel. I think I would prefer to take my chances not on cheap plonk perhaps, but a decent house red. Having said that I have found my local Citroen garage extremely attentive.

In the end the dire warnings of failing computers, stuck doors and general mayhem have not materialised over ten months and 25,000 miles covering motorways, country roads, the Lake District, East Anglia, Northern France and a lot of London driving. The central locking has given me the odd intake of breath and if Citroen have not sorted this out on new cars already they really must, but relocking and reopening has always cured any minor glitch instantly for me. I sympathise greatly with people who have bought C3 lemons and I do know one person whose Pluriel has died suddenly more than once thanks to the computer - certain models and the Pluriel in particular seem to have had early problems in the computer department.

Overall then general high praise. The car does what I want very reliably in good comfort and at a gratifyingly low cost with its spectacular mileage, low diesel road tax and low insurance category. Depreciation is a problem, but buy a low mileage used higher spec. diesel with exceptionally good Citroen 1 year used warranty and you stand a good chance of being as happy as I have been.

I love my Citroen C3.............but my husband bought a Friday 5:10pm one!! Yes we bought 2 of the bloody things! Mine's great though........no problems at all.