Comments on: Citroen C3 HDi – most economical conventional car in Australia

By: sheldon

sheldon — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:13:21 +0000

HI There all,

Firstly the engine in the citreon if built by Peugeot. 2. They are not turbo charged they work on a higher compression ration that enables them to be mor eficent. 3. Vw, Audi, Porche and volvo all use the audi diesel built engine. Citreon, Jaguar, ford and toyota (europe) all use the epugeot built diesel engines.

If you want to get the service cost down on your european vechile then shop around. I save nearly 70% on all my parts by simply using an aftermarket supplier. I can still service my car at 10years old cheaper than a toyota supra import!

To the person having electrical problems take it to a peugeot factory as the computers are similar. Most parts are interchangeable and the peugeot parts are usally cheaper and visa versa, it always pays to check. In australia you might want to consider contacting Eurocar service center in Brisbane and newmarket they are very cheap when it comes to genuine parts for cit’s and pug. Ask for mick!

The reason that diesels are not popular here is that Holden and Ford can not make a decent diesel engine. The japs cannot make a diesel engine and therefor we do not have many diesel cars. But the strange thing is that most pug’s and citreons and Vw and audi’s selling at the moment are the diesel models and these are selling at a ratio of 6-1 in favor of the dieel. My 407 diesel get an average of 6.6 liters p/100 at an average of 800-950 kil per tank including a mix of city traffic and freeway driving!

My 406 v6 pug get around 600-700 per 60 liter tank. Given the cost of petrol and diesel we should all hold our breath for the new 308 diesel hybrid which blows all current cars out of the water. It has next to no emissions and gets an average of around 3.3-4 liters per hundred depending on the situations.

By: Adrian Hobbs

Adrian Hobbs — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:19:58 +0000

Install LPG boosting and get consumption down to around 3.0 – 3.5 litres per 100km, with some of that being cheaper LPG and that would be real economy. ADRIAN

By: Valis

Valis — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:35:14 +0000

Does anyone know how easy it would be to convert this car to take 100% biodiesel?

By: David Reid

David Reid — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:29:13 +0000

We have had a C3 Pluriel for 3 years.
Great car to drive, roof options great for summer.
But make sure you have another car available to use while it is in the workshop as these cars have a terrible electrical history both here and overseas.
Problems with central locking and car just refusing to accelerate for the whole 3 years. Dealers unable to fix.
Warranty expired on Sunday, Monday electric power steering quit for about half an hour, Friday starter just refused to work for 15 minutes even though lights and radio all working fine. Both problems seemed to self correct eventually just like the central locking problem does.
Looking to trade it in on a Toyota or Hyundai just to get a better dealer/service network.

By: marijke

marijke — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 09:07:53 +0000

After a CV2 as a teenager in Europe, a Xsara here, I now drive a C4. in 1 Year I have driven just 18000kms and spend $27 a week on premium unleaded (8000) in Adelaide.
The Citroen dealer in Adelaide is over the top with their service prices, unfortunately.

by the way, Andre Citroen, was actually from the Netherlands. Read his story pretty interesting.

My husband has a garden maintenance business and drives a Citroen Berlingo Van. He is on the road every day with a trailer and has spent average $39 per week on premium unleaded (8000) and has done about 40000kms
Marijke

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:15:08 +0000

I can appreciate that but even when considering that it still looks ordinary, very similar to the Savvy which is far from a good looking vehicle. The only demographic that would maybe like its good are the blind.

By: Foggy

Foggy — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 06:08:08 +0000

I think the looks of the C3 are not something that the demographic of this site will like. If you look at where the C3 advertising campaign is being focused; Vogue Magazine, and other home & lifestyle magazines, it is quite clearly aimed at the middle aged professional female who wants an economical little car with a bit of style and panache not available from the Asian offerings in this market segment.

It’s more a fashion statement than a “A to B” choice.

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:56:45 +0000

Fair enough… but looks wise I find it hard to like, if you look at the Proton Savvy it does bear a very distinct resemblence. In saying this, I think the C4 on the other hand is a very good looking car.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:46:13 +0000

I think the higher servicing costs assumption is a little vague, since I’ve been looking for a new car for a while, I ask what the servicing costs are, and the Citroen C4 is cheaper then the Golf at minor and major serving. I’m not saying it’s cheap, but if you want to save money on servicing, buy a Getz and be done with it.

The particle filter issue is controversial to me. Why? Because manufacturers state that they support Bio-Diesel, but having a particle filter stops you from using the fuel due to the “catalytic” converter dying due to the chemical reaction while catalysing the unburnt/polutive gas.

I agree, the C3 looks plain, but what other car looks like it? When you see a Corolla, it could be a Tiida, it could be an Accent. When you see a C3 or a C4, you know it’s something else. That makes it appealing to me.

Regulars here probably know I’m a bit of a French car lover. And although I will always love the handling and the quirks, I am open minded about all other manufacturers.

Either way, the French know how to make engines. Renault is a king when it comes to shoe horning a 3L V6 into a car the size of a pack of smokes. Citroen knows how to make a nice luxury car that handles and rides well…. look at the C6. I’d take the turbo diesel C6 over any BMW, and I like BMW.

Getting back to the C3. Well done Citroen, I say. It’s a chicks car, but I think they are brilliant for the engineering.

Cheers
Steve

By: The Axe

The Axe — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 04:42:33 +0000

Reackless1, do you ever have anything constructive to say?

If not then please stay away..