Modern Citroen Diesels - Views?

[Dieselman]

The 1.6Hdi is the same engine used in Fords and BMW Mini. We found them to be tough and reliable in hundreds of cars at work. As with any diesel engined car, avoid a particulate filter if possible.

[robert_e_smart]

The 1.6 is not liked in the motor trade at all. I know traders who never buy 1.6 Diesel Focuses or S40s because of the grief they have had with them.

I really like the 2.7 HDi, nice and easy to work on compared to some of the XU Xantias and XMs I have worked on!

[Duke]

The 'elderly' TU (!) engine was quite good in the Red C4 that I had, but compared with this new EP6 engine they really are chalk and cheese.

The TU was rated at 110BHP, and the EP6 120BHP so not much however drive-ability is so different.

The TU lacked power down low although being a 16v had some nice grunt higher up the rev range. This made down changing very common and until the revs were up high, it wasn't very exiting. Also, when cruising there was definitely the need for a 6th gear! At these higher motorways speeds this sincerely affected MPG too.

With the EP6 however, there is much more grunt down low and the revs are lower at the motorways speeds. It feels a much more refined engine and suits the car well IMO. Obviously being a 16v there's some nice power higher up the revs which makes for a rewarding drive indeed when needed...! It's also got a much improved sound to the engine as well IMO...

I believe it was the TU5 in the C4s...

[ragger]

As I expected there are a range of opinions, which is good. I don't want to spend much more than 2k on replacement for the i10, and insurance costs and economy are more critical than performance. Safety and durability are also important as there are going to be 3 recently passed drivers as well as the Boss and me.
Anybody had a C3 diesel? I think they might be a bit too small for a big lad like me.

Rob

[Duke]

Had a few C3 HDis here. Build quality is sincerely lower than a C4 and IMO I'd never have one having had a C4. Driving position is quite 'upright' too. Small inside, but high roof.

1.4 HDi engine is quite good though, cheap tax as well if you get the right one...

[Peter.N.]

I may be told to wash my mouth out but have you considered a Peugeot 406? You should get a really nice one for less than £2k and they use the superb 2.0. 110 hp diesel. The GLX has very comfortable electric seats and lots of other goodies, they made them up to about 03. I bought my 01 over two years ago with about 188k on it, its now at 213k and has been utterly reliable, driven gently it will exceed 60 mpg, my best figure was 67.3 over 650 miles coming back from Scotland last year. The ride is good for a car with springs and the handling very sharp, they also only cost £135.00 in road tax.

Peter

[ragger]

The c4 is as big as I would want to go. I have considered a Xsara diesel or the Pug equivalent but the insurance costs are quite high on these older models. A 206 base petrol is surprisingly cheap though.

Rob

[Peter.N.]

OK, I wouldn't have considerd the 406 to be large but then I have been running XMs and CXs for years The only other option for an 8 valve Hdi is the 306 but I assume that's to old for you.

The 2.0. 16v Hdi seems to be a more reliable engine than the 1.6 but don't know if they use that in the smaller cars. If you don't do a lot of miles a petrol might be the way to go, Hope you find something that suits anyway.

Peter