Bought a new C5 - some clarifications needed

[Unicorn]

Hi everyone! :)

I'm a newbie here... Just bought a C5 after going through quite a long deliberation (including coming to this site ;)) and test-driving Mazda 6, Honda Civic/Accord, Opel Astra, Peugeot 407, Citroen C4/C5. Like the C5 as it's jam packed with features and also a very advanced suspension system.

I have a few questions which I hope the helpful folks here can help out.

1. The C5 has an ashtray in the front compartment at the dashboard. I want to remove the metallic ashtray inside the compartment as I don't smoke and would like to re-use the front compartment for storage purposes. Does anyone know if this is possible?
2. As the suspension system is sophisticated, does anyone have any bad experience with it being spoilt? And does anyone know how much C&C charge for the servicing (assuming warranty period over).
3. My car agent asked me to pay up the $ first so that he can go and register the car. I was under the impression that I can collect the car and pay on the same day. Can someone pls advise?

As I haven't collected my car and I don't really trust my car agent (I think I'm his first client and he's given me some wrong advice before), can someone here help?

Thanks! :)

[Furry]

1) let the c5 owners advice
2) if cnc cant fix it, a certain workshop can
3) usually pay insurance+downpayment+1st installment

[voyager]

hallo Unicorn :-)

welcome to our community here! it's always very exciting to welcome newbies :-)

the front ashtray - i removed the metal grating in both the C5s that i've owned.

although the owner's manual makes it sound simple that the ashtray can be easily put back once taken out (in order to remove the grating), my experience is that it is very difficult, because one has to make the metal spring catch a certain plastic moulding. this is not easy because the working space for one's fingers is very tight, and i have cut myself on both the occasions (first and second C5) that i have attempted to do so.

because i bought my C5s (both) from AA, the staff at AA helped me to put back the ashtray.

the second caveat that i would like to add regarding the ashtray (who would have guessed that a simple ashtray would have warranted so many words and sentences) is that, for my first C5 at least, the ashtray seldom stayed shut, once i had removed the metal grating. in other words, i daren't open the ashtray on my first C5, for fear of it not being able to shut again. which is ironic because the whole point of removing the metal grating was to use the ashtray as storage.

no such problems with my present car, i can open the ashtray with impunity :-)

regarding your question about spoilt suspension, i can't really answer that because i have only owned the C5s for about a year or so. i know i should keep my cars for longer, and i am trying to inculcate this good habit in myself. however, i have posted on another thread in these forums that so far, i have only seen one C5 on the road with sagging suspension (while mobile).

as for your third question, erm... actually my Minister of Finance handles the nitty gritty of the paperwork, so i would tend to trust Furry's answer, because i have always found his posts to be sensible. i think some form of money upfront is indeed needed. in fact, i am quite sure of it.

please keep the questions coming :-)

[Unicorn]

Hi Furry/Voyager,

Thanks so much for your super fast response. So I gather that the metallic ashtray can be removed (I don't have any intention of putting it back ;)). However, for my 3rd query, actually I've already made a $3k downpayment, but my car agent wants me to pay up the remaining sum (minus the car loan & car trade in amount) before I go down and collect the car. He said the $ has to be paid up before he can register the car. This sort of surprised me cos I don't recall having to do that for my other cars. I seem to recall I just need to pay up the remaining amount I owe on the actual day I collect my previous cars. But I could be wrong which is why I'm trying to see if my car agent is pulling my leg. Any further advice on this pls?

BTW, I forgot to mention I really love the ride of C5. Very quiet and refined. :)

[voyager]

hi Unicorn,

i can't advise you further on the money query, but i'm sure the others will be able to :-)

as for the ride, of course, i would agree (but then, i'm biased :-P ). for my present car, the leather in the rear is creaking occasionally, and my front passenger's seat has developed a creak / squeak upon decceleration / acceleration.

needless to say, i hope these gremlins don't visit you. regardless, the ride and roadholding really does make up for these niggles (which aren't, by the way, affecting my first C5 - recently sat in that car and it was squeak-free) :-)

[Gadler]

Hi Unicorn

I took out the metal piece in my 2001 C5 the day I got it. No problems taking the ashtray in and out - just ensure you align it before pushing it in place. My ashtray was replaced under warranty when the car was about a year old because it would not close properly. They replaced it with a new ashtray with metal piece so now I have two metal pieces with me. Since then no problem with ashtray opening and closing.

The total amount I have spent on my C5 suspension is about $200 in 5+ years - $100+ for replacing a suspension strut and $60+ for replacing two rubber return hoses at the front suspension. Other than that no problem. If your suspension modular pump cum ECU goes I understand that costs a few thousand bucks. I have also heard of C5s with suspension height sensor problems but that is apparently quite a cheap fix. As mentioned in an earlier post, if the agent cannot fix it, another workshop can probably do so!

I find my C5 suspension performs best at high speeds, sailing over all road imperfections but feels a bit hard at town driving speeds.

Hope this helps.

[Unicorn]

Hi Fellow Citroeneans,

Does anyone know the contact number of the sales mgr in Citroen? I was given a number but nobody picked up. You can send me a private msg on this. Thanks a lot. :)

[Unicorn]

Hi all,

I just talked to my C&C car rep and asked him abt multi-CD changer. He mentioned the pricing will be known in a few days (C&C is bringing in and testing a multi-CD changer). But of course given how unreliable his info had been, I will double check with another car rep. ::)

[voyager]

hmm...

i didn't know the car doesn't come with a CD-changer. both the units i bought from AA did.

thank you very much for the heads-up, Unicorn :-)