Citroen C8 2.0 HDi

This is an updated opinion

The car is about to be written off and I must state what a fantastic cocoon this vehicle is!
I was struck from behind whilst I was stationary by a lorry who for some reason decided not to concentrate on their driving!!!
The impact totally wiped out the tail gate and shattered the rear window which both showered into the car and over the car ending up in the front windscreen wiper well. The drivers ...
...in the impact. After I regained my composure the first thing that struck me was how I felt pretty good considering even after 24hr theres some bruising and mild stiffness but compared to the impact its amazing. Now the car has been inspected and needs a complete new body shell as it has been distorted all round the rear hence it will be written off I expect. The thing is though both sliding doors still operate all the seats are still intact and the ... more

This is an updated opinion

The car is about to be written off and I must state what a fantastic cocoon this vehicle is!
I was struck from behind whilst I was stationary by a lorry who for some reason decided not to concentrate on their driving!!!
The impact totally wiped out the tail gate and shattered the rear window which both showered into the car and over the car ending up in the front windscreen wiper well. The drivers seat seemed to hug me as I was thrown back in the impact. After I regained my composure the first thing that struck me was how I felt pretty good considering even after 24hr theres some bruising and mild stiffness but compared to the impact its amazing. Now the car has been inspected and needs a complete new body shell as it has been distorted all round the rear hence it will be written off I expect. The thing is though both sliding doors still operate all the seats are still intact and the passenger cabin apart from being showered in glass is completely intact. Some trim has been slightly unfastened but none flew off. I thank my lucky stars that I was on my own but if the kids had been with me I couldnt have been in a better car. The car still drove although the warning screen did notify me that my rear impact sensor was now faulty strange that eh!!!!!
I'm definitely going to buy the same again when I get paid out. This accident has just re-affirmed my love of this car!!
I bought this car 14 months ago now and have so far covered over 51,000 miles in it.

See list at the bottom of reports for faults or Comments after 1 year.

I purchased the car as a workhorse during the week to transport me and my tools around the country and a family car for the weekends with lots of space for kids,bikes,dogs and associated luggage.
On both counts it has performed exceptionally carrying much more tools than I would ever get in an estate car with the rear 2 seats removed but leaving the middle row fully back to give maximum leg room for rear passengers.Also as a mobile office its been great with all back seats capable of being folded to form tables or reversed to face backwards and with the front seats spinning round as well a picnic table effect is created great for the weekend.
The sliding side doors also allows large items to be loaded through the side.Last week I picked up a new dishwasher and with the back full of tools it fitted perfectly into the middle of the car through the side door.You cant do that on many MPVs! * -

The car was an ex-demonstrator and has nearly all the options fitted.Triple sunroofs are one and are great for a light airy interior but because they tilt then slide back in the tilt position make them extremely noisy to have open at speed and also with climate control as standard it appears a costly option at nearly £1000.
The VIP pack consists of blacked out side and rear windows, rear parking sensors and roof bars which slide back and together when not in use to create a spoiler effect and at £500 this is a worthwhile addition for ease of parking ,aesthetics and load carrying capability.

The car itself has proved to be extremely comfortable when on long journeys with generous seats all round and stacks of leg room both in the front and back.However there is one major hassle,the handbrake is positioned between the drivers seat and door but I find it uncomfortable to push my hand down to operate it as my knuckles catch on the door pocket!!!! This does however give a bit more space in the cabin so I can cross freely from drivers to passengers side or even from front to back without having to clamber over obstacles extremely handy for parking in very tight spaces.

Weve also had one small faux pas with the intergrated sunblinds, which was an accident waiting to happen.They are fantastic they pull up out of the door trims and fasten by a simple plastic hook at the top of the window frame. However on the sliding door they are fastened by 2 hooks and if small enquireing fingers unfasten one the blind then flops about, enough so when you open the sliding door the blind gets trapped on the c-post and is ripped off!!!!!!This usually happens 2 days after warning the owner of the fingers not to play with the blinds!!!
After the rapair the sliding door no longer shuts automatically it will shut then reopen immediately.I have yet to return it to the dealership for repair and probably just a small adjustment is needed.(I hope)

The fuel economy is a bit on the low side compared with the Ford/Seat/VW MPV at around 34MPG and 70% of the mileage has been on 100 miles plus runs but the vehicle is fairly loaded (equivalent to at least 4 adults travelling together)
The advanced creature comforts of this vehicle make it all worthwhile.Electric sliding doors which can be remotely operated are fantastic(mind those blinds and subsequent repair??!!),auto lights and windscreen wipers are a boon to those who are forever driving or just want a little luxury.The cabin is well laid out wide plenty of storage room with 3 glove boxes large door pockets and even a drawer under the passenger seat. Theres cup holders all round a chiller box you can fit 3 cans in and even a small bin!! All controls are easy to reach, and with stem controls for the stereo, everything can be adjusted or operated without having to reach for the controls.
In the rear is a cargo net that can be used to strap loads down or can be hung up at the back to frm a string basket across the rear door. Great for light loads you dont want sliding about.

Driving around Town can be a bit cumbersome, but after a while it soon becomes second nature, out of narrow streets and tight turns it is like a car to drive and so so comfy.
Servicing is very reasonable with the first service coming in at £168.25 not bad for 12500mile intervals and the first major service is 100,000miles

In short when I get in this car it makes me smile. The kids love it ,the dog can bring his basket along which keeps him happy and you can take everything including the kitchen sink!!!!!!

16/08/2004

So far I have had an intermittent fault with one of the electric sliding doors which has been investigated on several occasions but always works beautifully at the garage!!! It doesn,t always open fully automatically or keeps when reopening when automatically closing.

Turbo sleeve was replaced after about 35000 miles due to it cracking. Loss of power was niticeable after about 50 miles from cold and was replaced under warranty. I was told this was a recall item so beware on early C8s.

A 2nd sun visor was broken by the kids, bit flimsy really.

1 set of tryres lasted 28000 miles from new. No problems with the rear tyres wearing unevenly although the front tyres wear on the outside more (same as the Synergie)

No real problems with the trim marking and this car carries some awkward loads. If this is a problem check out any other MPV. I believe this trim to be one of the more substantial.

Stereo, climate control,windscreen wpiers ,lighting and other controls all working OK.

Must have changed interior maybe because other review says that battery cover is not flat Mine is, however I only have size 8 feet so space for me not a problem and being only 5'9'' tall my left leg gets no where near the cup holder.

Still think this car is good value and very reliable.

Still

 

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