Citroen C3 2012 Diesel
Robyn Ruder
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There also tends to be a misconception in some quarters that electric cars are boring to drive, but over time these thoughts are becoming more and more challenged. Citron has put a focus on developing its EV line-up over the next few years, so you can expect continued improvement in electric performance.
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Another factor that will become increasingly prominent in car buying is the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Although the purchase and ownership of existing petrol and diesel models made before 2030 will not be affected by the ban, many motorists may decide to make the switch ahead of time.
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With an instinctive and bold design, the new Citron C3 gives the compact hatch an energetic new look with redesigned alloy wheels and Airbumps. The latter protects the bodywork from everyday bumps and grazes, keeping the car in its best condition. The C3 can also be customised with 97 different colour combinations.
Each seat features a specific padded design for added comfort, while the 300-litre boot provides plenty of room for a car of this size. You can also choose from a range of the latest petrol and diesel engines.
Its to do with the Diesel particualte filter i suspect, although your cars age seems abit early to have that. You can do it yourself, however you have to do a bit of work with the ecu to reset the counter i.e, the level of the additive is determined by how many times the additive is added, which is triggered by the fuel cap release (usually).
I am waiting for my light to come on, I think the cheapest way to do it would be to get your own ilexa kit (engine management diagnostic tool) off ebay for 130 (you also need a puter that is running xp,NOT VISTA) and fill it yourself (think the fluid is 100)
All I would add is that there are issues with the ECU that runs the additive system.The DPF has differential pressure sensors, so the main engine management ECU will know (in theory) if the DPF is blocked.
The fluid is injected with fuel, and when the car is ready for regen (it senses this throught varoius sensors, inc an exhaust differential pressure sensor) it will inject a little more thus allowing the Combustion Temperature to rise and burn off the soot content of the DPF.
The problem with the whole DPF environmental thing on diesel cars is that it was a system that was hastily invented to meet euro 4 regulations. Its also a pain in the arse that every time you make a change you need to reset the ECU with diagnostics.
There are vids on you tube on how to clean the filter yourself. if you do it before the light comes on it will save you getting another reset done. I bought the interface and computer to do a job on my C5 that then self diagnosed itself before the kit arrived, still I have it for the next job now.(only 200 down)
The version I tested had a 1.6 litre diesel engine and a five-speed gearbox. Whether it could muster 91 or 99 hp never became clear to me. The version I tested had the handy reversing camera and the full glass roof plus a centre arm rest for the driver. The interior is very colour sensitive and the grey tones of the test car dampened the sculptural quality of much the interior trim. There really is no reason to get this car in next-owner grey. The difference in residual values will be nugatory but choosing grey is choosing twenty years of boredom, even if you only drive the car for 36 leased months.
Finally, I turn to the fuel gauge. I drove the car under a 100 km and the fuel gauge was still reading full when I brimmed the car with 5.8 litres of derv. When I got back into the car the fuel gauge had lost one bar so I delivered the car back with it seeming to be less than full.
My conclusion is that the Cactus is at least superficially a cheerful vehicle that feels comfortably large inside, has some super colour options and with the diesel engine is good for 60 mpg. The let downs are the sticky gearbox and the nagging feeling that the styling is borrowed from a car with another agenda.
Thats a good question. I think it might perhaps have offered all-wheel drive and done something more innovative with regard to the suspension set-up. As it is, its a slightly raised supermini that does nothing different than Hondas HRV (1998). I know I ought to get over Citroens retreat from technical innovation. If this car had been available with hydropneumatics it would have had a super USP. The styling is not enough for me. Hondas HRV had an all-wheel drive option plus striking looks. Nissans Juke has all-wheel drive as an option and is a more amusing drive.
I am surprised that the Cactus has not been a runaway success. I can only surmise that the styling is proving divisive. Otherwise there really is no rival if you are looking for five doors and some personality for 12k.
There are lots of them here in Denmark. The yellow-black combo and the beige-brown combo are not unusual. I think the UK market has rules of its own. Yet this was the market where in the 70s Lancia was the most popular imported brand.
Ive seen the Cactus with its nice and its not so nice interiors. I liked the spaciousness which is common to all of them. I didnt think the grey interior was bad as such and youd think someone considering this car would want to have the warmer colours and jazzier trims. Plainly its not a car to attract wall-flowers. Still, remember that the UK is a different market and overall the Cactus seems to be selling quite well elsewhere. PSA reports that theyve sold 100,000 units already. Every unit they sell now is mostly profit. Weep not for PSA.
Well, several times i i was passenger in a Nissan Juke, but i do not understand the sympathy for this car. It has a harsh ride, the dashboard looks pretty cheap and gloomy and the small boot is a complete juke-joke.
The Cactus is quite successful in some european markets. Spain, Benelux, Italy or Denmark for example. Of course not in Germany, where the market is dominanted by Volkswagen and their brands. The Yeti is clearly number one here and if a boring styled Volkswagen will enter this category, he will have more sales than all of its opponents together.
The Opel Mokka is also very popular here, that is astonishing for me a little bit (because he is a actually a korean car that is not cheap and a little bit to thirsty), the Ford Ecosport is a flop, that is not astonishing at all.
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Hello
I am contemplating getting a second hand Citroen C3 Picasso, probably a 2009-2011 era one at 2500-3000.
Various review sites seem to disagree on which is the better engine to get.
I understand the 1.6 diesel can feel sluggish on getting up to speed and a bit noisy.
The difference in mpg between the petrol and the diesel is not a decision-maker for me.
The massively reduced VED on the diesel, could be.
Just wondering if there are other considerations. I see that some versions of the diesel do not have the dreaded DMF.
Also can any owners of a model in the relevant trim, describe how the front passenger seat folds? Guessing it's a fold forward rather than a fold flat? Just wondering if it's possible to very occasionally sleep one person (5'10") in one of these!
Do you intend on driving to Bristol city centre any time soon? If so, this may decide for you as they are proposing a daytime ban on all diesel cars (even very modern low-emission ones with DPF and AdBlue). For London you'd have to pay the ULEZ charge but at about 15 quid that's not a killer unless you're going every day.
Cheers Neil. I meant DMF (dual mass flywheel)
Thanks for flagging up the "city centre" thing, I was aware of it, and can work around it. I don't plan to drive into Bristol city centre often enough for it to be a deal breaker. Ditto London.
I am not going to be gobbling up motorway miles so it could be argued that I am not a diesel customer at all, but as the diesel is better on emissions (and up to 130 cheaper per year on VED) it is attractive - at the same time, I am not a driver who should "never" get a diesel - I am not doing short hops around town, every drive is at least a decent 15 mile run which should be JUST enough not to kill the engine!
When you're at the show room, try and change the front headlight bulb. I seem to remember one or both, being a right pain. The trim, acceleration etc are minor considerations. Its a small car made to take the kids to school and to nip to the shops. Don't expect too much in the way of F1 type performance.
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