Faults:

So far only the following - the reason for seeking opinion here...

1) The radio (CD + CD Changer model) has big problems with weak stations that the '93 Xantia has NO problem with (if checked in the same location at the same time - ie allowing for bad reception conditions). RDS will not kick in - and there appears to be a lot of mushy interference. The Xantia will allow me to listen to weak stuff quite happilly with reasonbale sound, the C5 is relatively distorted as well as noisy. I am referring it to the dealer for attention during the first free service. ==Has anyone else this problem? Please comment...==

2) The automatic lights come on too late in my opinion - particularly in bad weather when the lighting conditions are poor I have to override the auto. Have asked dealer if they can adjust - no answer yet.

General Comments:

Overall very happy with this car. (Bar the above issues) it does everything it says on the tin.

Handling is great although I'm yet to realise what Sport does for me. It is an easy vehicle to drive quickly and still feel safe.

It occasionally feels like the back end jolts to one side when hitting a bump, but there is no loss of control.

Fuel consumption appears v. good - still running mine in - expect it to improve more. Achieving 38mpg average - lots of local kids taxi work plus some longer non-motorway trips.

For a biggish car it's easy to park although the lack of turning circle can be annoying - OK a few more manouevers are required, but I think they got this wrong - it certainly makes using multi-story car parks with sharp bends more difficult, but still posssible.

Auto wipers work v.well, but don't like having to return switch to off and back to auto each time car is restarted. Same for rear wipe - you cannot just leave it set and turn it off if you don't want it.

The only other gripes I have are:

The radio controls on the steering stalk are fiddly and don't fall nicely to hand.

Similarly the cruise control doesn't feel nice, but works very well.

The boot lid (estate) has to be pulled down and coaxed shut - it needs to be much better ballanced. Xantia is perfect (: (

The boot catch works, but doesn't feel/sound very solid. Will ask dealer about it.

There is a small delay (1s?) on operating headlights (main to dip, not strangely dip to main). Same with the horn.

Faults:

Like several other people putting in reviews, and I have had and am still having problems of noise from the rear suspension, despite two attempts by the dealer to rectify this. The latest attempt was last week and they now have parts on order, to hopefully finally sort this out. Not only is the noise annoying, but it also makes the back-end feel very skittish when on bumpy roads.

Also, I do find the car is not very stable in cross winds on motorways, but my dealer assures me this is normal for this car. Having read another review I shall try putting it into sports mode suspension next time it is windy.

The only other fault I have found it is that, despite having Xenon headlights, the illumination on dipped beam is poor, whilst on main beam I'm lighting up the treetops. Again, two attempts by the dealer to rectify this have failed, but I intend to stand over them while they check the alignment of the headlights when I take the car in.

Overall however a good reliable car, which has covered 13,000 miles in just over six months, the majority of which is a long commute on very busy motorways.

General Comments:

Overall I found the car to be a superb motorway cruiser, and the diesel automatic is brilliant for that, being very responsive yet economical, giving well over 40 mpg despite the automatic box. The acceleration from standing start is very good, and the kick down likewise gives you good acceleration when overtaking.

The car is very comfortable and is quite a bit bigger inside than my previous Xantia, although with the latter being the Activa I do notice the much softer suspension, and the vagueness of the steering. The boot/trunk is simply huge, and the car takes five adult passengers quite easily. I particularly like the steering adjustment, which makes it very easy to get comfortable in the armchair like front seats.

My car has both air-conditioning and a sunroof, although the latter is really too noisy to use on motorways. The air-conditioning however is very good although like another reviewer I find the automatic setting is too noisy and unresponsive. I agree that the button controls leave something to be desired, and also find an annoying fault that when one or what is one side of the car temperature setting, the other side resets itself that setting when ignition is turned off.

Overall I am very pleased with the car, and would certainly consider buying another one. I just wonder why there is no more sporty version, like the Activa for the Xantia?