2001 Citroen Picasso SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Salut!

I've just picked up an HDI import from Ireland with auto air con & alloy's for £11800, but with only a 1 year warranty because it's an import!! Why only a 1 year warranty??

I love the car and think the design is superb. However I found the ride to be on the firm side especially when compared to the Xantia and my CD's become very hot to the touch after about 45 minutes playing time. Is this phenomenon usual?

Also I have also found a small but perceptible juddering sensation when travelling in 4th gear at about 30-35 mph. Some people on this site have suggested pinking as the reason. What can be done to rectify this situation and what causes it to happen?

Many thanks,

Paul.

I am thinking of buying a Picasso or a Zafira in the near future, but cannot make my mind up as to which!

So I would be pleased to receive all comments, for or against, in particular for the Picasso, as I am leaning slightly that way at the moment.

All input will be most appreciated.

Buzz.

I have just found this site after having purchased a 1.8 SX - Wicked Red with glass sunroof and auto air con @ £11649 - bought on the net from Showroom4cars.

Current MPG is only 28.4 but hopefully this will improve after 3,000 miles.

Why didn't Citroen fit trims in the roof channels to cover the unsightly roof bar anchor points. Can trims be bought as an accessory?

One other point, leave changing the wheel to GreenFlag unless you want to put your back out pushing the spare back in the tray - not easy.

Keep up the good work - the site is very informative.

Best of luck.

Des.

I have just returned from a family holiday in France - the car was great.

Only problem was that darned reflection! It was appalling on sunny roads when going from bright to shady conditions - Citroen should definitely do something!

Also, I still do not know how to sort out the headlights for driving on the right.

Regarding windscreen reflections, I was advised to try polarising sunglasses, so I went out and bought a pair and voila!! Virtually no glare, no reflections - brilliant. Try it yourself.

I just bought a 1.8SX from showroom4cars after testing various other options for several weeks. The Picasso really is the personality option in a market space filled with clones (Zafira, Scenic) or clowns (Multipla, Tino).

That people either rate or hate the Picasso just shows me that it is a 'real' Citroen!

I tried a pre-launch 110 hp 1.6 BTW as I wanted to know if I should wait for its formal introduction, yet the 1.8 was superior in every way IMO, more powerful and refined. I'm sure it won't be too much less economical too.

Great forum here BTW!

Do you know what the official bhp is for the 1.8SX petrol?

All the MPG comments seem to relate to the HDI engine.

What's best MPG return recorded for the 1.8 SX?

After 600 miles mine's improved from 28 mpg to 32 mpg.

Has anybody achieved the book figures?

I picked up my Citroen Picasso 1.6SX yesterday. The 80 mile drive from the dealer was delightful, however my wife cannot see the front of the car from the driver's seat, in fact she cannot see any of the bonnet and she is 5'4" so she is not very happy!

We are going to France next week and will do about 2500 miles, any suggestions regarding the 1st service. The dealer said 95% that the mileage would not invalidate the guarantee, but it is the other 5% that worries me. Has anyone had the first service done in France.. any problems?

Alan in Devon.

Reference to the MPG for 1.8 SX. My 2000 model has done 18000 miles and I check my mileage by the computer, and the old fashioned way with a calculator (surprisingly, I found the computer only gives a slightly better return by half a mile per gallon). Anyway, I live in a small city and 50 percent of my driving is done in town. My average MPG is 33.5, and when I recently did 200 miles, all on motorway, and between 70 -75 miles per hour it returned 40.3, which impressed me.

MD.

Response to Alan in Devon:

I suppose to stock answer is upgrade the wife for a new model.

Seriously though, I found it took some getting used too at first and I'm 6'. Radar parking would be a useful factory fitted option.

Des

Superb response from Citroen regarding my 1st service. A telephone call yesterday, even though I am ex directory and had not listed my 'phone number!!.

Followed by a letter this morning.

They suggest I get my 1st service done in France and pay for it then claim back from my dealer... they also said if the dealer will not pay to send the invoice to Citroen and they would get him to pay!!

Very impressed.

Picked up my new HDi yesterday, very impressed so far.

I'm looking to have an alarm fitted but have read that non-Citroen supplied units may cause problems. Any comments?

Steve.

Steve,

There's a good discussion on the topic of alarms etc. in the www.citroenpicasso.org.uk forum. It's a great and useful site.

Alarm fitment can be iffy because of the multiplex wiring of the Picasso. Clever fitting shouldn't cause a problem however.

Thanks for the response. After I posted I found the forum and read everything I could. I've decided to bite the bullet and have the Citroen supplied system fitted.