2003 Citroen C3 Pluriel from UK and Ireland - Comments

Roof leaked after heavy rain, causing water marks on the interior trim.

Alarm seems very sensitive.

Light grey coloured seats seems to mark too easily, needs constant valeting.

A great little car for the time I owned it, unfortunately the British weather lets it down as you don't get enough days in the year to take the roof off.

Was quite heavy on petrol consumption, and I found that the SensoDrive gearbox blunts performance somewhat. Still, it turned heads and boasts the same charm as the original 2CV.

Not particularly practical, especially if you own a dog - still great fun to drive and own and that's what counts in the end.

I have had a C3 Pluriel since last August 2004 and although I am generally pleased with it, I do agree with many of the comments here.

It is quite heavy on fuel even compared to my previous car, which was a Saxo VTR which also had the 1.6i engine. The most economical way of driving the car seems to be in the manual mode, reserving Auto for stopstart driving.

The sensodrive has a few issues that can be a little frustrating. For example, if you are in Auto and slowing down for a left turn, it seems to have to "think" about changing down a gear.

Despite this, it's a nice car and different in a quirky way which I like. Provided you use the manual paddle or stick change it seems fine.

I took delivery of my Citroen C3 Pluriel and have had nothing, but problems since. These initially ranged from:

My husband very kindly bought me a C3 Pluriel for Xmas 2003. I wish he hadn't.

The roof still leaks, even though the modification was carried out and the water stains on the front seats have to be valetted out when I can't stand looking at them any more.

Since new, I am on my fourth windscreen. They keep breaking at the same mid centre point at the bottom of the screen - the dealership say it's from stones hitting my windscreen, but as the crack starts below the rubber seal between the windscreen wipers with no traces of stone chip marks I find this hard to believe, and I think it is a design flaw in the windscreen. The nice man from the windscreen replacement centre (we are now on first name terms) says in his opinion it is a stress fracture, as the windscreen is curved horizontally, vertically and diagonally and so cannot take the strain. I don't know if anyone else has had this problem, the dealership say they have not had any other complaints.

A constant flapping noise comes from the loose clip things at the top of the rear window, as they are spring loaded, as soon as you get up to about 60mph the wind gets under them and they flap up and down, it took me ages to work out what was making the noise. Also, the engine just cuts out occassionally, for no apparent reason, last time I was going round a roundabout, which caused havoc for the vehicles behind me! Again, as this doesn't happen regularly there was no trace of it when it went to the dealership, so I have been told it must be my driving! maybe it is, but this is not going to win an award for the best after sales care I'm afraid.

Anyway if anyone else has a windscreen problem I would like to know, as it's costing me a fortune in replacements, and my insurance company are thinking about putting up my premium because I am so careless with windscreens! As I don't have more money than sense, I am beginning to think my husband has as he bought the car in first place. So if you are thinking about a Pluriel, I wouldn't bother unless you can

1. get it really cheap and don't mind about the seats being wrecked by the water ingress

2. enjoy getting on first name terms with your local windscreen chap.

Ref: C3 Pluriel owners

I am about to buy a used C3 pluriel 1.6 senso drive, 10/2003 model 10000km, I took the car to a Citroen service owned by a friend to check.

Everything he checked about the car was great! The only thing it was a leak coming inside the front of the passengers cabin (both sides) coming from the joint between the side arches and the front windows when you pour water over the hood. The Citroen spare parts dealer assured me that the manufacturer has produced new redesigned rubber seal kits for the hood that they let the water run out to solve the problem. Car is still on guaranty so there will be no charge on fixing the problem.

Does anyone know about the new rubber seal roof kit?

Has anyone tryed it yet?

Thanks

Socrates.

Well I bought a C3 Pluriel, 1.6 Sensodrive on July 2003, I was the first in Crete, driving this funny car...

But I have to agree with all the people above as I faced the same problems.

During heavy rainfalls it leaks a lot from both sides. I was called from the local Citroen service to be repaired with the new kit, but still in some occasions and depending the angle of the rain, still leaks.

I was very quickly adapted to the operation of the sencodrive gearbox, but suddenly when from the reverse I had to turn to the first gear, the gearbox did not accept any command, and the snow sign was on. It happened frequently and once I was just in the middle of a road and I was very lucky, that I avoided an accident with a coming truck.

The worst was that for almost one year, I could not open the roof, as the 2 angles had not put in the right position, as they said to me, so the satisfation that I got from this car was zero. It was supposed that I bought this car for driving with open roof, and it was always closed.

I am trying to exchange this car with the new C4, but even the local dealer does not wish to get it as a used car, as they know that it will not be easy to resold.

My advise do not touch this car. Citroen has produced in the past masterpieces, and for that reason I adore Citroen's. This car was a great design idea, but not so good in production.

Although I don't have a Pluriel C3 but a 'normal' C3 Vivache from 2003, I also had the same window crack problems, starting at the same location as described in one of the former comments in this topic list. Fortunately, it's only the first after 54000 km. and I sure hope it's the last...

I purchased my Pluriel in March 2004 and was delighted with it for a week... until it rained! Since then my car has leaked 6+ times, resulting in various courtesy cars and hassle. I have been assured every time the car goes back to be "repaired" that they can fix the problem this time. However, the leaks have now become far worse than before and I really would advise anyone considering the purchase of a Pluriel to think carefully about doing so. They are nice cars, but only when the sun is shining...

I agree with the above comments that the light grey seats do mark way too easily. My seats are now completely ruined due to the leaks, and valeting doesn't completely resolve the issue.

I bought a Pluriel in July 2004, my first ever new car. I loved the quirky design and the idea of owning a soft top was appealing.

It was the worst decision I've ever made!

I have never had the roof off as it has been with the dealers for most of the good weather.

The roof seals leaked and have been refitted 10 times, including the "new improved" type. The last time the "new" seals were fitted there was so much silicone sealer used that the rubber bulged... causing leaks! The dealer told me the seals were OK until the roof is removed... not great news for a convertible! I have also been told not to jet wash the car as it will interfere with the seals!

I have owned the car for 18 months and it has been back to the dealers on 15 occasions, the longest being for 2 months. It is due in again this week.

The seals have been replaced around the drivers door, passenger door, around the boot and over the rear of the car.

The upholstery requires cleaning constantly due to the water stains.

The glove box door could be opened by your little finger, even when locked. Citroen replaced the door twice which did not resolve the problem. Even I could see that the door catch was not meeting properly. It turns out the only way to rectify this is to remove the dash completely, which of course is not cost effective so they screwed a bit of plastic to the existing catch to elongate it... TOP JOB! It looks tacky and still does not work properly.

I attempted to hand back the car to the dealers, but unsuccessfully.

In the US there is a three strike system, which means the consumer has the right to a new car if it is returned to the dealers on the 3rd occasion. By my reckoning I am due 5 cars from Citroen!

My car has had over £2500 of warranty work carried out and is due for more.

The dealers have been less than helpful and a number of my returns to them is due to shoddy work.

I am in the process of taking more legal advice, but don't hold out much hope.

I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone!

Hi! Yes I have had the same scary experience pulling out on a round about and the car just kind of stalls for a bit and just before you think your going to get hit by a car it jerks into action. Not fun. The service dept have had it in 3 times to reload S/W. This time they are going into the "BSR". I don't have a clue what that means, but I hope it fixes it.

Otherwise I love the car! I had a seal replaced once and no other problems other than some dodgy speakers crackling a bit.

Cheers.

I have written to Watchdog regarding the leaks I have encountered with my Pluriel. It has been in for repair 6 times now, and every time the leaks get worse. I feel the whole situation is incredulous and urge you all to complain-why should they get away with selling us faulty goods!

Web address for Watchdog: http://www.bbc.co.uk.

If enough people complain, it will be on watchdog yet AGAIN!

We bought our Citroen Pluriel in Jan 2004 and we love it. I am not new to cars; I have had around 25 to date and I have been driving 45 years, but this is definitely the most fun-car of the lot. We do a heavy mileage - around 25,000 miles per year, including one trip to Spain and one to Italy in this car - and we have had few problems. Yes - we have had the roof problems that everyone else seems to have had, but not as severe as other reports. We had early small leaks and had the 'remedy kit' applied and the seat covers renewed under warranty. This worked at first and then the leaks started again, though not as bad as at first. So 12 months ago the dealer did a complete roof renewal under warranty and not a drop inside since. As far as we understand, there has been a re-design of the roof, and if so, that would be our experience. I am not one who cares too much about cars so long as they get me from A to B when required, but I have to say this one is just a pleasure to drive. Could that be the reason that every other Pluriel driver I pass smiles, and most of them wave!!

Unfortunately most people don't appear to have had the exceptional service as listed above. My car leaks every time it rains, and I will be getting rid ASAP. Do NOT BUY this car unless you want years of hassle. It's not acceptable for a roof to leak at all - even minor leaks.

My car also rattles like an old tin can, even though it's not yet 2 years old. RUBBISH.

I bought a new Pluriel at the end of May, since then have had to have a new battery (manufacturer fault, according to dealer) a new seat belt connection (manufacturer fault, according to dealer) the sensodrive gear box has had to have new software downloaded as it stuck in neutral, again with the scary issue of lorrys bearing down at vast speed Problem with the paintwork, rattling from rear drivers side suspension, and it has failed to start on two occasions. The icing on the cake was when the centre dashboard display stopped working, (it was broke, according to the dealers) and a new one has had to be ordered that would take 2-3 days (according to the dealers) 7 weeks later and I am still waiting, the part is in France, I could have walked to France by now and picked it up. Having spoken to customer service in Slough today I was informed that as the part and labour was being paid for under warranty I would be getting it for nothing! on a car that was 4 months old when it went wrong I would expect nothing less, and no-one can give me any idea of when to expect the part. When I complained to customer service about all the other problems as well I was informed that cars are mechanical and things do go wrong. If this is the expectation of Citroen that a car of less than 6 months old can have so many issues what hope have we got of things being put right speedily and appropriately, or of them doing a recall so things don't go wrong. Despite the problems when its running properly it is a brilliant, fun car, its just a pity that it is spoilt by poor reliability.

I live in Crete and bought a brand new Pluriel in June 2005.

I have the five speed manual version with climate control and a "refrierated glove locker" for keeping drinks cold. I don't know if this version is available in the UK. In over 30,000 kms it has been back to the dealer three times. Once for him to push the rear window back onto the side rails. I was not "slamming it home" hard enough he said. Once for its annual service, and once because the power steering was intermittent. This was because, he said, I turned the wheel as I started the engine and "confused" the computer. If it happens again, I was told, turn off the engine and restart it. It has not, however, happened again. I average 35 mpg in the summer and just over 40 mpg in the winter. I assume that the climate control is responsible for the increased summer fuel consumption. Crete has roughly the same annual rainfall as the UK, the only difference being that we get it all in Jan & Feb. 9 inches in 24 hours is not unusual! The car stands outside at all times and has never leaked. My only complaint is that I can only drive with the roof off during the spring and autumn as driving with the roof off during the summer is a recipe for sunstroke!

I bought my pluriel in May 05 and I absolutely loved it until I drove it off the forecourt! I had overheating problems for weeks and they eventually discovered the thermostat had gone! Then, one night it was pouring down with rain and I went to open my car door and the handle came off in my hand. This happened twice. A hole then appeared in the drivers seat which got bigger and bigger so I had to have a new seat cover, the problems with the gear box, yes I've had those as well. I also had to have window trims re-fitted, the light in the boot has popped out and won't pop back in again, and I had to have some steering joint replaced. The seats look like someone has thrown blackcurrent juice all over them even though I haven't had a leak in the roof and no-one is allowed drinks in it! I'm embarrassed when anyone gets into my car. Well to top it all my roof went down on Friday night and wouldn't come back up again. I ended up dashing to the dealership as I don't have a garage and it was forecast for torrential rain that night. They took it in and I got a quote today for around £500 to get it back up. Well its gone at the weekend, whether its sold or burned in a car park it will be gone!