Damn French Cars - Advice Needed

[daveyrach]

Long story short, we bought a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso last year and picked it up on Chrstmas Eve. It is a 57 plate and has just had its 4th birthday.

Not long after getting it there was a fault with the electrics and we took it back numerous times and finally in February they said they had to keep it in for Citroen to inspect as they could not resolve the issue, they ended up keeping it for 9 weeks, we did have a like for like car and the issue was finally resolved.

Within a week of getting the car back i had a complaint about the clutch operation which was not there before and transpires it needed a clutch again done FOC.

Now for the second time in as many weeks with the heavy rain i got in it this morning to find water running into the footwell, Citroen advised when i called them it was probably a blocked drip try for the aircon overflowing, but it only happens when it rains. The drainage channels in the scuttle panel go into a collector under the bonnet which then goes through the bulkhead into the car (very bad design in my opinion)

What should I say when I call them later, the car is out of warrant by a year but we paid for an extended warranty and the fact I have only had it 10 months, 2 of which it was in the garage really grates on me. Can i demand its fixed and refuse to pay??

Thanks guys

[maviczap]

Yep, don't buy a French car

[daveyrach]

First and last I ever buy, had a 10 year old Astra before, never had a problem, then we had another daughter so had to upsize to a 7 seater.

Don't make cars like they used to.

[maviczap]

Same here, had a 18 year old Cavalier, never missed a beat and only got rid of it because I bought a campervan, which although has been reliable, its also been a money pit. Plus never used it as a camper :(

Miss my Cavalier.

We've got a Zafira, which is alright but the build quality is no where near the same as my old Cav.

Buy Japanese, Mazda or Honda

[daveyrach]

Had a Zafira, traded it in for the C4, had similar issues, was a used car from a Vauxhall dealer, literally had bits fall of of it, mainly Windows Switches, Engine Under trays, straw that broke the camels back was when the alternator went mikes from home, that was less than 2 years old at the time.

I miss my Astra, trouble is it wouldn't be big enough now

[maviczap]

Touch wood ours has been ok, but I wouldn't buy another one.

Mazda 7 looks good

But my old boss had a new Mazda and had no end of problems because it was a diesel & it didn't like short journeys. Too many sensors getting clogged up with diesel crud, made the ecu go nuts.

Thats the problem with modern cars too many gizmos

[Biker Biggles]

Didnt Citroen have an ad-----"loves driving hates garages"
Thats the French sense of humour for you.

[maviczap]

Didnt Citroen have an ad-----"loves driving hates garages"
Thats the French sense of humour for you.

No it was translated incorrectly by the Ad agency over here. :smt001

[Bluefish]

Might just be a rubber drain grommety thing blocked, google it.

[Sir Trev]

But my old boss had a new Mazda and had no end of problems because it was a diesel & it didn't like short journeys. Too many sensors getting clogged up with diesel crud, made the ecu go nuts.

Thats the problem with modern cars too many gizmos

Not quite - that's the problem with PEOPLE who don't do their research and have no idea that diseasal engines are not suited to short journeys. Most modern diseasals will do this, especially if they are DPF equipped, no matter what manufacturer.

[maviczap]

Not quite - that's the problem with PEOPLE who don't do their research and have no idea that diseasal engines are not suited to short journeys. Most modern diseasals will do this, especially if they are DPF equipped, no matter what manufacturer.

True, but he was a Captain and knew nothing about engines, where as I was an oily rag and did.

Trouble was he used to do a 45 mile drive to work each day in his old diesel Cav, which was perfect for the engine, but after he retired and bought this Mazda, he wasn't doing the long journeys any more.

My neighbours Skoda Octavia also suffers from problems with sensors and he adds something to the fuel to keep the sensors clean, as he's also not doing the high milage trips any more.

[daveyrach]

Might just be a rubber drain grommety thing blocked, google it.

I have, even on the C4owners forum, BUT behind my dash looks completely different to all the pics i have seen, Citroen have agreed to look at it tomorrow morning but they also think it is the drain tube. I have about an inch of water in there now.

[maviczap]

Are you sure its not the Volvic dispenser tap not being closed properly ;)

Sorry I'm not helping am I

I'll get my coat

[The Basket]

My Citroen C4 is fine thanks for asking.

The guys on C4 owners are very good. If they can't help then no one can.

[daveyrach]

My Citroen C4 is fine thanks for asking.

The guys on C4 owners are very good. If they can't help then no one can.

If you ever get a reply, trouble is mine is a C4 Grand Picasso not a C4 hatchback like yours, so people tend to take longer answer questions. People keep saying they are the same but that is rubbish, behind my dash is completely different to a normal C4 hatchback.

[Lozzo]

How many kids have you got DaveyRach?

[daveyrach]

Four, as well as me and my wife so need 6 seats, can't afford to change cars again now, like the Honda FR-V though.

[Lozzo]

Four, as well as me and my wife so need 6 seats, can't afford to change cars again now, like the Honda FR-V though.

I'd sell one of the children and get a smaller car, mate - I hear Arabs pay well for blonde ones if you have any.

[Specialone]

I really have bad eyesight at times, I seen the title at first as Dawn French cars lol

[daveyrach]

I really have bad eyesight at times, I seen the title at first as Dawn French cars lol

Lol

[daveyrach]

I'd sell one of the children and get a smaller car, mate - I hear Arabs pay well for blonde ones if you have any.

The blonde ones are my favourites

[The Basket]

If you ever get a reply, trouble is mine is a C4 Grand Picasso not a C4 hatchback like yours, so people tend to take longer answer questions. People keep saying they are the same but that is rubbish, behind my dash is completely different to a normal C4 hatchback.

I feel your pain my Citroën brother. Its a coup actually...like Loeb had:)

From what a read, its summat to do with the air con letting go. I would really perservere with C4 owners as they is the best you is going to get. They have helped me plenty. Sometimes go thru the history and searches as I am sure this prob has been discussed before. Better bet than a SV forum....especially this one with its German bias....