Planning to buy 2011 Ds3 diesel - what to look for?

[Carl0s]

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to switch my old trusty mondy to ds3 diesel. I went to test drive one today, and i have to admit that i was sold. But, i have no experience in any french car, so i need some guidance. I drive quite lot, ~50000km/year, so what are the weak points of the ds3? The engine is the joint operation of ford, and ive driven 150000km whit the previous 16v version, and were happy whit it. But how about the body? Suspension? Electronics?

On the test drive first thing i notice was that when i used the rear wiper, it refused to stop. I turned the car of, took the keys out and the rear blade was still constantly wiping. When i turned tye car back on, and drived to the sales man, it stopped (and worked fine for the rest of the testdrive).

When i continued the testdrive, i noticed that the passenger airbag deactivation light was on? Tho, it turned off after i gained ~30km/h speed.

The car is 90000km driven, 1 previous owner and spotless service record. Drives nicely and comfortably, compared to my mondy they are incredebly close regardless the size difference.

There realy is no tilting steering colum?

Hmm, thats about it, but if you have anything, good or bad about the car to tell, please feel free

Thanks
Carl

[BenS]

Hi Carl, I'm sure more people (with diesels) will be here soon to help out, but here's what I know from my 2011 petrol:

Rear wiper - the switch turns once to activate, and twists more to activate the washer (but then goes back to the normal "on" position), so you have to turn it back off by twisting away from you. Also, if auto wipers are on (push stick down), then the rear wiper will auto activate when reversing.

Passenger airbag light - shows when starting the car to warn you not to put child seats the passenger seat in while airbag is activated. If you have any heavy items resting on the seat, it may trigger it along with the passenger seatbelt warning. The on/off switch for the airbag is in the glove compartment and requires the key to change it.

Steering column - has VERY limited adjustment. The lever is down to the left underside of the column (for right-hand drive cars, not sure about European), there is some height and reach adjustment but try playing with the seat height too (lever on the outside of your seat)

Good points - nice feel of quality, very fun to drive, looks stylish, lots of potential for personalisation, very comfortable inside, large boot/trunk capacity, very good fuel economy

Bad points - soft paintwork chips easily, back seats don't have much space

[lfcrule1972]

Given your annual mileage you might want to look around for the lower mileage DS3, other than the normal things to look out for (service history etc), you could look for:

1. Corrosion of alloy wheels - if it has the diamond cut Citroen wheels look out for white lines on the polished metal surfaces of the wheels
2. Diesel Particle Filter - Keep an eye out for DPF warning lights, if the car has done plenty of long journeys this should be fine, if not the filter may be blocked and that can be v expensive to replace if it can't be cleared.
3. Paintwork - the paint is quite soft so take a look over all the panels to check that you'll be happy with the finish and any scratches or marks

Most importantly remember to have fun - they're great cars !

[Hyperkev]

Exhaust bracket is another mines on 60k faultless

[WTF]

Hi everyone!

I'm planning to switch my old trusty mondy to ds3 diesel. I went to test drive one today, and i have to admit that i was sold. But, i have no experience in any french car, so i need some guidance. I drive quite lot, ~50000km/year, so what are the weak points of the ds3? The engine is the joint operation of ford, and ive driven 150000km whit the previous 16v version, and were happy whit it. But how about the body? Suspension? Electronics?

On the test drive first thing i notice was that when i used the rear wiper, it refused to stop. I turned the car of, took the keys out and the rear blade was still constantly wiping. When i turned tye car back on, and drived to the sales man, it stopped (and worked fine for the rest of the testdrive).

When i continued the testdrive, i noticed that the passenger airbag deactivation light was on? Tho, it turned off after i gained ~30km/h speed.

The car is 90000km driven, 1 previous owner and spotless service record. Drives nicely and comfortably, compared to my mondy they are incredebly close regardless the size difference.

There realy is no tilting steering colum?

Hmm, thats about it, but if you have anything, good or bad about the car to tell, please feel free

Thanks
Carl

Keep us posted with what you decide to do! LOts of good advice above for you

[Carl0s]

Heya,

Sorry for the delay... unfortunately the the ds3 was not the pick for my next car, we (my wife) came in conclusion that the vehicle have to have 5 doors. But, i did "Fall for the french" and went for the next best thing, C3. Atleast now when im driving i can pretend that im driving ds3 (maybe some day). Got it yesterday, and after 500km it still feels nice, agile and solid car.

Since the ds3 and C3 share lot of tech and chase, i think i will hang in here for some dumb questions

1. Is there any "aftermarket" software that can be used for faultcodes and module prpframming?

2. If so, anyone knows if the difference between the dv6-xx power output is only in the software? (In dw-10 found in mondeos and psa the 150/160 is only software difference, and you were able to change it using IDS / Elmconfig) by quick compare they seem to be identical apart the power output.

3. Start/stop my brother manages independent workshop, that has bosch universal tester, we checked the vehicle for fault codes, and i noticed that even tho the vehicle does not have start/stop, there is start/stop control module present. Also, i registered ro citroens electronic technical information service, and it shows that the car has been assembled whitout start/stop and whit stage 6 starter. Is it possible to retrofit this feature? And is it only a matter of enabling it from configuration (question 1) or does it require different start motor? (Stage 7?)

Thanks
Carl

[Bigfeet]

Elmconfig)...3. Start/stop my brother manages independent workshop, that has bosch universal tester, we checked the vehicle for fault codes, and i noticed that even tho the vehicle does not have start/stop, there is start/stop control module present. Also, i registered ro citroens electronic technical information service, and it shows that the car has been assembled whitout start/stop and whit stage 6 starter. Is it possible to retrofit this feature? And is it only a matter of enabling it from configuration (question 1) or does it require different start motor? (Stage 7?)

Thanks
Carl

My advice is don't.

A replacement alternator for a Stop/Start car is rather expensive unless you opt for cheaper parts, if the car is running fine then leave it as it is.

[StevenRB45]

To me the stop/start system is of limited value, I doubt you'll save enough in fuel to pay for retrofit, the main benefit I can detect is less time sitting listening to the engine hammering away at lights.

[Carl0s]

So the start/stop models are equipted whit different starters / alternators compared to "standard"?

If the retrofit would require changing parts, then im not bothering, bit if its just a matter of software, then it might be reasonable to do

The idea was to "map out" the differences between the different options, what you could retrofit using only software (like the power output of dw-10c (2.0 diesel) engine line), and what requires parts to be changed

Steven: would it be possible for me to get vin of your car to compare the build data at the citroen technical service?

[StevenRB45]

From what I recall the E-HDI cars have a combined alternator/starter. However not worth the effort ours still guzzles fuel and only has a point because without it it wouldn't be free to tax. Yours would still have it's original tax banding so doesn't even have that benefit. OH currently has it at work so no VIN I'm afraid.

[StevenRB45]

Oh and an E-booster, which as far as I can tell is a capacitor that holds charge siphoned off when accelerating to help restart the engine quicker than just a standard battery start up.

[Carl0s]

Oh and an E-booster, which as far as I can tell is a capacitor that holds charge siphoned off when accelerating to help restart the engine quicker than just a standard battery start up.

Seems to be so... Pulled the VIN by license plate from one vehicle in sale online, and did the comparisation:

My Vehicle:
Electrical
ALTERNATOR: ALTERNATOR 150 AMP
BATTERY: BATTERY L2 400
STARTER MOTOR: CLASS 6 STARTER MOTOR

The E-HDI:
ALTERNATOR: ISTT50
BATTERY: BATTERY L3 760 SEALED(L3 760 VRLA 760 EN AGM)
STARTER MOTOR: CLASS 6 STARTER MOTOR

By doing a quick Google search whit the ISTT50 i got youtube video of valeo system that has double action alternator. Tho, its bit confusing that there is still Level 6 starter in both vehicles.

Up next, i need to pull the data from vehicle whit the 120PS, DV6-FC.

Question: Is there any software / cable combo that you can use to change the configuration parameters of the vehicle?

[lfcrule1972]

From what I recall the E-HDI cars have a combined alternator/starter. However not worth the effort ours still guzzles fuel and only has a point because without it it wouldn't be free to tax. Yours would still have it's original tax banding so doesn't even have that benefit. OH currently has it at work so no VIN I'm afraid.

Is yours still bad with low mpg ? I can't understand that..... my 115 eHDi averaged 56-60mpg and that was with AC on all the time. The 90 eHDi's appeared to return better mpg according to most posts on the forum.

[StevenRB45]

I may have the wrong end of the stick with the system but I believe the starters are the same as its only used on the E-HDI for starting on the key. The restart after a stop start function is done by the alternator instead if I understand the system correctly.

[StevenRB45]

Is yours still bad with low mpg ? I can't understand that..... my 115 eHDi averaged 56-60mpg and that was with AC on all the time. The 90 eHDi's appeared to return better mpg according to most posts on the forum.

Still just scraping 50mpg in summer doing low 40s in winter.