Newbie - Question for HDi owners and driving instructors

[mrdrivinginstructor]

Hi all.

I joined the site a few days ago and have been flicking through the posts which I've found to be very informative and reassuring as my DS3 is on it's way.

My first post relates to those of you who own a D Style Plus HDi. Myself and 2 of my colleagues are awaiting delivery of our new driving school cars, all DS3's. I just wanted to know what cars you may have had before, particularly if there are any driving insturctors who are forum members. How does the DS3 compare to your previous car and what were the pros and cons of both?

I am currently using a C1 VTR diesel so I'll be moving into a different league with the DS3. I tend not to work on mpg but I get a minimum of 330 miles to a tank full of diesel at a cost of about £50. The most I've got to a tank was 430 miles. I know the DS3 has a larger tank but I'm hoping to get somewhere near to those sort of figures given the stop start technology.

I'd also like to know what the driving instructors have done in relation to a full size or equivalent spare wheel as the D Style Plus' that we're getting do not come with a spare. Not even as an optional extra. I am aware that you do not need one for tests, however a proper spare wheel is a must for me. I had to change a wheel in 5 minutes the other day when an exmainer spotted a screw in the tyre. Lets just say 6 years as a mechanic came in handy and my pupil went on to pass his test.

Kevin

[BeefMasta]

Welcome

I drive the petrol THP and I usually get 350-400 miles out of a tank (depending on how spirited I drive), I know both the diesels get much better mpg so I would imagine you'll easily get 450-500+ easily. Have a look for some of the mpg threads I'm sure you'll find a better estimate.

There's a few driving instructors on here that should be able to answer your other questions.

Get some pics up when it arrives

[msm-shropshire]

Kevin,
I have the exact same car as the one you are getting. I 've not had it long and only filled it 3 times so far. Average over a tank so far is: lowest 48mpg, highest 53.2mpg. I havent done anything about the spare wheel but definately interested. Be careful to give a full briefing on changing 5th to 4th in this car - straight back from 5th and you are in the reverse gears.
Enjoy your new car
Martin

[Yellow]

Hi Kevin. This is my second DS3 school car and never had a problem with anything on it. The pupils will enjoy but so will you. Fuel is ok and as for the spare wheel I have not personally got one but you can pm John Nichol who will be able to sort the parts you need and if you order before xmas they are cost price (excellent Citroen dealer). I know the other Martin has had a problem with 5th and reverse but I never have so see what happens. Previous cars I have had are Corsa, Clio and new Fiesta and the DS3 wipes the floor with them all. Have fun and welcome to the club :0)

[TimH]

Hi Kevin. As ds3adi said it's by far the best driving school car I've had and my pupils all love it as I'm sure yours will.

I had a 1.3 cdti Corsa before the ds3 and fuel consumption seems better in the ds3.

I'm planning on getting a full size spare when I get mine back.

[mrdrivinginstructor]

Thanks very much for the warm welcome to the forum and for all of your comments guys. Much appreciated.

I get the feeling that the DS3 will be the first "work car" that I will also enjoy driving which is another reason why I chose it and persuaded the others to do the same. I'm also selling my personal car so I need something that I will feel comfortable in when I'm not working.

I made a few enquiries regarding the full size spare wheel through the Citroen dealer in Scotland whose details are in the parts thread. They were very helpful indeed and quoted me £140 delivered for the steel wheel (without tyre), the jack, and wheelbrace etc. I decided against getting them to supply and fit the tyre as I can get a decent part worn tyre fitted myself. It will be a 16 inch wheel but the tyre size makes up for the difference in wheel size. Just incase any of you need to know, the tyre that should be fitted to the spare wheel should be a 195/55/16.

Kevin

[Nev8741]

Hi, I have had two hdi's, previously owned the 90 & currently have the 110.
The fuel consumption on both are excellent.
Both cars cost about £65 to fill and both cars return approx 650 miles per full tank.
You'll love your new car, there mint.

[ICF]

I got my spare wheel set from John Nicol. Look at this thread http://ds3club.co.uk/showthread.php?...ll-christmas!!

[Bensds3]

I had the exact same upgrade path lol. My pug 107, same as the C1 was gutless slow but did pretty good on fuel although the small fuel tank really put a downer on the long trips i was undertaking. Getting the DS3 is like being let loose with lots of range lots of oomph to get you on the motorway and ive yet to get it to run out of acceleration unlike the 107 which was an everyday occurrence. Being able to run to birmingham to essex and back twice on a tank, im very pleased with the mpg.

[aries driving school]

Hi Kevin,

This is my second DS3 with the first one giving me 45k of touble free teaching.Fuel consumption is 51/52 with roofbox and 2 less when it gets really cold outside.

All my pupils love the car.Here is a list of the things to make it perfect.

Some pups don't always release the handbrake all the way.

When selecting reverse gear it will sometimes sticks and you hear the gears crunch.

The indicators are soft touch so if the pupils hit them to hard they go the other way and the pups can get distracted trying to cancel them.

The brakes are really really good and you find your training books on the back seat land on the floor.

All in all I wouldn't change it for anything else.You can even jump across the seats if it's raining outside.

Anything else you want to know just message me.

Steve

[Chrisp]

Hi, I have had two hdi's, previously owned the 90 & currently have the 110.
The fuel consumption on both are excellent.
Both cars cost about £65 to fill and both cars return approx 650 miles per full tank.
You'll love your new car, there mint.

I'm still amazed how people manage to get such high mpg, is that mostly motorway?

[mrdrivinginstructor]

Thanks Nev, ICF, Ben and Steve.

A quick update:

My colleague visited the Citroen dealership today and saw his DS3 being prepped for collection on Friday. He's getting a Shark Grey with the red roof, I'm getting black with white roof and another one of our instructors is getting red with black roof. All on the virtually the same reg with the final letter being different. I'll be getting mine last unfortunately but better late than never. If anybody is interested in buying a Citroen C1 diesel with dual controls fitted, let me know. I'll be posting it in the for sale section but would I be right in thinking that I have to be a paid member in order to do that?

Kevin

[BeefMasta]

Thanks Nev, ICF, Ben and Steve.

A quick update:

My colleague visited the Citroen dealership today and saw his DS3 being prepped for collection on Friday. He's getting a Shark Grey with the red roof, I'm getting black with white roof and another one of our instructors is getting red with black roof. All on the virtually the same reg with the final letter being different. I'll be getting mine last unfortunately but better late than never. If anybody is interested in buying a Citroen C1 diesel with dual controls fitted, let me know. I'll be posting it in the for sale section but would I be right in thinking that I have to be a paid member in order to do that?

Kevin

Yeah you need to be a paid member to post in the For Sale section. Worth doing though, you get some cool stickers

[Chrisp]

Your not in the same firm as someone called Matt Price are you?

[Jimbob]

If anybody is interested in buying a Citroen C1 diesel with dual controls fitted, let me know. I'll be posting it in the for sale section but would I be right in thinking that I have to be a paid member in order to do that?

Kevin

Good move - it is now advertised in this post at least! Never know you might get some response - good luck.

Jimbob