What car did you choose the DS3 over?

[k20aje]

Most disappointing car ever based on preconceptions.

At around 6 months old and 10k miles I started getting the death rattle from the timing chain.
Dealer could never get the bonnet lined up and aligned properly. Chrome trim round the waist of the car never lined up from new.
Windscreen whistle in strong headwinds and any speed above 70mph, sounded like a demented wasp.
Frameless windows on the doors leaked at high speed, and froze together in sub-zero temperatures.
In winter if you set the heater to feet only, the car vented stone cold air through the gap below the steering binnacle straight on to your knees. A common complaint and the dealer tried 2 other cars which did the same.
The petrol cap locking pin was about 5mm in diameter and plastic ...... it broke, not exactly secure! Not sure who broke it, but we didnt get any fuel stolen.
The run flat tyres were lethal when you were breaking heavily on a rutted road. The front end bounced all over and scared us a few times. I spoke to a tech guy at Dunlop and ended up putting the same range of tyre on but normal tyres. The handling was transformed and made the car far safer. Run flats are superb on super smooth roads and roundabouts but on poor fen roads ...... Scarey. When I picked up the car I discovered the front tyres were at 20psi, by looking you honestly couldn't tell.


Audi A1 .... We did look at one but discounted it straight away as it looked a lot smaller inside than the DS3.


K20 ....... 360bhp!!!!! I heard Subaru did a full leather seat option but never seen one in the flesh. My friends went up in smoke when it was 3 years old due to the wiring loom behind the dash near the drivers door being rubbed through and shorting out.

When I get onto my computer ill show some pics it's a shame it's sat on my drive wasting away I've owned her from 2 years old

[Chris]

I had pretty much all of them problems you had with your Mini! The runflats are terrible you literally have to wrestle with the steering wheel on a less-than-perfect road surface, I too opted for non-runflats towards the end, Continental SportContacts, much improved the ride and handling.

I had a complete timing chain replacement! And STILL experienced problems 10 months later or so, resulting in more modification to the chain. I also had a new clutch and flywheel at 24k, then another at 52k very recently after faulty flywheel caused premature wear to the clutch, both under warranty of course but then I was told the car had a transmission problem, it was leaking oil in three places, had a splitting engine mount and other niggles, coupled with the fact I'd wanted a DS3 for months, just seemed a sensible idea to finally part with my Mini!

Researched the THP engine issues, and realised that a 2010 Dsport would only mirror some of the problems I had with the Mini, and I couldn't afford a brand new one, hence the Dstyle I own (and love) currently

[BOBO-DS3]

Being a mobility car my choices were endless there was an insignia sri 2.0 cdti i liked but it was rather big then i liked the astra sri vx line with the same engine but it just didnt feel right then there was the leon fr 140 diesel which i come close to choosing as it was a leon i was giving up but a basic spec one and that car never went wrong . I looked at the fiesta zetec s but the dealerships in the area all basically didnt give a toss and i didnt wanna travel mile after mile to find another so that went then i rememberd the ds3 phoned a dealers up got a test drive of a diesel 110bhp dsport+ and instantly liked it so much so i signed straight away but a day or so later changed my mind and got the same car but with the thp 155 engine and couldnt be happier with it

[FLP]

A always thought the Sirocco would be my first car, don't know why, I just really like the look of that car inside and outside. But when I started looking for a car more seriously, I discovered that it was a bit too pricy for me.

So then I started looking at some cheaper options: the new Clio, a Fiesta or the DS3. Although the Clio looks nice, it was only available with a max BHP of 90, so that car was out of the pool. Also, in a year or 2 the roads will be filled with those clio's so what I like about those looks will look very common by then.

The Fiesta had the same power problems, just not enough I know it is a great car though, as I have driven my sisters Fiesta on some occasions.

So my only real choice was the DS3, not only for the power, but because of it's styling too! Also, at the time the 3D rear lights where announced, and since I saw that, I completely fell for it. Little details can make it exactly right sometimes

I must say, I made the right choice! (Now let's hope that engine keeps on going.. )

[Den]

I picked a C2 over a DS3. Do i win a prize?

[lfcrule1972]

You certainly do Den !

[Joeauger]

- Audi A1
- Subaru impreza (Hatch)
- 208 GTI
- DS3

Citroen gave the best deal and how can you turn down the looks when you compare it to the other cars.
The Subaru will be my next car tho...

[Gatecrasher]

I owned a Corsa before the DS3 and enjoyed owning it, its a fun car to drive if you get the right model. I was looking at a polo but thought it looked boring. I didn't really consider many other cars once I saw the DS3 to be honest. It was like tunnel vision

[Petewete]

I had a megane before the DS3, though when the DS first came out I knew that's what I was getting, even had the colour picked more than a year before I got it!!

[solent60]

Previous to my DS3 which I had until March this year, I owned the new Fiesta for just over 3 years. It was the Titanium with all the bells & whistles - including full bodykit. I have to say it was extremely nice to drive, very comfortable, and a very good car indeed. The only minus point was the mpg which never came close to Ford's claimed figures!

I always loved the DS3 from its launch - so I bit the bullet and became a proud owner 3 months ago with a 13-plate yellow & black 1.6 VTi. I have to say I find it absolutely wonderful!

I did look at the Audi A1 (too expensive & a little bland if I'm honest), the Alfa Mito (too cheap-looking inside), the VW Scirocco (too expensive as well), and the Seat Leon FR - which was a great drive but just didn't tick all the boxes.

I owned a C2 VTR a few years ago which I loved to bits. Therefore, I had no qualms about owning another Citroen. The build quality & materials used in the DS3 is on a different level to the C2, and I am very glad indeed that I opted for one. Love it to bits! Now I look at the A1... the Leon FR... the Mito - as I hurtle along the motorways of Hampshire & never ever do I think anything other than I made the right choice... by miles!!!

[skylaq]

I was eyeballing a Honda CR-Z for the longest time, took it for a test drive felt ok enough. the interior was kind of boring, then I sat myself in the back seat, and there was no room for me... I'm not a big girl. So that went to my no list pretty quick.

Then I looked at the Alfa, Guilietta (is that how it spells?)... kinda out of my price range when I wanted all the bits and bobs ekstra.

And then I rememberd that car I drove across from me to home from work everyday, that car had some nice looking DRLS.
So I went back to the dealer who had the Honda (they also sell Citroën) and gave the DS3 a good look at.... looked good up close, interior was pretty nice.
Went home and thought... went back to the dealer, "let me try it".
Tried the Diesel first, but not my feel... then I saw my baby, there she was.. I tested her and I fell in love.. a couple days later I signed my contract and she was mine <3

[sted]

i came from a mk6.5 fiesta and has used the mk7 as a courtesy car a few times and every time i drove one it just felt wrong nowt i could pin down but i diddnt want one (though the st has me thinking) would never own another vw based car one was pants enough and the ones people at work have spend lots of time in dealer. like the mito bit the nearest dealer is a long way away and as its a fiat i wasnt comfortable with that. never liked corsas. Like the ka but its too small. focus seems to be rushed rhd conversion. liked the look feel and drive or the ds3 only thing i hate is they seem to depreciate badly granted i could of got it cheaper online but i wasnt comfortable doing so

[Jonbays]

I looked at the Mini which was too go cart like and had a useless boot, the A1 which was too expensive and a bit small too with only 4 seats and the Polo GTI which honestly was the best just too hard to get and therefore a bit more expensive as no deals would be done. The DS3 Sport with a THP200 engine and DSG gearbox now that would be good.

[WTF]

Alfa Mito was an option.........

[TypeDS3]

A neighbour had a Black/Chrome DS3 which caught my eye, so it was always top of my list.

A friend had an Audi A1, which had a great interior but that 'interim model' look on the outside. I had a mini as my first car so I considered a new one but the number of models available and the quantity of them on the road put me off. Also I compared the mini to the DS3 and in every aspect the DS3 for me was better.

I also looked at the AR Mito, VW Polo and Golf, but after test driving the DS3 I didn't want anything else.

Geoff