First DS3

[Templebell]

Evening everybody

I’ve learnt over the year that if you want good advice about cars join the appropriate forum. Over the years I’ve been a member of the Porsche, Vauxhall and Alfa Romeo owners forums. Now I wish to become a member of a DS3 Owners forum.
The reason is my missus's Alfa 147 2.0 selespeed is about to be retired (well that is one word for it) after being in the family for 12 years and doing 93k miles. Which is a long way for a petrol Alfa. She has now decided that she wants to get a DS3 - so it is up to me to sort it.

So here I am.

I'll soon be asking a few questions about getting the first DS3 - hope you can help.

George

[Funky]

Welcome George. Look forward to what model & colour your wife chooses. There is something for every DS3 owner (and potential owner) on here and plenty of good technical advice. Always try the search function as alot of questions you may have, the answers may be lurking somewhere here already. Nice to have you along.

[Berch]

Welcome along to the club for starters, glad to see another potential DS3 owner, lots of clever people around that have done all sorts of things and have all kinds of knowledge so sure all your questions will end up getting answered, keep us updated though and any potential pictures of any your looking at!

[jagillham]

Hi!, snap (almost!) - swapped my Alfa 147 1.9 JTDM for the DS3 1.6 THP DSport

[BenS]

Welcome

Just as a heads up, the THP (Petrol DSport, Racing, Ultra Prestige) engines are a bit of a funny one which are great when they work but also have a history of requiring a lot of work to keep them happy.

If you have the mileage to warrant a diesel, the HDi 110/115/120 engines in the diesel DSports/Prestiges seem to have great reviews from all owners for a balance of performance and economy.

If not, the VTi 120 is fairly reliable but quite flat on performance, and the new PureTech engines are quite nippy but as of yet untried for faults and maintenance.

[Templebell]

Cheers Guys

Seems I made a good choice with this forum - friendly people.

Getting the sort of head-up I'm after from the off

The bells and whistles are nice but its performance and RELIABILITY that are important - If you have ever had an Alfa you'll know what I mean. The bits cost a fortune and are over-engineered and a b's to replace

George

So a bit of advice about the engine options is the first thing I need. I search to see hat I can find.

Noticed a couple of terms already that need explaining DSports/Prestiges/Ultra Prestige/Racing????

[BenS]

DSports/Prestiges/Ultra Prestige/Racing????

Ah. Sorry, these are all trim levels. Doesn't help that there's old and new terms for it too.

OLD NAMES
DSign - Entry level trim, 1.2 and 1.4 petrol/diesel engines
DSire - Entry level features with 1.6 engines (I think)
DStyle - Mid level trim, 1.6 petrol (120bhp) or 1.6 Diesel (90bhp)
DStyle Plus - As above but with higher spec features e.g. auto wipers, auto lights, 17 inch alloys
DSport - Mid level trim, 17 inch alloys, optional leather seats, 1.6 turbo petrol (150/155bhp) or 1.6 diesel (110/115bhp)
DSport Plus - As above but with higher spec features
Racing - Limited edition 1.6 turbo petrol with 197-207bhp depending on year

NEW NAMES
Elegance - Entry level trim, 1.2 turbo petrol (110bhp) or 1.6 diesel (120bhp)
Prestige - Mid level trim, 1.2 turbo petrol (110bhp or 130bhp) or diesel as above
Ultra Prestige - High trim level, 1.6 turbo petrol (165bhp) or diesel as above
Performance - Basically the same as the Racing but a full production model

[BenS]

its performance and RELIABILITY that are important

For this, the diesel DSport (HDi and e-HDi 110/115 engines) is probably the best on offer. Very good torque, reasonable power, and just keeps going. A remap will get you to 140-150bhp if that's something you'd like too.

[Kat]

Welcome to the club! Hope your wife finds a DS3 she likes

Ah. Sorry, these are all trim levels. Doesn't help that there's old and new terms for it too.

OLD NAMES
DSign - Entry level trim, 1.2 and 1.4 petrol/diesel engines
DSire - Entry level features with 1.6 engines (I think)
DStyle - Mid level trim, 1.6 petrol (120bhp) or 1.6 Diesel (90bhp)
DStyle Plus - As above but with higher spec features e.g. auto wipers, auto lights, 17 inch alloys
DSport - Mid level trim, 17 inch alloys, optional leather seats, 1.6 turbo petrol (150/155bhp) or 1.6 diesel (110/115bhp)
DSport Plus - As above but with higher spec features
Racing - Limited edition 1.6 turbo petrol with 197-207bhp depending on year

NEW NAMES
Elegance - Entry level trim, 1.2 turbo petrol (110bhp) or 1.6 diesel (120bhp)
Prestige - Mid level trim, 1.2 turbo petrol (110bhp or 130bhp) or diesel as above
Ultra Prestige - High trim level, 1.6 turbo petrol (165bhp) or diesel as above
Performance - Basically the same as the Racing but a full production model

Chic is the entry level model I believe - which you can get with the 82bhp PureTech engine. Though, having had a C3 with this engine as a courtesy car recently, I'd not recommend it. It's quite underpowered!

[lfcrule1972]

I had a 2013 DSport+ 115 eHDi and it was a blast. Jamie at SP Tuning (top guy, owns DS3s and does a lot of work on forum owners cars) remapped it to around 145 bhp and the torque was immense, add that to 56mpg under a heavy right foot and the diesel was an amazing combo.

I sold it as I no longer needed a diesel as I only drive 12k miles a year now compared to more than twice that when I owned the DS3. I loved the DSport+ trim levels as well.

[BenS]

Chic is the entry level model I believe - which you can get with the 82bhp PureTech engine. Though, having had a C3 with this engine as a courtesy car recently, I'd not recommend it. It's quite underpowered!

Ah, yes, thought I was missing one from how short the list was.

[WTF]

Hello! And Welcome

Do you know what kind of reg/age you are looking at?

[Templebell]

Guys and Gals

Well more information in one post than I could hope for.

And all the stuff I will need to make the initial choice.

As SWMBO (She who must be obeyed) tends to get very attached to her cars so she gets them about 18 months old and keep them for a about 6 to 7 years. Although the ALFA did stay for 12 years. I may seem a bit disrespectful about the ALFA, but it was a dream to drive - went like stink through the sequential shift box and took corners like a Kart. Loved it but could be the bane of my life at times.

So after the ALFA she'll need something with a bit of poke!!!

[BenS]

The THP165 engine might be an option. It's been through several revisions since the original THP150 and all the problems that one had, so it's ironed out most of the creases.

The trim level means leather sport seats as standard, all the gadgets, multifunction screen with satnav, bi-xenon headlights, and a bunch of power and torque.

They just need to be treated well - premium 98RON fuel, good oil (Citroen recommends TOTAL), thorough servicing, and a walnut blast and cam jiggle every ~25-35k miles.

Here's a glance at the interior:

[Chris_Blue]

The THP165 engine might be an option. It's been through several revisions since the original THP150 and all the problems that one had, so it's ironed out most of the creases.

I had a THP 150 from new, and it didnt give me a problem for the whole 23,000 miles i had it. Even had a VIEZU map (They used to sponsor the site) and a turbo back exhuast and reached around 200BHP
So there are a few good ones about. The Racings were another matter......