Prospective DS3 owner - stupid question

[mike1880]

Hi all, I test drove a DS3 today and I'm seriously thinking of biting on an ex-demo HDi. One question before I do - we only have drop kerb over half our drive and it's not "my" half. DS3s look a bit low slung to me, how are they fixed for climbing a tall-ish kerb or (say) coming off a sloping drive (not horrific, but bad enough that you can't get up it with snow on it) and said kerb?

[BenS]

Not a stupid question, they can handle kerbs alright, might be better to reverse up though as there is more clearance at the rear. The rubber skirt on the front may grind but that's fine as it won't show. Could also stick a plank along your kerb section as an extra step in between.

HDi engines are good, but recommend the 110, 115, or 120 over the 90 or 100 as they have the right amount of go for the size of the car.

[mike1880]

Hm but would you recommend against a 100? Because that's the one they're trying to shift off the forecourt for a good price. I test drove a 110 petrol, I'd have thought the diesel should be a little pokier at the low end but what's the 5-gear 100 like as a motorway cruiser (I do about two thirds fast A roads and a third city driving)?

[Funky]

Hi Mike. I haven't driven the 90 or 100 5 speed eHDi versions, but I can vouch for the 115 6 speed. Had mine nearly 2 years and it's excellent for both nipping about town and motorway cruising. Plenty of torque for getting out of junctions and accelerating away from idiots and slap on cruise control on a motorway and it's a smooth comfortable ride, with plenty more grunt if needed too. Excellent on fuel on long sustained journeys. The only thing I will say is make sure that you do a good half hour motorway journey once a week to keep the DPF clear.

If you do buy it and find it just needs a little more umpphhhh, you can take it to our resident remap specialist at SP Tuning and he (Jamie) can add another 30ish bhp to it. He knows DS3's inside out and can give it a good health check as well.

[BenS]

The 6 speed box is a plus, but the 5 speed is alright (I have a 5 speed petrol). Where I don't have the diesel I can't tell you where that sits on revs but mine at 70 is at about 3250rpm, not the most ideal but it does mean if you need to put your foot down to overtake it's in a good range to pull.

If it's the new 100, then it should have much better fuel economy than the 90 so a decent cheap commuter.

[mike1880]

Thanks all, collected the car today. Wife already ogling it so may have to lose spare key sharpish.

[Chris_Blue]

Thanks all, collected the car today. Wife already ogling it so may have to lose spare key sharpish.

LOL. I have same problem with the Dsport I bought last weekend. Wife has decided she likes it, and then I went and stuck her on the insurance for an extra £9.