Citroen C5 II (2008 - ) - C5 gearbox anygood?

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Mon 27 Jul 2009 23:18
C5 gearbox anygood? - audiA6tdi
After driving Peugeots and Citroens a while back (2005) when I worked in car sales I always noted how bad the gearboxs were, especially the 206, it felt so loose and of poor quality.
Anyway I am now in the market for a new car and like the look of the new C5. Has anyone got a 6 speed manual box? Are are they a precise shift and better than the Citroens of old?

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Tue 28 Jul 2009 00:47
C5 gearbox anygood? - LikedDrivingOnce
HJ seems to like the car in his road test. However, a certain car magazine praises the car overall, but doesn't like the gearbox. They say: "The gearshift disappoints, though, because it?s vague and clunky."

However, it doesn't matter what they think - test drive one and decide for yourself.

Good luck. I hope that you find the right car for you.
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Sat 15 Aug 2009 08:40
C5 gearbox anygood? - Ben79
The Pug/Cit gearboxes with reverse next to 1st (Designated ML)are of a completely differerent design to the ones with reverse below 5th (BE).

The ML gearboxes are better to drive in my opinion.

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Sat 15 Aug 2009 20:16
C5 gearbox anygood? - mikeyb
I have a C5 II but it only has the 5 speed box. I love the car but the box is not to my liking coming from very precise german box's previously. It dosent like to be rushed and does in my experience feel like french box's of old.

My partner has a VW Sharan with a six speed gearbox - it has 55K on it but the box is light years ahead of the C5 - very slick and positive
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Sat 15 Aug 2009 20:33
C5 gearbox anygood? - alex823
I doubt it. I have a C4 which has a rubbish gearchange (as did my 306 before it). I doubt they have changed it - its just a French thing I think. Still no worse than the last two 3 series I have driven which had rubbish "stiff" gearchanges. You do get used to it though. VW / Ford though have excellent gearboxes from experience - very quick and precise.
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Mon 17 Aug 2009 13:39
C5 gearbox anygood? - audiA6tdi
I think. Still no worse than the last two 3 series I have driven which
had rubbish "stiff" gearchanges.


yes id agree on that. Any Merc or BMW manual box I have driven has also been very bad. The auto's on the other hand are silky smooth.
Ford boxes are great. The new Mondeo 6 speed box's are very good.
The worst box I have ever used is on the Peugeot 206. Felt like all the cogs were loose!
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Mon 17 Aug 2009 20:43
C5 gearbox anygood? - mr.freezer
I have had my C5 Estate for 3 weeks and 3000 miles now and while the gear box feels a bit slushy it appears to match the diesel engine quite well.

The suspension set up also makes me change gear in a more relaxed manner so it is hard to compare to my previous Passat.

The engine in the C5 is, however, far better than the PD Passat one so you don't need to change gear as often.
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