1.6 BlueHDi 100 Platinum 5dr Small MPV

A good car ruined by improvements.

We bought this to replace a Xsara Picasso, mainly to go with the improved emissions. We made the mistake of test driving a slightly older version with the 16" wheels and the "Exclusive" spec. Sadly, the 17" low profile tyres combined with the anti roll suspension has turned it into a boneshaker. The ride is fine on a smooth surface but the now intimate relationship with the road surface means that driver and passengers are tossed unmercifully from side to side at the least undulation in the road surface and pot holes and speed bumps strike terror into all aboard.
The retention of the control layout from the Xsara is good but silly things like the 5 second window to view the trip computer display (3 different displays) is nothing short of irresponsible.
Engine and gears are good giving low RPM at all legal speeds with good economy and the overall drive is pleasantly rewarding, or would be with some sensible suspension. The poor level of storage is a definite problem as is the full length non-opening sunroof. Headroom is excellent and, while at 6' tall I find 90% of showroom cars impossible to get into, I can get into this with the seat fully raised. If it were possible to do something about the ride quality we might just keep it but we are relieved that we retained the Xsara Picasso with 5 comfortable seats (a rarity recently) as the C3 has only done 1500 miles in in 16 months as opposed to 6000 in the Xsara. I can only assume that the designers ignored or were totally ignorant of the basics for a good family car. Shame, it could have been brilliant.
One warning common to servicing - beware of being charged for a full tank of Adblue irrespective of the actual amount used. I was charged about £60 for 17 litres when it only needed 2 litres at most having only done 1000 miles from new..

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