14.09.2016
Citroen C4 is one of the most popular French cars, which has become quite widespread in our market. Most often there is a five-door hatchback body, a three-door version is also available, which with its bright design more attracts the younger generation, and a sedan. The reliability of a used Citroën raises many questions for many motorists, and today we will try to find out what surprises a used Citroën C4 can present and what to look for when choosing this car.
In 2004, the premiere of a new model called C4 took place, which replaced “ C ITROEN Xsara ". In July 2008, the company carried out a restyling, as a result of which the car received cosmetic changes in appearance, new equipment options, and two new gasoline engines appeared in the range of engines. In the fall of 2010, sales of the new Citroen C4 started, at first glance you can't say that the car is built on the platform of the previous generation, the appearance has changed so significantly. The former Citroen was one of the most compact, and the successor has grown noticeably, but the chassis and power units remain the same.
Advantages and disadvantages of Citroen C4 with mileage
The vast majority of cars on the secondary market are equipped with gasoline engines, but sometimes diesel versions are also found. In the line of gasoline engines there are frankly weak units 1.4 (90 hp) and 1.6 (110, 120 and 150 hp), and a more powerful two-liter engine (136, 144 and 180 hp), as well as diesel engines with a volume of 1.6 (92 and 110 hp) and 2.0 (138 and 150 hp). The engines of the French manufacturer are very sensitive to the quality of fuel, and if you use poor quality gasoline, the engine will quickly clog up. The service life of the candles is also significantly reduced, it is worth noting that Citroën is not one of those cars on which absolutely any candles can be installed. There have been cases when, due to the use of poor fuel, carbon deposits formed on the valves after 50-60 thousand km. Also, a possible drop in compression with an insignificant mileage, as a result, the car will lose power, and on the XX the revolutions will constantly float. Therefore, before buying a used Citroen C4, it is imperative to make a diagnosis and measure the compression.
For cars with a 1.6 engine, after 100,000 km of run, the thermostat fails, as a result antifreeze flows out and the engine overheats. Also, after 100 thousand km, the ignition coils and the cooling system pump will have to be changed. Almost all motors have a timing belt drive, which must be changed every 60,000 km. Otherwise, French-made gasoline engines are reliable, and diesel ones are considered one of the best, and rarely surprise.
Transmission
A five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission were installed on the Citroen C4. If about motors, provided they are filled with good fuel, we can say that there are no special problems with them, then the automatic transmission is considered the weak point of the car. The automatic transmission was developed by the PSA Peugeot-Citroën concern together with Renault, and all the problems that arise with this gearbox are related to the pressure distribution valves. If you buy a car with a mileage of 100,000 km or more, and the machine has not been repaired yet, you can be sure that you will get an expensive repair. To extend the life of this unit, you need to ensure that the box does not overheat (slipping and prolonged traffic in traffic jams in the heat are contraindicated).
The clutch of the cars on the mechanics is quite reliable and goes 110 - 120 thousand kilometers. In rare cases, on a run of 50-60 thousand km, the release bearing fails, and if such a problem happened, then, as a rule, the owners changed it along with the clutch. As for shifting a manual transmission, if suddenly you hear a crunch when shifting, then most likely the problem is in the synchronizers.
Driving performance Citroen C4
The suspension of the Citroen C4 is simple, there is a standard MacPherson strut in front, and a semi-independent beam in the back. Shock absorbers are also common, which should delight used car buyers. The average service life of shock absorbers, wheel bearings, ball joints, CV joints is 80 - 90 thousand km, but the stabilizer struts and steering rods turn into consumables on our roads, their resource is no more than 40,000 km. In the rear suspension, knocks appear earlier than in the front, since there is a weak point in the silent blocks, which fail after a mileage of 30-40 thousand km. The shock absorber boot can also knock, which walks up and down the rod.
The vehicle is equipped with an electro-hydraulic power steering. The hydraulic pump can leak through the chip to which the power cable fits, and in case of replacement, the electronic control unit will have to be reconfigured.
Body and interior
The body of the Citroen C4 is not prone to corrosion, and the first swelling of the paintwork can be seen on a 7 - 8 year old car, and even then not always. But the metal here is light and soft, so dents appear quickly enough.
The build quality of the cabin, given the class of the car, is quite good, and the finishing materials also deserve praise. The owners of cars of the first years of production complain that crickets appear quite quickly in the Citroen C4 cabin. The manufacturer reacted responsibly to these comments and this problem was completely eliminated on the machines of the last years of production. In terms of electrics, most French cars with our realities and climate are not doing as well as we would like, and this car is no exception. Everything is complicated by the fact that in cold and damp weather you observe a failure in electronics, and as soon as you enter a warm and dry box of a car service, everything starts working properly.
Outcome:
Citroen C4 with mileage depreciates quickly enough, and this is not casual, since by one hundred thousand kilometers the car can throw big troubles. The first of them will be an automatic transmission, and even if we consider the option only with mechanics, then problems with electrics still cannot be avoided. The suspension is not bad, but it's hard to call it a model of reliability. If we conclude, in general, then this car can only be bought with a manual transmission, and after professional diagnostics.
Advantages:
- Exterior and interior.
- The quality of the interior finishing materials.
- Quite good insulation.
- Low fuel consumption.
- Security.
- Comfortable soft suspension.
Disadvantages:
- Soft metal
- Automatic transmission.
- Electrical problems.
- Many service stations refuse to take the car for repair.
- It depreciates rapidly.
If you are or were the owner of this car brand, please share your experience, indicating the strengths and weaknesses of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help others correctly.
The car is equipped with seats with massage function and the ability to adjust the lumbar support. The car is equipped with EBD, ABS, ESP, software speed limiter, parking sensors and a system that monitors tire pressure.
The 2011 model is 17mm wider, 32mm taller and 55mm longer than the previous version. It is equipped with Michelin Energy tires, which significantly reduce fuel consumption. The interior has a built-in 230-volt electrical outlet. You can call local support using the Citroen eTouch suite of services. The driver's seat is particularly comfortable and has a heating function (the temperature can be adjusted).
The reliability of early copies of Citroen C4 was not high enough, the main claims were made to the braking system. Russian car owners noted periodic failures in the operation of the automatic transmission; in the winter, the cars started up with difficulty. Common defects of the French Citroen C4 are problems with power windows and knocking rear shock absorbers. There are no complaints about the reliability of gasoline engines; cars running on diesel fuel have had cases of exhaust gas recirculation valves failures.
The manufacturer tried to eliminate all the identified defects, so the reliability of Citroen C4 has increased significantly. The engine starts easily at temperatures down to -30 degrees, the braking system is improved. The main advantages of the car are: comfortable interior, stylish body design, high ground clearance, comfortable dashboard, dynamic acceleration and good suspension.
The disadvantages of the Citroen C4 include mediocre handling at high speeds. A custom speedometer can seem awkward and take some getting used to.
The manufacturer has done everything possible to turn the Citroen C4 into a comfortable car. An armrest is mounted between the front seats, the position of which is adjustable in length. A built-in box is provided for storing small items in the armrest.
The climate control system operates in a two-zone mode - the front seat passenger and the driver can set their own temperature regime. A special compartment for storing small items is built into the ventilation grilles.
The soft suspension has become a distinctive feature of the Citroen C4 2011 model year. The electronic control panel is also noteworthy - the degree of its illumination can be adjusted directly from the steering wheel.
From a safety point of view, the Citroen C4 is a very thoughtful car. The hatchback is equipped with such modern systems as brake force distributor, anti-roll bar, etc.
The basic configuration will cost 574,900 rubles. It includes cruise control, electric mirrors, air conditioning and audio preparation. For the most expensive version of the Citroen C4, the buyer will have to pay 747,900 rubles. In this configuration, the car comes with an advanced audio system, seats with massage function, dual-zone climate control and a system that allows you to determine the "dead zones".
➖ Incorrectly functioning rain sensor
➖ Ergonomics
➖ Light
pros
➕ Comfortable salon
➕ Cost effective
➕ Design
The advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Citroen C4 sedan in a new body are revealed based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Citroen C4 Sedan 1.6 petrol and diesel with mechanics and automatic transmission can be found in the stories below:
Owner reviews
The design of the C4 sedan undoubtedly sets it apart from the general stream. Comfortable inside. Switches and other buttons are ergonomically located. Plenty of backseat space, large trunk.
Heated windshield pleases. The climate is very comfortable - there are many settings. There is a bluetooth headset for the phone. The wiper works adequately in the "auto" mode.
Fuel consumption is 30-50 percent higher than declared. Bad light - for this class of car, xenon should be in the base. Indicators of the remaining mileage before refueling are not relevant in principle, and there is no indication of the remaining fuel in liters.
Inconveniently located switches for heating the front seats. It happens that you accidentally turn on the heating, but there is no indication. The handling on the track is not good. On a wet road and a snowy "mess" you have to "catch" a car. This is perhaps the biggest minus, which covers all the pluses.
Alexander Nikolaenko, drives Citroen C4 1.6 (120 HP) AT 2014
Video review
Citroen C4 sedan is a great car. There are claims, but these are even more nitpicking, because there is nothing to get to the bottom of, by and large. If you are thinking of taking it, do not even think about it. Competitors do it at once.
Huge salon. Awesome engine, no turbo lag. Very quiet and comfortable front and rear for the C class.
The disadvantage is a very large steering wheel. Constantly dirty right leg, because the automatic machine is so easy to steer that the right hand itself falls on the right leg and dirt forms on the leg. Moreover, both at a speed of 40 km / h and at a speed of 130 km / h. In general, despite the armrest, you need room for your right hand.
The owner drives a Citroen C4 1.6 (150 hp) on a 2014 automatic
The engine power is quite enough and the car is quite nimble, but it requires a quick gear change, I constantly go in 4-5 gears in the city (while the consumption is 8.4-8.5 at an average speed of 27 km / h).
Of the minuses - a bad view on the right! Sufficiently tight gear knob. The suspension is harsh. I was very surprised by the lack of an indicator of the engine temperature ... How's that? You stand in a traffic jam and wonder what's wrong with the temperature ...
V. Karpov, drives a Citroen C4 1.6 (116 HP) MT 2014
The shumka is excellent, the permeability is super! In winter, I climbed in those places where the crossovers did not fit. Put in first gear, release the clutch, and she'll pull it out!
Not a single cricket in a year and a half! I read the reviews of other owners of the Citroen C4 and wonder if I was lucky. At least, I have never heard a single bad word about the car from a single C4 owner.
The car is economical, drove in the heat with air conditioning and an average speed of 120 km / h, the computer showed only 6.8 liters per 100 km. In winter, at -35 I started up at once and the heat in the cabin.
Alexander Blinov, review of the Citroen C4 Sedan 1.6 (116 HP) on the mechanics of 2013
When I drove the car (about 1,100 km), I naturally compared it with the sold Focus.
Citroen pluses:
- the suspension is softer;
- ESP system works more delicate and invisible;
- with a more comfortable climate (there was an air conditioner in Focus);
- consumption is lower, by about 1.5-2 liters.Cons of Citroen:
- for a long time I could not find the optimal position behind the wheel, and after it seemed to me that I found, after 300-400 kilometers, my knees began to hurt, which I had never felt in previous cars;
- the spouse also cannot find the optimal location and noticed that the clutch and brake pedals are much higher than the gas pedal;
- I don't feel the trunk, but it's not critical, since there are parking sensors.The owner drives a Citroen Ce4 1.6 sedan (116 hp) MT 2016
Externally beautiful, a lot of heaped up in my configuration. The seats are bomb! I like music, excellent quality bluetooth, rear view camera, parking sensors in a circle, blind spot monitoring. Large, roomy interior and trunk.
Mirror link does not work, navigation without traffic jams is useless, turning on the heated seats is terribly inconvenient, especially with nails ... The rain sensor is pensive, I'm used to being more sensitive. There is not enough rear wiper, in all other cars it was ...
Review of the new Citroen C4 sedan 1.6 (150 hp) with automatic transmission 2017
The first 2,000 km flew by in less than a month, quite often I rode to the dacha.
Pros:
1. Light and rain sensor, turned on and forgot. Works by itself.
2. Heated priests, quickly. Enough to turn on for 5 minutes at +5 on the street.
3. Climate. To stand to warm up the car in order to keep it warm, did not see the joke. The first 5 minutes on the move and a comfortable temperature in the car.
4. Cruise and limiter. Played for a week, but when driving around the city are absolutely useless. For traveling on the highway far - I liked it.
5. Horse power. If the car carries me one or two, then more than enough. When landing in 3-4 people, acceleration can not be called dynamic, but at 130-140 km / h the engine does not yell and is quite going.
6. There are no crickets, the plastic is super soft.It is still difficult to say about the cons. The first time, there were super sensitive brakes, but it passed after 1,500 km. The rain sensor seems to dull a little, I don't always like how the wipers work in automatic mode.
Upset a trip to a car dealership to turn on the can-bus to make the signalization friends. Time, and even 2,000 rubles. have taken.
Fuel consumption is still difficult to pinpoint. If on the highway, then in the area of 7-8 liters. On the way to and from work - a continuous traffic jam, and the consumption is in the region of 11 liters (it would be more correct to add that 23 km in 2 hours).
Review of Citroen C4 1.6 (116 HP) mechanic 2017
, review date
Feedback from the owners allows you to understand the advantages and disadvantages of Citroen C4, as well as help to assess the reliability of Citroen C4 cars. Highlighted in blue Citroen C4 owner reviews, which are positively assessed by other readers of our portal. We will be glad to see your feedback, ratings and comments.
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Year of issue: 2011
Engine: 1.6 (120 HP) Checkpoint: M5
Review of Citroen C4 left by: Nikolay Gennadievich from Saint Petersburg
Average rating: 3.5 |
Year of issue: 2016
Engine: 1.6 (114 HP) Checkpoint: M6
Citroen C4 sedan, 2016, restyle. I have been looking closely at this model for a long time. My relative has the same, only pre-styling. Convenient, practical, more or less reliable for a "Frenchman". I would have taken it earlier, but I wanted a diesel engine. And he was not on the Russian C4 before the restyle, but he was on the "Pyzha 408", which I do not like at all.
Review of Citroen C4 Sedan left: Mikhail from Moscow
Average rating: 5 |
Year of issue: 2013
Engine: 1.6 (120 HP) Checkpoint: A4
At first everything seemed to be normal, at 10,000 km an engine error began to appear. OD periodically removes it, but the problem itself was never found or fixed. At 30,000 km, the front brake discs are ENDED, although the pads have never been changed, and the wear of the pads is only 50%. OD stated that brake discs are a consumable and change every time the pads are changed FOR MY SOMETHING ABSURD. Further more, the automatic transmission, the torque converter oil seals flowed for 43,000 km (the car has run 43,000 km for less than 3 years, that is, the car is still under warranty). OD declares that we did not change the oil in the internal combustion engine with them, so they will not make automatic transmissions under warranty. ..the full text of the review of the Citroen C4
Review of Citroen C4 left by: Alexey
The first generation C4 went on sale ten years ago - in 2004 and replaced the Xsara in the lineup. Only hatchbacks with five and three doors were delivered to our country. Although the French referred to the "three-door" as a coupe, in reality it was only a three-door hatchback. Even sedans were sold in Brazil, Hungary, Turkey, Greece and Spain, but they did not reach us. In 2006, the French released the C4 Picasso and C4 Grand Picasso compact vans on its basis.
If you look at today's paltry Russian sales of the second generation Citroen C4, the old one can be called popular. Stylish outlines have sunk into the souls of thousands. In 2004-2010, it was sold at about the level of the soplatform Peugeot 307 and the losing popularity Volkswagen Golf, but much worse than the Opel Astra, and even more so the Ford Focus.
All motors are simple straight-fours. Gasoline engines - without turbines, with a volume of 1.4 (88 HP), 1.6 (109 and 122 HP) and 2 liters (140 and 180 HP). Diesels have a volume of 1.6 (90 hp or 109 hp) and 2 liters (140 hp), but they entered our country bypassing official dealers and are poorly represented. All machines are driven only to the front axle, manual transmissions (five or six steps) and automatic (four steps).
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In 2008, the designers slightly refreshed the exterior, adjusting the bumpers and optics. In the line of engines there appeared a gasoline "aspirated" 1.6 (120 hp) and a turbocharged engine of the same volume (140 or 150 hp), as well as a new diesel engine of 2 liters (150 hp). Since 2010, the French have established the assembly of the C4 near Kaluga, but in the same year a new generation was presented.
Market offers
The basic C4s are equipped in a Spartan style: front power windows, a pair of airbags, air conditioning and ABS. Music and everything else - for an extra charge. There are more than enough offers on the secondary market, but among them there are many "refugees" from Europe, the purchase of which we recommend only if you know 100% the history of the car.
Almost 60% of used cars have automatic transmission. About the same number are equipped with a base 109-horsepower engine, another 30% are equipped with a 122-horsepower unit. The share of cars with other engines accounts for only 10%.
Average Citroen C4 prices
| Year | Average price, rub. |
| 2004 | 195 000 |
| 2005 | 255 000 |
| 2006 | 266 000 |
| 2007 | 286 000 |
| 2008 | 320 000 |
| 2009 | 333 000 |
| 2010 | 372 000 |
Typical breakdowns and operational problems
Engine
The most common engine on the C4 is the 1.6 liter TU5 series with 109 or 122 "horses". And whichever version you choose, most likely, you will have to change the timing belt by 90,000 - 100,000 km. Until 2010, it was changed according to the regulations every 60,000 km, but then the interval increased to 120,000 km. Before buying, diagnose the car from the dealer, mechanics will be able to do it visually.
The motor has 122 hp. even greater sensitivity to moisture, due to which condensation sometimes accumulates under the valve cover and reaches the sensor. There is no need to sound the alarm, dealers simply throw off the error at the station.
A more powerful engine is also prone to "overeating", and its oil consumption rate is 500 g per 1,000 km. The spark plugs must be changed every 40,000 km according to the regulations, because if this is not done, the ignition coils may "get covered".
After restyling, this engine was replaced by a more modern EP6 series engine jointly developed by the French and BMW, also with a volume of 1.6 liters, but already with a capacity of 120 hp. Here the timing mechanism is driven by a chain, but it also cannot boast of a large resource. In some cases, the chain stretched out to 60,000 km. The second common problem with chain motors is a good appetite for oil consumption. Waste can be up to 200-300 g per 1,000 km.
In our country, there are diesel versions of C4 from Europe, but almost always have a very "twisted" mileage. They have the same timing problems as the petrol "brothers", and they are traditionally very sensitive to our fuel. Among the used C4s, you can find cars on which other gasoline engines were installed - 1.4 (88 hp) and 2.0 (143 hp), but there are such units on the market, and dealers do not have reliable statistics on the reliability of the units.
Alexander Korobchenko
Browser site, 2011
The Citroen C4 has a 120-horsepower engine that is equally powerful, quiet and fuel efficient thanks to the involvement of BMW engineers. We have already reported more than once about trips on cars with this engine (Peugeot 308, Peugeot 207) and even before getting into the red hatch we knew about its merits. But the automatic transmission in Peugeot and Citroen used to often operate "separately" from the engine, so the biggest surprise for us in the C4 was the "friendship" of the engine and gearbox.
Transmission
The reliability of the transmission depends entirely on how well the previous owners took care of it. And if everything is simple with the "mechanics" (the clutch lives on average 100,000 - 150,000 km and changes as a set), then with the "automatic" there are much more problems.
On the C4 is the infamous French AL4 unit. His main trouble is the oil in the box. In theory, it is designed for the entire life of the box, and dealers assure that no replacement is done on it. But experienced mechanics recommend changing it every 30,000 - 40,000 km. The box also has a separate oil filter, but it is non-removable and can only be replaced together with the entire automatic transmission. Before buying, check the quality of the oil in the automatic transmission, since if the car has driven 100,000 km without replacement, then it will not work just to drain the old one and fill in the new one. Fresh oil will only stir up heavy oil residues that have settled on the insides of the box, after which it can simply "die". Therefore, if the owner did not regularly change the lubricant, it is better to bypass such a machine.
Another problem is two automatic transmission solenoid valves, which often fly out. This happened a lot on warranty machines, and the dealers took care of it at their own expense. But the "illness" can happen after several years, especially if at low temperatures you start active driving on an unheated box. First of all, you will be informed about this by the service icon on the dashboard or by blows when switching.
Suspension
Suspension "Citroen" also does not shine with reliability. In front, the C4 sways on MacPherson, the struts of which serve no more than 40,000 km, and sometimes they have to be changed even after 10,000 km. The steering rods leave about 25,000 - 50,000 km, and if they are not changed in time, they can "pull along" the steering rack, which in any case does not last longer than 100,000 km.
Wheel bearings are usually changed in the region of 50,000 - 100,000 km. At the back, everything is much safer, since there is an elastic beam, which should not cause much trouble. Its only weak point is silent blocks, which quickly lose their damping properties. True, the masters recommend not to touch them, since they do not particularly affect driving and safety, and replacing them is very difficult and costly. Brake pads front and rear usually grind down to 20,000 - 30,000 km, discs ask for replacement as early as 50,000 km.
Alexander Korobchenko
Browser site, 2011
The hatchback quickly and accurately responds to the turn of the steering wheel, which is unusual in design, however, the driver and passengers pay for this with the sensations of a stiff suspension, which reacts unpleasantly to every more or less noticeable road bump. On the track, shock absorbers do an excellent job of handling "surprises" from road services.
Body and interior
The second owner shouldn't have any complaints about the body of the three-year-old C4. The paintwork, even after three to five years, looks great and does not have any tendency to rust. But if you still find one, then most likely this car has survived an accident.
But if the front plastic fenders (usually the right) begin to cling to the opening front door in the heat, this is not a consequence of an accident, but an anomaly that occurs on C4. But as soon as the car cools down, everything returns to normal. On Kaluga-assembled cars in 2010, the steering wheel braid is made of low-quality material, which often peels off. The steering wheels were pulled under warranty, but not everyone had time to contact the service about this, so "shabby" C4s are found in the secondary market.
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Alexander Korobchenko
Browser site, 2011
But the sound insulation of the car is good: up to 4,000 rpm, the sound of the engine hardly penetrates the interior, does not reach the driver's ears, and most of the road noise - from wheel arches, glass, tires. Add to this the fact that Citroen has a very decent audio system with clear sound and a lot of sound tuning options. Thus, the acoustic comfort in the car can be called quite European.
Electrical equipment
The electrician also let C4 down, and it's all about its complexity. Firstly, heated seats often fail. This happens almost always due to a wire break in the back or cushion of the front seats. For example, if the owner unsuccessfully stepped on the chair with his knee. Now dealers have already learned how to "treat" this "ailment" without resorting to a complete replacement of the heating element.
The main "brains" of the C4 are quite complex and consist of two blocks - BSM and BSI plus an injection calculator. Both blocks are, in fact, fuse blocks with control microcircuits, which are not very reliable. BSM often "glitches" due to poor insulation of antifreeze hoses passing nearby, through which this same antifreeze can get into it, which can be determined by the corresponding smell. The injection calculator and BSM unit, like any electrical appliances, sometimes simply short-circuit, which leads to their complete replacement. Thank goodness that doesn't happen often.
If the stove / air conditioner stops blowing from some place in the car, then, most likely, the gear teeth of one of the dampers simply broke off. The manufacturer could not defeat the "illness", but released an inexpensive repair kit with new gears, which you can buy and, if you have the ability to use a screwdriver, change it yourself. At the service station, for the analysis of the side part of the dashboard, they will ask, depending on the impudence of the master, from 3,000 to 8,000 rubles.
Finally, the good news: sophisticated electronics and low resale value make the C4 not popular with hijackers.
Master of the dealership Citroen AXIS (St. Petersburg, Ave. Marshal Zhukov, 82)
The first C4 caused a lot of problems for both us and the owners. First of all, the electronics were "buggy". Most of the time, we just erase the errors, and then everything was fine, but sometimes we had to "dig deeper".
Problems with "automatic machines" were solved most costly - sometimes they were changed in assembly at very small runs. However, many drivers, especially young ones, themselves "killed" boxes, openly raping cars.
Maintenance cost from authorized dealers
We consider the costs for the most common version with a 1.6 liter engine and only for work. The maintenance period for Citroen is confusing: the maintenance itself must be completed once a year or 20,000 km, whichever comes first. But the oil and oil filter must be changed every 10,000 km. The cost of a standard hour at dealers in Russia fluctuates around 2,000 rubles.
