Mike’s French fancy

By Mike Brewer

07th August 2008

As someone who has sold cars old and new, I have always had a soft spot for those models that make the most of their heritage.

Take Citroen, for example. In my view, the French maker has embraced its past and gone back to the future with its latest range – and I’ll show you how with the two cars I have here.

The DS was a revolution when it sauntered on to the scene in 1955, with its clever hydropneumatic suspension, swivelling headlamps and raft of luxuries. Ooh là là!

And now, the new C6 has picked up where the DS left off. It’s a sweet-riding machine with a sumptuous interior, pillarless doors and gadgets aplenty – just like its older brother. Now, if you’re after a sports car with tight handling, these big Citroens are not for you. Neither model is designed to dart along B-roads – rather, they are intended for ultra-comfortable cruising up and down les autoroutes.

Buying

The C6 has only been on sale since 2006, and if you can find one they’re cracking value – as their prices go down faster than croissants at breakfast! My choice is the 2.7-litre V6 HDi diesel. It comes with 208bhp – which isn’t far short of its 3.0-litre petrol-engined equivalent – plus it delivers a massive 441Nm of torque and returns an average of 32.5mpg. The earliest examples can now be found from around £15,000 – that’s a simply enormous saving on car that was sold new from showrooms for over £33,000 only two years ago!

The DS is more of specialist choice, but was in production for more than two decades, so there are plenty of examples out there. Prices start at around £5,000, although you really need to spend double that for a good one. Pristine examples can go for up to £30,000, so they can be very profitable if you plan to do one up.

But you have to know your onions – so source it through a specialist like DS Parts (www.dsparts.co.uk). Firms such as this will know where to look, what to watch for and what suits your budget.

Beware

There are a few things you need to bear in mind when you’re looking at these cars. I had a word with my contacts in the trade, and discovered that the C6 can suffer from brake trouble due to leaks in the vacuum pipe. What’s more, fuel leaks can occur in the diesel engines.

All C6s feature at least 17 or 18-inch wheels, and these are prone to kerbing, so make sure you get down on your knees and have a good look. Also, a lot of used C6s are ex-fleet models – which means servicing on many examples will have been done at local garages, instead of franchised main dealerships. As a result, they may have missed out on manufacturer recalls. If you’re concerned, phone Citroen and find out if your car has been subject to a callback.

Problems are much more obvious on the DS. The biggest niggle is rot, which can attack many areas. It’s always worth having a good, close-up look around any potential purchase. All the body panels are removable, so you can easily spot sore points under them. At the very least, you need to whip off the rear arches (you can do this by hand, as that’s how you access the back wheels) and have a nosey underneath for signs of decay.

Owning

If it’s comfort you’re after, nothing else comes close to the big Citroens. But I honestly believe that the DS provides a smoother, more cosseting experience than the C6. There’s bags of room in the classic model, and I could quite happily doze off in the large, squashy rear seat. That’s not to say the C6 isn’t a relaxing place to spend time; it’s just that it can’t match its older brother for space and old-fashioned luxury.

You get a lot of car for your money with the newer Citroen, and everyone knows I love a second-hand bargain. Yet I can’t help but prefer the DS. For me, it’s the most beautiful vehicle ever, and is so full of character I can’t resist it. Oh je t’aime!