C4 1.6lx???

[Robson3022]

Riggghhhhttt the Mrs has seen a Shitoren C4 1.6, 2005, years test, £375. What do we think? Anything to look out for if I go and look at it? Know nothing about these at all so any help muchos appreciated!

[Robson3022]

120k no history

[Robson3022]

120k no history

[Robson3022]

She currently got an e46 1.6 which was in mint condition when I bought it for her 2 years ago she's now scraped it down both rear wheel arches so she fancies something else. The C4 is in a fetching purple!! Is lx bottom spec?

[fatharris]

Fuck it, what could possibly go wrong? You could break it for that.

[cort16]

I think they're pretty robust other than the odd squeak and rattle. 375 is cheap so I wouldn't expect it to be the finest example.

[panhard65]

They are cheap and cheerful but worth bugger all. I ran one for a year with no problems they are very revvy though 4k rpm is 80 in top. They also seem a bit gutless for a 16 valve 1.6 but might just be me. The main thing I didn't like about mine was the bloody great screen pillars don't help visability but most moderns are getting like this. Gearboxes can get noisey in 1st and 2nd due to a weak front bearing on the first motion shaft. The box needs to be totally stripped to replace so best steer clear if it is noisey. Other than the usual modern car electrics they are pretty decent and very modern looking.

[ruffgeezer]

I think these run the prince engine (same unit as in the bmw bini) but could be wrong.

 

 

 

You are, they are a late spec TU engine, timing belts are 100k/10yr i think, look for broken springs, clonking balljoints and oil leaks from the front corner of the engine nearest the cambelt end, if there it is wet with oil, the headgasket is on it's way.

 

NB. The glovebox will almost certainly be broken or held shut with a FOW.

[twosmoke300]

Tailgate wiring breaks and locks you out

[Robson3022]

Cheers chaps! He claims the belt has bound to have been done as it's got 120k on. I'm sure it has....

[sierraman]

Cats are for nothing these days, saw a 06 Vectra 1.8 Sri other day £500 ono, 191k on clock but what do you want for £500. Get it bought!

[saucedoctor]

• ABS sensors

Drowned alternators (fix is a new alt and a splash guard)

Factory fit clutches can be iffy (judder)

EPAS wiring can give issues (no assistance)

Coolant temp sender. Some cars were fitted with the wrong one .Engine fan may stay on at full whack.

Barmy instruments require software flash

Stiff gearchange can be caused by a bolt falling out of an external gearbox stabiliser bar.

[SiC]

For £325, if it drives and runs alright at the moment then not much more you can ask for! It's like 2 months of finance for a non povo spec fiesta.

[Robson3022]

Agreed it's just nice to know what to keep an eye out for.

[Robson3022]

Very rough externally...I know I know what do I expect for under £400. Too rough for the Mrs. Mechanically 0 evidence of anything ever been done. Ah well was a nice colour! Cheers for the advice guys!

[Cleon-Fonte]

Are these much like the Peugeot 307s on which they're based? If so you have my sympathies.

 

Joking aside, the only big problems a TU of that generation will suffer is the occasional engine management freakout where it forgets what certain bits of the engine or gearbox are supposed to do, resulting in lots of scary warning light displays and strange running. Leave for around 12 hours and they tend to run as normal again.

 

The rest of the car surrounding the TU may be of variable quality, however. 307s were only really sorted from the guppy faced restyle onwards (around 2005), but again I'm not sure if the C4 is similar in that regard.

[ruffgeezer]

We haven't had many C4 dramas, I can only think of the one that had shat it's fusebox and caused the fan to come on and flatten the battery.

 

I've seen several 307s do the same, one of which required removal with a large crane and the tarmac beneath replaced.