[bugpack]

agreed. some tom, dick and harry mechanic sometimes just don't understand the works of a citroen and thus by comparing it to a jap works, say that the french designed the citroen all wrong and then these tom,dick and harry will start modifying according to their understanding. that's when things start to fall apart on the citroen.

From my experience, those people who made the statement/ that Pug/Cit maintenance costs is expensive is actually making a comparison between their 1.5/1.6 liter engine capacity car and that of a 2.0 liter car (as most Pug/Citroen car are in Malaysia). This is not an apple to apple comparisons. A Pug/Citroen maintenance costs must be compared to the Accord and the Camries. I believed their are about the same for most of the common items (i.e. Brake pads, timing belts, water pumps, drive belts). The only rediculasly proce spare parts for a Pug/Citroen its its rubber products (coolant hoses, wheather stripping,o-ring and seals)

[dereklaw]

I drove only a Puegeot/Citroen cars for many years (since 1991). Being previously driving the P504, P306 and now a Picasso. Back then and even now people always asked me whether I experienced constant overheating problems and/or whether I inccured high maintenance costs. That was people general perception, Pug/Citroen never got to put an advetisement to counter that perception locally and and it had a profound affects its sales volume in Malaysia.

Glad to share with you that I had not experienced any of those issues, Why??. Well... to own one and still enjoy driving a French cars in Malaysia, you need to be somewhat technically and mechanically incline (i.e somewhat knowledgable on car maintenance aspect), and goes only to the right independent specialist workshop. My current mechanic of 12 years can diagnosed a problem quickly and accurately (very experienced he's 50+ years old) and resolved most of my problems in one attempt, typically within a day. He's also very resourceful in term of finding alternative and cheaper spare parts (for example Pug/Cit ori fuel pump cost RM 800+ but he replaced mine with a Proton Wira 1.6 for RM 160, being in the car for 3 years now). The overheating issues is a simple fix, in y case mostly burned cooling fan electrical relay contact point which is easy and cheaply fixed under RM 16 the most. The thing that made maintenance expensive is that some inexperience mechanic resort to trial and error method, (i.e replacing fan motor, changing radiator and such) all under your own expenses.

Bugpack, looks like you really got yourself a very reliable, resourceful and honest mechanic. Where are u based? For everyone's benefit, can you let us know the location of your trusted mechanic.

[bugpack]

Bugpack, looks like you really got yourself a very reliable, resourceful and honest mechanic. Where are u based? For everyone's benefit, can you let us know the location of your trusted mechanic.

I'm based in Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu and my mechanic is based in Semambu Industrial Area in Kuantan. He used to be an authorised Citroen/Pugeot workshop while its still under MBF. Now he's completely independent. He is the French car Guru here in east coast area. Tan Motor is the workshop name. Tel 09 5661154. He also do gearbox overhaul, AL4 is his specialty.

[tansamuel]

Thanks bugpack for insightful information on maintaining a continental vehicle. Actually both myself and spouse have no technical idea about cars. I suppose we could learn, perhaps from veteran like yourself. :-)

We have never taken any interest to find out the technical aspects, do not why, maybe not interested.... :-) Just like marketing at wet market, some men just do not like it.

I suppose we could start with the user or technical manual from the car, of which would be coming either next week or the following week.

Thanks again.

[lingomalingo]

Maybe not my lucky day with Tan Motor.
2 years ago my C5 was overheated on the way back from KT to KL.
It was towed to Tan Motor. Start back the engine but everthing normal. Temp is OK.
I told him what happened. He check again and said everthing ok. He didnt suspected anything that caused the overheating.
Drove back to KL and it o'heated again at Bentong. Have to figure out myself and DIY at roadside.
Found out the thermostat was jammed.Throw away the thermostat and temp becomes very low. Nevermind as long as it is not o'heating and can reach home before night time.
Next morning went to nearest spare part shop, bought 406 termostat,intall in my C5 and the temp back to normal.
The 406 thermostat already 2 years in my C5 and it still working exellent.

I saw one Cit/Alfa workshop at Dungun - on the way to Rantau Abang. Saw lots of Xantias,ZX,146 and 155 there.
Do u know this guy? Is he OK?

I'm based in Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu and my mechanic is based in Semambu Industrial Area in Kuantan. He used to be an authorised Citroen/Pugeot workshop while its still under MBF. Now he's completely independent. He is the French car Guru here in east coast area. Tan Motor is the workshop name. Tel 09 5661154. He also do gearbox overhaul, AL4 is his specialty.

[tansamuel]

Interesting question while waiting for Grand C4 to obtain custom clearance:-

Q1. Who should we contact if our Grand C4 broke down outside of Klang Valley? AAM supports Citroen?

Q2. In the event no one can be contacted, let say AAM says can tow the vehicle FOC, ideally should be towed to Brooklands Motors? Or let whoever technician "who claims" that could repair Citroen?

Q3. What are the to-do things when sending the Grand C4 for service? :-) This sounds funny.... Other than waiting at the service centre, do you think I can "spy" on the progress?

Q4. Any place that I could learn the technical aspects of Citroen car?

Thank you very much in advance.

:-)

[maxcobmara]

AAM supports its customersmembers, including citroen owners, though you will have to tow to the nearest brooklands.

If they can find and open the fusebox w/o the manual i'd give them a chance....... a chance to give up in 30 minutes.

At the service centre you can watch them work.... maybe we can get brooklands to install a webcam.... and charge customers RM10 for a three days pass. Can make money like the porn industry!

Everything that you can learn is here or at the 'other'* citroen sites. Everything else you can't learn w/o a diag machine

[tansamuel]

Thks maxcobmara!

The current Brooklands Motors service centre come with see through glass, but not sure about the SsangYong service center along Federal Highway in August.

[tansamuel]

After several days of waiting, the KASTAM has returned the document, now awaiting PUSPAKOM's inspection before proceed to JPJ to complete the registration.

[zulfa]

I saw one Cit/Alfa workshop at Dungun - on the way to Rantau Abang. Saw lots of Xantias,ZX,146 and 155 there.
Do u know this guy? Is he OK?

that is zahari's workshop. formerly with timebomb auto in kl. now serving his clientele in dungun. jaguar mechanic, but do most continentals. he himself owns a 406.

i dare to say that pug/citroens maintenance are comparable to japanese cars in the same class. pls dont compare with smaller cc japanese cars with taiwanese spares. and pls keep them them for a long time since the parts lasts longer than the japanese. in the long run, it is cheaper to maintain them compared to the japanese.

zulfa