Greetings from Oxford

[mdo100]

Hi All,

I’m Matt from Oxford and I’ve decided to join the ranks of C5 owners and currently on the lookout for a vehicle (almost completed negotiations with my Wife) 
I have been reading all the excellent advice and content in this forum to help me better understand what C5 ownership is all about and what to look out for in terms of mechanical / electrical issues etc.

As well as saying Hi, I have a few questions that I would be very grateful for some advice on.

1/ I would like a C5 in original condition, including battery top and connectors etc. My question is: Is it possible to use a leisure battery and connect the original terminal connectors to it without making any mods to the battery top unit. I’ve read the advice on opening out holes to allow the battery to fit but wondered if the use of C5Alive's battery connector conversion posts without using the original battery top is possible, or any other solution anyone may have used?
If not, I presume I will need to purchase the original battery from Adam Harper?

2/ What pre-run maintenance would you recommend if a C5 has been stood for some time?

3/ In terms of future value / investment, is there a marked difference in or any preferences for the Mk1 black booted or later white booted model?

Thanks again for providing and contributing to a great forum.

Matt

[automino]

Hi some things I would suggest you check for when buying (plus really depends on whether you want an original collectable or a fun thing)...

i. Worn drive pinion, these can wear into a wave crest shape rather than the belt shape and also wear tapered so the drive belt works its way off.  (i am making some retrofit items which I hope to sell to overcome this problem)
ii.  Distortion in front plastic holding the pod.
iii.  avoid brown finger motor versions (see gearbox below)
iv.  best to get one with working locks for battery and boot.
v.  Nose wheel covers are rare

As far as value i would suggest that one with original electrics and working battery in good conditions, with indicators, high vis mast , charger would be a wise move.


As far as pre run service...



i. Clean all battery and keyswitch terminals with green pan scourer.
ii.  Remove gearbox clean and re grease. check free running of drive pinion bearing.
iii. grease all bearings
iv. new tyres and tubes.
v.  clean up all control box  connections and cable spades
vi. service brake

Hope this helps, happy to advise further if needed

[spudit2003]

Hi, and welcome to the site

I dont know too much about battery connectors, but i have very modern gel batteries in mine and i use the original top with keyswitch. I bought mine like this, so im not exactly sure what the previous owner did (because i havent seen a normal battery top) but basically theres a couple of leads from the bottom of the battery top which then go to the connections on the battery (which in my case are screws). The battery top is big enough to fit over the batteries (2x 17Ah - each half the size of a normal 12v battery), it doesnt sit on too neatly because of the wires underneath, but if you were doing it properly you could cut the wires down to the right size and it shouldnt be too hard to make it fit neatly.

i have never used a leisure battery, so im not really sure how big they are, but i think theyre bigger than the battery top. but i would recommend doing something along the lines of what i have for a set up rather than getting an original. there are a range of different sized AGM batteries and altho theyre more expensive than leisure £/Ah theyll be cheaper than an original, and theyre much more modern technology (they hold their charge well and aren't affected by temperature)

you can always get a car battery of course.

good luck in finding a C5

Lewes

[mdo100]

Thanks for the advice guys,

Hopefully the right vehicle will crop up soon.