I was sad to see the car go. I've had so much on with house renovation that financially it was down on the prority list. Our local Citroen specialist on Hallam st changed hands and they didn't want to know. There's another guy in Stirchley, but I'd rarely leave without a bill for less than £300 and he refused to do any work on the head gasket.
ABS light has never worked properly in my ownership. When I bought the car it was permanently on and went off intermittently.
It did have a proper overhaul with all new spheres by Pliedes a few years back.
With regards to the boot. I was transporting lath and plaster from the ceilings and walls of my house to the tip, in rubble sacks. Following months of DIY house renovations I've had little time for anything else and lost impetus to get started on the XM. I had a friend around the corner kindly offer to assist me with removing the engine, but with half a kitchen and no ceilings upstairs and I decided to let her go.
Got a 2007 1.6 petrol Volvo S40 now. It's reliable. It also means I'll avoid the new ULEZ charge to go into the city centre here in Bham 2020. Not a patch on the XM for comfort, economy nor style.
On looking at the photos I feel sorry that let it go. All those little jobs just piled up.
There are however still many redeeming features to the car.
I look forward to seeing it back in perfect working order. I'll likely kick myself
