Cheap Michelins!!

[Dean]

I can't agree Will, the P-zero' I had on the xm were fantastic for about 1500 miles, then they were rubbish.

D

[Ciaran]

Have to agree on Pirellis, I had a set of P6000s on the Series 1 SEI and they were total shite, I went sideways on the first slightly wet roundabout I encountered on the way home from my tyre man's place! That was a theme that continued for the few short months I tolerated them, wet grip was utterly appalling, easily the worst set of tyres I've had, on any car. I didn't wait for the snow and ice to come to see how bad they were in that, they had to go. It got to the point where anytime it rained I drove with the full expectation that I would slide (and often did), on nearly every bend and roundabout, even when driven gently.

The best tyres I've had are BF Goodrich, grip on them is excellent. Had them on the green 2.1TD and they transferred to the TCT, still using the same set.
I can't remember the model number, must look, but I sometimes think the wide, flat size has a lot to do with it (205/55/15). Which is somewhat off the recommended 195/65/15 spec but they grip so much better than any of my other XMs with 195/65s.
I've always found XMs brilliantly composed in snow, especially the diesels.

Ciarán

[Dieselman]

XM are good in snow due to the soft suspension.

[Ciaran]

Whys that Will, less sudden shifting of weight / load than with a conventionally (stiffer) sprung car perhaps?

[Dieselman]

The wheel can ride up on top of the snow, instead of crashing into it. Also the greater the wheel articulation the more drive is transferred to all driven wheels.

[White Exec]

. . . Also the greater the wheel articulation the more drive is transferred to all driven wheels.

Have to agree with the sure-footedness of XMs in snow - complete predictability.

Plenty of available wheel excursion helps too, keeping all four wheels on the ground under almost any imaginable condition.
On lumpy rural and mountain tracks out here, I'm used to seeing plenty of new small cars which regularly end up with one rear wheel 15-20cm above the road when the car goes over twisted ground, even on a tarmac or concrete surface. Guess these cars are built just to do smooth tarmac. Notable exception, here, are the hundreds of C15s, beloved of local growers and farmers. Ploughed fields and baskets of eggs come to mind...

Have also encountered distressed-looking sidewalls on Michelins, after 3+ years of sitting around in Mediterranan sun, which can wreck most synthetics. Garden hoses can turn brown, then black under the UV, and plastic garden furniture turns to powder. I ditched the car's Michelins (for some more) just because the sidewalls looked so tired. Ride, grip, silence and predictability on the Energys is, as you say, brilliant.

[russ92xmsed]

That's exactly what happened to the C5 tyres. The car eats through the fronts so cracking isn't an issue, but the rears all ended up very cracked and crazed yet with loads of tread life left in them. Really dodgy looking. One also droned like mad on motorways. But since changing them for the current brand... I think it might be GoodYear, must check.....completely different storey.

[Ciaran]

The wheel can ride up on top of the snow, instead of crashing into it. Also the greater the wheel articulation the more drive is transferred to all driven wheels.

That makes sense, thanks for the explanation Will. I knew they've always driven great for me in the snow but didn't quite know why. I wasn't for looking a gift horse in the mouth however!

I'm forever trying to explain to people who ask 'So what's the purpose of it?' (the 'funny' suspension), and say things like 'I assume it's just a gimmick, a cool trick the car can do, for marketing purposes?'.
I have to say, no, it's not a low rider 'look at me' gimmick (although lowered Citroens do look bloody cool ) and explain how hydropneumatic suspension encompasses much more than just comfort, it has a large safety aspect too, each wheel is kept independently pressed to the road surface by hydraulic pressure - well illustrated by Chris' example where conventionally sprung setups struggle on uneven surfaces.

Most people glaze over after I get past explaining the 'it's soft and comfortable' bit

Ciarán

[White Exec]

Most people glaze over after I get past explaining the 'it's soft and comfortable' bit

Know the feeling...short attention-spans and all that! Perhaps an answer is a small camera aimed at a front wheel*, linked to a screen on the back of a headrest. That might get the message across.

* Something to keep the temperature sensor in the door mirror company?

[captainhaddock]

Good to read I'm not the only one who goes for the safety aspect of the hydraulic set up of the old citroens.

You wouldn't expect the short attention -spans at experts with the NCAP chaps but apparently even there it works like that.

Come to think of it, aren't those chaps responsible for the safety of the back seat passengers of 7 seaters like Toyota verso's, Renault Scenics etc.

But I've given up for more than a decade now even trying to explain to people so I am to blame a bit as well, I should at least try like Ciaran and Chris. I'll promise I'll try next time