Early SED - a new chapter

[Dean]

I agree with Chris, you only live once and not for long unfortunately, if the car gives you pleasure then keep it, if its making life hard work then I think you know the answer. It's just a car, if someone else is keen to save it they will save it, if they are not then its obviously not worth saving.

Best of luck with it fella

D

[CJS]

Does it have a towing eye cover???

Two, never removed to my knowledge.

Sadly. Cannot commit to buying another XM this side of Christmas, I bought 2 in November and have another with a specialist undertaking some remedial repair. Any other time I would have bitten your hand off for this.

Does that mean you might be able to take it after Christmas? Is there anything I can do to help it happen sooner or is it a space and time thing?

We didn't plan this well enough, SED should have stayed where it was and I should have repaired (unlikely, due to exhaust being old and dropping for subframe drop difficult) or scrapped the 2.5.

Shiply quote £347 to get the car from Twickenham to Caernarfon, not knowing where citroenxm is. Bloke saying in the email is weekend good for me?

Somebody will presumably give something for the bits off this car. I'll make a contribution to the transport costs as long as I see it back if the bits make something.

I can't say fairer than that. And how did I get into this mess?

Chris

[CJS]

Just to be clear if someone took the 2.5 then that would delay moving of the SED. Plus the 2.5 problem needs solving anyway, I can't face the subframe drop.

I am going out to buy alcohol for which I now have need but will return soon. We never bring a stock from France because it goes down too easily without the tax.

Chris

[jamescarruthers]

Just for information. Last year I was going to rescue the only Volvo 480 launch car left which I used to own (which I sold to a good home, who subsequently parked it up on grass and. left it for 5 years.). Anyway, sob story aside, I got quotes from Shiply.com

Basically, you put the details of what car you want moved where and people bid DOWN for the job. After a few days, I was getting silly prices for delivery from the South coast to Cambridge. The final, cheaper quotes from people new to the market who I guess were willing to do it for very little profit but wanted the feedback to get started on Shiply. Makes business sense to me

If you had a Porsche you obviously wouldn't want the newcomers incase they nick your car and send it to Eastern Europe! For a poorly XM, the risk is nil!

[jamescarruthers]

I managed to post my message above while you were talking about Shiply CJS. If you wait amd wait, you will get the price right down as the quotes come in.

[CJS]

After a few days, I was getting silly prices... For a poorly XM, the risk is nil!

Worth knowing and agreed the value is not in the paintwork or resale value. I don't know whether citroenxm actually wants it on his land, not trying to be presumptuous but just thought I'd ask shiply for quotes.

And just seen the post that followed James.

Chris

[raynoon]

Space isnt a problem, time and money are! If it gets broken for parts () please can I have first refusal on both towing eye covers?

[CJS]

Space isnt a problem, time and money are! If it gets broken for parts () please can I have first refusal on both towing eye covers?

Well I have some money, not a lot as I'm electronics not banking, but I'm tight. I don't have space or time. We need to find the man with time, between us we'll have the full set. If citroenxm doesn't want it transported to him, would you want it transported to you? Finances aside for a moment, assuming I don't actually make a loss on this in the long run.

Still need a drink, going for now.

Chris

[CJS]

Without James' comments I would not have known. Yes, first quote was £453, second £347 which is what I posted and now the £453 is reduced to £357 to tempt me.

Re. the two comments on putting family first, indeed. I changed an XM head gasket and fettled the head with a new exhaust valve (I only remember now looking at the receipt for the first time in 20 years) in 1994, working with only a BX Haynes as reference. At the time I was living in London with a girl from Bolton whose late, and rather splendid, diesel minded father was a 2CV and Ami fan who ended up with my BX for years. At the weekend the girl travelled up in her own car from London to Bolton where I had been working on the XM for a couple of days, I said I couldn't go to Blackpool as planned, she left a day later, I left in the early hours of Monday with a fresh head gasket and drove to a meeting in London. I've done it, have all the T-shirts. And you only get so many trips round the sun as Dean notes (hat tip my discovery of today Kacey Musgraves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ8xqyoZXCc 02:30).

Her indoors has a Z3 because there was no small person en route, only understood by those that have been there. Then one keyhole op for her (yes this is getting deep and, no, it is not the drink because we discuss this with everyone we meet) and success. But I'm messing about with cars and that isn't what matters now.

I am prepared to help this SED live on, whole or as a donor car, if others want it to. I can only go so far though. We made £130 on the R reg 120k mile Polo that was scrapped for the C4, my best online offer on the SED is £50 and if I take the basics off then the local chap will HIAB it off my drive but no money changes hands and I have some basic spares some of which are worth something. Better however to be broken by one of you for all the useful parts.

Chris
1990 SED manual with a single digit engine number
1994 V6 Auto Exclusive Estate
1996 2.5 VSX Estate

[raynoon]

This is really playing on my mind. I wish there was more I could do. I would hate to see this broken up for spares but if that's what needs to be done then do it. There are a few bits that I would be interested in, and I can collect between 21st Dec and 3rd Jan. If anybody needs anything collecting from this also I may be in a position to offer collection and drop off.

Best Wishes,

Ray.