2.5 prestige on gumtree

[sageman]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-mot ... ios_social" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is this Car known on here
I'm hopefully going to look at it this weekend anything I should look for and check etc
And any thoughts on it

Also description seems to suggest the back seats are heated ? Is that right

Are there any manuals for the ph2 I can flick through

[Dean]

I don't believe this vehicle is openly known on the forum but someone may know it.
This is Exclusive (top) spec, the highest trim level and despite the description was available in the UK rather openly, i think it was SX, VSX and then Exclusive trims that were available for MK2's with none of the gimmick names and sub trims the MK1 came with although those who know will be along shortly.

It looks like a nice car, watch out for rust and have a good look through the online MOT history, i think the seller may be being a tad optimistic with the fuel economy too but again there are members on here who will be able to answer your questions.

Good luck

D

[Dieselman]

The owner(s) don't appear to have been too dilligent about working headlamps, but the rest of the MOT history is good news, no rust listed at all.

On 2.5TD the big issues are head gaskets blowing and radiators leaking. After that it's pretty normal XM stuff.

Exclusive is a standard, top spec, trim level in the UK.
Those seat covers generally wear badly, expect the drivers seat to be worn through.
Nice to see the dot matrix display is working.
The MPG is rather optimistic.

[White Exec]

Looks like about the right price, assuming no hidden nasties.
Inside (dash) looks as if it's had a bit of a hard life, so wonder whether the underside has ever had protection.
Crazy mpg: expect 32 av, 45 best.
If radiators and oil-cooler are original, they're probably on borrowed time.

[miq]

I was tempted to go and have a look at the car mainly because I have never seen that interior but given that it is a mk2 I won't. The price seems right and to be honest the car and mot history do look good. If Paul says that HG and radiators are an issue and this hasn't had them done then they are about to go that's for sure. Hope it goes to someone who will join this community soon.

[xmexclusive]

I cannot see silver paint at the bottom of the sills.
Photos are difficult but they appear to me to be painted black which is not how it left the factory.
I would be looking very closely at the critical rust areas and strut heads.
I would expect both the rads (large and small) to have needed replacing two or three times at that mileage.
Clutches are an engine out job and average life is 175k give or take 50k.
Timing belts (inc one unique double sides one) should have been done at 72k & 144k.
Aux belt jockey is another problem area.
It is cracking valve seats on cylinder heads not head gaskets that are the problem area.
On average 50% of cylinder heads prove unfit to rebuild.
Rads sets are £220 at current prices and all the other items listed are very very difficult to source new.

John

[sageman]

"I would be looking very closely at the critical rust areas and strut heads"
ive found the thing about strut heads is there another about the places where these normally rust

It is cracking valve seats on cylinder heads not head gaskets that are the problem area.
how would i tell if this was starting to happen uneven idle?

as for the rest the first owner has had everything done at a citroen garage since 2001 aparently so i assume for the time being that belts etc have been done at correct miladges good coolant used etc

however after reading a bit into the radiator/aux belt jockey/rare belt issues i have to ask is it possable the 2.5s wont be able to carry on running in a few more years is there anything in the pipeline to keep these parts avaliable

i saw mention thats its possable the 2.5 head issues are due to localised overheating from not being bled propally although this was from 2014 any updates on this

[Dieselman]

I cannot see silver paint at the bottom of the sills.
Photos are difficult but they appear to me to be painted black which is not how it left the factory.

Is that correct? I'm not a series 2 aficionado, but every picture I have looked at has the sills painted black, just like the series 1 cars. I can't recall ever seeing an Xm with body coloured sill lowers, other than when fitted with a bodykit.

[xmexclusive]

Sorry no one has done a general rust guide.
The problem with the XM's body shell is that it is all structural including the fixed glass.
It was designed by computer to use minimum thickness multiple pressed sections.
It was also an early application of treated steel panels.
Factory spot welding burnt off small rings of the galvanising.
Panel cut edges had poor or no treatment.
The closed sections are not air tight and are prone to condensation.
So XM's can and do rust from the inside out.
The bottom 40mm of the sills is one of the most common hidden rust areas.
Bent jacking points can speed this process.
The rust comes as a surprise when it starts to show externally and is by then serious and expensive to deal with.
Hence my concern about what appears to me to be black paint added in a critical rust area.
The photos are not clear even using a magnifying glass.
Some one has already mentioned torn drivers seat trim.
With this particular upholstery version the infill panels are thin grey velour cloth with grey leather outer edges.
The cloth on the drivers seat back outer edge usually takes a lot of wear.
At this mileage the cloth bit is normally heavily worn or torn.
No photos are provided of this area.
Check it as it might give a good guide on how the rest of the car has been cherished or suffered.

My experience is that Dealer maintenance does not give that much confidence on a 20 year old car.

The rest of the critical parts have work rounds or there were old stock spares but those are getting rare and very expensive now.

I have had two requests this month for 2.5 bits from Citroen Indys unable to source elsewhere.
Secondhand bits had to be accepted in both cases.
I am reaching the point where the stock of bits is down to that which I need to keep my 2.5's going.

John

[sageman]

"torn drivers seat trim"

looks to me like the same alcentra stuff used on the gti-6's so a good point i will ask though

just wondering what the 'blank' button above what i gather is rear seat heater/fag lighter isolator button
http://ipocars.com/imgs/a/b/n/c/d/citro ... _9_lgw.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

do you happen to have a picture on how the sills should look do you