Citroen XM Forum

I beliveve it's the only one in Louisiana--I had to go to the OMV in Baton Rouge and get them to add it to the database. Here's a photo in the French Quarter

It had Renault Safrane wheel covers when I got it, I've since "upgraded" to the OEM ones.

That's what you call individualism.

A uniquely French car in an appropriately French looking surrounding.
Mandarin-Nacre is a good colour for an Xm, especially when in bright sunshine.
Paint the door upright glazing bars in satin black to restore the band of glass look.

One observation, your car appears to be riding too high at the front.
Front: 144mm +10mm/ -7mm, from flat of subframe to the ground.
Rear: 431mm +10mm/-7mm from rear chassis rail behind rear subframe mount, to ground.
A quick check is that the chrome trim line running through the doors and bumper should intersect the front wheel rim, yours looks about 25mm too high.

Lift the car by hand, until it sinks, allow to rise to level, then measure. Ensure the linkage pivot and swivels are well greased.
The adjustment is by the clamp round the anti-roll bar. Loosen the clamp, manually correct the height, tighten the clamp.
Xm that are left sitting on the bump stops for a long time, with the height selection lever still set to ride height, gradually deform the spring linkage, which then makes the car ride high.
It is good practice to lower the car when leaving a sinker for an extended duration. The linkage is relaxed, the spheres are emptied which extends their life.
The system does take longer to re-pressurise on restart.

Wow thanks for all that! I'll take a look at ride height. It was off in the photo, and the rear sinks rather quickly. I suspect the spheres need refreshing. The car does sit for extended periods of time, and with it's low mileage it clearly sat even before I owned it.

It should be obvious, but never go under a hydraulically suspended car without another method of propping the body up. If the hydraulics fail, or are set to low, the car will come down and crush you.

Sphere pressure tables are in the linked thread. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10270
Ask if you have queries.

As for refilling them, there are a couple of options, either make/find a refilling rig, or use screw in valves.
It's useful to know the gas pressure in the sphere both before and after refilling.

See thread. viewtopic.php?p=123770