Citroen XM Forum

Yes chaps I confess it was me that acquired the 1989 lhd V6 12v advertised on C & C, which I could not resist viewing when recently working up in Yorkshire! Apart from having Diravi, the age of the car was appealing and it turns out to be an extremely early example, plus it is also in my second favourite colour. I checked the RP number after my visit and she rolled out of the factory exactly one week before the Monte Carlo launch on 23rd May, which is five months before the XM appeared in the UK! The car has a very interesting history, having been first registered in Germany and owned by a priest and then purchased in 1994 by a Polish gentleman, who brought the car to the UK when visiting his son at Leeds about two years ago. For the age the condition is not that bad, with the worst defects being quite severe damage to the front jacking points and some poor re-painting on a rear door and adjacent wing. Apart from the usual lower front wing problem there is really not much corrosion, with a bit of other damage on the sills and heavy surface rust on the rear subframe. The engine sounds sweet despite around 160K and seems to have been well looked after with regular oil changes etc. and the hydraulics are all functioning okay. Although the car only arrived Saturday I have already changed over the wheels (originals to be offered on ebay), with other minor fixes including a replacement gear lever knob and keycode lid. I hope to spend the minimum initially all being well to get her through an MOT and registered, which will require some welding and a replacement rear silencer at the very least. As I do not know the original registration date that must have been during the summer of 1989 I hope to register on the RP, in other words she should get an 'F' plate!! I attach a couple of photos after today's work and watch this space! With regards, Matthew T.

I conversed with Pawel and was interested in that car until I saw the damage to the jacking points, which indicated rust. Nice colour and no sunroof make it appealing to me.

BTW. Your Mandarin TCT looked good.

It was interesting to hear that you also viewed the car Will and met Pawel who is a very nice and reasonable chap. The damage to the jacking points is a shame, although I had a similar problem with the gold car and managed to straighten things out. The Mandarin car visible in the first photo has a boot stuffed with alloy wheels! Regards, Matthew T.

I didn't go to see the car but Pawel sent me some detailed photo's, your car is in one of them.

Wow, that's lovely Matthew

An XM on an F plate will be something to behold indeed.

Even if the jacking points do need a bit of attention the rust you have to deal with is really nothing compared to someone restoring an F reg Ford Sierra or something...

I'm amazed to see what those who restore cars will weld up when there's practically nothing left of the original metal.

I didn't go to see the car but Pawel sent me some detailed photo's, your car is in one of them.

That is amusing Will and I dare say you were not surprised!

An XM on an F plate will be something to behold indeed.
Even if the jacking points do need a bit of attention the rust you have to deal with is really nothing compared to someone restoring an F reg Ford Sierra or something..

There was an early imported 'F' reg. 2.0i in a Sept 1989 'What Car' test Jim car that might still survive, who knows!
I certainly agree that the condition is quite good compared to some cars of that age!

With regards, Matthew T.

Best of luck Matthew in getting it on an F Plate, that would be great!

I might be wrong but I seem to remember Robert saying that he had a picture of an F Plate XM? Can't 100% remember...

Could be this test car Franklin as mentioned to Jim above, which also happens to be in Meteor Grey! On a vehicle check website the reg. F566RLM comes up as a gold Vauxhall Astra! Regards, Matthew T.

A couple of teasers for you.

Zut Alors...Sans sunroof... Makes it look loads better.

Nice Will but I am not in love with the alloys myself! Regards, Matthew T.