Practical Classics XM buyers guide out now.

[Dean]

It's not about being factualy correct Paul, its about raising the profile of the car and creating desirability for the model.

D

[White Exec]

There's a long history of classic car magazines getting all sorts of things not quite right. Short of insisting on being able to edit/correct the final draft - which will not usually be agreed - there's not much to be done.

Dean's right though - if it raises the profile, it's doing a valuable job. Afficionados will know all this, and casual readers probably won't pick up on the errors.

Looking forward to being able to read it, hopefully next week!

[citroenxm]

I said little things.. But i know what you guys are saying.. Ive been moaning for a while about lack of other citroen models other then cx and ds..

It is a good report and a good read.. Prehaps im being way tooooo picky..

I noticed one of my project cars crept into the article.. Cant remember if i sent it or not.. Its only a small pic though..

[Dieselman]

Oh my dear lord.... What a shame.. Its full of lots of errors.. Little ones but some important ones..

Care to elaborate?

Perhaps you should have put yourself forwards to proof the article, Paul. You get 2000 words to get over as many points as possible, covering the range for someone looking to purchase without previous knowledge.

Strangely, I didn't see you sticking your head above the parapet for that.

[citroenxm]

How do you know will??? I spoke to one who was proof reading it and said id be happy to look over it but i didnt get a response...

So i did actually..

[MTXM]

I have just seen the article and I also say well done to Ray and Will for raising the profile of the model. On the whole all seemed pretty accurate, apart from Ray's trip to Egypt of course, with a well balance and generally positive portrayal. Hopefully there will be future features on other variants, including dare I suggest the S1 V6! Regards, Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

I was impressed with the V6 positive comments... But did note the engine review section at the bottom of the of the last page had the PRV down as a DOHC engine and the esj as a ohc ...

[Dieselman]

I've availed myself of the article and can see the parts Paul has referred to. They are very minor items where there has been a slight mix up at fianal edit stage...vis the Pixillated display being mentioned as S1, not as we all know, S2, and leaning stance...
The article gets drafted then amended, then to the editor, I then amended it again, but not all those alts made it to print, which was probably my fault for not getting the draft back quickly enough.

On the whole, I'm pleased with the article and feel it accurately describes the positive and negative points of the cars and ownership, the costs and how to spot a good car from a duffer... and that now is the time to buy one, which was the point of the article.

Rotten sheds with blown head gaskets, slipping clutches, crashy ride, flashing warning lights, non-working bendix ABS, knackered auto gearboxes and leaking sunroofs are best avoided (but cheap), unless one is (like most of us) a masochist...S1 cars have greater flair, but S2 cars have more general appeal, especially the 3.0i Exclusive...which, IMHO, is the car the XM was designed to be and the only S2 car that interests me...a luxury continent crossing cruiser with uncanny ability to be a real drivers car on a twisty B road.

[citroenxm]

I agreeded it was acurate (i think ) and did say they were minor..

It is overall a good account...

[White Exec]

Just read the article. It's a very good spread, well put together. I think the errors are fairly trivial, and don't detract from the overall impact.
Nicely enthusiastic, and obviously sparked some complimentary comments from the magazine staff: When you start driving something else, you realise just how...

Well done Ray and Will for seeing this through. Ray - she looks fabulous in those shots; a great job!