Interesting XM review / test

[citroenxm]

Ah its not the one I have. the one I have is a 1989 model, and is LHD with no wood...

Another GDP press car, not seen that one before...

[Dieselman]

noticed this too. not bothered by it....but it would be interesting Will to see how you get on with your mods. The C5 does it too. Macpherson set up is partly to blame, double wishbone like C6, DS ect is better.

I'll get back on the case with this next week maybe, just need to get a bit more able to do things for now.

Fitting sloppy corner spheres would do it, but remove the handling benefit of hydractive, so I'll concentrate on the stiffness regulator. My Cobalt car is worse than the mandarin one.

I can't work out if it's just the Hydractive reacting to the wheel travel being more than 300mm/sec, so engaging hard mode. I'll disconnect the speedo sensor and try it.

[MTXM]

In answer to the query from Russ, the interior wood trim was introduced on V6 12v during late 1990/early 1991. With regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

Really Matthew. I was always under the impression wood became available on the V6 24V first, and then on the '92 onward models. So they introduced it earlier. Didn't know that. Must be quite rare however.

[citroenxm]

RE: Wood.

This is an interesting photo shoot. I was under the impression that wood originaly was restricted to the Centre Console in V6 SEi cars only at first, and the V6 24v Manual had the extra wood on the glove box and doors and gear lever.. With early SED cars not haveing any wood..

Then in 1992 SEi trim was up graded to 24v Manual spec with the extra wood which was also added to SED models.

What the SEi Models originall DIDN'T have over the 24v models was external colour codeing panels. This again was a 1992 outside revision, the SEi / SED cars also went colour coded...

[robertmnorton]

Hi Dman,

Drilling the front corner spheres to 0.7mm

i thought standard front spheres were 0.8mm, p/n 96 222 867, with the exception of the V6 which are 0.7mm , p/n 96 290 048 ? This as listed in the cit mechs handbook. Did you have non standard spheres fitted ?
Also replacing HA spheres with main acc spheres changes suspension characteristics slightly. I have this on mine.
A 70 section tyre may help, never tried it, but i have noticed the softer sidewall snow tyres really do make a noticeable difference, but not to the point of illimination.

but I might have a go at the centre dampers

These are integral with the HA valve block
robertm

[russ92xmsed]

All very confusing! I've only seen either the all black interiors or full wood trim.
Colour coding I know was added after the 24V was introduced.
They couldn't make their minds up!

[citroenxm]

The colour codeing was the ORIGINAL distinction between the 24v and lesser models. But then was added as a trim upgrade to all SE models in 1992....

Im really wanting to find some centre console wood again, for the SED. Ive got door cards with wood to go in.. and an electric arm rest... Just need the centre console wood now..

[russ92xmsed]

I need to ideally re lacquer or varnish the wood around the switches on the center console. In fact I would like to do the whole lot. It is looking a little washed out in places. And as it is real wood, I think it would come up a real treat.

I like the colour coding, but for me I prefer the black trim. The Mirrors are meant to be black or grey to trick the eye into making it look like an extension of the windscreen and highlight the first kink in the window line. However it doesn't kind of work as well on Black or darker coloured cars!
But when colour coding is done it does look nice. Matthews Mandarin and Platinum XM's look good with it. BUT White XM's with all the trim colour coded....aerodynamic wedding cakes!

[CitroJim]

aerodynamic wedding cakes!

Or a bowl of meringue...