Citroen XM Forum

So apparently I did a boo-boo and got myself a non-hydractive XM. I thought they ALL had the hydractive system, but my 2.0i 1990 I guess doesn't because it doesn't have the sport button.

What's the major differences in the system? Is it possible to upgrade it? Would it be worth it?

To confirm whether or not you have a hydractive system, count the spheres. A non-hydractive XM or Xantia will have 5 spheres - one for each wheel, and one (front) accumulator. A hydractive system will have at least 7.

Non-hydractive = simpler. Less spheres, no electrovalves, no computer. I have a non-hydractive Xantia wagon - once fitted with new spheres it rode beautifully - consistently better than my hydractive Xantia hatch.

The difference of course is that the hydractive system has the ability to stiffen up on corners or under hard braking - ie it automatically puts itself into and back out of sports mode - it does not mean that the hydractive system gives a better ride.

I believe I have six; one in each corner plus one in the engine bay and one in the rear.

Your car doesn't have Hydractive.
On this forum it is unusual to find a Non-Hydractive Xm, as all UK supplied ones had it fitted, but in other markets it was a cost option.

Could one upgrade it? Yes given you had a donor car side by side.

Is it worth it? If I had a donor car I would do it, but not otherwise. There are a lot of parts to swap over, not just hydraulics and electrical, but items like the lower suspension mount is different.
It is smoother (apart from over certain humps, as the hydractive can engage hard mode)
It corners and brakes with much reduced body movement.

I think the only other non-Hydractive version we have on this forum is member Gasa, who likes his.
If you really think it's an issue, you could import another one and sell yours. In your position I would go for a V6 manual.

Post discussing your car.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=10590&start=10#p127499

bump_drft wrote: ↑

Tue May 07, 2024 11:21 pm

I believe I have six; one in each corner plus one in the engine bay and one in the rear.

What would the 3rd sphere at the rear be?. A1990 car won't have anti-sink.

A hydractive car will have 10mm pipes to the front strut tops, a non- hydractive car will have 4.5mm pipes.

Dieselman wrote: ↑

Wed May 08, 2024 7:15 am

Your car doesn't have Hydractive.
On this forum it is unusual to find a Non-Hydractive Xm, as all UK supplied ones had it fitted, but in other markets it was a cost option.

Yeah I think having mostly read UK media, I thought they were all equipped. I'm pretty bummed. I do hear the non-hydractives ride maybe a little better.

I have a non hydractive mk1, carbureted with manual mirrors, a pleasure to drive

A carburettor Xm is a very rare car in the Uk, non-Hydractive non-existent, as all were sold with Hydractive.

Does yours have the instruments cluster with no rev counter and a clock instead and what colour is the dashboard skin. Some lower specced models had coloured dashboards, as opposed to the Hurricane grey of all others.

As far as I can recall, we have only had one other carburettor Xm on this forum, previously.