All XM- most refined?

[Rommel]

Ok, so this topic is going to be very subjective, that much is clear from the outset.

I am wondering about perceived levels of refinement between the various XM models.

I think this was because I was making a long night journey in the wee small hours...and felt that my 2.1 Bosch Auto is really rather reasonably quiet at around 60mph. Travelling at 80 is a different story.
I have not been lucky enough to drive other models of XM yet, but I'm starting to get curious about how other models stack up in terms of refinement, quietness IN THE CABIN, for the driver.
This isn't an argument about which engine is "better", for the record.

We all know MK1 cars have less soundproofing so that has to be taken into account.

I would imagine the ES9 V6 would be the winner here, but for those of you with knowledge of other XM please chime in if you can be bothered.

I am starting to feel that much as I love my 2.1, I should perhaps see if there's something else that travels at slightly higher speed than 60, quietly. I honestly don't know why I am bothering- there appears to be little point in trying to travel quickly these days...

[Dieselman]

The ES9 is definitely the quietest, but a manual 2.1TD is noticeably quieter than an automatic. A new set of engine mounts would probably make a noticeable difference.

[citroenxm]

An ES will sound quieter its only available in the S2, and I think the S2 was far far more refind and better sound insulated then the S1 ever was, and Im an S1 Die Hard!

I noticed Iv a S1 2.1 td auto on an L plate, and my mate has an S2 2.1 TD auto, Both Bosch too and Bosch EGR, but the S2 is far quiter and far less dash vibration at Idle.

They also mute the TCT engines quite well too. Its a great shame, but how I find it is.

Prehaps, buy an S2 and stick All S1 dash etc into it would be my answer!

[Peter.N.]

I have done literally hundreds of thousands of miles in manual 2.1 estates and the comfort and quietness along with excellent economy are the reasons I ran them for over 15 years. I did once drive an auto and was very disappointed with it, much noisier because it didn't change up until about 3000 rpm whereas you can change up at well under 2000 rpm in the manual, its the smoothest and most flexible diesel I have driven apart from the 2.5 and that is to complicated and not as economical, the 2.1 will do 50+ mpg driven sympathetically.

Peter

[citroenxm]

The ESj V6 is nautrally an almost silent engine, they are unheard in the Xantias, so in an XM, I dont think ANY engine will beat its refinement..

Its other advantage is the fact it also has a slightly newer "Learning" gearbox, and non mechanically lost transmission character, also contributing to the refinement.

[russ92xmsed]

Of all the Xm's I have been in and driven, the Es9 is the most refined for me. And I will say in general mk2 cars are quieter as you have mentioned Paul. The most exciting is the mk1 PRV 24V, not necessarily the most relaxing though. But the good old 2.1 does quieten down and cruise well at about 65 ish.

[White Exec]

Well, I have to make a showing from the White Corner, so herewith are the votes from Spain... I have to speak highly of the 2.5, nicely soundproofed in the S2 body.

Peter is right about economy, of course, and I can't rival his 50mpg. But put our 2.5 on the open road, and it'll return 39-40, even when driven at 70mph. Up and down our mountain tracks and urban, it's 33mpg.

But the hushed power and all that (chipped) torque doesn't encourage slow driving - it's the now abundant speed cameras that do that! It will effectively cruise comfortably at anything below 90mph, above that it just gets somewhat exciting, up to an indicated 130.

The twin balancer shafts certainly do their job, and numerous passengers over the years have asked what's actually under the bonnet. A couple of friends reckon it's simply the most comfortable car they've travelled in.

I think we all agree on something!

[citsncycles]

I'd have to disagree on the Xm being the most comfortable car - that'd be my GS, but it's certainly the best all rounder in terms of comfort and road holding. Mind you, between my car being a Mk1, my driving style and the roads I travel on round here it possibly spends more time in Sport mode than some.

[Peter.N.]

Well I think the DS gives about the most comfortable ride, with about a foot of suspension movement, the 504 comes a close second but for vehicles I have owned I think the XM is best ...or is it the CX....

Peter

[Ciaran]

I find the diesels sound less thrashy, purely because the torque ensures they can move quicker at less revs than the equivalent petrol, as already stated.
That said though, as much as passengers have often commented how smooth and quiet my XM is in town, I find any XM, even S2s, at motorway speeds and above to be disappointingly noisy, compared to other cars in it's class at the time.
Sound deadening is the one area where they fall down, rather than leading with innovation as usual.

Other things can make a surprising difference, I have the rear door card off my TCT at the moment due to a window regulator issue, and the amount of extra noise that comes in at speed is unbelievable, you can hear the booming of the exhaust echo off the road and come in through the door, it's so loud I have to turn the radio up

I've often toyed with the idea of adding extra sound deadening material inside the door cards and other accessible places, but have been put off by the expense of the material and practicalities of fitting things into already tight spaces. That said, it would be good to do, it would fix my one dislike of the XM.

Has anyone else had a go at something like that?