CX vs XM?

[MTXM]

At the Northern Rally there were a couple of very tidy top spec CX in attendance, which set me thinking about and comparing the two different designs and why I prefer and chose to own XM! The front end of the XM for me is certainly more appealing as I prefer the sharper nose and faired in headlights, while to my taste the CX looks a bit 'clunky' - ducks for cover! Perhaps the CX has a more sculptured and elegant rear, but I like the cleanness and simplicity of the XM and the practicality of a hatch is also an attraction. Another reason I admire the XM is that it still appears quite a 'fresh' and 'modern' design, whereas I think CX has dated slightly less well, although arguably therefore has more obvious 'classic' status. No doubt there will other strong views expressed on this topic! Regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

One of my favourite XM shots also taken last weekend after a good polish! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

I like both very much, but like you Matthew I always ended up liking the XM more. I like the sharper styling.
My favourite CX model is the series 1 with metal bumpers. I would love it have one as a companion to the XM.
I think the series 2 for me looks a little heavy in places, but that's really nic-picking.

[White Exec]

I have an enduring memory of briefly driving a CX Familiale/Safari across Sussex back in the 80s - my first experience of the big Citroen ride - and then being driven back late at night by its owner, including a stretch of the M23. Discovered then that these were something rather special.

[MTXM]

I think the series 2 for me looks a little heavy in places, but that's really nic-picking.

I have to agree with you there Russ and as with the XM there is something more appealing and pure about the original design! It could be argued that Citroen rather 'over-worked' the CX with a lifespan of 16 years including the estate! With regards, Matthew T.

[White Exec]

It could be argued that Citroen rather 'over-worked' the CX with a lifespan of 16 years including the estate!

They must have kept CX going until the last knockings, awaiting XM launch in '89. CX finished in '90, but I remember a few new ones available for a while after that.

CX Safari Reflex.jpg

Side-on, it's still pretty stunning, I think. Less good the front end.

And finally the quirky and messy instruments got facelifted...

citroen-cx2400-gti-vs-turbo-interior.jpg

You can see so much BX and XM in that interior.

[MTXM]

Many thanks for that Chris and I agree there are strong similarities with the interior and especially the early BX. I understood just the CX estate was kept in production after 1989 until launch of the XM estate in 1991. With regards, Matthew T.

[Peter.N.]

I have owned three CXs and about six or seven XM's and done a lot of miles in all them and there is no doubt in my mind that the CX is a superior vehicle, they have their quirks like the handbrake that needs adjusting every time you use it and front wings that you can't see and often fall victim to the odd wall or lamp post but on the plus side for pure drivability I have never driven anything like them.

The CXs I had were all all diesel Safari's and the reason I bought my first one was nothing to with it being a Citroen it was just that it had the most refined diesel engine available at the time with performance and quietness, something no other manufacturer had been able to achieve at the time, it was only after I bought I realised what a wonderful vehicle it was.

Apart from the hydropnumatic suspension which give a superb ride it had central steering knuckles which meant that nothing would make it deviate from driving in a straight line. Soon after the M5 opened I drove one up there for several miles with a flat front tyre without knowing it, I thought the ride was a bit rough but when I eventually stopped and looked there was smoke coming off it, the stability of this steering had to be tried to be believed, it was like driving a 16' mini. Another thing was the diravi steering steering, this, combined with the excellent rear visibility made what was a huge car very easy to park. The space inside was huge and the interior very comfortable and the diesel engine very good on fuel.

The best one I had was the last a Mk2 CX DTR Turbo, that really went but unfortunately had a porous block, something which was quite common at the time but I knew nothing about until the head gasket went for the first time, I had to replace it about every 15k miles so that was at least ten gaskets while I had it but I forgave it that because it was such a lovely car although to be fair they were a very easy gasket to change, I had two other heads on it and also had the block machined but it made no difference.

The best one was the Turbo 2 but sadly I didnt have one of those, they did 0-60 in 10 seconds and 120 mph at 3600 rpm! this is in 1987 must have been the fastest diesel of its time.

The XM was the logical follow up car but it lacked the diravi steering and the space of the CX although it was pretty big, it was comfortable but not as much so as the CX, it did have an excellent handbrake though!

When all mine had rusted away I got a C5, very disappointing compared with both the XM and CX, soft ride but very choppy on our rough roads, it wasn't a hydractive though, they are better but don't use the bombproof 2.0. 8 valve Hdi.

Peter

[MTXM]

That sounds like a reasonable critique Peter and I must confess that I have never owned a CX, although my earlier comments were mainly I must confess offered in relation to the design and appearance of the two cars, rather than their driveabiity, reliability and other such arguably more important issues!! With regards, Matthew T.

[Peter.N.]

There was a saying about when I bought my first CX that " if you drive one for less than half an hour you will never want to drive one again, if you drive it for more than half an hour you will never want to drive anything else" the latter was certainly true in my case.

Peter