Rare sighting of XM in New Zealand

[xantia_v6]

This was parked just around the corner from our house yesterday.

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It is very straight, with no sign of any rust anywhere. Note the lack of any badging to denote engine type or trim level.

The owner happened to come along as I was looking at it. It is a 1998 2.0i auto. It was imported second hand from Singapore about 10 years ago.

[White Exec]

Nicely understated blue . . . and a high-level brake light!

[Jan-hendrik]

Mauritius Blue?

[Peter.N.]

Didn't know they sold them in '98, very early one.

Peter

[MTXM]

The car looks very good in that warm sunshine Mike! Regards, Matthew T.

[Dean]

That warm sunshine is making me think of summer evenings in the garden with a cold beer and a book, but then I snap out of that daydream and realise its February, cold, wet, constantly dark and as far away from summer evenings in the garden as its possible to get.

Nice spot, must be a rare sight out there.

D

[djg]

My mechanic, as the director of a dealership back then, was involved in the re-export of some very early, very basic XMs to, what was it, Kazakhstan, I think. As basic as you can imagine, carburetted engine, no toys, no central locking, manual windows, etc. But they sold well.

[White Exec]

Think they were known as the "farmers' versions", or something like.

[xantia_v6]

This one wasn't a farmers version, as it is hydractive with leather upholstery, I think that it is typical of Singaporian spec to have luxury inside with no bling on the outside, and the smallest engine available (for tax reasons). 20 odd years ago I knew someone who imported used Mercs from Singapore, and that seemed to be the typical specification.

[MTXM]

Or 'peasant spec' I think Chris!! Regards, Matthew T.