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Rare sighting of XM in New Zealand

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:36 pm
by 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.

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2017 8:37 pm
by White Exec
Nicely understated blue . . . and a high-level brake light!

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:00 am
by Jan-hendrik
Mauritius Blue?

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:38 am
by Peter.N.
Didn't know they sold them in '98, very early one.

Peter

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 12:57 pm
by MTXM
The car looks very good in that warm sunshine Mike! Regards, Matthew T.

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 2:45 pm
by 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

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 6:09 pm
by 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.

Re: Rare XM spotted in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 7:29 pm
by White Exec
Think they were known as the "farmers' versions", or something like.

Re: Rare sighting of XM in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 9:01 pm
by 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.

Re: Rare sighting of XM in New Zealand

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:02 pm
by MTXM
Or 'peasant spec' I think Chris!! Regards, Matthew T.