New XM Owner

[Davehedgehog31]

Hi folks,

I've actually been a member here for a few years but I've only recently bought my first XM.

I'm no stranger to old PSA toot and have owned lots from the 80s and 90s, mostly Peugeots admittedly, have always really fancied an XM though and when one came up for sale on another forum I'm a member of I decided to go for it. I'm in Ayrshire and the car was in South East London, one of my mates who is a glutton for punishment was working down there and brought the XM up the road overnight...

My car is an R reg 2.1 TD hatch, green in colour and in VSX trim. It has covered roughly 76k. It's a little rough around the edges in a few areas but fundamentally a good car and a credit to it's former keepers.

I'd long coveted an XM, going so far as having the coffee table book on it's design and development, I worried that it might be a case of "never meet your heroes" but safe to say I love the car. I've owned lots of 90s Peugeots, 405s, 205s, 309s etc and the XM has that similar PSA feel, but the experience is elevated by the hydropneumatic systems. The ride comfort is incredible and although the XUD was a little long in the tooth by that time, the 2.1 version feels smoother and torquier than the 1.9.

There's a fair amount to improve. The front windows are inop, mid section of the exhaust has a blow, there's a weep from the fuel pump on cold start and a small fluid leak pooling on the front subframe, unsure of flavour and various other little bits and bobs to tidy up.

I can see this car being a long termer so would like to do a bit to preserve it given the famously inhospitable conditions up here. I'd like to clean up the underside, paying particular attention to hydraulic lines and apply lanoguard or similar. It might end up being a fair weather car and garaged over winter, although I'm always conflicted between what's worse, subjecting them to the salt or them sitting unused for a prolonged period, perhaps sensible all year use is the answer.

I am all too familiar with the parts supply difficulties of old obscure French cars, I anticipate that being quite a significant challenge.

This is car 5 on fleet... I've got the XM as well as:

2018 Renault Zoe 40Kwh - The most used car, charging it at home means big fuel savings to offset my other rubbish.
2013 Lexus GS450H Premier - The XM rides better, but think the Lexus might just show it a clean pair of heels...
2011 Peugeot 207 1.6 HDi Sport - A VERY well sorted little car, has been comprehensively overhauled, drives great and does 70mpg, a bit numb compared to the 206 and 205 before it, but still a good car.
2018 Kia Ceed 1.6crdi Estate - My partner mostly uses this, automotive porridge, crap on fuel, dreary interior and pretty dismal to drive.

[Dieselman]

I like your fleet summary, pretty accurate.

That was Wesacosa's car, really good, but needs someone with a bit of technical know how to fully sort it. You shouldn't have any real issues sourcing parts for a 2.1 with Epic fuel system. 2.1 with manual gearboxes can go for a very long time.
As you have noticed, the 2.1TD is a real pleasure to drive, compared to a 1.9TD.

As far as rust protection goes, it's a real must for an Xm, so pay for quality products and do it, especially inside the sills and any other box sections. I'm not convinced about Lanoguard, I don't think it grips long term.

Welcome to wafto-matic land.

[Davehedgehog31]

I like your fleet summary, pretty accurate.

That was Wesacosa's car, really good, but needs someone with a bit of technical know how to fully sort it. You shouldn't have any real issues sourcing parts for a 2.1 with Epic fuel system. 2.1 with manual gearboxes can go for a very long time.
As you have noticed, the 2.1TD is a real pleasure to drive, compared to a 1.9TD.

As far as rust protection goes, it's a real must for an Xm, so pay for quality products and do it, especially inside the sills and any other box sections. I'm not convinced about Lanoguard, I don't think it grips long term.

Welcome to wafto-matic land.

Hi Dieselman and thanks for the welcome.

It was indeed Wes's car, a top seller, shame he had to move it on due to the ULEZ.

The pump seals are with the car, just need to take my brave pills and crack on with it, although it is still quite useable at the moment.

I've had good results with lanolin based products on other cars, I've not actually used Lanoguard now that I think about it but a product called Corrolan, It's far gloopier, very messy and quite difficult to work with but with good cling. The main thing I like about lanolin is that the true condition of the car can still be seen underneath, I've always thought traditional underseal products can hide a multitude of sins.

Rustproofing is always a really unpleasant job, but it's worth it to preserve the car, especially with the hideous levels of salt we have up here, unfortunately most of my current fleet are due their first application or a top up this year. Personally I think there should be less salt on the roads and more responsibility on people to have decent weather appropriate tyres and drive to the conditions, but that's wishful thinking.