Should I get an XM?

[captainhaddock]

So there he is again: don't underestimate the 16 valve. Far more perkier than the diesel and about 38/39 mpg but, not, in city traffic.

[messerschmitt owner]

It's the town traffic that knocks the text down from low thirties to mid 20s.

[citroenmad]

Given the care and attention required of an older car, there is no reason why an XM should not be as reliable as anything else. Afterall, modern cars are not all that!

If you must avoid the diesels my thoughts would be for the 2.0 TCT petrol engine. Its torquey, provides reasonable performance and its a very reliable engine. The 2.0 16v is very good, we've had three and two provided lively performance and good economy, the other was not as nippy! The 2.0 16v is a little more efficient than the TCT. Our auto 16v 2.0 would do 32-34 on average, the manual would do 35-36 and I had 40+ on a few motorway runs.

V6s are nice and you might be surprised at how small the difference is in economy between a V6 and a 2.0 petrol. Go for the later 24v if you can, a superb engine but all are automatics.

20K miles a year is a fair amount, I see two sides to this, I do a similar mileage. Do you do that many miles in a car you really like to drive (XM perhaps) but with the possibility of increased repairs (possibly inconvenient if you rely on the car) and the chance of some parts becoming rare. Or do you use a modern car which laps up the miles and one you don't feel so bad about putting through the winter salt, piling on the miles or perhaps throwing it away/replacing it should something happen to it.

[CitroJim]

I'm off to Wales and back later this week. I've been tossing up whether to use the Xantia V6 for this or the XM.

I took the XM for a spin this evening and it's been a few days since I'd driven the XM as the Xantia is my daily driver...

After a couple of miles my decision was made. It'll be the XM that goes to Wales. It was an easy decision...

For long journeys in comfort they are unbeatable - even by a Xantia...

[citroenxm]

A very nice looking 2.0 16v Silver XM HERE with hardley any miles on it...

Theres only a small choice of engines in the XM..

2.0i 8v Manuals in early cars to around 1992
2.oi 8v Turbo Petrol in - well mostly autos now as all the manuals got stolen by the Puggerisers!!
3.0i 12v PRV V6 Petrol - Scarse early manuals, then most later ones to 1996 autos.
and the ultra rare 3.0i 24v PRV Manual only ..
2.0i 16v in S2 cars. Most are auto however a silver Manual is listed on the may M reg in classics section.

Apart from the 16v engine, the petrols are rather hopeless on fuel, as a whole. The way to cheat is to LPG them!

The dervs - two options, 2.1 12v and a 2.5 12v manual only.

The 2.1 had a choice, early cars to 1991 Manual only, then again most are auto.

The 2.1 is the best on fuel, early manual cars reaching around 45mpg.. autos can knock that down to around 40.

S1.5 Cars, between K and early M reg cars seem to be the best eira for reliability, in the suspension and general body work, though most have weakness's. S2 cars, certainly late cars seem worse for rust under the body.

For me, the two ultimate the PRV 12v on LPG (got one, needs lots of work) or the 2.1 TD either auto or manual.

I did 40k in my V6 SEi auto on LPG, and other then starter issues which I over come she was virtually trouble free.. Miss the car. Still have her but sadly needs a bit of work.

These are MY VIEWS.. Lots of others here though, dont useually agree with me, but then we all have opinions that differ, be a very boring world if we all had identical things!

[citroenmad]

2.0i 16v in S2 cars. Most are auto however a silver Manual is listed on the may M reg in classics section.

I wondered when that car would resurface. We recued that one from being scrapped a few years ago. It had done just turned 31K back then and had been stood for 4 years. A very nice car and that is the one which I got over 40mpg from on a 70-80mph run down to the National rally.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/silver-1994-c ... 2ec4225503

[citroenxm]

My link not working for you chris?

Just wondered why we have a link each to the same car..

[mds141]

As stated previously, buy the best you can, from a established, reputable dealer or private Citroen enthusiast. Mine had over 2 grand spent on it just before I bought it. Not missed a beat.

[tog]

Thanks for the input, it's all very helpful.

I don't know how I missed that silver 16v on ebay - I've been watching ebay religiously lately, and that looks like a great car. I'm not that keen to buy a car like an XM unseen however, so I am tending to cars near me (Wiltshire), of which there aren't any! There have been some other tempting cars for sale recently, but I haven't been able to go and see them before they've been sold. I'll keep looking

[captainhaddock]

Keep a look out for our XM next week in Wiltshire! Just passing through for the weekend!