My 2000 V6 - Still blown away by this car!

[rustytractor]

I don't drop in to the forum very often but I thought it was time for an update.

Well I've had the car since October 2013 and am utterly amazed how an old car (no insult intended) can be so damned good.

Up till last week, since I bought the car my total expenditure has been £98.00 comprising £50.00 for a tyre, £10.00 for wheel balancing, £30.00 for an MoT (flew through with no advisories), a couple of quid for wiper blades and bulbs and that's it - nothing else whatsoever. No oil (hasn't used a drop ), no fluid, no repairs - nothing.

Last weeks I decided it was time to do a service so I spent £170.00 on new brake discs and pads all round, oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, plugs and drop links to cure a minor donk donk on the front. Fitting was easy with no traumas and within a few hours she was back on the road, all the better for some TLC. She was never a slouch but Jesus this car responded well to new plugs and flys now. In fact I took a friend out in it the other day and he commented how quick and responsive it felt which in itself isn't that odd but his everyday cars are a new Bentley Speed 12 and a Maclaren Mercedes - high praise indeed !

The brakes were good before, in fact they didn't really need changing yet but I did it anyway and they're phenominal now. The donk donk has almost gone and now is just a tiny little noise, more like a tyre noise than anything else so I wondered if this is how an XM should sound. If not, maybe the shock absorbers or mounts are worn ? It's so slight I'm not worried by it but would appreciate an opinion or two.

Last year I mentioned that I needed a drivers side indicator lens (cracked) and possibly a drivers side headlamp (small stone chip hole) and I'd like to sort this so if anyone has either part please let me know.

The more I use this car the more I fall under it's spell - I've done 12k miles in it, loaded it with untold weight without problem, been up and down the motorway in supreme comfort loads of times and had conversations with many people about how unusual it is to see one - I've only seen one other since I've owned it.

These really are great cars and I for one am totally hooked and have no intention of letting her go in the foreseeable future.

[cxprestigeauto]

Great to hear that you enjoy the car and that it hasn't cost the earth.

Mine is still a work in progress so the pounds are still being spent albeit in small chunks!

Will you be at the X Rally in April?

Rob

[fakeconcern]

How about some pictures?

[xmexclusive]

Hi Russ

Headlight and fog light.
See ebay items 111621491656 £34 & 191200762858 £27 for offside headlights.
The latter seller also has an offside fog light 161325862280 for £15.
As far as I can see all items are chip free but you may be wise to ask.

If you look at the headlight photos you will see that the glass just seats on a rubber seal and is held with flat spring steel clips.

John

[rustytractor]

Hi Russ

Headlight and fog light.
See ebay items 111621491656 £34 & 191200762858 £27 for offside headlights.
The latter seller also has an offside fog light 161325862280 for £15.
As far as I can see all items are chip free but you may be wise to ask.

If you look at the headlight photos you will see that the glass just seats on a rubber seal and is held with flat spring steel clips.

John

Thanks for this - are all the lenses and lamps the same ? My cars a 2000 while these are all off of earlier cars.

[rustytractor]

Great to hear that you enjoy the car and that it hasn't cost the earth.

Mine is still a work in progress so the pounds are still being spent albeit in small chunks!

Will you be at the X Rally in April?

Rob

Doubt I'll get to the rally - too much going on at the moment in all honesty but I will try.

Have you been doing your car for long - what spec ?

[White Exec]

An XM in good trim is just staggering...magnificent...a delight to drive or travel in...quite unlike anything else...
And utterly addictive.
Know just how you feel!

[Dean]

Follow the link to Robs thread viewtopic.php?t=6842" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

D

[rustytractor]

How about some pictures?

I've never thought to take any but will do.

The cars in great condition, few marks in the paint here and there but zero rust and the interior is perfect.

I've been reading up about spec on these cars - mines an Exclusive and has full leather and heated seats front and rear, is this unusual? I know very little about these cars and just bought it when it cropped up via a friend. I think I've been lucky as its a one owner car with full service history.

[xmexclusive]

No there are some differences but I have checked for these.
The donor cars were early Mk2's.
All RHD headlamp glasses are the same just the case different between Mk1 & Mk2.
Fog/indicator lights very different between Mk1 & Mk2. Photo is a Mk2 one.

John