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Newb questions

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 11:00 pm
by Link
First, I've never driven an XM and I'm probably mental. I'm looking to purchase one in France. Ideally I'd like a 2000 petrol V6 with a manual transmission, would this be difficult to find?

How easy is it to find parts for an XM in France? Since the last production was around 18 years ago does that mean Citroen no longer supports them? What about euro aftermarket parts?

I didn't troll this forum too much, so forgive me if its all there. Lastly, how difficult is it to find a service manual in english?

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 1:00 am
by xantia_v6
A late V6 with manual transmission is quite rare in France, as the French were in love with Diesel engines and then about 90% of the V6s were specified with automatic transmission. I found mine purely by luck, it was the first XM I went to see as a potential purchase. The advertisement neither said it was manual nor a V6!

The parts situation is not great, but there are a few more being broken in France than in the UK. Take a look on a site like https://www.mister-auto.com/citroen-xm- ... v9013.html to see what parts are (and are not) currently easy to obtain. I would not rely on too much being available from a dealer in future.

Service information is not too hard to find, although there is no manual officially available for the late XM V6. In case of difficulty, advice is always available here.

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 1:37 am
by Link
Thanks for the reply. From my limited searches I see all the V6 seem to be auto so you certainly confirmed that.

The French do love the diesels, me, not so much.

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:15 am
by White Exec
You'll have to be patient for a V6 manual, although worth waiting for, as they are not just more economical but also much more reliable. 2.5 diesel has more torque, are all manual (same 'box), 34-44mpg, and may be worth considering.

Lots to read up on here, as well as a few for sale from time to time.

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2018 9:48 am
by Peter.N.
There are a few more mechanical bits about for the 2.1 diesel as they used that engine in a number of cars, the 2.5 though was only used in the XM except for a few in vans, most of which have long gone.

Peter

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 5:51 pm
by Link
So it looks like I’m after the ESL V6. I see from Wikipedia it was in a few Citroen and Peugeot models. I live in the states so I have zero clue how popular these models were and if there will be an abundance of parts in scrap yards or not.

I’ve also never seen or worked on a hydraulic suspension, in general how bad is this? I can tackle pretty advanced tasks, I guess I’m concerned with special tools or safety.

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 7:31 pm
by xmexclusive
A little correction about the gear boxes.
The later V6 Mk 2 XM manual car with ES9J4 engine was mated with the ML5 gear box.
It was the earlier V6 PRV engined Mk 2 XM manual that was mated with the MG5 gear box used by the XM 2.5 TD.

For both of these types of V6 XM the RHD drive manual was only available as a factory special order.
None were manufactured as demonstrators and no one in the UK ever placed a special order.

The ES9J4 engine and ML5 box combination was supplied to the UK in some RHD Peugeot models.
There are a couple of post sagas on here about the work needed where late V6 XM's with failed auto boxes get retro fitted with the ML5 box.

Plenty of help available on here about hydraulic suspension repairs.
Main safety rule is safely support before you go under for any reason.
Fully support by using the car solid under body members particularly before working on the hydraulics.
If you were to support the car by the wheels any release of hydraulic pressure can suddenly drop the whole car body by as much as 200mm.
Pressure release could be caused just by a valve clicking out and not require action by you.
The video posted this week shows the wide range of suspension movements.
Other than the special pipe flaring tools, pipe and pipe fittings then standard tools can be used for most tasks and a bit of ingenuity.
Advice on here to questions will usually be supplied inside 24hrs.
We have a few members in the USA so contact with them may well help.

John

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:36 pm
by White Exec
Citroen has several stabs at selling their cars into the USA, with promotion of the XM (modified to meet regulations) being one of the last. There are details on the web about this, the outcome of some rear-end crash testing that was done, and Citroen's decision to proceed no further. CXA continued to arrange personal imports, but there was no dealership network for XM. So numbers were tiny, and now even tinier.

Some background here, which you may have read already:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/ ... itroen-xm/
http://www.cxaintl.com/
and Wikipedia.

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 8:39 pm
by White Exec
John,

" For both of these types of V6 XM the RHD drive manual was only available as a factory special order.
None were manufactured as demonstrators and no one in the UK ever placed a special order. "

Didn't realise that (my underline).

MG5 seems a really good and reliable box. How does ML5 compare? What were the differences?

Re: Newb questions

Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:28 pm
by xmexclusive
Hi Chris

ML5 has different clutch plate, shorter thrust bearing, refillable hydraulic clutch with different length push rod.
Just enough differences to cause problems if you try to mix bits.
MG5 came with two further lengths of push rod (early/late) and different clutch plates (diesel/petrol versions).
Just enough differences to cause problems if you get the wrong combination.

I have a couple of recovered ML6 boxes about somewhere.
One day I will see if I can mod one to fit it to a 2.5 engine.

John