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I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:14 am
by Saraphi
I live in N Thailand and own a Xantia, an XM and a ZX.
All acquired in the last 3-4 years.
The XM is very new to me, in fact I've yet to take delivery. It's in Bangkok and I'm 700 kilometres away.
I don't think there's a lot needs doing (crossed fingers) but I already know there's a few things I shall need so watch out for me on the 'wanted pages.

Photographs of all three will follow, soonish.....................

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 6:53 am
by White Exec
Hi, and welcome, Rex.
Hopefully the XM purchase will come up trumps after your search for one.
Plenty of help and information here.
Look forward to photos and lots more.
Handbook edition for the car (26 July 1995) - rear cover will show XM-GB-5005.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2019 9:17 am
by MTXM
Wow, that is exciting, an XM enthusiast in Thailand!! A very warm welcome to the Forum Saraphi and we look forward to hearing from you further and including to see photos of your fleet. With regards, Matthew T.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2019 5:43 am
by Saraphi
Thanks Chaps,

Detail like the handbook code is invaluable when you're thousands of miles away from anyone else to ask!
I think I mentioned that the car is in Bangkok? This morning the papers for the transfer arrived and I've signed those and sent them back together a copy of my passport, my visa extension of stay and proof of address. The vendor will process that at their end and then we can set about how to get it here.
Previously I've flown there, picked up a ar and driven back - but as I grow longer in the tooth I'm veering more towards getting a low loader to do the job.
So towards the end of next week it should be delivered to my mechanic buddy's workshop for the true once over, at which point I will take and post some homegrown photos. Along with my other Citroens of course.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 10:29 am
by White Exec
The wooden gear knob/T-handle, is interesting, Rex.
The one we got here (western Europe) was a rubbery grey/black plastic, which degraded and split with age, and is now unobtanium, except for some similar ones used on ZX etc.

Would be interesting to see whether you could find any of the wooden ones (wood, or wood-grained plastic?) where you are.
There used to be an Accessorie dealer catalogue of XM extras (mudflaps, roof racks, dog-guards...), and I wonder whether it included optional gear knobs? Many after-sales car accessories from manufacturers were very poorly publicised, and possible that stock was moved via some export markets.

Local sales organisations also had local marketing policies as regards 'extras' and fitments. Unfortunately, UK Marketing decided we should all have an opening sunroof.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:06 am
by Saraphi
The gear knob seems to be a standard 'extra' fitted when the cars got here, the same may be true of steering wheels as most cars I see on local websites have the same - or perhaps both fitted at the factory at distributors request?
But if you would like your gear knob wood finished, send it over, there are a couple of places who will coat any piece of plastic type trim to order
Certainly there is no NOS existing for these or any parts beyond basis engine and running gear parts. My french is improving, thanks to eBay France when looking for items for my 'fleet'.
Not sure if it's still happening but historically some of the importers/distributors of the low volume brands would take cars form the factory with the lowest spec for fittings e.g. - cloth rather than velour for seats and on arrival rip them out and recover in leather. Incidentally almost all the importers have their own, or a tame, paint booth If the customer wants sky blue the white one in the showroom will soon be available against 'special order' e.g. the cost of the respray!
This does not hold true of the major players, all of whom use Thailand as a production hub.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 9:07 am
by Saraphi
My new project was delivered to my buddy’s workshop Thursday afternoon and I got an hour yesterday morning to look at it as the car went straight off for inspection to the Land Transport Office so that it could be registered to me and all the documents changed, a necessary process here when a car moves from one province to another. They will be back on Tuesday.
I took advantage to give the car a quick run, please bear in mind that I have only sat in one once, back in 1992 I think it was, and have probably not even seen one in the flesh for 20 years, other than a quick glimpse of one turning off the Super Highway here 4 or 5 years ago. I was impressed by the comfort levels and found it an easy vehicle to enter/exit, it responded well and had a better acceleration than I was expecting, although I am used to the 2.0i engine.
Looking around I discovered that the extra knob on the central switch panel is the A/C control. It is not unusual for locals to find the factory fitted A/C inadequate and to fit an uprated unit, bypassing the factory controls. We will attempt to marry the two systems and use the fascia controls in the future.
Good News The bodywork, paint and interior are fine (with a couple of exceptions, details to follow) the Sunroof works and does not leak. Aftermarket unit fitted locally by people who know what Monsoon weather can be like. I quite like the ‘Mix n Match’ bits so will leave them, with the exception of the door cards, which offend my sense of symmetry I am already looking for ‘garnitures de porte’ on eBay France! Auto to Sport works well and most equipment and switches are operating. Even the carpets are clean.
Bad, or Sad, News (see photos)
Glove Box – Strut missing, already bought one being posted today
Rear Parcel Shelf – Some clown has cut out holes for extra speakers, my upholstery guy will repair and recover
No spare wheel – an LPG donut fills the space!
Audio – present receiver is not connected to Steering Wheel controls, will be replaced with a Bluetooth unit and connected through. We have an excellent accessories store who will also fit Dashcams, drls, and upgrade the lights
Front under Bumper – damaged and bits missing, fibreglass repairs are an easy fix here, but finding the missing ‘covers?’ and working out how they should be fitted will be fun.
Dashboard – I call it dashboard but it’s really the faceplate and visor that are cracked, broken and brittle. I can get them repaired and even coated with a wood effect to make them look good, indeed I’m thinking of putting the wood effect on all the covers and surrounds in the centre console, however I’d prefer to replace the damaged pieces.
LED panels - An equally tricky issue as the left side is missing pixels, the right seems to be just bright light and the centre unit with all the illuminated icons has only a few symbols showing at start up. I don’t know how to grapple with this, are replacements available?

A few pics to illustrate the downside
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IMG_20190222_083909 (Medium) - Copy.jpg
IMG_20190222_082539 (Medium).jpg
IMG_20190222_082440 (Medium).jpg
This of course means that you will soon see me searching for bits in the Sales & Wanted area - and also looking for advice throughout the forum
Thanks for reading this, it helps to make me feel better!

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 9:39 am
by Dieselman
The missing LED pixels are caused by the silicone-carbon contact strip having compressed. Either pack the board to press it against the contact strip a bit harder, or obtain a new strip. They are available from Ebay for a couple of pounds.
If you can't easily replicate the bumper under air dam, sourcing a S2 bumper shouldn't be hard, likewise the binnicle surround.
For the R/h display, ensure the time is set, otherwise it gives only dasahes.

I note the car is sitting on Series 1 Wobbly Web alloys. IMHO, these are the least attractive wheels for a saloon, as they appear too heavy. They do suit estate cars.
Your car should be either on the V6-24 "dogleg" type, or later Monte-Carlo, wheels.

If you go for aftermarket wheels, something that appears lighter, with spokes normally works well.

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 11:38 am
by White Exec
The crack in the dash (vent) surround should be easily dealt with, Ken.
The 'tongue' (lip) of that part should tuck into/under the switch covering below it. Crack might disappear, or superglue it.
Looks as if someone has attempted to remove the dash front without removing all the screws.
There is one behind the two vent control wheels - unclip the cover to get to it.
One more fixing screw lurks behind the leftmost switch-blank. Unpop the blank, and you'll see it.

The AC control panel will come out in one piece - it's simply held in place with spring clips. Gently lever the panel out with a scraper blade, and a bit of paper or masking tape to protect the fascia. Unit can then be passed back through the large rectangular hole (without unplugging it) when you need to lift off the fascia.
All the switches above are colour-coded to match their connectors.
Removal of the complete fascia is necessary to remove the LH and RH displays.
Fascia removal is a bit daunting first time, but quickly gets easier each time (!) you do it. ;)

Re: I've been lurking, Time to say Hello

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2019 8:38 am
by Saraphi
Hi Dieselman, One of the reasons I bought this particular car is I love the wheels, I'm really pipped off that 2 of the wheel centres are missing and I can't find replacements on any of the eBays!
Chris, here's a little more detailThe face-plate and pixels has partly solved itself by fitting a new battery. LHS now work after a fashion RHS a mess and the face plate is in several pieces.
I think I shall need to replace the lot!
I'd be interested to know where I might find a front bumper, again, from my distance away I need to work with eBay and a few independents I've come across but no-one seems to have the 2 covers that fit on either side
IMG_20190225_081718 (Medium).jpg
IMG_20190225_081743 (Medium).jpg
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