V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Selling off one (or bits :o) of your XM collection, or perhaps searching for those elusive headlight washer covers? This is the place to do it.
markysimon
Has changed a sphere or two
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:41 pm

V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by markysimon » Wed Oct 24, 2018 9:29 am

With huge regret, I have decided to sell my dark metallic green S2 V6 Exclusive Hatch. Followers of this and the French Car Forum may know that despite spending many hundreds of pounds with outfits who claimed that they could cure the car's harsh reaction to road surface imperfections, but couldn't, I have given up on on ever returning the car to its previously wonderful ride – although it still wafts along nicely on smooth surfaces and handles brilliantly. I've just run out of time and energy (and funds) to deal with it before laying the car up for the winter and simply can't find anyone anywhere within reasonable distance (of the Welsh Marches) who I can confidently believe could fix it.

So the car is now for sale at a firm price of £1300 – no offers. If that doesn't put you off, here are its details.

It was first registered in Nov 1997, has had six owners before me, the last being Shaun Lilley who worked for Citroen UK and maintained it as lovingly as I've tried to within my limited mechanical skills. The recorded mileage is 121,000 and I've owned it since July 2011 when it showed 108,000 miles. Initially it was my daily driver, but for the past five years or so it's been used sparingly and only in the Spring and Summer months, but has always been garaged.

It has had no major work done to it mechanically, apart from new front brake discs, a radiator repair and a coolant swirl chamber, although all the spheres have been replaced in the past two months along with the LHM of course (see above) and it has been regularly serviced (last time by Savoy). It has two nearly new (correct) Michelins at the front, the rears being less than half worn. Everything works properly apart from the suspension's refusal to adequately absorb bumps and potholes, and inevitably the LH digital display. The Air-Con needs charging again but works fine.

AEG in Glasgow say that they now stock the correct front spheres for the later iteration of this mode, the wrong ones were fitted by Citroen Specialists in Birmingham a few weeks ago, but I'm not sure if this is the reason for the car's harsh reaction to bumps etc. (and neither were they!)

The bodywork is virtually unblemished, apart from a scuff to the NS front bumper, and had a (bottom) half re-spray some four years ago. New stainless steel inserts were fitted to the rubbing strips at the same time. In order to pass the last MOT (May 2018), it needed a 'Y' junction welding into the exhaust. I have since had some rot around the NS front jacking point removed, plated-over and undersealed.

The car was vandalised six years ago but thanks to John Manning the broken driver's door window and other internal items replaced. The dash itself still bears a barely visible scuff, but a competent mechanic could replace it if this is an issue. It is fitted with a 6-disc auto CD changer, as well as the original radio/cassette player.

The tax ends on Oct 31st. and if I can't sell it to someone in the Forum, then it's have to go to Brightwell's next Modern Classics auction, or – perish the though – fleaBay.

Once again, I am loathe to sell a car that looks beautiful, in most respects is a joy to drive and has given me great pleasure, but I am frustrated by my inability to find anyone who understands how to maintain and fix these cars properly and as I am also having to close the little magazine I launched last year, The Classic Motoring Review, I just can't afford to carry on throwing good money after bad.

If you are SERIOUSLY interested in acquiring it, please PM me.
My XM2.jpg
P1010659 copy.jpg
P1010662 copy.jpg
P1010662 copy.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Why don't we do it in the road?

1997 V6 24valve Exclusive
1995 XM VSX Turbo (Deceased)

User avatar
White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by White Exec » Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:09 am

I hope the car sells to someone who will be able to tackle the remaining small jobs and the suspension issue.
That first photo says a lot.
Put it on FCF as well - good bit of V6 interest there.
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

markysimon
Has changed a sphere or two
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:41 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by markysimon » Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:28 am

White Exec wrote:
Wed Oct 24, 2018 10:09 am
I hope the car sells to someone who will be able to tackle the remaining small jobs and the suspension issue.
That first photo says a lot.
Put it on FCF as well - good bit of V6 interest there.
Thanks Chris, I will put it on FCF tomorrow unless I have some definite interest here first.

And here's a pic of the scuffed front bumper which somehow wouldn't load first time around

Cheers – Mark
P1010655 copy.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Why don't we do it in the road?

1997 V6 24valve Exclusive
1995 XM VSX Turbo (Deceased)

markysimon
Has changed a sphere or two
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:41 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by markysimon » Sun Dec 16, 2018 10:57 am

After three months, I have just has some apparently serious interest buying my car which ironically coincides with Arnoud at Citpro in Somerset having finally diagnosed the reason (electronics, not spheres) for the rough suspension which he is now fixing and I'm due to collect the car this coming week. This puts me in a dilemma as the failure hitherto of anyone being able to fettle it was my main reason for putting it on the market, and at the relatively low price of £1300. :(

Once I've collected the car and satisfied myself that it's working properly, I will therefore consider offering it at a price that reflects the money I've spent getting the suspension fixed and thus its "true" condition, which I reckon will be in the region of £1700-1800. Alternatively I might decide after all to keep it!

Does that sound fair? :shock:

Opinions welcolmed
Why don't we do it in the road?

1997 V6 24valve Exclusive
1995 XM VSX Turbo (Deceased)

User avatar
White Exec
Citroen God!
Posts: 6642
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:38 pm
Orga / RP numbers: RP7165
1996 2.5TD saloon, Exclusive, Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime, Sable Phenicien
Location: ex-Ealing, Cheshire, W.Sussex & Surrey. Now living in Sayalonga (Malaga, Spain)

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by White Exec » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:16 am

Do let us know what the problem was and how it was fixed, when you get the car back.
Might help get a decent perspective on it, whether you decide to keep it, or sell it.

Salutary how much a suspension fault on a car that "should float" affects appreciation of it, and can turn driving delight into constant irritation - but thankfully vice-versa as well! :)
Chris
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive RP7165 Polar White
1992 BX19D Millesime RP5800 Sable
1989 BX19RD Delage Red Deceased; 1998 ZX 1.9D Avantage auto Triton Green Company car 1998..2001; 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto Wicked Red Company car 2001..2003

markysimon
Has changed a sphere or two
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:41 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by markysimon » Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:25 am

White Exec wrote:
Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:16 am
Do let us know what the problem was and how it was fixed, when you get the car back.
Might help get a decent perspective on it, whether you decide to keep it, or sell it.

Salutary how much a suspension fault on a car that "should float" affects appreciation of it, and can turn driving delight into constant irritation - but thankfully vice-versa as well! :)
Thanks for this, Chris. It's apparently the suspension ECU and attendant diodes which Arnoud is replacing – if that makes sense – but since these are now N/A he's had a devil of a job sourcing them. Will report back fully on Thursday.

Mark W
Why don't we do it in the road?

1997 V6 24valve Exclusive
1995 XM VSX Turbo (Deceased)

User avatar
ragger
Citrobics expert
Posts: 673
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by ragger » Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:07 pm

I ran a sister car to this one until about 18 months ago - R208 HKV, but mine had the advantage of no sunroof. I am so tempted to have another as there really is nothing better, the V6 Xantia I got to replace it was great but just didn't have the same road presence. driving an XM is a special thing, and when all is well, they are a joy.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Regards

Rob

XM 2.5 Exclusive
C1
Nissan Cashcard (New C 4 on order)
***********

User avatar
Jan-hendrik
XM Guru
Posts: 1551
Joined: Tue May 26, 2009 3:27 am
Location: Hiroshima, Japan

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by Jan-hendrik » Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:54 pm

Some work was done on the battery connections I see :-)
2000 XM 3.0 V6 24v Exclusive Auto Vert Vega - 86k km LHD RP8569

User avatar
ragger
Citrobics expert
Posts: 673
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 9:37 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by ragger » Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:50 pm

It was well worth doing.
Regards

Rob

XM 2.5 Exclusive
C1
Nissan Cashcard (New C 4 on order)
***********

markysimon
Has changed a sphere or two
Posts: 376
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:41 pm

Re: V6 EXCLUSIVE FOR SALE

Post by markysimon » Fri Dec 21, 2018 6:33 pm

For anyone who is still interested, I collected my car from Arnoud at CitPro south of Bristol yesterday and there is good and bad news. :shock:

Arnoud diagnosed the rough suspension as a result of a failed electromagnetic coil that controls the rear valving and kept the suspension more or less always in Sport mode. After failing to find a NOS replacement, he took one off his own car and added a diode kit (like the Crofting one) into the circuit.
He also adjusted the rear ride height which was too high and wouldn't drop after the engine stopped.

However whilst the reaction to poor surfaces and potholes etc. has become less harsh, it is still, by his own admission, not as it should be. :x He thinks that the FOS drop link bush (?) is worn and needs replacement but they're also unavailable and he will have to machine one to fit.

So although his invoice was very reasonable, I'm still pouring good money after bad and wondering if I dare try and sell it 'as is', or should soldier on, hope he can remedy it in the New Year and keep the old girl. :?

Cheers – Mark W
Why don't we do it in the road?

1997 V6 24valve Exclusive
1995 XM VSX Turbo (Deceased)

Post Reply