(Not XM - sorry!) A New Project....

[andmcit]

Crumbs, that's the price I've heard mentioned for a replacement front bumper for mine...

IF there was actually one available.

Not that I'd want to pull a car like this one apart mind!

Andrew

[Citroenesque]

Well, this isn't a definitive list of course, as I am yet to take out the interior, get it upon ramps etc...


But it seems the issues are:
A burnt exhaust valve.
ABS light stays on (but given the amount of crud over anything, that might not be more than a dirty sensor or a blown brakelight bulb!)
Rusted filler neck (but the panel's OK)
Rust in the rear n/s corner of the boot, and exhaust hanger area (..."they all do that, sir"...)
Rusted hinge securing area on A pillar. (..."ditto"...)
Cracked front bumper: repairable (but there's a spare in vgc in the boot!)
Interior needs a lot of TLC, but certainly not unreasonable
Rust (1" patch) at the point where the o/s/sill meets rear arch (another "they all do that, sir"...)
Suspect HT leads and plugs
Ropey aux belt (but new-ish cam belt, although that's academic as the head's coming off, so new bits go back)
Stiff gear selection: but so much of that could be put down to it having seen so little use over the past 5 years or so - although I am told the clutch has only 30k on it
Needs new tyres all round
Small amount of non structural rust: n/s front arch leading edge, sunroof...

Don't knows:
Sills generally (what lurks behind the side trims?)
Electrics. Although wipers, main lights, horn and dials seem to work OK...
Condition of return pipes and HP pipes, fuel line. (LHM will need changing - I'll give it a flush)
Gaiters, and hoses, although the car isn't dropping LHM, water or oil.
and so on...

Good points:
Body is remarkably free of damage.
Interior is complete (Monza trim)
New-ish starter motor, radiator, clutch, rear arm bearings, front brake discs.
Alloys are in good condition considering.
Spheres all good.
It runs and rises up very well; smooth and quiet.
It's white

More news as I delve deeper...

[Citroenesque]

Adamcit, this has a vgc spare front and rear bumper in the boot (black)!

[Dean]

Not too bad then, sounds like a nice project, is this an 8v gti?

D

[Dieselman]

Not too bad then, sounds like a nice project, is this an 8v gti?

D

No, it's a Phase II 16V.


Whoopee...

[Dean]

ah its the real deal then, even better

D

[Dieselman]

Are they Phase I rear lights?

[robert_e_smart]

Are they Phase I rear lights?

Yep, and up until a few years before BX production ended. My '89 BX had rear lights like that.

[Citroenesque]

They are Ph. 1 rear lights which were fitted as they match the 'tailblazer' accessory. As the latter is coming off - and going to a mate - I will reinstate the Ph.2 smoked lights.
Interestingly the car has a Ph.1 interior (Monza trim) - which I prefer to the later Le Mans trim...

And when we've finished with this car, it will be a bit of a barnstormer. A standard 16v will do 135mph+ and 0-60 in about 7.5 secs. We will be doing a few minor tweaks to compensate for it's age and condition

I have had loads of 8v GTi's and even the best of those; a 'Starchipped' 140 bhp one or 'RLO' a very lively 'standard' early 8v would not come close. But that isn't what I'm ultimately looking to achieve except as a by-product. I want reliability, usable performance and comfort. Which is why there'll be a n/a diesel final drive ratio going into the 'box...

But one step at a time... I'll let you know how I get on.

[jorgy]

It's very pretty.

cheers
George