Please, help me!. Tempted by an Audi A6 !!!

[JVG]

Hi all,

As some of you know, I am the proud owner of a nice '92 XM 2.0 TCT, which can be seen here: http://jvgavila.com/xm.htm

Some days ago, one of my other cars, which was my daily used one (a '99 Renault Espace 3.0 V6 24V) started losing petrol... so I decided to use the XM, which was sitting unused due to an exhaust hole which prevented passing MOT. Then, when I got it running, it started to smoke, as commented in other post (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3121). Well, as first day I was unable to drive the car (which cleaned the smoke problem) and I was afraid of a big problem... I started to look to other cars (and fastly came a fixation with '99-'02 A6)

So I got caught by the Audi A6 disease . It is so bad that I am seriously thinking on selling my beloved XM and get one !!!. Please, help me !!!

The reason is that my TCT needs some care and I am debating between fixing it or selling / scrapping it. There is nothing too expensive (I think...), but there are several things which may add up to a relatively large amount.

The problems I have right now are:

-Damaged exhaust (as commented here viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3132)

-Engine not running smooth (or at least not as smooth as I think it should run): I have had this (perhaps it has slowly worsened) since day one of my ownership, when car was 8 years old and had 210.000km on it, back in 2/2002. Now it has 250.000km (as you can see, I use the XM sparingly) and I have always suspected of an injection problem, probably due to worn injectors (as I have replaced engine ECU, spark plugs, HV coil, ignition amplifier and other bits with no difference on that)

-Suspension: it is not yet bad, but not as good as when I replaced all spheres almost 10 years ago. Also, strut mounts are still original and I am afraid someday they will collapse.

-Some electrical bits: one unworking door lock (driver's side), sporadic ABS faults, some dead display bulbs and other small things.

All in all, the car runs nicely except for the engine thing (it is driveable and perhaps it is the way the TCT works?), but I need to fix the exhaust, pass MOT and then try to fix the other things.

So... would you fix the XM and forget about the A6?. Please, tell me bad things about maintaining a '99-'02 A6 and good ones about doing so with a '92 XM. I need help !!!

Regards,

JOSE

[Peter.N.]

You oviously didn't buy the XM for its ride then, I think A6's come with a standard kneck brace unless you have been looking at an older one with sensible tyres on it. I still don't think you will like the ride after an XM - unless yours has something wrong with the suspension.

Peter

[marc61]

Hi

Try going for a ride in the back of an A6 on some cross country roads. After 20 minutes you'll be absolutely desperate to get out! Probably desperate enough to go and buy a set of new spheres for your XM.

Marc

[citroenxm]

As long as you have a GOOD bank balance and a good osteupath for your back then fine!

Id say the parts are a damm sight more expensive then and citroen..

Peter N is a prime example he had a BMW estate (simillar all round, from the same country) but soon changed it back for another french car, ok not quite a Citroen, but a Peugeot 406.

The audi will never has as much character either!!

Paul

[robert_e_smart]

The early A6 shares a similar rump to the C6.

If I was to have an Audi, it would have to be the A8 long wheelbase with air suspension.

[Peter.N.]

I know someone who has one of those - its not that good. The suspension on my BMW was no worse than the 406, may even have been better but still nothing like and XM.

Peter

[JVG]

OK, you have convinced me!. I am free of the A6 disease

Yesterday I gave the XM a careful hand washing (I always hand-wash my cars ), both external and internal. What a nice looking car the XM is!!!

Regards,

JOSE

[Peter.N.]

Well done, you won't regret it.

Peter