...a sad day

[Peter.N.]

I have just watched N451YBL and N471YBL departing down the track on the back of a transporter the red one didn't want to start, I think it knew where it was going, but not quite the end of an era as N469YBL is still up and running very sad though all the same. John is hardened to this sort of thing although his rarely leave in one piece.

The bright side is that I got cheques ammounting to £402.00 for them and my C5 was only £300.00 so I'm over £100.00 up on the deal

Peter

[Ciaran]

Am sorry to hear that Peter, its always difficult to let one of them go, some people would say 'they're just cars what are you worried about', but personally I've always formed a real attachment to my XMs and its was gutting to let the two that I've scrapped in my time go, suspect most people here would feel similarly, I do sympathise.

That said, now you only have one XM and the C5 to concentrate on in the hydraulic Citroen dept, you have even more time to dedicate on getting them up to perfection!

Ciarán

[Peter.N.]

I have been running them almost exclusively for over 15 years Ciaran, probably clocked up over 300,000 miles in that time, still must admit that the C5 is an improvement in some departments, none of them are equal to the CX though.

Peter

[Ciaran]

I know you've been in it for the long haul with them, its disappointing that there's no modern equivilant that ticks all the boxes of the XM estate for you, though I know you've said lately that the C5 isn't bad, or is even better at some things.

I wish they'd make a C6 estate, or even a hatchback variant, I know the saloon CX style boot is very restrective to people who had the XM estates like yourself and are searching for the next equivilant. Then again I guess with that model Citroen are more interested in trying to lure in traditional BMW / Audi buyers than catering to the likes of us XM diehards

[Duke]

I wish they'd make a C6 estate, or even a hatchback variant, I know the saloon CX style boot is very restrective to people who had the XM estates like yourself and are searching for the next equivilant.

As long as you don't have lounge pack in a C6 (electric rear seats) then you can fold up the seats that produces quite a large load area. I have managed to fit a CX Interior into the boot/back seat are of the C6 before - should have taken a picture!

[citroenmad]

That is sad Peter, and to lose two at once. However cars never last forever and either rust away or wear out at some point. I tend to get attached to cars and once XMs are gone, thats it. Its why I like to keep ours preserved as best I can and not take it out in poor weather or at all over winter. Its not new but its not bad.

still must admit that the C5 is an improvement in some departments
Peter

Ive been saying this for over 3 years, I don't think anyone quite believed me

A C6 estate would be fantastic and I would surely buy one. I don't know how I would live with a C6 saloon as I so often need to get large things in the boot or even the dogs (car cleaned and hoovered after every use) so a normal C6 is pretty useless for me, which is a shame. Even with the folding rear seats in them the boot opening is pretty tiny and no good for large items. As is the new C5 saloon, Id have to get the Tourer version instead. So ill have to make this C5 live a good while

[Peter.N.]

I feel the same. an estate is essential for me, the dog goes most places with us and I am always moving something about, don't know how most folks manage without an estate, so I will have to give the C6 a miss - not that I could afford one anyway. I must say the C5 is growing on me, its one of the few cars after the XM that seems to have any space inside, in fact the estate floor is the same width as the XMs but not as long. I will have to get rid of this gas guzzling 2.2 and get a 2.0L.

Peter

[citroenmad]

Yes, that is quite how I see things too and I would hate to be constrained by not having an appropriate car up to the job of transporting big, bulky and heavy loads or my dogs around. The XM estate is very handy to have around and I have moved all sorts with it too.

The 2.2HDi is a very smooth unit but its not the choice for low symplicity or low running costs. The 2.0HDi 110 is the pick of the range in earlier C5s, as you know from your 406 experience. Ive had 60MPG from the 110s before, driving very carefully at around 60mph, its very possible.

Another thing I find excellent with the C5 estate is the ability for it to raise and lower very quickly. Especially handy on the estate due to the button in the boot with adjusts the rear suspension only, this is ideal for one of our dogs with joint issues, its the only car he can get himself into without being lifted (he weighs 6 stone so Id rather not). Many benefits.

They are very good cars and the shape really does grow on you, I find it quite decent looking now! The facelifts are better looking too.

Ours, could be much worse but I think its quite a good looking car!


I prefer XMs to C5s, but the only XM I would have as a daily driver would be a s2 hatch 2.1TD manual with AC which is quite rare to find, especially in good nick.

Thats enough C5 talk from me

[robert_e_smart]

2.5! Magic, the best manual Xms to have.

They can't all make it Peter, you managed to get a lot of use and value out of yours. Much more than most cars ever saw.

[xmexclusive]

You can tell people who are inexperienced at scavangening bits from XM's.
I got £40 by weight for the one I took in today.
It also fitted in the back of an XM estate.
He offered me £270 if I wanted to save the unloading but I did not fancy walking home.

John