The next Citroen

[Charles M]

Not my V6 XM which I pick up on Monday.

I have just sold my Mercedes 210 estate so that clears the drive next Thursday. With luck I'll soon have a buyer for the Alpina and my Range Rover is so unsafe, the supplying garage are going to have difficulty wriggling out of repairing or taking it back.

That then would leave a fleet of a Mercedes 190 2.5 16 Cosworth and two classics, none of which are really day to day cars, and neither is the XM V6. So I need a good economical runaround.

I would love a Series 1 (forgive me if the nomenclature is wrong) XM 2.1 diesel manual - in auto form I don't think it works economically but in manual form I am assured it would do the job. However, they are thin on the ground (offers gratefully received) and my mind turns to a Xantia. The HDI looks like a good place to start but I noticed this little beauty on autotrader - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p and wondered what the collective thinks?

I am becoming more and more convinced that the new MOT system is going to kill cars with little problems like ABS and airbag lights - these things don't bother me, but I want to have a car that is simple and economical.

[robert_e_smart]

Wow, that Xantia is amazing! Go for it!

[Dieselman]

Personally, I don't have any attachment to Xantia. My Father had a 1.9TD VSX, which was a lovely car in it's day, but he used to complain of hip ache due to the poor seats.

Just drive the V6 and swallow a bit more fuel cost.

[citroenxm]

Ive got a 2.1 td manual sd on a K plate.. with NO abs or Air Bags ..

In grey documented on here i just need to get a clutch fitted and swap the head gasket.

Currently reading 109k .. and beleved to be genuine.. but doesnt matter with a new clutch and head gasket..

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=4366

With a full mot id be looking around 950 for her ...

[russ92xmsed]

I thought that was pre sold Paul. Good price too.
Plus it was built on the same day as my car. Tempting!!! Also having had the choice of buying an manual 2.1 with nearly the same reg as mine a good while ago, I could of had quite a trio! Damn!

That Xantia is lovely. An early sinker with the chevrons on the bonnet. Love the green grey colour and apart from the VSX alloys, my favourite wheel trims.

[citroenxm]

Ive learnt a lesson lately that NOTHING is sold untill money is exchanged.. so far ive not seen any.. so .....

That silver sinker is a stunner and could be nicely upgraded with the v6 Full electric leather interior i have and choice of alloys

[Dieselman]

I would only buy a VSX Xantia as the rest don't have Hydractive and the ride is firmer as a result.

[citroenxm]

Rubbish will.. i would NOT touch a hydractive.. an Sx with good spheres is really soft. They are to fussy and so much more to leak including rotted electro valves which are nfp ..

Unfortunally the xm has it as standard.. but other wise no.. not for me. I put normal xantia sx spheres on xms and they feel soooo soft..

[citroenxm]

Also that silver xantia sinker has abs and early abs ecus are known to fail and sesnors can fail too..

Though you can swap abs ecu s on their own too on them

[russ92xmsed]

Yes, I too take that stand. I believe nothing until money is exchanged.

It could make a stunner with black interior, but I think I would keep it the way it is. I would rather dieselise that other XM.

Strangely, that Xantia would make a great runaround for my Dad. He keeps thinking the C5 is too big for what he needs. And keeps thinking a 208 or Ds3 would be better. But the Xantia is almost perfect as it is small enough and practical. But you have the comfort too. Cheltenhams roads are appalling. And that is one thing that is now very noticeable. Every other car we go in that doesn't have hydraulics is just not good enough! Both of us have commented on this.