Xantia of Excellence

[Broadsword]

So yesterday there was no sign that there would be major changes in the household fleet, which at the time consisted a quite good and very reliably Ford Ka on a 57 plate and the magnificent XJ40, previously seen here. The Ka was being used heavily and was found to drink fuel (40 mpg only). Casual glances had been kept on Clio 1.5 DCi for three reasons: fuel economy, cheap tax and the fact that we haven't had any Renault since a Savanna diesel 10 years ago. Yesterday a 2006 Clio 3 turned up at £400 in Newcastle. I was 15 minutes away at the time, pounced and bought it for £350. It has an ABS problem and a handbrake which doesn't hold, but is spotless, has a full history (even a timing belt change), runs as well as such a thing can and most of all sips fuel. That was collected this afternoon. Of course it has a more pressing problem. The suspension feels like the car is hinged in the middle with an MOT history saying "nearside front suspension starting to bounce" as an advisory. Sound like a shock absorber. Rear shocks look terrible, rear springs brand new and the front end seems rock solid funnily enough. Anyway, all in all relative success and if it lasts till the end of MOT in September, all to the good.

 

On the way to Newcastle from York, I did my usual thing of looking for Citroen Xantias (I can't help myself). A gleaming white HDi 90 with an engine remap and the most comprehensive history any of these could ever have appeared on eBay. Don't bother looking it up now as I have already left a deposit (as of half an hour ago).

 

Basically I decided to sell the Ka on the drive back from Newcastle to Yorkshire since it became apparent that the Renault would keep running, albeit with mild bouncing. I got home, washed the poor Ka (it's crime clearly was that it was too reliable). Photographed it and promptly put it on Gumtree. The phone buzzed 10 minutes later and a family appeared on the doorstep within a further 10 minutes. They were local, just had a car blow up and needed one right then and there. Ka sold for £800 and they really did get a good car. I was really rather chuffed with the progress of things in the space of hours. At this point I'm gagging to get on with the Xantia. Problem is that I need to travel tomorrow and I cannot travel to Lincoln right now to look at it. Since I'm not back till next weekend, I knew it was buy or miss out. On the basis of talking to the dealer I decided to leave a deposit, which has now secured it. MOT history rarely lies and for this car it is really good. Anyway we will find out next Saturday. Have I finally pushed my luck too far? Has anyone here ever sold a car for the asking price in 30 minutes flat?

 

I now feel I have somehow truly embraced the Autoshite spirit.

 

Teaser of the Xantia. Really looking forward to it.

 

PS. I hope the Clio doesn't roll down the steep street it's parked on. Seems to hold in reverse and has a chock for safety.

[Asimo]

W(896)PGW?

[Broadsword]

Anyone recognise it from anywhere? Anyway onto the murky business of insurance. It's somewhat more than a V70 D5 I insured last year, bad but not a catrastophy. Any recommendations on insurers who are more friendly towards these. I know people have had some problems with old French cars and insurers.

[Broadsword]

The collection caper from the East Riding to Lincoln was a bit of a trial, but we got there in the Jaaag without too much hassle. The weather oscillated from snow blizzard to freezing rain to fog back to bright sunshine every two miles or so. Anyway the Xantia was pretty much as described. The nearside front wing is a bit pushed in but hey ho. Importantly mechanically it's an absolute gem. It has an absolutely complete service history from the original sales invoice onwards including every MOT. Two cambelt and waterpump changes done over the years. The tyres really are band new Michelins (winter tyres up front), spheres changed many times. It has been absolutely pampered and the service bills amount to £12,000.

 

It drives absolutely amazing and laughed in the face of the bad weather. Strangely I took straight to the way it drove. The brakes work ok, but the way they work is odd. Initial braking is very efficient and then you have to push harder as you get closer to stopping. Instinctively I'd say the brakes are glazed, indeed somewhere in the records there is a bill for "deglazing" the brakes.

 

The engine is an interesting one. It's got some good old fashioned turbo lag. As far as the remap goes, it's actually a bit slow off the line, but the mid range punch is excellent. It came with just over half a tank of fuel. It still has half a tank of fuel after 60 miles. Pez shot below, while I was looking for change to cross the Humber Bridge.

 

It's a absolutely fantastic car, everything I expected. I even managed to get the insurance down to £345.

 

Current list:

 

*Try and pull out the dent a little

*Try and shine up the white paintwork

*General tidy up

*Acquire mats that don't stick under the pedals

*Outside temperature gauge shows blank "--"

*Driver side mirror cracked

*Find a period-correct Citroen keyring (obviously this is top of the list)

 

Here is the service history as from the advert:

 

09-06-2000--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SUPPLIED  £12,124.37

02-08-2000--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--1,259MILES

03-07-2001--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--7,283MILES

09-07-2002--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--15,030MILES

21-08-2003--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--20,663MILES

19-08-2004--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--22,798MILES

21-04-2005--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--23,992MILES

19-08-2005--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--24,515MILES

22-08-2006--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--25,507MILES

07-03-2007--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--28,196MILES

04-03-2008--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--28,534MILES

06-03-2009--CITROEN CITY LONDON--SERVICE--31,958MILES

20-10-2009--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--35,961MILES

18-02-2010--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--39,733MILES

11-11-2010--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--49,733MILES

02-03-2011--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--55,129MILES

13-04-2012--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--59,022MILES--TIMING-BELT/TENSIONERS/WATERPUMP

24-07-2013--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--68,967MILES

01-07-2014--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--80,273MILES

25-07-2014--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--80,926MILES--DISCS&PADS FR& RR

03-09-2015--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--91,185MILES

17-08-2016--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--99,499MILES--REMAPPED 120BHP ECONOMY MAP

25-10-2016--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--101,213MILES--DISCS&PADS FR & RR &NEW SPHERS

31-08-2017--CITROEN SPECIALIST-----SERVICE--109,807MILES--TIMING BELT/TENSIONERS/WATERPUMP

 

 

[davehedgehog31]

Good work Sir, she's a nice bus.

[Jim Bell]

#winner

[Daviemck2006]

Nice motor. Is there holes in the rear door shuts? I have owned two and both needed patching on the left side door shut at the joint between wheelarch and sill. Really common bit to go.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Broadsword]

No holes in the rear door shuts. As far as I can see this is essentially rot free. The MOT history is really good as well. Being in London most of its life must have helped (bought on the motability scheme?!) and subsequently owned by a doctor in Wales. Typically it had £250 spent on it just for an ordinary service. Any bill with spheres changed usually runs into the £400s. Even the spare tyre is a brand new Michelin. Anything that has been an MoT advisory has been addressed fully. For example the handbrake cables have recently been replaced. The list just goes on and on.

 

Where on earth is the rear screen demist button?

[Tadhg Tiogar]

.....Where on earth is the rear screen demist button?

In the roof above the rear-view mirror?

[jbz2079]

I have covered many miles in a red one of those, an Estate also on a W plate.

I was swapped for a C4 that was worth more as a trade in as someone preferred a high milage Zantia to a high milage C4.

 

It was turbine smooth running and sipped diesel very slowly.

Last I heard it was being bridged at 180,000 mile as it wanted a clutch.

Shame it was still a very useful reliable motor.

[Broadsword]

In the roof above the rear-view mirror?

The owners book won’t tell you, but turns out it’s actually a button on the tip of the wiper stalk! That’s wrong, and I like it.

[Zelandeth]

Rear window heater switch on a S2 Xantia is on the end of the wiper stalk.

 

Xantias are one of the most underrated motors of the 90s I reckon.

[bramz7]

I miss the (decent) Xantia I had. Great mile muncher.

 

 

Might be in the market for one again come October time. More or less counting down the days right now...

[dean36014]

Looking forward to the start of April when mine hits the road. They are great cars on a journey. Bramz if I see you at a rally you can have a go in mine by all means.

[robinmasters]

I had my eye on this, but thought it sold a few weeks ago? I didn't bid due to uncertainty about my plans, wish I had it does look like a good one.

[Broadsword]

Nicer ones aren't so easy to find on the open market now. There is a V6 manual with bids on right now and a less good 1.9 td with lots of ticket. I saw this for the first time last Saturday morning (don't know when it went on auction), but couldn't get to it for another week. So I swallowed a brave pill, called they owner, made one offer, which was accepted and left a deposit. I think it was at £720 when he took it off eBay. This morning really was the earliest I could get to it. I had a feeling that it would have vanished before the auction ended anyway so might as well try and grab it. Turned out to be a completely honest listing so buying blind seems to have been ok this time round.

 

In unrelated Clio news, the rear brakes work, but the handbrake is marginal (it does operate), drums will have to come off as I suspect worn out shoes. Also offside rear shock absorber has failed completely resulting in the rear wheel bouncing like a biro. Nearside front shock seems to be dead too, but not as bouncy. Between the Clio (it runs on thin air) and the Xantia, 10s of ££ fuel are being saved weekly. Jag still returning low 20s, but it has a slightly blowing manifold.

[Ghosty]

That V6 manual is a custom one-off job, the Exclusive was only offered as an auto in the UK. Any others in the country are probably LHD.

[Sudsprint]

Great looking car 

[bramz7]

Looking forward to the start of April when mine hits the road. They are great cars on a journey. Bramz if I see you at a rally you can have a go in mine by all means.

Yes please.

 

I wouldn't actually mind another 1.9D. Stupidly slow but relaxing.

[Broadsword]

I've had the Xantia for a brief while now and there has been very little to report. So far it's be an inspired purchase. I learnt quickly not to bother with the "alarme", due to random going off. My new procedure for locking up is to disable the ultrasonics by holding down the button on the right hand side of the steering wheel until the alarm LED (driver side door corner) is solid red, then lock the driver's door with the key.

 

As far as driving goes I absolutely love this thing. A downside is the lack of puff at low revs. On the motorway it is the most enjoyable, stable cruising platform I've ever had. It excels in bad weather. At a steady 70 mph I feel completely relaxed. The car just sits there gliding along, very, very steadily. I always get very nervous in small cars at high speed being jolted around on motorways. This is just perfect. At high speeds the remap comes into play. It just wants to keep going. Many Audis have been left for dead. Remarkably punchy for what it is really. Fuel economy is superb as well. Radio reception is a bit poor despite having an aeriel. I seem to get a bit of interference.

 

I personally think the handling is excellent. The amount of mechanical grip is enormous with the excellent Michelin tyres. Silly cornering speeds are possible. If it weren't for the lacklustre feel of the clutch and typical notchy PSA gearbox and just a bit more steering feel I thing this would smash the Mondeo. At some point I will get some new front discs and pads, which it feels like it wants.

 

The bodywork is a problem area with this example. Obvious damage to the front wing and scrapes in various areas. I don't mind this, but things can be improved on. Sadly Easter weather has been dreadful so tidying the exterior out has not been possible. There is a large amount of tar which has stuck to the body. It's really bad on the front wings and below mid-door height. There are even black specs on the roof. I did a test of the front wing and door and most of it comes off with a clay bar. Slowly it should all come off and then an nice polish and was will see a significant improvement on the exterior appearance. The fuel filler cap is a badly painted replacement and the wing mirrors could do with some work. The centre brake light lens is also damaged and the wheel trims sandblasted. Despite everything I like the look of the car in white. The interior is undamaged, just a bit dirty. I still haven't found any rust at all.

 

There is one slight issue with the suspension height selector. I think the mechanism is sticking. On level ground I can go all the way down, but going to service high from there only sees the front go up. It then goes back to the regular driving height happily. When you change the suspension setting I don't see the "STOP" light. I thought you should.

 

All in all for a 18 year old LHM Citroen things aren't looking too bad at all. Long may it continue!

[beko1987]

That number plate is one well aimed screw through the 8 or 6 away from spelling WCPGW!

[Broadsword]

The Xantia went in for an early MOT today. We were concerned about the new MOT rules and how it would fair so decided to do an early test while it's spring and things can be sorted out on the driveway. Anyway it passed easily enough, a testament to how sorted the car is.

 

In other news Citroen has been 100% reliable and continues to out handle most things that try and come near it (it's always an Audi no joking). I really must try the Activa one day.

 

Earlier I tried to tackle the grotty paint. Realistically it's a lost cause but I wanted to at least make it clean. The amount of road tar is biblical. I've had to clay bar it more than one and I still need to do it a couple more times. It is a bit more presentable now and after some Poundland spray way it can look half acceptable from certain angles.

 

I'm still looking for a cheap centre brake light lens. Lens repair tape got it through the MOT, but it's pretty ropey. Driver's wing mirror glass has also been sorted.

 

Finally the front brakes were inspected. They aren't especially worn, but look rather glazed. I'm going to try and rub them down and see if it helps before replacing discs and pads. While it was jacked up I looked more underneath. Looks pretty solid.

[Zelandeth]

White really suits the Xantia I reckon.

 

While there are some right dogs out there, they're incredibly capable and undervalued cars when we'll sorted.

 

The Activa is a very different car somehow - the whole character of the thing is different. It's also by far the most likely car to ever get me points on my license - it's just too much of a temptation to throw it into corners, and the surge when it comes on the turbo is just too addictive.

 

... probably explains why I struggle to get the day to day economy into the mid 20s. Great fun though, and by *far* the best long distance cruiser I've ever owned...even despite the odd omission of cruise control on the Activa.

 

Should you ever find yourself in our area I'm sure we could arrange an introduction to mine.

[Broadsword]

White really suits the Xantia I reckon.

While there are some right dogs out there, they're incredibly capable and undervalued cars when we'll sorted.

The Activa is a very different car somehow - the whole character of the thing is different. It's also by far the most likely car to ever get me points on my license - it's just too much of a temptation to throw it into corners, and the surge when it comes on the turbo is just too addictive.

... probably explains why I struggle to get the day to day economy into the mid 20s. Great fun though, and by *far* the best long distance cruiser I've ever owned...even despite the odd omission of cruise control on the Activa.

Should you ever find yourself in our area I'm sure we could arrange an introduction to mine.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. It’s a shame Xantia numbers are getting a bit low. The scrapage scheme must have killed the lion’s share. I’m worried the new MOT regulations will kill of particularly old XUD units what with the rules on visible smoke. I’ve never seen any smoke out the back of mine lucky for me. Give it a couple of years and I reckon It will be a little on the tricky side to buy a decent one for little money..

[MiniMort]

I miss our Xantias. As for scrappages, the hatch went in 2012 but the estate still goes on after four years since we sold it! I wonder where it is now...

[omegod]

I had a 2.0 pet sxi which was great once I got the spheres changed I've never bothered with a clay bar for tar spots I just use a rag soaked in white spirit and it wipes off the whole panel in seconds, never had any problems even with metallic paint so would think flat white would be ok, maybe try the dented wing first ? 

[Zelandeth]

Smoke rules shouldn't be a problem for them. The "no visible smoke whatsoever" rule only applies to DPF equipped vehicles, and I think the C5 was the first to be fitted with that. Even the HDi Xantias just used a conventional diesel cat - so it's a normal smoke level check, and they're rarely smokers so should be fine. My previous 1.9TD didn't smoke even though it rolled over 200K in my ownership.

 

The changes to diesel emissions is more to deal with missing DPF innards than cars from before they were introduced as I understand it.

 

The biggest challenge with these cars - aside from the utterly woeful attitude towards legacy parts supply from PSA - is finding a good independent garage who's not terrified of the hydraulic bits. If you have one they're no more of a hassle to own than any other car.

 

To be fair, they'd got the Hydractive system pretty well sussed by the time the Xantia came around. As such they're pretty reliable if kept looked after. It went downhill with the C5 when they switched to the electric pump and fully electronic control...that just got too complicated.

 

Only real issues which can easily write off a Xantia in the hands of the general motorists are issues with the cooling fan control circuitry, the dissolving strut top brackets and collapsing aux drive belt tensioners (because a snapped belt more often than not will wrap itself around the crankshaft pulley and snap the timing belt - on an XUD that's 99% likely to write the head off).

 

Rust on the sills around the rear door closure too if it's not caught early, as the repair can be quite involved because of the amount of panels that come together there.

[artdjones]

It sounds like the rear height corrector might be a bit sticky.It's usually the mechanical part that is responsible.The best cure is to take it off and soak the pivot in penetrating oil the lubricating oil while working it through it's full travel.When it moves easily throughout the travel put it back on the car.Then give it a blast of white grease every service.

I wouldn't agree that the electronically controlled C5 system is more troublesome.Suspension troubles are rarely mentioned on the French Car Forum.Sometimes the electric height correctors can give trouble,but they're much cheaper than the hydraulic ones.I ran a C5 for 80000 miles and didn't have any problems except for 1 gaiter on a rear suspension ram.

[vaughant]

Has anyone here ever sold a car for the asking price in 30 minutes flat?

 

 

I can beat that (X2) on the same model of car.

 

Fiesta mk 3 Derv.

 

Both with the elusive power steering.

 

And both sold in the same place but different times to two different people.

 

First was a white one I bought off a part time trader in work, have him £200 for it as it had "no power steering" and was a bit rough for him.

 

Picked up the keys, drive it straight over for an MOT as that had also run out (but not mentioned) and as soon as I pulled off from outside his house I thought, hmmmm the steerings light on this? Stopped, popped bonnet, there it was, Pas.

 

Arrived at MOT centre, needed a track rod end I think, slight play,nothing special, but while my mate put it on the computer and checked it had 11 months ticket on it!!!

 

He offered me £400 there and then, happy days.

 

Went back, paid said trader, pocketed profit and the previous owner turned up with a wedge of full history, result for the new owner!!!

 

Cue approx a week later and a similar scenario with another jack the lad type trader in work, but a lovely red fiesta this time.

 

She drill, took it strait for an MOT, £20's worth of really precautionary welding, I think a tyre and that was it. Parked out out front as I was waiting for the cert to print out as welded it there and put the spare on when a random turned up outside, agreed I'd it was for sale, we agreed on £400 and by the time the cert was printed out, he was the proud* owner of a fiesta Derv.

 

Easy Street.

 

Best of of the paper is probably an hour and that was an Astra 1.7d estate MK3, used to be really good sellers.

[Broadsword]

That is some impressive buying and selling, well done! Yes the height corrector is still a bit of a problem. I've been spraying it with plusgas in situ for a few weeks, once a week in combination with Citrobatics, but it still isn't perfect. I haven't looked at how to taking it off to free everything off. I guess it isn't too difficult. Rain has stopped play today. Sorting the brakes is the main priority.