Sold Citroen Xantia Exclusive sold and gone. Life without hydraulics in the saab must go on

[Andy F]

Sadly the Renault 21 sold before I got off holiday so...

 

I have been in two minds as to what to do about my Xantia. It's MOT expired whilst we were away on holiday. It is entered in for an MOT on Monday but I need another car for work and to be honest fancy a change.

 

Can anyone offer any advice on Mercedes C220 CDi 2002 please? Off to see one locally at 1pm

 

Reasons to sell the Xantia/ bad points

 

Lacquer peel on bonnet and in front of the sunroof

Interior fans work if you give the wiring a jiggle under the glovebox. (laziness and a broken soldering iron on my part)

Hinge failed 2 years a go on the drivers door so it has a spare door I have on it, still red but different colour. I have the original door which will need the hinge repairing but comes with the car

Windows on drivers side dont work. (door needs changing anyway)

 

 

Reasons not to sell/ good points

2.0 HDi uses no oil or water, pulls well and last tank returned 52.8mpg. Always over 50mpg

Nice leather seats, heated and electric all working and in good condition

I can't believe it's not wood trim

sun roof works

Suspension goes up and down as prescribed by the God of Hydractive

It has lots of neat touches like an auto dipping passenger mirror when you put it in reverse.

Handles brilliantly

 

Currently no MOT, but like i say its booked for Monday. Open to offers with/ without MOT

 

About 20,000 miles ago

 

 

Mmm profile

 

 

trapped by a bus in the school carpark

[gadgetgricey]

Always loved the headlamp washers on mine....

Never realised they popped for the first couple of months....

[dougiefourspeed]

I'd keep the Xantia over a W203 Merc at that age. 

 

Motherfourspeed had a 2003 C220 CDI which was horrendous for fuelling/injector/derv pump issues and that was at less than six years old. At least the Xantia is a known quantity so to speak.

[Andy F]

I'd keep the Xantia over a W203 Merc at that age. 

 

Motherfourspeed had a 2003 C220 CDI which was horrendous for fuelling/injector/derv pump issues and that was at less than six years old. At least the Xantia is a known quantity so to speak.

 

This is still a possibility. Going to test drive a C class later, but will wait until I get the Xantia MOT results before deciding. The Xantia has been faultless and superb really. All of my Xantias have been actually. In fact, every time I own one, I sell it, regret it and then replace it with another Xantia. Usually one that's older and has done more miles. Because progress.

 

However, I do fancy a change and the merc has a lot fewer miles than my Xantia. Who knows what will happen. Stay tuned

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I have a w203 and love it. Mines petrol though, the diesels are fairly complex in comparison to the XUD you are used to, and probably no more economical.

 

I think the 220 is the more reliable diesel option mind.

 

Non engine wise they do suffer electrical faults, I've only had one so far which was the ignition module forgetting my keys.....£150 to have it recoded by a specialist and at least it happened at home....

 

I occasionally get false warnings flashing up about ABS and stability control etc which dissappear after a restart.

 

Oh and rust. Rarely structural unless you are very unlucky but they do rust everywhere especially arches and wings.

 

I think post 2003 or 2004 facelift models have far better corrosion protection as a result.

 

Otherwise they are extremely comfortable, mine handles very well which might be due to the lighter 4 cyl petrol engine rather than the boat anchor diesel over the front wheels, I would even describe it as moderately sporty.

Mine is quite quick too with 160bhp.

 

Make sure you buy one with mbtex/leather and toys, there's plenty about so don't suffer a poverty spec one. Also automatic every day of the week, the manual gearbox doesn't suit them IMO. I was a die hard stick shift man before I bought mine so to admit the auto is better takes some doing

 

 

 

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[skattrd]

I've got a cuple of 203 Mercs atm including a 2002 c220.

 

When starting the car check for ticking in the dash - a/c stepper motor, depending on which one it is it could be a dash out job.

Black carbon on injectors. That's leaky injector seals, not a major job and only a couple of quid for a new washer and bolt.

Glow plug light stays on after starting means duff glow plug … More difficult on coupes as the engine bay is a little tighter

My c270 started fine all last winter with 3 of 5 glow plugs working.

Intermittent ABS/BAS light often is the brake light switch,

 

c220 not that quick, a magic box can help on these.

 

I've also got c270 cdi, which is the better option imo.

My c220 got around 43mpg when standard which was the same as the c270. A bit of help got the c220 up to 48mpg, but I'd still go for the 5-pot every day.

[Andy F]

I have a w203 and love it. Mines petrol though, the diesels are fairly complex in comparison to the XUD you are used to, and probably no more economical.

 

I think the 220 is the more reliable diesel option mind.

 

Non engine wise they do suffer electrical faults, I've only had one so far which was the ignition module forgetting my keys.....£150 to have it recoded by a specialist and at least it happened at home....

 

I occasionally get false warnings flashing up about ABS and stability control etc which dissappear after a restart.

 

Oh and rust. Rarely structural unless you are very unlucky but they do rust everywhere especially arches and wings.

 

I think post 2003 or 2004 facelift models have far better corrosion protection as a result.

 

Otherwise they are extremely comfortable, mine handles very well which might be due to the lighter 4 cyl petrol engine rather than the boat anchor diesel over the front wheels, I would even describe it as moderately sporty.

Mine is quite quick too with 160bhp.

 

Make sure you buy one with mbtex/leather and toys, there's plenty about so don't suffer a poverty spec one. Also automatic every day of the week, the manual gearbox doesn't suit them IMO. I was a die hard stick shift man before I bought mine so to admit the auto is better takes some doing

 

 

 

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Thanks for this info, that's great.

 

The one I'm looking at is 2002 (so will be sure to check rust) auto. I have heard Merc manuals ruin the package. Never owned an auto before (although driven a few) but looking forward to being able to eat my pasty straight away rather than having to wait until i'm in 5th.

 

Xantia is HDi so common rail and computered, although never had a problem with any of them.

 

Any particular test I should put it through on the test drive?

[stephen01]

always wanted one of these, the citroen that is, Jag is booked in for MOT Monday also, I wasn't worried until it cut out twice today in traffic. I'm sure this is just a coil. 

 

I tend to say keep your current car, but rarely follow my own advise.. 

[Andy F]

I've got a cuple of 203 Mercs atm including a 2002 c220.

 

When starting the car check for ticking in the dash - a/c stepper motor, depending on which one it is it could be a dash out job.

Black carbon on injectors. That's leaky injector seals, not a major job and only a couple of quid for a new washer and bolt.

Glow plug light stays on after starting means duff glow plug … More difficult on coupes as the engine bay is a little tighter

My c270 started fine all last winter with 3 of 5 glow plugs working.

Intermittent ABS/BAS light often is the brake light switch,

 

c220 not that quick, a magic box can help on these.

 

I've also got c270 cdi, which is the better option imo.

My c220 got around 43mpg when standard which was the same as the c270. A bit of help got the c220 up to 48mpg, but I'd still go for the 5-pot every day.

Didn't realise the C270 CDi would be as good on fuel. Thanks for the things to check, I'll give it a good once over

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Thanks for this info, that's great.

 

The one I'm looking at is 2002 (so will be sure to check rust) auto. I have heard Merc manuals ruin the package. Never owned an auto before (although driven a few) but looking forward to being able to eat my pasty straight away rather than having to wait until i'm in 5th.

 

Xantia is HDi so common rail and computered, although never had a problem with any of them.

 

Any particular test I should put it through on the test drive?

Make sure it shifts smoothly, and goes into lockup in top gear. Gearboxes usually bulletproof mind.

 

Like I said it was my first auto and I'm converted now!

 

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[skattrd]

Didn't realise the C270 CDi would be as good on fuel. Thanks for the things to check, I'll give it a good once over

 

 

[Andy F]

Scrapped the idea of that C class.

 

Rotten

Gearbox didn't kick down

Rotten

Had a rat investation under the bonnet

rotten a bit more.

Generally quite untidy

Door lock issues- drivers door wouldn't open and it kept flashing error messages on test drive

 

 

Also nowhere near as wide as the Xantia on the inside or the boot. Was a pretty nice place to be though, so will probably look a bit more seriously at E classes

 

So I still don't currently have a work hack. (still got the wife's car and camper so not an emergency just yet.)

[Andy F]

So, the Xantia goes in for MOT on Monday, so I have decided to wait and see its fate and proceed from there. If anyone is still interested it will be taxed to get you home and cheap if it fails.  Might even roffle

 

Only thing I know it will fail on at present is a crusty rear door jam/ sill. Still drove spot on up until I parked it up and took the camper on holiday. Looking forward to taking it to the MOT station on Monday.

[AMC Rebel]

 don't suffer a poverty spec one.

 

 

 

Referee!!!!!!

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Referee!!!!!!

Normally I would agree but on a modern merc you want a few comforts!!

 

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[Andy F]

The MoT verdict is in and it's not great news. It failed on a fair amount of welding. Both rear sills up to and including near the rear seat belt mounts. I trust the garage and so when they said it wasn't worth paying for welding, i believed them. Perhaps a project for someone on here?

 

£100?

 

To sweeten the deal, I have a nearly complete spares Xantia you can come and take your pick for parts!

 

Otherwise, I'm afraid it's another rare Citroen going to the bridge

 

TBH I'm quite saddened by this as Xantias have powered my business for more than 10 years and I am at a complete loss as to what to go for next.

[bramz7]

Decent 406s are worth the money... essentially the same car and in my opinion better interiors.

Not the easiest to find but not as hard to come by as a Xantia.

[chancer]

Its all well an good for the garage to say it isnt worth paying for welding...to them its just another car. aside from that is the car in good condition? Does it run well and is it needing anything else for MOT apart from welding? If the car is good otherwise id be throwing a few hundred quid at putting in some new metal...what else will you replace it with for that kind of outlay?

[Andy F]

Its all well an good for the garage to say it isnt worth paying for welding...to them its just another car. aside from that is the car in good condition? Does it run well and is it needing anything else for MOT apart from welding? If the car is good otherwise id be throwing a few hundred quid at putting in some new metal...what else will you replace it with for that kind of outlay?

That is all true. Mechanically I'll have a good go at fixing most things, but welding is something I have never done, or know anything about. By the time I got it back it was dark this evening, so will have a crawl underneath tomorrow and see just how bad it is. I do trust the garage, but maybe it can live again.

 

Other fail points were very minor. Insufficient wind screen wash on passenger side ( car had sat for a couple of weeks so probably just needs a pin in the nozzle and a rubber seal on a anti roll bar joint off the top of my head.

[Andy F]

This has just come up in Stoke On Trent, but I can't spare the time work wise to visit a car that might be no good.

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809040144213?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&model=XANTIA&postcode=gl29eg&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=distance&price-to=5000&make=CITROEN&radius=1500&page=1#

[D Spares & Tyres]

I'll have the Xantia please! Rather miss my last one, it was a beauty and still a bit sore that the buyer weighed it in.

 

Welding holds no fear for me.

[Andy F]

I would be delighted if it were to ride again, consider it yours! I'll get some photos of the lacquer peel and rust underneath to try and put you off if you like?

[D Spares & Tyres]

If you want, I don't mind. I know where Xantias rust and while they can get rather ripe, there is usually good metal not far away.

 

Also laquer peel is no issue. I have a ZX with 10% laquer left at most. Am waiting for the rest to fall off so it looks more even.

 

I'm not going to be too fussy for £100

[Bren]

Cosmetically xantia's can look A1 but be rotten underneath.

 

Good 406's are sought after and clean ones can be pricey.

[Andy F]

So, I went car shopping today for a large, diesel estate, but sort of got it a bit wrong. Or very right.

 

I did take a photo but can't seem to upload it right now.

 

Collection tomorrow. A mile walk down the road. Poo count likely to be low

[Andy F]

Over done collection thread commences. Waiting for a lift, I'm too lazy to walk.

[Andy F]

Also, how do you change the topic name please?

[Floatylight]

Also, how do you change the topic name please?

I think go into the first post in the thread and edit it..

 

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[Andy F]

I think go into the first post in the thread and edit it..

 

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Done! Thanking you.

 

Insurance sorted. Tax next

[hairnet]

 and I am at a complete loss as to what to go for next.

avensis estate