Citroën XM, derv, badermatic, in a blue. *BOUGHT*

[flat4alfa]

Cripes the S1 lights must be diabolical then! These lights... well, you get as much throw from a Lucas set on an old Austin. Fed by a dynamo.

 

No it's not a big car to handle. For me anyhow, I do sit a bit high in it. In fact I've been overestimating the front length when parking. It still is a blind front length though. Turning circle seems tighter than my Alfa 156 (which isn't hard as it's the 5-pot) but tighter even than my old Alfa 155 4-pot.

 

Went a bit too quick on a sweeping downward bend the other day but it stiffened and gripped without drama. Saying that, the rear feels like it's stuck in sport mode.

[messerschmitt owner]

The s1 lights are diabolical. The plastic insert in front of the lights clouds up and the lights go crap. Thes2 lights are modified but still rubbish.

 

I find the front end difficult to judge even after three years and five xms.

[eifion]

However it is best on the motorway or on a twisty a road. Xms handle really well.

 

This is true. I may have focussed on the negatives in my previous post but I've had an XM as my main car since 2005 now and will probably have another as my next car should something untoward happen to it.Buy one now while they're still cheap!

[dieselnutjob]

I believe that these have the same ZF 4HP20 transmission as my 607. You must only put genuine ESSO LT71141 (now rebranded as Mobile LT71141) in these. "Compatible with" is not good enough, it must be the genuine stuff.

 

The other thing I heard about these is that the strut top mount can fail without warning and go through the bonnet, which effectively right the car off. I believe that you can put a metal strap over the top of the top mount to catch it if/when this happens which saves the bonnet.

 

Fantastic buy

[flat4alfa]

ZF 4HP20 transmission

I had thought that was just a V6 thing? I thought DexII was the correct juice for my clagger box. *Digs for owners manual*. Owner's Manual (dated Oct 1995) states autoboxes must use 'Total Fluide ATX'

 

The other thing I heard about these is that the strut top mount can fail without warning and go through the bonnet, which effectively right the car off.

This one was pointed out by the vendor as being exceptional and yes, the strut tops are clean. Will poke about underneath in due course ....when we get Spring back, that is!

[messerschmitt owner]

 

The other thing I heard about these is that the strut top mount can fail without warning and go through the bonnet, which effectively right the car off. I believe that you can put a metal strap over the top of the top mount to catch it if/when this happens which saves the bonnet.

 

Fantastic buy

the strut tops can go - however, reconditioned strut tops with new rubber are available and changing them is the work of half an hour, so no messy dented bonnets. You can tell when they start to go by looking at the rubber underneath when the car is 'on high' and seeing if it has started to give. Otherwise suspension is relatively free of fault - the dented bonnet syndrome is more common in Xantias.

 

An XM is still a great buy and I'd like to see the balance of 'up and down' Citroens on this forum increase.

[Lacquer Peel]

Don't the struts mounts pop when people drive around with deflated, hard spheres?

[messerschmitt owner]

Don't the struts mounts pop when people drive around with deflated, hard spheres?

the seal on the sphere will go quickly too - no one in their right mind drives round with deflated spheres - the cars are undrivable with hard spheres!

[Lacquer Peel]

 

 

Can you inspect them visually without taking them off? The ones on my Xantia look fine.

[messerschmitt owner]

yes, pop the suspension up to full height and look at them under the wheel arch. They tear and split under there.

 

Nice C6!

 

They are on my watch list for when they finally drop to banger money.

 

[beko1987]

yes, pop the suspension up to full height and look at them under the wheel arch. They tear and split under there.

 

WAS A Nice C6!

 

They are on my watch list for when they finally drop to banger money.

 

 

Edited for accuracy for you Schmitt!

 

Are they un-repairable when they do that, or un-economically

[messerschmitt owner]

they are repairable - you just need a new bonnet - IIRC the remoulded rubber strut top heads from Kingas are about £60 plus p+P both ways to Lithuania. A strut top is neither big nor heavy.

 

Most pop when stationary - it is still a rare occurrence.

 

I'll show you on Sunday, Sam, what a good pair look like.

[beko1987]

Sounds good Mess, looking forward to it!

[flat4alfa]

I'll show you on Sunday, Sam, what a good pair look like.

 

Ooo-err!

 

/fnaaar

[andrew e]

Top Bombing chap! I have a pair of rear calipers (one corroded mess now) and a blue rear spoiler left of my one. I agree the headlamps were shocking however. As an aside I never realised working cruise control was unusual.

 

I earnt a fortune off eBay when mine died. Enjoy it in good health!

[flat4alfa]

Time went on, used it as a daily for a while too, 40 unfussy miles a day.    It got new rear spheres, discs, proper service inc fresh LHM & Dexron, and other bits. 

 

Sunflower oil is cheaper in Asda than Morrisons by a lot.   The whiff also turns heads. 

 

 

XM ownership is going to get harder - out of the 601 roadworthy survivors, they are disappearing at a rate of 17 a month!  Oh isn't it exciting.

 

Anyone can do this, but I got interested and put together a quick table of survival, compared to some competitors.

 

 

It's worth noting that for all it's blandness, 605 still outsold its replacement 607 by 1.2 : 1
Safrane outsold Vel Satis - 8.3 : 1
SAAB 95 and 9000 sales were near par
Citroen XM against C6 a bit skewed, but I've arrived at a figure of 24 : 1.  Over the lifetime of C6 in the UK, they only managed to register approx. 60 a year...

 

 

Sold it now though.  BUT!  As you read this it might be appearing again on the forum...

 

[Lankytim]

Hey, that's the spit of mine, although mine is in 2.5 manual flavour, and is missing it's alloys.

[Lankytim]

Hey, that's the spit of mine, although mine is in 2.5 manual flavour, and is missing it's alloys.

[londonm]

Being French, I'd never want one. Citroen cars always look so unique though.