Xantia acquired - now with (pre-clean) pics

[garethj]

Is that some sort of Autoshite Fail going on there? "I wanted a Porsche but ended up with a Citroen turbo diesel."

I agree it's not like the normal car comparisons, choosing between a Sierra, a Cavalier or a 405 but that's the freedom you have with a budget of under a grand, a Calibra, a 924, a Discovery, a BX, FX4....

 

Gareth, commit real mentalness, and buy my Murena.

And the cost of a divorce would make the car's running costs look reasonable

[MrDuke]

So, I'm now the very-pleased-but-slightly-nervous owner of a series 1 Xantia estate Complete with thoroughly oxidised paint and duck-taped wing-mirrors

 

Just one quick question: if someone brimmed it with LHM at medium height, then lowered it, would it overflow onto the road without actually wrecking anything? (hopefully that's a yes, then I won't have to start crying hysterically)

 

It's actually a great car, lowish miles, loads of history and the magical XUD/Bosch combi. Just needs a seriously deep clean (hello Volksangyl?), and some new mirrors. I R HAPPY

[skattrd]

Sounds good MrDuke .... We demand pics!

[Bren]

Any pics?

 

Was really pissed off earlier today thinking about how much my vectra is going to cost me for an alternator - it crossed my mind to bail out completely, pay it off and buy another xantia - they really are that good.

[Lacquer Peel]

Xantias are superb, I've been very unlucky with mine though.

 

 

 

Maybe it's just white ones.

[Micrashed]

)

 

Just one quick question: if someone brimmed it with LHM at medium height, then lowered it, would it overflow onto the road without actually wrecking anything? (hopefully that's a yes, then I won't have to start crying hysterically)

Yes

 

Dont worry. Does the Mk1 have a little LHM llevel indicator? if not do the thumb test.

[ruffgeezer]

Xantias are superb, I've been very unlucky with mine though.

 

 

Maybe it's just white ones.

 

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[Lacquer Peel]

Aye, it went straight through the MOT test a week before, then some arse in a VW rear ended it at a junction.

[vulgalour]

@LP: Sad seeing the Xantia in a ditch, sadder still to see the result of the VW thump, very unfair.

 

@Mr Duke: I quite like Xantias and I quite like cleaning cars, perhaps something could be arranged...

[MrDuke]

Well, seems the fluid 'dump' was just an overflow, I've done nearly 100 miles since with no further leaks, although the STOP! light does take a good few seconds to go out when I start.

 

Some more utterly n00bish questions: Are the rear door-jambs structural (the corners of mine are very soft and crispy, not sure if that's an MOT fail though)? And is it normal for the brakes to come on very strongly, then 'back off' after a second, until I press harder?

 

Pics will follow when I return the 250 miles home either this evening or tomorrow

[catsinthewelder]

I'd have thought that theres a good chance they'll be within 30cm of a seatbelt or suspension mounting

 

I think Lens now knackered ex-ruff geezer estate had been welded there, there may be some pis around here somewhere

 

a-ha viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13537&p=395328&hilit=xantia+estate+for+sale#p395328

[Micrashed]

Some more utterly n00bish questions: Are the rear door-jambs structural

Fraid so its a bit of a twunt to weld too.

 

Braked sound like it could be the FDV if Xantias have them (Vanny will be along shortly to laugh at me) I would be tempted to bung in some Hydraflush for about a thousand miles then fill with fresh LHM and bleed

[MrDuke]

I'd have thought that theres a good chance they'll be within 30cm of a seatbelt or suspension mounting

 

I think Lens now knackered ex-ruff geezer estate had been welded there, there may be some pis around here somewhere

 

a-ha viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13537&p=395328&hilit=xantia+estate+for+sale#p395328

 

 

Ar5ecakes Actually, unless they've rotted out in the space of a year, that means there's something highly suspect about the last MOT, which didn't even have them as advisories Naughty naughty.

[dollywobbler]

I'd be tempted to bleed the entire brake system to cure the pedal woes. Does sound like there's air in the system somewhere. Presume you've signed up to French Car Forum already, but there's probably a procedure for it described there somewhere. It's not quite the same as a normal brake system to bleed. (I guess the Xantia is like the BX and needs an artificial load on the rear suspension for you to be able to bleed the back end).

[MrDuke]

BEHOLD:

 

 

 

 

And the bad news.... this is actually the 'better' side, too

 

 

 

The slide of much fun:

 

 

 

Yes, that's gravel. Under the rear seats. No, I have no idea.

 

 

 

And you know you wanted a close-up

 

 

 

Better ones to come when I've chiselled off some of the 12 years-worth of tar, sap and algae.

[Lacquer Peel]

The door jamb bits don't look too bad, I think estates are especially bad there because it's where Heuliez bodged estate bits on to a chopped up hatchback.

 

Looks quite honest. Driver's door mirror on its way tomorrow, I missed the post today.

Also, get some veg in it.

[MrDuke]

Yeah, I might just clean up the rust-stains, slap some white duct tape over the holes and hope my MOT man's in a good mood Longer term, I'll try and track down a donor car to cut some sections out of, as it does look like an awkward (and therefore expensive) area to patch.

 

I'm really surprised by how solidly-built it feels - considering it's not had the easiest life, there's not a single rattle or squeak from the interior. Also takes the award for most comfy seats of EVAH, by miles imo.

[Lacquer Peel]

They're very well built, much better than the previous generation of PSA cars - but also quite heavy.