Citroen XM 2.5TD, any opinions?

[Lankytim]

I should be picking one of these dinosaurs up soon, I've always hankered after an XM and have been offered this one cheap because of a random hudraulic problem which may or may not be easy to fix. It's a bit of a risk buying it but I should make my money back easily enough if it turns out to be a duffer.

 

I'm sure there should be some experience on these beasts on this forum. Has anybody got any advice or warnings for me?

 

I've already asked over on the Frenchy forum and opinions have varied from "the best XM ever" to "run away, fast" so a varied result!

 

 

[beko1987]

From what I've read the head is a weak point on these, and their not great on fuel. Personally, if it goes up and down, starts and stops, the sport light flashes on the dashboard (s2) and it's cheap enough do it! 

 

Does the back stay down, rather than rising with the front?

Is the steering nitchy at low speeds fast steering?

Does the FDV valve hisswhen turning the wheel whilst stationary, and stop when turning is stopped?

Is the EML light on?

(Auto or Manual), is the change jerky or smooth?

 

All easy issues, I've worked my way through half of them with little effort on mine already. club-xm.co.uk, or club-xm.com for more archived info

[skattrd]

Do it ... What could possibly go wrong

[Cavcraft]

Messerschmitt (spelling?) Owner is your man on here, what he doesn't know about them isn't worth knowing. I seem to remember strut tops were notorious on them and auto boxes spaz up around the 100-130k mile mark, but you should defo buy it.

[dollywobbler]

Yeah, strut tops are a pain. If they fail, the strut punches its way through the bonnet. I've even seen a C6 where this had happened. Thankfully the BX doesn't seem to do this...

 

They can be refurbed though and they must have visible deterioration before it happens I would have thought. Isn't common, but can happen.

 

I'm still to scratch the XM itch, mainly because I consider them a BX with more to go wrong (much more electrickery). 

 

As you say though, the financial risk is pretty low - they're good breakers. 

[cort16]

I remember reading a copy of practical classics recently and they reccomended that XM's are not suitable for daily use because of their complexity. Mind you I also ready in a fuel saving article in the PC that one of the ideas to  improve fuel efficiency in your classic was to fit a diesel engine. They rated this as a complexity level of 7/10.

[beko1987]

Messerschmitt (spelling?) Owner is your man on here, what he doesn't know about them isn't worth knowing. I seem to remember strut tops were notorious on them and auto boxes spaz up around the 100-130k mile mark, but you should defo buy it.

+1. Mine came from him, and he does know everything (he's owned/owns enough so I suppose he should really!)

[prab]

Do it! French barges are the best!

[explosive-cabbage]

Bagsy the engine when you break it!! Even if it isn't an XUD block...

[Lacquer Peel]

Citroen XM 2.5TD, any opinions?

 

 

WOULD.

[Lankytim]

What would you want the engine for? It's meant to be unique to the XM.

[skattrd]

What would you want the engine for? It's meant to be unique to the XM.

 

I  think he was on about fitting a TD in to the Niva.

[dieselnutjob]

I  think he was on about fitting a TD in to the Niva.

 

What would you want the engine for? It's meant to be unique to the XM.

 

It is still an XUD.  Also came in the 605.

[Lankytim]

It is still an XUD.  Also came in the 605.

 

Is it not a DK5 or something like that?

[Lacquer Peel]

I think it's related to the XUD.

[dieselnutjob]

the 2.1 is a stroked XUD with a 12 valve head

the 2.5 is a bored out 2.1

 

I think

 

some data I put together years ago:-

http://www.christiantena.net/motor/peugeot/hdi/engines.html

 

If anyone has any data that I can fill in the missing boxes with....

 

Even the HDIs had a lot of XUDness about them.  I'm sure I read about a 305 with an HDI in it which must be brilliant

[KruJoe]

I  think he was on about fitting a TD in to the Niva.

 

Correct.

He'll 'Like' the other information above, thanks DNJ and others.

[dieselnutjob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9oJU6DkMRg

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efc_gS4VEEE

[Lacquer Peel]

What's the random hydraulic problem?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Blimey. Could you fit the engine into a 205 or a C15 van? Then you could tow a trailer that was sufficiently heavy to rip the whole arse end off after 1000 miles.

[dieselnutjob]

An HDI would be easier (though you would need the ECU and wiring off a donor car), and will make as much power whilst using less fuel.

 

On that topic if my 607 ever expires I would be quite tempted to put the running gear into something else.  Like a 406 coupe.  They did an HDI and they did an auto, but there wasn't an HDI auto.  I'm pretty sure I could build one.

 

An XM HDI would be pretty cool as well.  I'd bet that the hydraulic bits off a Xantia HDI would fill the gaps.

[Cavcraft]

I wonder if you can lob the 2.5 diesel into a 306? I've heard of 2.1 conversions so maybe it is doable?

[Lankytim]

What's the random hydraulic problem?

It randomly loses all hydraulic pressure, so the suspension, brakes and steering all pack up simultaneously. It's had a new high pressure pump and the problem persists. I'm told it's probably an air leak somewhere. 

 

I was told that the 2.5 is a very different beast to the 2.1, it has extra stuff added like balance shafts. It's meant to be a total pig to work on too.

[dieselnutjob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj4asvO6Fek