AX diesels, any good?

[Pete-M]

The AX diesels are insanely cheap to run. They used to win all the economy challenges. 100+ mpg isn't unheard of.

[Lacquer Peel]

Yeah at 30MPH average or something.

[Jon]

My Dad had a 1.5 106, after a job change meant lots of commuting. He chopped a gold 825 Sterling in for it! It was XN (mingebag) spec and was pretty depressing, tbh. Still, he kept it a few years and managed to get it to 125000 miles without replacing the rear tyres, since he drove it very gently; it wasn't unusual for him to crack 70mpg (of course, he kept a file to back this up). He removed the wheel trims on day one, installed a central locking kit and even sewed up a terry towelling steering wheel cover. Thus, it was pretty much immaculate when he came to sell it and I'd be very surprised if the second hand dealer didn't clock it. I remember the turning circle being horrendous (like a lot of fwd Pugs) and the scratchy seat material gave me static shocks of epic proportions, so hold on to the door frame when exiting. 

 

Don't discount the Rover Metro/100, as the diesels were powered by the 1.4 and 1.5 engines too.

[twosmoke300]

The judge . Strange toolkit you carry , a file but no flat screwdriver 😃

[mouseflakes]

My 1.5 Saxo dizzler is just great.

 

This year is the first time I've had to do any significant work on it after using it and abusing it for nine years. I'm just about to weld a couple of holes in the front 'rails' under the footwells, and it's needed one driveshaft, spring and lower arm this year. Before that - nothing other than the usual consumables.

 

I'd like an AX - but I'll probably stick with the Saxo. Highly recommended.

[wuvvum]

Having used a diesel AX as a daily for around six months last year (including a 500 mile round trip to Somerset and back), I feel qualified to comment on this thread.

 

Fuel economy is superb.  Most of the 1.5s are Lucas pump and therefore won't run on veg, but they're so economical it really doesn't matter.  I was averaging getting on for 70 mpg in mine, and I'm not the most light-footed driver in the world.

 

Driving position is a matter of taste, but I'm 6'1" and prematurely knackered and I was still able to walk when I got out of the car in Somerset.  I've certainly experienced worse driving positions in small cars (Vauxhall Nova, for example, and the Innocenti).

 

1.5 is a noticeably heavier lump than the 1.4 (most noticeable when parking), but on the flip side it's more robust and goes better.  I didn't tend to cane mine too much, but I had an indicated 96 mph once when I got caught in a stream of VAGmobiles in the fast lane of the M4, and it was still pulling even at that speed.

 

Build is a bit flimsy (I wouldn't advise having a crash in one), and the single front wiper is a matter of taste, but other than that I'd say go for it.  They do seem to be starting to make decent coin though, as people cotton on to the fact that they're far more economical in the real world than some daft modern 1.0 quad turbo common rail job.

 

Also consider:  Nova 1.5 TD.  Nearly as economical, appreciably quicker, and veg friendly.  Marginally less flimsy and a marginally worse driving position (imho), but otherwise not dissimilar. 

[Ghosty]

What about an Arosa/Lupo diesel?

 

If not, fancy a trip to Anglesey? This is pretty cheap at £300 with no T&T.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugot-205-1-8-diesel-spares-or-repairs-Low-miles-/171331160006?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27e42207c6#viTabs_0

[forddeliveryboy]

As above, avoid the 1.4 - it hasn't a good reputation as the miles pile on. The 1.5 is a good 'un though, by all accounts. Lucas pumps are quite tolerant of veg, just avoid starting the things on it if possible, especially through the colder months. So a seperate smaller tank of diesel and change over valves like the old V12 Jags. Fit a heat exchanger in the line for the veg, connected to the cooling system.

 

Remember veg isn't all the same - rapeseed is significantly thinner and burns better than the gummy, prone-to-gelling GM Soya, better for pumps, injectors and engines. I ran a Lucas (Epic, no less - meant to be the very worst possible) pumped turbo-diesel on 75% waste veg throughout one very cold winter, no bother, single-tanked. It had a fphe and I avoided revving the thing much for the first mile or two. As the pumps pile on the miles, the risk of failure diminishes slightly as they wear.

 

Best of luck with a good purchase - AX and 106 dizzlers are quite capable of 70mpg. I have heard of some Bosch pumped 1.5s, so may be worth looking out for one.

[derskine]

Some handy info here, will keep it all in mind.

A nova TD would be fantastic however, not easy to find and not as cheap as an AX.

I was going to buy another volvo 340 but I think this makes much more sense.

[wackywacerwill]

How tall are ya?

At the age of 14 I used to bang my head on the roof of mums old 1.1 when I borrowed it when she was out. Mind you I was the same 6ft then that I am now.

[oman5]

are you sure 106s are going to be too new for you? they came out in 1991! a diesel 106 is going to be a damn site easier to find and it's pretty much the same engine as an AX and fuel economy is near as dammit the same too-i.e bloody brilliant. there seem to be plenty of roadworthy ones sub £500.

[Micrashed]

Go for 1.4, aluminium engine (1.5 weirdly went back to iron), it's far lighter. better on fuel

But the 1.4 is more prone to OMG HGF and warped heads.

 

All were Lucas pumps, that didnt stop me running mine on SVO though.

[purplebargeken]

Might have an Ax for sale soon, dizzler, 3 door, it will be uber cheap. A little tatty with the odd bump here and there. Belongs to a good friend of mine, she now desires something else and we will be going to the auctions next week.

[fairkens]

I had a 1998 106 1.5XND it had not been looked after when I got it, had 98k on the clock when I bought it and put 100k on it in the 4 years i owned it. Had various other issues, doors locks broke, you would get v wet when it rained, starter motor had it and had new drive shafts but engine never missed a beat, started even when glow plugs were knackered and I didn't have enough cash to replace. Not an ounce of rust and most you see are in good nick body wise.

 

Gearbox eventually went and it got weighed in

 

Mine had a lucas pump so never ran veg oil, got 65mpg out of it all day long.

 

Was much better than the Puma I replaced it with.

[Pillock]

Yeah at 30MPH average or something.

Have you been on a UK motorway recently?

[castros_bro]

I'm 6'2" and was doing 600 miles a week and used 205 Diesel, AX1.4D  and AX1.5D x2.  Don't get an AX1.4D as the others are much better and beware of rear suspension arm bearing looseness, make sure it's ot a 5 speed box.   Both the 205 and AX1.5 are able to do astronomical miles sipping diesel. Now using 106 1.5D which is like a AX1.5D in different clothes and does everything needed without any hysteria. Someone has "borrowed" my last AX1.5D and won't return it 'cause it's such good set of commuter wheels

[derskine]

are you sure 106s are going to be too new for you? they came out in 1991! a diesel 106 is going to be a damn site easier to find and it's pretty much the same engine as an AX and fuel economy is near as dammit the same too-i.e bloody brilliant. there seem to be plenty of roadworthy ones sub £500.

 

Unfortunately yes, remember the AX designed remained largely unchanged since 1986.

 

 

Might have an Ax for sale soon, dizzler, 3 door, it will be uber cheap. A little tatty with the odd bump here and there. Belongs to a good friend of mine, she now desires something else and we will be going to the auctions next week.

 

Could be interested, where are you located - and is it a 1.5 or 1.4?

[DodgyBastard]

 

 

this one's within budget...



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-CITROEN-AX-DIMENSION-DIESEL-1-5d-GREEN-Spares-repairs-/111358345652?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19ed7981b4

[Cavcraft]

+1 on the Nova TD, stupidly quick cars and veg oil friendly.

[Timewaster]

No no no. The Autoshite way is a Rover 115 every time. I had a 4 door in kingfisher blue with raw fibreglass arches once. I was Da Man!

[phil_lihp]

AXs are good fun, very lightweight and hence a bit fragile and flimsy but a 1.5D should be pretty quick, I had a 1.0i which was great when it worked.  Highly recommended for bargain basement running costs but as DW says the driving position is pretty odd and the seats are squidgy and unsupportive in the best French small car tradition.  Brakes are not the best but they handle well.  They are definitely disappearing at a rate of knots now so worth bagging one before rarity value kicks in.

 

In fact, here's one: http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/citroen-ax-diesel-for-sell/1062432569

 

To be honest, the 1.0 and 1.1 are so frugal you shouldn't discount these although a 5 speed box is best and they're not the most durable engines in the world.

[purplebargeken]

The car is in Norf Lundon and is easily accesible via a train company of your choice. I shall ask her for more info. It will be cheap.

[derskine]

That will be some hell of a trip however if it's cheap enough then I'm up for it.

 

Scott - I saw that one and considering it also, as I can currently afford his £5 deposit.

[Mr Lobster]

I had a 1.5D 'Memphis' back when it was about two years old. Was the first time I'd ever b[r]ought a car on finance. 

 

I really liked it though, mega reliable and cheap to run. Quick once you got it wound up and surprisingly nice to chuck about too. I'm starting to fancy another now I think about it. After me it worked its way through a succession of family members and stubbornly refused to die despite sister Lobster hitting various pieces of London with it.

[wuvvum]

To be honest, the 1.0 and 1.1 are so frugal you shouldn't discount these although a 5 speed box is best and they're not the most durable engines in the world.

 

I actually haven't found much difference in economy between the 4- and 5-speed versions.  The 4-speed is a proper wide ratio 'box so fourth isn't much lower than fifth on a 5-speeder, and they certainly don't feel undergeared on the motorway - much like my current LNA, in fact.  All good on fuel though, as you say - I've never managed to average less than 50mpg in a 1-litre AX, however hard I've caned them.

[wuvvum]

Some handy info here, will keep it all in mind.

A nova TD would be fantastic however, not easy to find and not as cheap as an AX.

Alternatively, if you get desperate, it's worth remembering that the Rover Metro / 100 was also available with the same diesel engines as the AX...

[willswitchengage]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-Rover-115-SD-Metro-diesel-Long-MOT-Tax-53K-VGC-/291150970727?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43c9f33f67

 

There's a 115D. That engine found itself everywhere:

 

 

NB just because it was the only small diesel engine of the era doesn't mean it was any good! Personally I'd go for a Corsa B with the 1.5TD Isuzu.

[jonathan_dyane]

I've done lots of miles in both and I have to say the 205 is a much better car than both the AX and Saxo. More comfortable, more refined, more space and more likeable.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Wow never knew the K11 Micra was fitted with a peugeot diesel engine!!

[Rusty_Rocket]

The tud5 block went on to become the basis of the Fiesta TDCI/ Pug 1.4 HDi engine too.. 

 

Another reason why I like them- the 1527cc capacity means it is in the cheap tax group for pre-2001 vehicles