Citroen XM - was JohnK's steed

[Lankytim]

Nice colour! Hope it's a diesel.

[EssDeeWon]

A 2.1 TD SX according to Dollywobbler's recently updated signature 

[dollywobbler]

Yup. 2.1 turbo diesel manual SX. Not bothered by fancy kit, so the trim level is bob-on. Eleccy front windows, mirrors and sunroof, keep-fit rears. 

 

Another detail I love is that the engine capacity is exactly the same as a Standard Vanguard.

 

I did manage to shove my finger through the back end of the offside sill, but it seems solid otherwise. The same is true of the Rover when I bought it. The battery doesn't seem brilliant and providing charge - it has been sitting for several months and was entirely flat. It ran at tickover for a good half an hour while me poked, prodded and nattered and I then had a test drive of a mile or so. It restarted once after that, but twice was too much for it. Should make the drive home interesting! 

 

I've paid £375 though. It has MOT to January and half a tank of fuel. At least I won't have to stop on the way home...

 

So, Rover to Birmingham International tomorrow (where I 'bought' it over the phone a few months ago) to meet the new owner, then a train to Chester. May need to find one of those bus things to get me out to where the car is. Capers are on!

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I'm extremely in favour of this. It'll either be a massive bargain or ruin you financially - there is no middle ground!

 

Health to enjoy and all that

[320touring]

Top bombing!

[Station]

Would love an XM.

[phil_lihp]

A bargain basement white XM was absolutely the right thing to do.  Looking forward to the collection update!

[Inspector Morose]

I'm kicking around tomorrow, do you want a lift from international to cavcraftland? I fancy a blast out of the cobwebs.

[hairnet]

I'm extremely in favour of this. It'll either be a massive bargain or ruin you financially - there is no middle ground!

 

Health to enjoy and all that

jaysis!! wear well

[twosmoke300]

The mans got balls .That much I know.

[dugong]

Yes* , I'm sure a cheap XM will be no** mither.

BONNE CHANCE.

[forddeliveryboy]

Has it been owned by an XM-nutter previously? If so, more than half of the probs will have been sorted. No doubt messerschmitt will be along to say well done.

 

Those hydractive setups are a little odd and hate any dirt in them - trick is to use a blend of kero and LHM to clean out if the suspension's jarring (and spheres and electronics are well).

 

People always assume it's the electronics which have caused the hyperactive to fail, whereas it can be low system pressure - the regulator needs to be 145/170, you can adjust them with shims from another one.

[dollywobbler]

I'm kicking around tomorrow, do you want a lift from international to cavcraftland? I fancy a blast out of the cobwebs.

 

Wow. That'd be pretty epic! I can hardly refuse, especially as it means no public transport. Also means I could get some spots (if we're lucky) on the way. I'm aiming to be at B'ham International for about 12pm. Sorry for the delay - I was in a committee meeting losing the will to live (after so much excitement as well!).

[dollywobbler]

Has it been owned by an XM-nutter previously? If so, more than half of the probs will have been sorted. No doubt messerschmitt will be along to say well done.

 

Those hydractive setups are a little odd and hate any dirt in them - trick is to use a blend of kero and LHM to clean out if the suspension's jarring (and spheres and electronics are well).

 

People always assume it's the electronics which have caused the hyperactive to fail, whereas it can be low system pressure - the regulator needs to be 145/170, you can adjust them with shims from another one.

 

Well, it's been owned by someone who cared enough to treat it to an annual service at a Citroen specialist. The sort of bloke who seems to have fitted Michelin tyres. A good judge of ownership standards, even if I think Michelins are crap...

 

I've got a tin of Hydraflush in the garage that never found its way into a BX. If I think it needs it, I'll do a fluid change at some point.

[eifion]

Welcome to the world of XM ownership. As the person who pointed you in its direction, I hope it serves you well. That said, in nearly 10 years of XM ownership they've let me down very rarely so I'm sure you'll be fine.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks for the tip-off! I post on social media that I want a cheap XM. 99% of the world tells me what a stupid, impossible idea it is. You just told me about one for sale. Brilliant.

[jonathan_dyane]

I thoroughly approve! I hope it proves a good buy.

 

Personally if I was adding something to the lhm it would be diesel not kerosene...

[jonathan_dyane]

Is it manual or auto?

[Cheggers]

WCPGW?

[chaseracer]

^ Less than you might think...

[beko1987]

I think XM's are utterly reliable! As previously said, 96% of all the issues can be cured with a good LHM drain, filter clean and new LHM/Hydraflush bled through to the calipers for 4-5k, then another drain, clean the filters, LHM and a bleed through to the calipers! Plus a good tickle over with a Proper Lexia. Mine was holding all sorts of old codes ranging from 'Loss of power' to sensor wobblys.

 

Is it an S2? Check the sport light on the top left comes on on ignition on, then goes off again a few seconds later. Then the bounce test (keys out, a door open, each corner of the car should bounce. door closed, don't lock, wait 30 secs and you should hear the valve click shut. all corners should be rock solid. opening the door should provide the click again as the system turns on a bit). Plus citrobatics, lots of lovely citrobatics!

 

I also found that mine responded rather well to being overloaded on a good motorway blast when we moved (washing machine, tv, books, and the contents of the kitchen IIRC). Sinks right down when loading, but straight back up when on, and the best ride I've ever had out of the fucker!)

 

Passenger side mirror might dip when you select reverse (did in my auto). It's the best thing ever, and I still miss it now!

 

Having had a BX though, I imagine you'll be au fait with it all!

[dollywobbler]

Is it manual or auto?

 

Manual. Has to be said, the gearchange is about as crap as I've come to expect of PSA stuff. 

 

Oh. Forgot that the ABS light seems to be on. Apparently it wasn't on when it was parked up a few months ago. I have a feeling they're very voltage sensitive, so perhaps it'll sort itself out. You never know!

[forddeliveryboy]

I thoroughly approve! I hope it proves a good buy.

 

Personally if I was adding something to the lhm it would be diesel not kerosene...

 

That used to be the thing, but the hydraulics don't like plant-based oils, and there may be up to 10% bio-diesel in forecourt brew. Probably best not worth the risk of having to replace the seals. It would take years on an XM.

 

If it's not rotten and the electrics aren't possessed, then it's possible for an Xm to be just as reliable as a Xantia - which is a lot more reliable than Fords, Vauxhalls or modern VWs. The one I had did me for 30,000miles with nothing more than a set of glow plugs and a silencer, then a friend took it on for another 20, it never missed a beat.

[wuvvum]

I have to say that a tested diesel XM for 375 quid does look like something of a bargain.  I'm mildly jealous.

[DSdriver]

I was going to suggest that if it was an auto that you change the gearbox oil, a job that main dealers were forgetful* about. A manual box should suit your location better if it snows.

I get mine back tomorrow. One of the rear rams was knackered. A previous garage had tried to bodge it and failed. New ones are no longer available and  Plaedies are no longer refurbing them so a second hand one was sourced. I can find no reference to such a part in the HBOL - what do they call it?

Just tried to tax it on line but they haven't updated the MOT status. I'll try again in the morning before I go and pick it up.

Fingers crossed it will be alright for the winter and keep me toasty. The heater in the Safari is not good even by DS standards.

[rml2345]

What a superb choice, you brave man you. I hope this one doesn't live up to their reputation as fiendishly complex and temperamental machines. £375 for an entire spaceship is pretty good value.

[meshking]

This is great. You're slowly working through the list of shitters that I'd love to own but my circumstances don't allow for. Its car ownership by proxy. Thanks very much, good luck ☺.

I've never had the electrical issues PSA are known for in Citroens. The Peugeot on the other hand...

[dollywobbler]

DS Driver - sounds like what's referred to as a suspension cylinder. Also an issue finding them for BXs. Fortunately, they don't often fail.

[dollywobbler]

Departure time is fast approaching. I've not been this excited about a collection caper for a long time! That's a good sign I think. Birmingham here I come! I won't be live reporting, as I can't add photos to the forum on my BlackBerry. I will probably be live tweeting though, when not driving obviously.

https://twitter.com/dollywobbler

[320touring]

You have a blackberry AND an XM?

 

Fuckin yuppie!