Citroen XM - was JohnK's steed

[dollywobbler]

I think it's fair to say that if I'd bought a Rover 600, I would have been bored before I even got home...

[forddeliveryboy]

The difference between the two suspension modes (hydractive 2) is noticeable though subtle because it only firms up when needed (with two diffrerent modes, the sportier one bringing in the stiffer setting sooner). If you set the system so it's always in one mode or the other (not possible from the dash on Hyd2) then it becomes much more obvious.

 

If the centre spheres have lost their pressure, then the car will never soften up the springing, just the damping. Well worth having them checked - or substitute (temporarily) the rear one with a regular 62bar accumulator. This will give too much softness in normal mode (and so cause more rapid transition to firm mode) but then the difference is vast and makes it very obvious which setting is in use.

 

If you can find LW on the radio, tune to 171m and soft mode buzzes, hard doesn't. If there's no difference, either your radio's fubar or the suspension electronics are.

[beko1987]

The headlights are shit, inherent design flaw!

 

Is it raising and lowering correctly? Plusgas aimed at the rear height adjuster helps with that!

[dollywobbler]

Well, the front looks a bit low to me. It seems very happy to go up and down. 

[hairnet]

irish t4 towing a bulgarian reg trailer - dafuq??

[vulgalour]

I'm amazed at how much like a Xantia that looks on the inside, and a bit disappointed too really.  I had hoped they kept the oddness of the early XMs at least a little bit throughout the production of the car.  The outside, however, does not disappoint.  

[Inspector Morose]

It's very Xantia inside. But outside, it's all about the outside. And the ride. Feels more solid too, surprisingly for a Citroen of that era.

[wuvvum]

I think it's fair to say that if I'd bought a Rover 600, I would have been bored before I even got home...

Unless it was a TI, of course.

[Spiny Norman]

Excellent choice Mr DW.
I will own an XM one day.

[Ghosty]

Ooh, that's nice. 

You should have a meetup with Vulg and his Xantia at some point.

[cort1977]

I saw one of those new mclarens today - I am much more interested in this and not a little jealous.

[Shep Shepherd]

I really like that. It makes me want to own an XM more than ever

[skattrd]

Nice XM DW.

Is the bx that took you there the ex RobT, me, catsinthewelder one? If so it's turning in to a proper AS bike.

[Inspector Morose]

Yes, the very same. Temporarily it's mine! Due for some work over the winter, a bit of grot stopping, rear arm bearings and a new interior amongst other things.

[oldcars]

Liking the new motor & the coach spot. Very early Plaxton Paramount 

[phil_lihp]

Excellent buy, I really like the rear end on these, particularly the way the lights are arranged.  Reversing lights hidden up in the dark panel on the bootlid I believe.  Unusual to see a white one but it really suits it quite well.  Did they change the dashboard in these at some point?  Looks remarkably conventional given the exterior design.

[dollywobbler]

Yes, this is a Series 2 so it's toned down a bit - not that the Series 1 was particularly bonkers. The steering wheel is a drab affair though - straight from a Xantia. It still somehow feels more special than a Xantia inside though - having recently driven both back-to-back. 

 

Have set about cleaning up the interior this morning. Practically scraping tar from the windows. Yuck. 

[dollywobbler]

I thought I'd better let Henry have a sniff around the XM. Especially after discovering loads of ash in the gearshift scrotum. 

 

Wiper adjusting is a pain. A lot easier if you remove this scuttle panel.

 

But the end result is a car that looks much better. Also, the driver's wiper doesn't go off the screen now.

 

I think the passenger wiper may now be a little too high. I'm trying to work out if I care.

[Frogchod]

Bin the steering wheel.

Fit a single spoke one from a series 1 xm.

Added bonus is that you'll be able to see all the switches.

No airbag though...

[dollywobbler]

It is an ugly wheel. It has a small red light on it when the ignition is turned on. Perhaps this is the SRS warning? There isn't one anywhere else. I don't care enough to try and remove it though.

 

Do need to try and crack the stereo code though.

[Inspector Morose]

I think someone on here might have that window that fits behind the seats in his garage. It might even be going spare if you ask him nicely. Just a thought, like. (Thinking about it, he might have promised it to someone else now but it might be worth it to ask!)

[cort1977]

Dealer may be able to help with the code if you give them the VIN and logbook?

[beko1987]

Dealers don't know what an XM is anymore! I needed the pipe that goes from the back of the thermostat housing into the heater matrix, tried 5 and none had anything 'that old'

 

Fixed it with self amalgamating tape and then cloth tape, and bought a spare hose off possibly someone on here. Fix lasted, I never fitted it and left it in the boot for costadelglosta to fit if needed!

 

You had the radio out? A kindly previous owner may have written it on the unit...

[dollywobbler]

Nope. Not written on the stereo, nor in the handbook. Naturally, I'm finding some issues too. Ride seems firmer today, certainly at the start of the journey. A bounce test reveals that it's pretty firm front and rear (I followed Beko's earlier advice and it goes rock solid after 30 seconds, as it should, though there's no Hydractive light at start-up). I'm guessing a set of spheres (six on an XM) may be in order, or at least a re-gas.

 

Next issue is a common one on XMs - Strut tops. The offside one is suffering from degraded rubber. These can fail big time and make an utter mess of the bonnet. New ones, if you can find them, are £300. Good second hand, £150+Vat. You can send them off to Latvia to be refurbed, but that takes time and renders the car useless while you wait. 

 

Another issue is that the headliner seems to get damp around the front, nearside corner of the sunroof. I may need to try and clear the drains. 

 

It really is a bonny thing to waft around in though. Even with firmer-that-it-should-be suspension, it's way better than the Rover was. 

[jonathan_dyane]

I have a spare strut top, not sure which side...

[dollywobbler]

Could be of interest. Do you have piccies? I understand that the Series 2 could be had in a few different flavours, just to be annoying.

[beko1987]

Lhm change and sphere pressure test/swap may sort that, and a tickle with a lexia to clear any old codes. CitroJim is in Newport pagnell, he spent a day showing me how to do it, and remove them. The proper tool (or a copy of) and a lump hammer are essentials!

[beko1987]

Oh, and your sunroof drains will be blocked, they sit right in the middle of each front corner, and come out behind the front wings. I flossed mine with some thinnish 2 core flex then poured water through. Then the bastard still leaked, so I sealed it up ready for winter. Front of the headlining is still hanging down now...

[dollywobbler]

The drains seem to be working ok. Well, pouring water down them makes it come out at the bottom anyway. The rim that's screwed down on the inner edge was very wet though. I think water is getting through here, but I'm not sure how it's breaching that inner rim. Smeared a load of sealant around so I'll see how it does. I love having a sunroof so it'd be nice to not resort to sealing the entire thing up.

 

I have managed to change the heater setting so it's on fully incoming air now. I can tell this works because the car now stinks of meths every time I wash the windscreen.

[chaseracer]

I think someone on here might have that window that fits behind the seats in his garage. It might even be going spare if you ask him nicely. Just a thought, like. (Thinking about it, he might have promised it to someone else now but it might be worth it to ask!)

 

I have this, and many other XM things of goodness - including decent* headlamps and strut tops...

 

 

* like your auntie, it's all relative...