Citroen XM - was JohnK's steed

[dollywobbler]

FDB - I'm not complaining about the prices, only my budget. 

 

Anyway, all still seems well for the moment. Variable ride height is useful when trying to get 47kg gas bottles into and out of it.

[dollywobbler]

I still can't get the stereo out though. I'm failing to get a code for it as the chap needs more information. Frustrating.

[dollywobbler]

Brute force and ignorance worked a treat. Stereo indeed has the code on it by the look of it, proving what a stupid bloody idea these coded radios were. Currently waiting for it to stop locking me out for the wrong code before I try entering it.

[cort1977]

Didn't know that about the McLaren suspension, I will stop and have a nosey around next time I see it.

[forddeliveryboy]

^ Yep, I look forward to it trickling down to ordinary cars. Lexus and offroad Toyotas are using a form of it, but I'm not holding my breath... suspension always seems to be the last thing to move into the modern world with cars - manufacturers struggle to charge a premium for a quality ride and handling compared with bluetooth/aircon/leather/20 speakers and so on. But the top marques all have their own, very expensive and complex suspension systems in an attempt to overcome the problems with steel springs and four seperate dampers which are as much of an advancement on the horseless carriage as an automatic choke over a dashboard knob.

 

http://mp4-12c.over-blog.com/pages/proactive-chassis-control-and-how-it-works-4755895.html

[forddeliveryboy]

DW - yep, know what you mean regarding funds! But at least it'll run happily on veg should you run out of diesel tokens. Even if you save just £1 for every litre used, within 2000 miles you'd have saved enough to replace the spheres.

 

Rather than spending time and money doing what a second hand car salesman would (Vulgalour-style cleaning, making the central locking work, lining up the mats etc) I'd sort the sill rot, change the fluids and spend any spare money on replacing spheres as necessary - you've bought £375 of fine engine and finest chassis/suspension, not an old car with niggles.

 

Spending spare time and cash getting the important things right has a much higher money to enjoyment ratio (and has the benefit of making the mechanical bits last a lot longer). If it's still exciting you a year on (and it could be, if you get the suspension right), that's when to start fiddling about with all the other little bits and pieces if you feel the need. Sorting out all the bells and whistles first, only to have the thing collapse/terminally break cos of lack of maintenance would be a bummer.

[beko1987]

I got the stereo out with one small screwdriver... Pop the surround off, then screwdriver into a hole whilst pulling gently, listen for the click if the catch opening and do the one underneath. One side will pop out slightly, do the other in the same way! Holds each corner out enough to hold whilst you do the other one.

 

Was a jewellers type screwdriver, always on cheap at the car boot etc

 

Its great loading them to the bump stops then watching it rise up, bet it drove like there was nothing there, was the suspension any softer for the journey?

[beko1987]

Just seen you did it... Hope it was the right code.

 

Never buy a cheap tape to aux thing from asda (£7iirc). Its fucking shit. Sounds ok , but I had to put my phone on flight mode to stop interference, which was major. Was a pain when trying to use google maps and listen to music...

[dollywobbler]

Yup. A very helpful tech forum provided the right code. www.techwatch.co.uk was the one. Had to pull the entire front of the stereo off to allow access. Then could remove it entirely to get a code hidden on the side. 

 

This is proper progress.

 

Also shot some video so I'll try and get that all edited together at some point. 

[Inspector Morose]

Went to work today to pick up my lift to the bus. Guess what it was?

 

 

A petrol turbo auto. It's a sign I tell ya.

[dollywobbler]

It has a wobbler-friendly plate too... How did you find it?

[Inspector Morose]

Altogether rather pleasant really. Interior and spec like you'd but what a great place to be for an hour or two. Still rather have the diesel, power was nice but the fuel bills would cripple me in a very short space of time!

 

I'm in two minds about XMs now. They're good, oh boy they're good but the BX is just a bit more "different" in some way I can't put my finger on.

[loserone]

This is another example of a car I'd dearly, dearly love to have custody of for a short while.  As has been noted before, I'm pleased you do change your cars so frequently, as I get to read about some fantastic cars without the hassle (or pleasure, I suppose) of owning and maintaining them.  Thank you, even if you've got me eyeing up xantias on ebay again.

 

 If it's still exciting you a year on 

Then something has gone wrong somewhere.

[chaseracer]

I'm in two minds about XMs now. They're good, oh boy they're good but the BX is just a bit more "different" in some way I can't put my finger on.

 

If you want to pop the seat back at some point, Mr. Wobbler and the XM will be visiting on Sunday afternoon to investigate strut tops...

 

[Inspector Morose]

It'll have to be Saturday as I'm off working again on Sunday.

[chaseracer]

Shame - no can do.  We'll sort something out.

[drum]

Is this for sale yet?

[Inspector Morose]

Leave it with me. I know Sunday is a travelling day to Liverpool with the Altro exhibition so I might be able to squeeze delivery on Sunday. You don't mind a three axle coach outside your house, do you?

 

Can't say for certain as I'm still in Chelmsford with the metrobus till Friday night. (With a very poorly rear axle - hoping it'll last the week and the trip back - I'm not that hopeful at the moment After listening to the noise it makes)

[beko1987]

Altogether rather pleasant really. Interior and spec like you'd but what a great place to be for an hour or two. Still rather have the diesel, power was nice but the fuel bills would cripple me in a very short space of time!

I'm in two minds about XMs now. They're good, oh boy they're good but the BX is just a bit more "different" in some way I can't put my finger on.

Was it a 2.0 turbo tct? Its why I had to get rid, £60 a week, more if the m40 was closed and traffic snaked up the hill...

 

Goes though, doesn't it!

[chaseracer]

You don't mind a three axle coach outside your house, do you?

 

No.  It'll give my neighbour and his ginormous motorhome something to think about.

 

[RoadworkUK]

I've always thought that a Diesel XM and a Subaru SVX would make the perfect two-car garage.

 

DW, you're halfway further than I am. Or 100% further, actually.

 

Where's my maffs?

[dollywobbler]

Today, I've been investigating the towing electrics. The back plate behind the tow ball is quite rotten, and I suspect the plug holder has simply corroded away. I found the wiring tucked up behind the rear bumper. I've pulled it back into the boot so I can apply my patented 'wiring in the boot' trick. This is where I simply hang the wire out of the boot then shut it on the rare occasions I need towing electrics - it stops the plug just rotting away. 

 

I will shortly be grabbing the soldering iron and doing a proper job of connecting a new plug - scotchlocks are not part of this plan - sadly they've already been used for the original loom mod. I need the wires to be a bit longer, so have pinched a plug and wire that I fitted to the 2CV some years ago (when I briefly made the poor thing tow a little caravan. She didn't like it). 

 

Otherwise, the XM is set for a little roadtrip tomorrow. I'm visiting friends in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

[dollywobbler]

I polished it and to make sure I captured the moment well, I took a photo using my crappy phone.

[Lacquer Peel]

TOP BOMBING.

The hubcaps on facelift models are a bit bland though.

[dugong]

I am seeing this thing on Monday morning. It will be in Nottingham and Lincolnshire (simultaneously if something shits itself crossing the border). 

[dollywobbler]

WCPGW? Stage one, tomorrow, is Derbycestershire via Chez Chaceracer.

[M'coli]

Is this for sale yet?

No, he's not spent enough money on it yet!

[Inspector Morose]

Oh balls. I'm a week out an I'm still in Chelmsford (123). Looks like I'll be popping over to Wales one day next month with a drivers seat.

The seat is in the back of the BX and is locked away at the farm. Many apple-ogies

[dollywobbler]

There's really no rush Andy - there are far more urgent things to attend to than seats!

[chaseracer]

WCPGW? Stage one, tomorrow, is Derbycestershire via Chez Chaceracer.

 

We have tea.

 

Haven't found the strut tops yet, but we have tea.