On ebay

[robert_e_smart]

I have both, and I'd be hard pressed to choose one over the other, but I would go for the series 1. You have the superb dash, if you get an early enough one, you get the single spoke steering wheel. Basically, you get the XM how Citroen intended it. As for the series 2, the dash is nice and doesn't look as dated as the series 1. I don't notice any difference in interior build quality between them either. Its all down to personal choice in the end.

Externally the series 1 looks more sharper, certainly with the grille and offset chevrons. Spoilers, I'm not bothered about them.

Some of the things I prefer the series 2 for is the wing mirrrors, they are much, much better, you can see a lot more in the passengers side mirror. Also the central locking plip is much more effective.

Robert

[Dean]

Yes suspension wise it isnt that different in feel just operation, in the mk1 you put it in sport and in sport it will stay in the MK2 when you put it in sport it remains in soft mode but lowers the switching thresholds on the steering and braking sensors, Citroenmad is at least one person i know of who loves this later setup and im sure many more do too i dont but again, its personal preference.

Robert!! MK1 dash looks dated i will pretend i never read that

D

[Dieselman]

Maybe one of the very last sort of L reg cars got H2.

Could be. I had an 1st August regd 91 S1, J plate and a 1st Jan '94 L S1.5.

The S1.5 was more reliable in a few ways, no leaks, noo sticking height control rods, not switching into sport mode.

I noticed the grey J plater on Ebay was stuck low at the front, just like mine did... The bushes were modiifed to stop that.

[Dean]

Yes the bushes can be a problem, the ebay one of course could have a leak on the front end which lets it drop front first, mine has started doing that lately, i must have a look before the weather gets bad.

D

[jorgy]

Hi Dean

re. the suspension, I was 100% sure that in June 1992 XMs got the H2 system (=2 electrovalves), and this coincides with getting the ugly 2-spoke steering wheel. Following that date, it was only suspension ECUs that were being updated.

Maybe John xm-xclusive can get us out of doubt on that one??

cheers
George

[xmexclusive]

Hi George

My records tend to agree, will look up the actual date in the workshop manual and edit in.
I think some confusion is coming here from mixing suspension numbering and the ECU marked designation.

The suspensions were:-

Hydractive 1 which used suspension ECU's type marked H or H2 or H3 .

Hydractive 2 which used suspension ECU's type marked H4 or H4.3 or H5 .

Edit note.
Citroen published a "Hydractive" 2 suspension operating principle diagnostic ref: 9 No. XM 430-00/2 (32 pages) on 30th November 1994.
The preamble states "Since RP organistion number 5929, the Citroen XM has been equipped with the HYDRACTIVE suspension 2."

I think that RPN (5929) is somewhere about mid 1992 but cannot lay my hands on a check sheet to be sure.
The rather late 1994 publication suggests that there was an earlier document about suspensions numbered XM 430-00/1 but as with all things Citroen you cannot be sure. I am still sorting through and also trying to aquire more workshop manuals to page up as near a complete set as I can get. I have been surprised how much variation in those obtained so far. This is paticularly surprising as franchise documentation was the responsibility of the senior technician, with time set aside and courses for training provided so the garage kept the franchise.
In this suspension booklet Citroen also give an interesting side by side comparision of the two systems noting the differences.

John

[Dieselman]

The preamble states "Since RP organistion number 5929, the Citroen XM has been equipped with the HYDRACTIVE suspension 2."

I think that RPN (5929) is somewhere about mid 1992 but cannot lay my hands on a check sheet to be sure.

Close John.

5929 = 31 January 1993

[Dean]

only the last year of S1.5's got H2 then.........so maybe The silver one George was looking at has H2 after all then.
Mine had the twin spokewheel and H1 suspension but thats R.P5678 so well before the change point.

D

[xmexclusive]

Hi Dieselman

Thanks for the update, important as I wa 6 months out.
Just come across a 1993 Parkers price guide.

That has a Jan 1993 entry of:-
"2.0 i Turbo, 2.0 Si Turbo and 2.0 SEi Turbo Hatchbacks and 2.0 Si Turbo Estate launched in UK with 145 bhp 1998cc turbo engine and 5-speed gearbox or optional 4-speed automatic transmission."

The earlier entries might also be of interest:

"May 1992 Special edition 2.0 i 'Prestige' and 'Premiere' launched in UK. New prices 'Prestige' £16995, 'Premiere' £19245."

"Apr 1992 All petrol models have standard 'cat'. Revisions include new trim, alloy wheels and heated electric door mirrors on 2.0 i and Turbo D; heated washer jets and upgraded trim on Si and SD models; RDS radio on SEi and SED models; body-colour bumpers and sports alloy wheels on V6 SEi and V6 24-Valve models."

"Nov 1991 XM 5-door Estate range launched in UK consisting of 2.0 i and 2.0 Si, 2.1 Turbo SD, 3.0 V6 Si and 3.0 V6 SEi. Equipment levels similar to comparable Hatchback models".

John

[Dean]

So what did the 'premier' get that cost 2k more than the 'prestige' are there any specs sheets posted up anywhere here or on the other xm place?

D