Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[captainhaddock]

Well stated Jim and very very true!!! In fact I read in an (Irish AA) statement, this is now how Irish people find out the 'necessary' maintenance for their vehicles.
Just see what happens at the NCT, let it fail so you know what to 'do' rather than properly maintain your car. And I'm not talking young timers like our XM's but just every day modern and (very) new cars.
Stupid really, what's happening with all our highly educated peoples and common sense!
So to be honest, I'm not worried at all and if something fails, it fails and I will get it fixed but I count on you Jim as master engineer with so much citroen XM knowledge! I'm only 2 years into the project and LiZ's XM has been very reliable and good so far!

Gotto go now, getting busy here

[russ92xmsed]

Little up date. I nipped out to fill the tyres up with oxygen and the tank with Esso's finest. checked oil...needs changing, but spot on the mark.
Windscreen crack is size of my index finger nail . So that is about 10mm....cuspy. But you can see through it. So I can't see how it gets in the way of your field of vision. It doesn't with me.

Parking brake works. I couldn't push the car in neutral. And it was on the flat. Happy with that.

More invasive checks to do later on the weekend.

The you know what is still off!!!

[messerschmitt owner]

And a bit more for you Russ

Enjoy the blast in Campbell’s Estate. You'll find a hill-start fun in that .

Hill starts in a manual car are easy. You just need to know the technique.

[russ92xmsed]

Smitten! I have been bitten by the 2.1 manual bug. Uh oh!!!!

Many thanks Campbell for the ride and drive of your estate. and the the little visit to the three XM's, DS and peugeot 304 convertible sitting in someone's drive and garage...what a find!

It is a totally different animal the manual 2.1. So much more power and is just faster. I do still like mine, and that can nip along okay..but I can really see why manuals are so sought after.
And now a shameful admission. That was my first drive of a manual XM. Got to say...I wouldn't mind one to accompany the auto.

Update on dash lighting. All works!

[beko1987]

@Beko I've plenty of wheel bolts in fact I have a whole TCT for spares

Oooh, may have to gift you a little paypal money a week tomorrow if you want?

Do you have:
A few wheelbolts (a few for spare etc)
The button that sits by the gear lever and kills the rear windows on command? (took mine apart to clean it, and broke it. It works still, but only on deadlock mode)
A rear window switch (incase I ever get round to bothering to diagnose my dear rear pass window)
The y piece of plastic that sits behind the front bumper drivers side and connects the headlamp washer pipes up
A rear windscreen wash pump

Let me know a price if you're up for it, that will kill my little niggle list dead (for now!) CASHWAITIN wots ur bst price 4 kash etc old ebay chestnut

[CitroJim]

That was my first drive of a manual XM. Got to say...I wouldn't mind one to accompany the auto.

Ahh Russ be careful. You're on the slippery slope toward multiple XM ownership

The only manual XMs I've driven have been 3.0 24V V6 ones... Very desirable

Actually, that's how to have the best of both worlds, automatic gearbox and speed. Go for a V6 Auto

How did you get on with the parking brake in the manual?

[Eddie nuff]

Having had a taste of Matthews V6 manual and Marks V6 auto at Wetherby it would have to be the auto in a large engined car. It just suited my driving style better.

Now if you put an auto box in my 2.0 8v it would be worthless. Horses for courses.

[messerschmitt owner]

Having had a taste of Matthews V6 manual and Marks V6 auto at Wetherby it would have to be the auto in a large engined car. It just suited my driving style better.

Now if you put an auto box in my 2.0 8v it would be worthless. Horses for courses.

the XM 2.1TD manual is about 3 seconds faster 0-60, does 4-5mpg more consistently, and is a better town car than the auto. It is also, as Russ found out, a better driving car as you can choose the gear to be in. We were down some fast, twisty roads and the XM manual drives so much better on those than the automatic ever does.

Automatic for long distance touring, manual for in town and driving on country roads.

Oh, and Russ has also discovered that S2 XMs have more comfy seats too.

[russ92xmsed]

They were. Far more plumped up than mine. Mine are comfy, but Campbell's was certainly better. Kind of wish I could take the leather off and add some more foam or upholstery wadding....I do have some!!
I also like the S2 refinement. They are quieter than mk1 cars. Better sound deadening I suppose. But I was interested in the ride quality to compare mine with. And they are very similar. So that's good.

Well Jim, I will admit I didn't need to use the parking brake...so I haven't experienced the little foot dance you need to do ect at traffic lights. But I have always found in good manual cars, you can quickly get to the biting point and not need to use the brake at all.

All I can say...it's a good job manual 2.1s are rare. As I could easily be tempted!!!

I kind of agree with you Eddie. The first XM I ever drove was a V6 auto, and that went very well and it suited the car. Not great economy however. I would like to try a manual v6, you hear so many different accounts of which is better. You just have to find out for yourself I suppose.
I would like to try an auto adaptive in the mk2 V6. That could also prove to be fatal!


And now for something completely different. I had an interesting sale yesterday. Pack of BX postcards...bound for Japan!!!
I knew XM's exist out there...Jan! .....but BX's?

[MTXM]

' Having had a taste of Matthews V6 manual and Marks V6 auto at Wetherby it would have to be the auto in a large engined car. It just suited my driving style better.'

With respect you would need to drive both cars for a period to make fair comparison and although power and exhaust note are not everything the 24v has both in spades! A well sorted 12v auto does give a nice smooth and relaxing ride with very little effort on the part of the driver I will conceed, although it is quite nice to be challenged now and again!!

Regards,

Matthew T.