Citroen XM Forum

Yes Russ, there are subtle differences in the moulding of the centre hub and elsewhere as you point out and the diamond cutting of the spokes also gives a much sharper edge. Going back to the brochure, I think the first illustration is actually the all-over silver treatment and note there is no contrast with the spokes and all is quite flat. The brochure poictures are certainly two difference cars as only one has the 'V6' badge. At the Nice launch most cars seem to have the diamond cut wheels, so I think both treatments were available from the outset and randomly mixed, or possibly the silver treatment finished when Speedline became the sole supplier. Regards, Matthew T.

Think your right about the random mixed supply. I checked the large black brochure I have that has the 24v in, I have German and uk editions. The V6 on the back appears to have all silver alloys, but look closely and they are the two tone versions. But it's incredibly subtle, almost as though they have over exposed them. You can make out the diamond cut rim and spokes and the inner parts are like a flat pale grey.

I believe all my Italias are Italian versions. I wonder which ones were rarer. I think the SMB ones might be.

Here are some better photos of the wheels! Regards, Matthew T.

On the three cars I have two are fitted with the Speedline wheels Russ and interestingly all are in grey, whereas of my four spares three SMB are silver with a Speedline clearly repainted to match. It appears that Speedlines were always grey, but SMB wheels received both grey and silver treatment. Regards, Matthew T.

In relation to the earlier brochure comments and 'tricks of the light', if you compare the two photos above the wheel finish looks really quite similar, but then look again at the shot of both together! Regards, Matthew T.

I see your point. But the rim, even thought it is in a cruddy state, of the SMB isn't reflecting light like the brochure pic. Where the diamond cut is. Of course, there is the point of a cheeky graphic designer adding a little lense flair on the brochure pic.

You're most likely right about the mixed SMB being in silver and two tone. Yours certainly looks like it started life all silver. Wonder why though. Curious. Another XM secret!

All XM with alloys, I saw when new had diamond cut and FTU grey. I test drove an SEi in 1990 and saw a number at dealers and on the road. The SMB wheel appears to have been repainted, note the flaking paint on the sections that would normally have been diamond cut. That is due to lack of etch primer, which doesn't appear to be affecting the areas that would normally be painted.

I'm confident that under that grey paint there will be FTU.

Annoyingly I now think Will might be correct about my wheel having being repainted, since after a bit of investigation, I have indeed found another coat of grey-ish coloured paint under the silver. Following the application of paint stripper the lacquer and outer coat were removed in a small patch as the photo shows. The small square in the middle is the original coat scraped back to bare metal. Oh well at least that gives some clarification and apologies to Will! Regards, Matthew T.

Cant get anything passed Will!

Well there you are... Will you still go ahead with plain silver Matthew?

No I shall stick with the original treatment Russ and I prefer to leave the silver bits un-coated. The natural finish of the alloy obviously does degrade, but can be quite easily revived with a bit of wire wool when required! With regards, Matthew T.