Jonathan's SED auto

[jonathan_dyane]

Thanks for all the nice comments!

Went for a run yesterday letting my friend drive, and I realise now that it is changing up fine, the effect I was getting was caused by accelerating to speed with a wide throttle application (kickdown holding second) then on release when up to speed the box changing to third and then fourth. Alas I'm not going to be able to start using her in anger until next month, however still hope to get a few little jobs done on it first.

[jonathan_dyane]

Well following a little more maintainance (changing engine oil and filter, and some nice new anti-freeze) the XM has finally been moved into frontline service. Car seems to be running very well, and yesterday I very much enjoyed the Durham to Liverpool journey. My choice of car may be tested shortly, as I am currently trying for a job which entails driving all round the country to assess people with personality disorder diagnoses, which would certainly rack up the miles.

On the to do list (when funds permit):

New rear tyres to replace the current Chinese ditchfinders; unpredictable fierce oversteer in the wet is not my idea of fun.

HID headlamp conversion.

I also intend to tweak the rod on the wastegate a little more (initial twiddling a success, but more needed) but boy is it awkward to access! and also try to find a single spoke steering wheel. Aside from the aesthetic issue, I don't know if it's my height, but I find the twin spoke offering entirely obscures the switches to the right and left of the steering column.

Onwards and upwards...

[jonathan_dyane]

Oh, I really could do with sorting out the central locking too; it's mental...

[robert_e_smart]

Johnathan,

An idea for getting some decent tyres onto your XM on the cheap, would be to find a part worn tyre vendor.

I bought 2 excellent part worn Michelin Energies for my Series 1 XM during the summer for less than £20 each fitted and balanced. It isn't the ideal but helps when you are on a tight budget. These guys usually stock only good branded tyres, no Chinese rubbish, as it isn't saleable.

I went down this route because I didn't want to put new tyres on the car as they would never wear out, and would perish before being worn out, due to the low mileages I do in the car.

[jonathan_dyane]

/\ Aye, that's a good point Robert, and is in fact my current dilemma. I could get some decent branded part worns, however my experience of them has been varied (perishing appearing in short timescale due to their age) however with a knowledge of date-coding I'm sure that could be avoided.

As I'm set to do lots of miles, I may splash out on a pair of Vredestein Sportrac's, which I suspect will be very good. More costly option however...

[citroenxm]

Johnathan,

Got a FEW single spokers! NO None have leather though, but your welcome to an Ordinary one WITH radio controls..

Paul

[jonathan_dyane]

I have now fitted a single spoke wheel kindly supplied by Paul, replacing the crappy two spoke item, which is a great improvement; now I can actually see the switches without having to peer around the wheel.

I also treated the car to a pair of Sportrac 3 tyres, which so far I am very impressed with, previous handling characteristics in the wet were something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c23MFIKiVdE

I do have an interesting suspension issue however, which I shall post in the hydraulic section...

[jeastham]

I came across this thread, whilst looking for info relating to ATF; and quickly realised it's about my XM.

So; thought I'd list the stuff I've done / had done, since owning the vehicle (bought 30th January 2011)

05/04/11 (171,828) : New cam-belt, water-pump and engine coolant (after outer crank pulley fell-off)

30/04/11 (172,121) : New front pads

28/07/11 (174,709) : New front wishbone bushes (all 4)

11/08/11 (174,970) : New front Spheres

20/04/12 (178,014) : 4 new Bosch Duraterm Glow-Plugs

03/05/12 (178,389) : New Bosch S5008 battery


Outstanding issues :

Sort cold-starting issue - either air-ingres and/or dodgy Glow-Plug relay and/or GP feed wires

Top of to-do list :

Change engine oil & filter
Change ATF
Fit replacement rad-fan motors and fan-blades
Refit sunroof motor, and seal mounting thread
plus other trivial odds & sods, that I can live with

[normantilbury]

Mine selects 4th at 47mph.

regards,
Norman

[robert_e_smart]

Of all the autos I have had, no two have had exactly the same shift speeds (like for like engines). Whether that be down to cars with inaccurate speedos, wrong tyres sizes, or just different box characteristics.