Citroen XM Forum

The interior is absolutely pristine. It's not quite rust free - the main issue is some bubbling under the paint at the top edge of the windscreen - otherwise there's no rust I can see, certainly none in important places. The paint work has badly oxidised. The previous owner had done some T-cutting but there is more to do. It will look great when polished up, then the outside will look nearly as good as the inside. The first pensioner owner never stopped using it, it's never been laid up, but for quite a number of years the annual mileage has been 300, give or take. N/s headlamp is quite new, replaced after a minor parking incident probably. I have a spare headlamp to replace the yellowing driver's headlamp.

Tempting suggestion by Dieselman.

In principle, it's a low spec model inside: cloth seats (which I prefer to leather), no aircon (happy not to have maintain an old aircon system), no electric rear windows (not bothered, I'm in the driver's seat), mechanical not electric seats (happy for there to be no risk of electric seat failure. And mechanical seats are quicker to adjust). But that's all great, the less gubbins fitted, the less to be annoyed by if it breaks.

Absolutely nothing low spec about the 2.0 turbo petrol engine and the hydractive suspension, which is working perfectly.

Two things could improve it: Diravi steering and an auto gear box. A LHD V6 auto remains on the "want" list, Matt. One day.

I live in a hilly area with regular traffic queues on uphill roads. I'm going to have to learn nifty footwork.

Don't worry about having to be a bit nifty when doing hill starts. I have had both petrol and diesel XM and never felt inclined to use the parking brake when performing hill starts. Due to the design of the doseur valve, it takes a fraction of a second for the brakes to release, in which time you have the clutch engaging.

Plenty of tales of woe about auto 'box failures, so count your blessings in having a manual!
XM engines are reluctant to stall (injection ECU maintains idle speed), so letting the clutch bite a little without using the gas pedal is usually enough to hold the car on a hill for the second or so it takes to come off the brakes and accelerate away.
Easy-peasy, once you realise you don't actually need four feet!

Thank you Chris and dieselman for your manual XM get away tips. I'll try your techniques. I do live in the Peak District though, at a location with several nearby places for queuing traffic at up hill junctions. So far I've briefed t'other'alf not to drive it until I've learned how to control it myself. I'll find myself a quiet uphill road and practice. Mustn't let the foot brake hassle distract me from the fact that this XM a) has the best ride of any Citroen I've owned, and b) has the best performance of any Citroen I've owned. When I'm not at a road junction, it's awesome.

Its a lovely looking car

D

The interior is spotless

I think he likes it . . .

Strange that I think about it now, you simply step on the brakes and when it's time to go, you step over to the throttle. That's all. Yes, I have a rather steep road on a regular route home and with a traffic light at the end:

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I can't recall ever using the parking brake for anything but parking.