Slumming it.

[andmcit]

Actually Mike, I'll add my tuppenceworth on Xantiae here as I am rather partial to the odd one or two myself.
You will not find a better near indestructible workhorse that runs on just the merest hint of TLC and servicing
and they're the least needy Citroens I've ever owned - allows me to use them as the stalwart backbone of my
garage giving me the time to devote to the other older more cranky Cx's, Gs's and yes, Xm's.

The one to have is an Estate no doubt about it. Sx's work for me although I do have a few VSX/Exclusive estates
off the road awaiting action being TCT and 16V flavors...

Andrew

[Peter.N.]

The Xantia WILL ride better than an Xm (not sure about the estate Xm mind Peter)
where they are both on standard spheres especially if the Xantia is the
more roly poly normal Bx'esque hyropneumatic rather than a VSX/Activa hydractive.
Likely something to do with weight and A-R-B fitment as the hydractive cars share
the same standard spheres on the back.

Andrew

Tha would account for it then, I never run mine on standard spheres I have found that the estate runs better on comfort spheres than the hatch, that seems to be to soft on the back.

Peter

[onthecut]

Well, first two or three weeks of Xantia-ing under the belt and it does seem the vendor was pretty straight about it all being well sorted. Starts on the button, no leaks or dribbles, no suspension issues (mind, it is the simple system). I suspect the aircon wants a recharge, although given the low temperatures we've been having I suppose it's hard to judge properly, yet. One thing I am curious about --- the tailgate (it's an estate) comes down with a heck of a crash if you don't restrain the last bit of its travel -- and I hate slammed doors. Thing is, though, the struts hold it up properly when open, suggesting they're OK. Is this a feature of the estate ? Compared to the similarly engined Xsara I had for a while, the Xant is markedly more leisurely off the line, although I'd guess it's a markedly heavier car. Must say one thing I prefer about it compared to the XM --- the column stalks feel a much better set of kit. On the other side of the coin, going back to the 1.9 does highlight what a nice unit the 2.5 is, particularly beyong 70.

Mike.

[onthecut]

Well -- it's a straight car and has only required one glow plug to keep tip top ----- BUT -- those seats -- is it really made by the same firm that does the XM ? After using this Xantia for barely a couple of months, my back is in worse nick than it has been for years -- and it's the only thing that has changed in my routine. Shame, really. because otherwise I'm quite impressed by the build and general feel.

Mike.

[Dieselman]

My Father has a Xantia VSX from nearly new and used to complain the seats made his hip ache, so you're not alone. The tailgate struts have Probably lost their damping oil.

[robert_e_smart]

I never thought the Xantia seats were that good either, they're too short in the base. No where near as good as the XM seats.

[Ciaran]

Aye, to be fair anytime I've driven a Xantia for a distance, my back has ached afterwards, the base is definitely too small.

Then again I'm susceptible to back problems so that might exxagerate it a little.

Though in contrast, I've driven my XMs for 5-600 miles straight, without a single pain, they really are the best car seats I've ever experienced.

Ciarán

[onthecut]

the best car seats I've ever experienced.

Ciarán

Definitely a topic in its own right !

Mike.

[jonathan_dyane]

My back can't stand Xantia seats! I fitted the drivers seat from a 406 to mine which had a longer lower squab and was much better, but still not in the XM league...

[Jan-hendrik]

the best car seats I've ever experienced.

Ciarán

Definitely a topic in its own right !

Mike.

I think the seats of the XM are OK, but I remember there were a lot of complaints about them in the early days. Testers compared them with Volvo seats, for example, and the latter came up top. So surely, like Mike says, a topic in its own right.
That aside, although being this the 'anything goes, free-for-all chat', I am a little irked by the repeated statements of the Xantia being better than the XM. Grrr.