Citroen XM Forum

Hi,
I've been considering getting an XM for a long while. I came close last year and test drove a nice one, but at the time I also had a rather nice big Volvo and decided to keep big Swede instead. Anyway I'm now thinking about an XM again. I've got my eye on the two auto 2.1TD's on ebay at present, there's the saloon in Kent and high mileage estate @ Savoy garage in Burnley. I don''t suppose anyone knows anything about either of these automobiles?

I'm a serial tat fetishist and currently have too many cars, none are worth much and none were made this millennia.

Current cars, shamelessly stolen from my signature elsewhere:
1999 VW Bora SE tdi - workhorse
1998 Daihatsu Storia X4 - 713cc, turbo, 4wd, 2x lsd
1998 Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato - Harry Hockly built Rally car
1998 Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato - UK car (4wd, 659cc, turbo)
1993 Range Rover Classic - LPG - broken
1992 Alfa 155 - LPG - not road legal
1990 VW Scirocco Scala - TSR 1.9 - not road legal
1988 Renault Alpine GTA V6 Turbo - slightly broken
1988 Mitsubishi Galant Sapporo - very broken
1984 Lancia HPE VX - Shiny and not broken
1979 Lancia Beta Spyder - scruffy, but not broken, to be sold

If you've seen the user-name elsewhere then it's likely me, as I am registered on quite a few forums ... usually for advice/parts for fixing random tat.

Cheers
Chris

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum

I have run 2.1td manuals for over 15 years and they are a brilliant car, wouldn't have an auto though - don't like them but you don't have much choice now as most of the manuals have gone, if you are not going to do a high mileage an auto is not to much of a problem, I did high mileages in mine as I used them for work.

I know Malcolm at savoy garage and he is a good Citroen mechanic so I would be happy to buy a car from him. I wouldn't worry about high mileage if the car is in reasonable condition and it drives OK, the head gaskets tend to fail at around 150k so if its done much more than that its likely been replaced, I have had two of these cars with nearly 300k on them and still running well.

Don't know about the one in Kent but the same applies really, try it, if it drives OK it probably is.

Peter

I have just noticed a manual Mk1 estate for sale on here.

Thanks for the welcome and info Peter.
I have enquired about the manual estate on here, but would prefer an automatic if I'm honest. I would potentially be doing quite a few miles in the car, whats the worst case scenario with the auto boxes? can they be rebuilt?

I don't like them because they sap power and fuel plus the potential of failure, but that applies to all auto's of course not just XMs. A manual box will usually last the life of the car and allows you to drive economically by keeping there revs down, the manual is capable of 50+ mpg driven gently, its difficult to drive an auto gently as it changes gear when it wants to not when I want it to, I try and keep at or below 2000 rpm for economy and quietness, you can't do that with an auto. There are a number of members with auto's and I have no doubt they will defend them vigerously so you will no doubt get a 'more balanced' view when they reply. I can appreciate the need for an auto if you are driving in traffic a lot but we live in a rural area and rarely venture into a large town.

Peter

Welcome Chris,

That's quite a selection of vehicles you have there and an XM should feel very at home amongst them!

I love my automatics but my belief is that anything less than a 3.0 V6 is too small to drive them adequately

I therefore recommend you look out for a nice V6

Mr Savoy tends to be as honest as you can get.. High miles are NOT a problem PROVIDING correct servicing has been done correctly and frequently, certainly on the autobox's

The auto box will do a GOOD milage as long as the fluid is changed every 6k, and use ONLY DEX 2. My mate has a S2 2.1 TD auto with 233k on the original box, and we change the oil every 6k.

So servicing is the all important key!

I agree the autos do sap the power, so if you want slow but economical motoring then thats fine, though the manuals are a little brisker and better on fuel again.

Theres three types of fuel systems. Early cars H to K reg cars used Lucas mechanical and plastic inlet manifold, unless an auto box which was an option on DERVs from 1991 J reg they got Bosch Pumps and alloy inlet. Then around 1992 manual models also got the Bosch Pump and alloy inlet and EGR was added. Then from 1996/7 P reg Lucas EPIC semi electronic was used and the fuel filter was changed to the Xantia style setup.

The DERV engine (2.1 110bhp engines only) actuall mate well to the auto box and can be rather smooth in operation.

Its down to your preference. but check history on any potential purchase.

Dont expect the LH display to work, and Early ones H to M reg ones always work but are not directly compatible with later ones, though this is a minor thing to worry about. Theres repair guides on here however.

The Savoy estate appears on OK car but without actually looking at the car cant really say for good.

That high mileage estate at Savoy has just had a replacement engine due to the original one's sump getting damaged, leading to oil starvation.

Thats what Im saying, its fine as long as if its original box then a good service record is needed..

It will be a good car.. Malc is honest! Ive had a few from him and not been disapointed.

I spoke to Malcolm about the estate, he was absolutely straightforward about it, advised me not to waste my money on getting something done, but in the end I didn't manage to get up there.

citroenxm wrote: Theres three types of fuel systems. Early cars H to K reg cars used Lucas mechanical and plastic inlet manifold, unless an auto box which was an option on DERVs from 1991 J reg they got Bosch Pumps and alloy inlet. Then around 1992 manual models also got the Bosch Pump and alloy inlet and EGR was added. Then from 1996/7 P reg Lucas EPIC semi electronic was used and the fuel filter was changed to the Xantia style setup.

Hmmmm, so mine is unusual then. 92 K reg, Auto, Bosch....with PLASTIC manifold.