Citroen XM Forum

Hello everyone!

I am in the process of buying an XM but I have some questions (a list really) and I could really use your expert help.

Citroen XM 3.0 V6 1998 EXCLUSIVE, automatic, silver colour, 170000km
1. Is it equipped with diravi or not (I read that they have abandoned diravi in 1997 on all models of XM, true or just a myth?)
2. Is it 190hp or more? I heard there were two or three engines 3.0
3. Automatic has 4 or 5 gears and is it reliable? I heard that Japanese gearboxes are extremely bad (in C5 and some other models (Volvo)) and that they last only up to 180000-200000km. I do not know which gearbox did they use in XM
4. Is this engine equipped with chain or timing belt and when should it be changed?
5.
5. What is the most important thing to pay attention to when buying?

Thanks a lot

Ivan

Hi Ivan

Diravi was only fitted to LHD V6 XM's.
Citroen stopped fitting Diravi to any XM's in January 1997 when the V6-24V PRV engine also ceased production.
This 200hp version of the PRV engine was only ever matched to manual 5 speed gearboxes.
The lower power V6-12V PRV engine was fitted to XM's from 1989 to early 1997, some with 5 speed manual boxes but most with 4HP18 autoboxes.
The PRV engine versions use chain timing drive.

In the later part of 1997 Citroen started producing a version of the XM fitting the new ES9J4 V6-24V engine.
Most of these XM's were matched to the 4HP20 autobox but a few LHD were available with the ML5 gearbox.
Timing on these engines is belt drive.

Check very carefully the actual version of XM, engine and box type.
Some XM's took a long time to sell so may be a previous years model by the time they get on the road.

There are things to check for all model types but it is not easy to list them in a quick answer.

John

Welcome to the forum, while John is correct I feel the most important things to look for is rust, oil changes on the auto box, rust and possibly rust.
Front outriggers, cills, rear subframe mounts and any other underbody box sections are the rust hotspots as well as front subframes.

Good luck.

D

John, Dean thank you very much!

It is LHD since I am in Croatia, Europe. Silver with black interior leather in great shape.
I have seen something like lock/unlock keypad. What does it do? This pad is next to the shifter inside of the cigarette holder or smth like that.
Also, how can I be sure which engine is inside and which gearbox? Should I check this somehow by the VIN number of the car? I would like to avoid Diravi very much since it seems a bit problematic to mantain after almost 20 years...

Thanks
Ivan

One more question,

When should the timing belt be replaced? is it hard and expensive work?

Thanks

Cam belt on esj engines are around to 80-100k UK MILES mark.

This is a PRV engine in 24v form. 12v the same layout.



This is an ESJ 24v engine to give you an idea..





The esj engine is 194bhp and are useually fitted with ZFs 4HP20 box and they need care and special esso fluid ONLY. They usrually are on borrowed time by 100,00 UK MILES .. id say they were no better then later aisin auto boxs used in the C5 x7.

The prv 12v is 175bhp and is attached to the ZF 4 HP18. These must only use DEX 2 fluid only. More mechanical gearbox and oil changes easyer but best done every 6000 uk miles each time for a longer life.

Is it expensive to change the belt? Is the belt easy to remove or does it require some specific procedure? I am asking just to know how much money will my mechanic want for this...I remember that this was a lot of money and work on my fathers Jag XJ 2.7D PSA engine...

Hi Ivan,
If you can let us have the VIN number, it should be possible to check which engine, box etc is fitted to the car.