LHM at Citroen dealers

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marc61
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LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by marc61 » Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:07 pm

So there I was tanking up the A1 on way to Edinburgh when I get the dreaded warning message, hydraulic problem. Pulled over onto hard shoulder, opened bonnet, and sure enough the fluid level was low. So lets make a quick detour to find a place with some LHM for sale. Easier said than done. Couldn't find anywhere in Wetherby with any, so ventured inland to Harrogate. There's a Citroen dealer there I thought, it'll be expensive but at least they'll have some. Well yes they had some, precisely a quarter of a litre!

Total disbelief on my part, so off to Halfords and bought 2 litres at truly exorbitant price. Topped the reservoir up and off we go again after 1.5 hours of messing about!

Think the moral of the story is don't assume Citroen dealers stock LHM anymore. Carry some with you is safest bet.

Marc
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CitroJim
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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by CitroJim » Sun Dec 30, 2012 6:48 am

I carry LHM in all my cars Marc...

And I buy the stuff in bulk. Scored a good deal on Comma LHM recently. I have a good 10 litres in stock so if anyone runs short near me then pop in for a top-up. Citroen dealers may not have any but I always have...

Did you find the cause of your low level? There's always a reason as no LHM should be consumed normally...

Definitely worth checking for leaks...
Jim

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by Peter.N. » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:45 am

For anyone living in the westcountry or are visiting, Trago Mills still stock LHM and at a very reasonable price.

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CitroJim
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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by CitroJim » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:56 am

Marc, I'm sorry. I've seen your post in the Hydraulics section and now I know why you're loosing LHM. Should have read the whole of the forum before replying!
Jim

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Ex- owner of several XMs and many Xantias!

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by Vince » Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:14 pm

I think its pretty shocking for a Citroen dealer to not hve any LHM in stock. Sure the later cars run LDS etc, but c'mon....for the low cost of the stuff, they should always have a 5 litre knocking around in the workshop.

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by CitroJim » Sun Dec 30, 2012 5:19 pm

Vince wrote:for the low cost of the stuff, they should always have a 5 litre knocking around in the workshop.
You'd have thought so Vince but...

I am aware of a Citroen dealer who disposed of all his considerable stock of LHM about three years ago. All in litre bottles.

'No call for it any more...'

I know this is correct as I was a beneficiary to a good part of that stock.
Jim

'98 Saxo
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Three bikes - Road, Aero and TT

Ex- owner of several XMs and many Xantias!

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by marc61 » Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:39 pm

Think it was a reality check for me. Citroen and LHM have always been synonymous for me - everything I've driven in last 35 years has run on green fluid! Always assumed the dealers would keep some LHM, same as keeping some engine oil or antifreeze. But if they don't stock LHM anymore, they can no longer be relied upon in an emergency.

I guess we could say fair enough to that as we are a small minority now, but if I was Citroen UK I'd encourage all dealers to keep a few litres of LHM in stock as a matter of policy - don't disenfranchise those driving the older Citroen models, keep the heritage, emergency provision etc. Suspect the dealers have some spare shelf space and I'm sure they can afford it, they're just too focussed on the Citroen badged Peugeots that the vast majority drive now.
1987 CX GTi Turbo 2, RHD, Maikonics, Quaife LSD, Cassis Nacre
1972 SM 2.7 carb, Star Garnet Metallic
1972 DS 21EFI, LHD, SM steering, hydractive, Gris Espadon
About 8 XMs, now all deceased

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by russ92xmsed » Sun Dec 30, 2012 8:23 pm

This is ridiculous!...How can Citroen 'appear' to reconnect with it's history, have a dealer present at the ICCCR .....a massive international Citroen Rally, celebrating the brand, and not stock something simple as LHM anymore. Okay so they won't see a DS, CX or XM for that matter, but surely there must be enough Xantias to justify stocking some.

Not surprising really.
Russ

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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by Dieselman » Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:40 pm

They won't stock anything that is very slow moving. Obviously, not enough LHM cars pass through their doors to make it necessary.
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Re: LHM at Citroen dealers

Post by XMX » Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:01 am

Dieselman wrote:They won't stock anything that is very slow moving. Obviously, not enough LHM cars pass through their doors to make it necessary.
I tend to agree with you on this one Will !

As I spotted some on E-BAY last week, to which I kindly informed a forum member (Who lives on the doorstep to avoid the postage costs) and who bagged all 4 litres @ bargain price 8-)

But note the wording of the 'Main-dealer' who was selling it off :-
Main-dealer wrote:
GENUINE CITROEN LHM SUSPENSION FLUID

STOCK CLEARANCE ITEM ONLY 4 LEFT, NO MORE AFTER THESE HAVE GONE
I rest my case :(

So I'd always look/go for the nearest 'GSF or Euro-Car-parts' in desperation to give your beast a drink of 'The Green-blood'

:mrgreen:

XMX

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