Hello there

[Sam Skelton]

It's just struck me that I haven't introduced myself yet - my manners have deserted me!

My name is Sam Skelton and I'm a 24 year old freelance journalist specialising in classic cars. My name should be familiar to regular readers of Classic Car Weekly, in which the exploits of (most of) my fleet are documented. I'm also on a lot of old car forums under the nom-de-plume of Captain Slow.

Currently I have (in age order) a 1977 Triumph Stag with a ZF 4 speed gearbox, which starred alongside and was shot by Sir Patrick Stewart in an independently produced crime film in the late 1990s. My pet is a 1987 Austin Montego 2.0HL, which I'm never selling and which I'll be buried in. I've just bought a 1991 Rover Montego SLX auto with an interesting history - it's one of four converted by Perkins as diesel auto development mules for Rover Group, and is believe the sole diesel auto survivor. My 1992 SAAB 9000 2.3 turbo is my nemesis - it costs stupid amounts to keep on the road, and yet I quite like having it around. It should really go, but it's staying. What WILL be going in the near future is the current "daily driver" - in inverted commas as it's been off the road since May; I've been taking my time over replacing the blown turbo. It's a 2002 Volvo V70 T5 SE.

I've long loved Citroens from afar - from my first drive of an SM three years ago I've looked at the company in a new light. I like innovation and Citroen has always been good at that. I've never quite bonded with the T5, and having recently moved to the Fens (Hello undulating and uneven road surfaces and 90 degree bends) the suspension will drive me spare when it goes back on the road. It's a great car in every other aspect but it has to go for the sake of my sanity. And I like the idea of replacing it with an XM.

I'm after a phase 1 SEi auto ideally, engine's irrelevant but I'd like a V6. I'm currently talking to the owner of Matthew's old TCT SEi, and have been doing some digging as to the recent history of the car. Hopefully I can bring that back into the fold!


Anything else you want to know (Though I suspect I've bored you all to sleep) please ask.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Sam

Welcome.

I guess you will have found a problem if you tried to register on here as Captain Slow.
We had someone take that name when he bought a grey TCT formerly owned by Matthew.
He failed to bond with XM's and sold on after a few months.
Search under "Captain Slow" and read the saga.

John

[Sam Skelton]

It's funny you should say that John - I know the saga and have digested it, as that is the car I'm currently looking at.

With Matthew's help, I've now traced the history of that car from 2010 to the present day - not bad to say the seller reckons it has absolutely nothing post 2004. The more I hear about that car the more confident I am about it - nobody has had a bad word to say, except that the other Captain Slow just didn't bond.

[MTXM]

It was good to speak with you earlier today Sam and your posted introduction certainly made interesting reading! How many Maestros and Montegos do you see on the road these days!! In relation to the earlier history of the 2.0sei it is quite possible that the current owner has not discovered the handbook and maintenance booklet stored under a flap below the glove box!! In addition I carefully kept and passed on every receipt for jobs I did on the car between around 2008-2010. I hope you have a chance to view my old XM and do keep us posted. With regards, Matthew T.

[MTXM]

Here are some photos of the XM 2.0sei auto in my ownership to tempt you further Sam!! With regards, Matthew T.

[xmexclusive]

I checked out the suspension ECU and we fitted two new (checked and tested) genuine Citroen front spheres to this car.
This was during the later part of the "Slow" ownership.
As I remember the spheres he had obtained and fitted proved to be both low and odd pressures.
On the subsequent check runs I thought the car ride was very good.
No mention was made that the car would be put up for sale within days.

John

[Dieselman]

That car will be as last seen by John. The owner was ill and passed away a few months ago and hardly drove it. The Son is selling it and is accommodating.

[MTXM]

Interestingly I fitted a complete set of new spheres at my on acquisition and the ride thereafter was pretty good as I recall, although the Captain seemed to have other ideas! The car was sold to a chap at Pallas Autos between CS and the present owner Will, but once again very few miles were added. Regards, Matthew T.

[citroenxm]

And if its the one I think.. the son has just now posted he will take 800ono ....

so its getting cheaper. ..

[Dieselman]

Yes, that's the one. I went there to look at a 2.1td which was the previous use car and was informed there was a nicer one in the garage, but didn't see it. It was apparently purchased due to needing an automatic.