Citroen XM Forum

The real trick would be to drill the centre dampers out then fit the largest spheres you can. The centre sphere on a Series 2 is 450cc, but on a series 1 it's 500cc, likewise do the rear.
It's a good idea to keep the corner spheres fairly well damped for handling safety, but enlarging the damper hole very slightly does soften things.

Dieselman wrote:The centre sphere on a Series 2 is 450cc, but on a series 1 it's 500cc

Ahh So what I thought was an incorrect sphere on mine was in fact correct... I thought a 450cc centre Hydractive was wrong on my S2 and fitted a 500cc one...

CitroJim wrote:

Dieselman wrote:The centre sphere on a Series 2 is 450cc, but on a series 1 it's 500cc

Ahh So what I thought was an incorrect sphere on mine was in fact correct... I thought a 450cc centre Hydractive was wrong on my S2 and fitted a 500cc one...

Covered in your V6 thread.

So, what we really need are variable orifice spheres . . .

White Exec wrote:So, what we really need are variable orifice spheres . . .

Now that would be an excellent idea I'd love the ability to change damping at the turn of a screw...

A great video - two pieces of engineering excellence!

If electric vehicles are also your thing, then you should get hold these two DVDs (both available from Amazon):
- Who Killed the Electric Car?
- The Revenge of the Electric Car
The first details the attempts by Detroit and Big Oil to delay research and put obstacles in the way of electric vehicle development in the '90s and '00s, and the rounding-up and crushing of almost all of the vehicles actually made. It also looks at the Tesla Corporation's efforts to build workable batteries and motors, and how this company was almost brought to bankruptcy.
The follow-up DVD focusses on Tesla (batteries, motors, control, vehicles) and their determination to succeed, and also follows the crusade by the new CEO of Nissan-Renault to produce today's range of all-electric vehicles.

- - -

As a teenager in Ealing, West London, in the 1960s (explains a lot, I know) I remember one of our neighbours built his own electric car around 1960. Christened "Baby Zeta", it had a bright red, home-made aluminium and maybe hardboard body, sitting on an old Austin Seven chassis. IIRC, it had a single motor, directly coupled to the rear diff, and numerous car batteries filled the boot - and maybe under the bonnet as well. The cute 4-seater took him to work in central London (20 miles round-trip) almost every day. As a pedestrian, the biggest hazard was being run over by the device: all you heard were a few clicks from the relays, a low hum, and some tyre noise. Brilliant!

Chris

Hi Chris,

I have seen the video, "Who killed the electric car", but not the revenge one. Electric cars make a lot of sense since they turn over 80% of the energy input into motive power, which is the opposite of internal combustion cars.

I was outraged at GM's decision to crush all those Ev1's, especially as the owners leasing them proved even back then with the technology in its infancy, they worked. loved the fact that someone actually worked out the control ECU and got one working. peed GM off no end.

It made very cross watching it. Not seen the other film yet,..is it about the GM Volt?

I agree electric cars do work, but they are best at just commuting in urban areas..or from one plug to the other within range.
What I don't like, is this crazy idea everyone must have one. In time yes that might happen, but it just come across as preventing movement and controlling society. They just seem to restrictive, which a car is the opposite. It's about freedom. Plus they are too quiet...even Prius's...nearly got run over by one of those in a car park.

Anyway, they aren't truly viable in this country yet as our electricity output is woefully low ( could never support all those cars) to the point of 1970's power cuts quickly approaching on the horizon.

russ92xmsed wrote: Plus they are too quiet...even Prius's...nearly got run over by one of those in a car park.

A Pious lives down the bottom of our close...

Damn thing nearly scared me half to death when it came silently gliding past me like an automotive ghost

I did hear some electrics deliberately make a sound so pedestrians can hear them. Furthermore I believe on some the sound is user selectable - like the sound of a V8.

Imagine that on a Nissan Leaf

They are car ghosts. Very good description.
I was in morrisons car park recycling..as you do, and turned round to find a black Prius had crept behind me. Nearly fell over it. Stupid driver. Stupid silent ethnic peace mobile!

That's way having an XM is such a safe car for pedestrians. If you can't hear the nice rattly diesels then it is creamy V6! If not that then there is the hissing suspension.