Citroen XM Forum

Just like ALL Xantia layouts, on the TD and petrol units...

Paul

Hi George,

In an urban environment doing mainly sort trips (about 4 miles) to work I got an average 32mpg. Obviously on a run you get more. The cruise control is great and works in third, fourth and fifth which mean in a 30 zone you can slot it into 3 and let the cruise control keep the speed constant. The clutch on mine had been done before I bought it, apart from being too light it was fine. It was done by an indy in London on the side for just under £500.

I'd say as others have that the cooling system is critical. Make sure it has both radiators fitted (mine didn't!), check the state of the coolant and check the hoses for over pressure. Also remember that the turbo uses a water to air intercooler though these don't seem to cause problems. Over pressure were the only symptoms mine had of a cracked head. I found almost any work on the 2.5 to be a major task due to difficult access. The lack of spares would be a major worry for me (both price and availability). Personally I'm with Peter that the 2.1 is the pick of the diesels. After a good HDi I find the 2.5 to be very over rated. Fare enough a HDi brings lots of complexity but if that bothered me I wouldn't drive a hydraulic Citroen.

Steve.

Hi all and thanks for info.

Right, I think I better stick to looking for an atmo 2lt (although it won't feel as much as a "limo" as a 2.5, due to the need to rev it more to get into useful horsepower to moving it). It's mainly the rarity of parts of the 2.5 that's putting me off -I've experienced this with my 3lt PRV (engine parts not available from the UK anymore), and another XM like that is *not* what I'm looking for now.

This said, this 2.5 looks a good car for anybody who can tackle them. As you can see on the Q+As of the advert, it seems to have been maintained with no regard to expense. The all important clutch was done at 140k, the timing belt 30k ago, it has 4 new CITROEN spheres (=£80 each!), full new exhaust from downpipe after, etc etc etc. The owners look to have taken much care of it (nitrogen-filled tyres???? )

I think I'll leave it for now -it's also too far away from me and I'd need about 2 of you with me to check everything and tell me how the engine is like -. I might consider it again if it doesn't sell and find I can't get a manual atmo 2lt.

cheers
George

Still not sold Third time lucky maybe ? on E-BAY.

Item removed. Is this what you're after, plate rings a bell.

I did try a 2.5 at one time and was impressed with the performance but not with the access in the engine department so decided to stick with the 2.1's. We have a 2.5 here at the moment 'borrowed' from John which my son is driving, admittedly he is using it mostly for short journeys but its not averaging much more than 30mpg. The 2.1's averaged 40+mpg running round here and 50+ on a long journey, mind you I do drive like a grandad.

I did like the XM's and probably covered well over a quarter of a million miles in them as I used them for work, previously I had run CX's which in some ways were better. The C5 which was the logical replacement is not as good and I do most of my miles in the 406 now as the has better handling and visibility.

Peter