Citroen XM Forum

My PRV 24v engine also had the gearbox attached Jim and the suspension managed the engine and box with no problem, it was the alloy wheels, wheelhubs, steering rack, driveshafts and all the rest that tipped the balance! I also have comfort spheres on the back of the car which I suspect did not help. The XM hatch works quite well as you can drop the engine in slightly from above, although the slightly 'swept' boot opening on the Xantia also looks good as you say! With regards, Matthew T.

Ahh, I'm not surprised it struggled a bit with all that lot on board Matthew

Sounds like you had a complete 24V there in the back less the bodyshell!

Were the tyres flat Matthew??? I've heard they give out first that is quite a load.

Impressive workhorse there Jim. Amazing wot you can get in a standard car. Who needs a van!

If we're posting what's been transported in an XM, then I don't think I've posted this up before.

Bags and bags of garden rubbish - grass cuttings. The Xm was filthy anyway and was treated to a Stage Two Valet afterwards...



Was full up to the rafters and that rear hatch did close! Even two in the front...

I'm looking forward to working on the XM at some point.

Pah, that's nothing Franklin

I should have taken a photo of my XM just before a scrap run to the tip when we were busy spring cleaning my workshop...

Here's a couple of pics of the Renault 21 packed to the gills, on holiday in '94 and i think '98. It's not quite the photo I had in mind, and we're minus the bike on the trailer, but it illustrates the point!


Fully loaded and not for comparison!



In the end, the 21 needed a new gearbox, CV joints and rear wheel bearings. Not at the same time mind you. When the C5 replaced it in '03, it hadn't even done 100,000K. Head gasket stopped play. Just wish I had plucked up the courage to replace it and put it back on the road.
Brilliant car!

I do not know the R21 very well Russ but it does look like quite a stylish car with a little of the XM in it's lines. That is quite an impressive load you had on! Regards, Matthew T.

The R21 was a great family car, at the time it had very faverable write ups in the car mags of the era. Ours was a 1988 1.7 GTS model, just before the facelift and introduction of the hatch. They had brilliant ride and seat comfort, but steering feel was typically Renault vague. Good gearbox, but a b****r to get into 5th for some reason.

I believe it was designed by Ital Design, so it does have a certain crisp linear style, just like Bertones efforts on the XM.

Many pavement driveways were gauged by the tow barn... Really needed hydraulic rear suspension! I know it isn't a Citroen or XM, but I do have a soft spot for it, even now. One of those cars that has disappeared from our roads now.

I remember my neighbour bringing us to Scouts in his 21 Savanna! It was huge! Really novel to be in a 7 seater before the plethora of people carriers on the market.

My Uncle had a red Savannah 2.0 company car, which he bought of them, facelift though, but with 7 seats. Brilliant fun!
They used to live in Ramsgate, so we used to pile into it....9 of us...and day trip in France.