Auto or Manual? (XM)

[gunscrossed]

Presuming I can find examples of both, is there any advantage of one over the other in an XM?

I think the Mrs would prefer an auto but I also like the look of an S1 with a gear stick as opposed to the big auto selector

[sdelasal]

For a diesel ... the auto is not as economical. I think for petrol & diesel, the 3-4 shift point is about 40mph which can be annoying as that is the typical speed limit too often. For manual, clutch cables are no longer available (along with abs sensors on early cars - but that's another topic!!)! I went for auto as there are more available and I think better fits with the luxury barge image - for general 'wafting around', i'm pretty pleased with it too - 2.0l injection petrol.

[gunscrossed]

Thanks, I hadn't realised things like clutch cables could be a problem!

[captainhaddock]

Clutch cables can be easily fixed nowadays, there's companies that specialize in repairs of inner cables.

[gunscrossed]

That's good to know.

[kingp]

I'd go for a manual and just make sure you flush the gearbox fluid when you get it. They seem to outlast the cars where as the autos need a bit more care and more fluid flushes to stay good and will then still need their clutch plates and bits doing as they get older, A manuals clutch is generally a much simpler replacement process even in a 2.5td. also not all Manual models use a cable clutch. Hydraulic ones are about such as that on the TCT and some V6's i believe as well as the lovely 2.5td

[citroenxm]

I think you would be pushed to an Auto as there are far more about..

Theres nothing wrong with the Autos now we know HOW to lookafter them, the Fluid changes are NOT hard at all to do on them, and are well worth dooing to prolong the box life.

I know of a 2.1 td with 230k on it on all original box and still changes VERY smoothly, and we have only done fluid changes with Dex 2 at around 6 - 6500 mile intervals..

Manuals are a little scarse, but as said clutch cables can be made, BUT this "Lack of parts" is not limited to the XM, its a FACT for all french cars after ten years they do a support cut off, and then leave stocks to plemish. This though, does not stop us from owning them, as there a few of us that have a stock of spares, who can be willing to sell parts if duplicated ..

Lots of things still readibly available, brake parts, spheres, etc etc so dont let it put you off at all!

Series one cars are getting a bit thin and are the prefered car for the airy cabin from the original low styled dash, and though ALL models do suffer from rust unfortunally the S1 cars appear to be better in places over S2 cars.

Engine wise, TCT Turbo 8v is a common option, most are Auto as lots of the manuals were bought up by the boy racers for their shopping trollys. I DO NOT Beleve any other models used hydraulic clutch ONLY the 2,5 TD engine below. All other manuals are cable clutch and gear linkages on manuals.

2.oi 8v N/a engine, auto or manual.
2.1 TD. Manual or auto, three sorts of fuel systems throught the years. Again Auto more common. Early cars H reg to J reg Lucas mechanical. Manual gearbox,
Middle run cars, J K L and ealry M Mechanical Bosch Pump, auto or manual

Auto became an option on the DERVs from 1991, but all autos had Bosch Pumps.

3 Litre V6 12v auto.. PRV engine
Ultra rarer 24v 3litre Manual only PRV engine

Series Two cars gained two engines and dropped one.

From 1995 M reg the 2.5 TD XUD was introduced in MANUAL only, but are hydraulic clutch and cable gear change.. All other manuals are gear linkages.

The other engine was the PSA newer 16v engine in 2.0 16v Manual or auto. A BLOODY good engine for a petrol, both livly and fugal.

The PRV V6 stayed on till 1997 P reg when it was dropped for the PR V6 24v quad cam engine from the xantia in Auto form only. These cars also seem to hold a good value.

Go for what you can afford but expect any car to need at least something to be done, HOWEVER, as I said else where, buy and pay a bit more from a Member on here and you will have a good car.

Oppsie, I think I rambled on a little bit much there.....

[citroenxm]

A manuals clutch is generally a much simpler replacement process even in a 2.5td. also not all Manual models use a cable clutch. Hydraulic ones are about such as that on the TCT and some V6's i believe as well as the lovely 2.5td

All manuals were cable clutch Will EXCEPT the 2.5 IN THE UK.. Onlt the 2.5 was hydraulic clutch and cable gear change. The PR 24v V6 manual (NOT In the UK) was hydraulic but we didn'r get it.

All TCT's are cable and gear linkages too..

[gunscrossed]

Great info, many thanks. Still waiting to hear back from the seller on here, hopefully he'll be in touch soon.

[citroenxm]

Its worth the wait!!

Strange, Mathew has useually been on by now, he has got three Kids to Santa too though.

He will be along soon, mathew does come on frequently..