Classics Monthly - Citroen XM

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Dec 2010, 19:54

I actually quite like volvos and the S80s massive-ness appeals to me. Would you have the diesel? What are they like?

Saabs are either old in design or re-badged Vauxhall Vectras, the diesels are from Fiat and are obviously poor - are there any advantages of a Saab!

Post by **myglaren** » 05 Dec 2010, 19:54

I did have a 1.7 Princess for a while, put a 2.2 in it.
Went well, quiet and lots of room, quite comfortable and sort of hydraulic suspension.

Fair enough it wasn't pretty but it did the job until it started using more oil than petrol coming back from Whitby one Sunday night.

I rather think it was replaced with a Volvo although it may have been the BX.

I think an S80 would be fine TBH.
There's a Polish girl at work rags around in one and it seems to be fine. Never been in a newer Volvo than a 760 though. I think that would have been in 1986

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 05 Dec 2010, 19:59

No, no, no, not a SAAB they're very pretentious these days. Not like the old SAABs that were really good cars pre GM.

Seriously though, what bigs cars are there out there that are worth buying? The mainstream manufactureres have all but abandonded the sector. We have the C6, the 607 which is coming to the end of its career. Do Renault still make the Vel Satis?

I'm not so keen on the Saab 9-5, although the 9-5 Aero is nice

I don't fancy a Merc, BM or VAG group product. Lexus anyone?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 05 Dec 2010, 20:02

I could cope right up to the bit about Rover SD1's, which I think are great
- still have one mothballed but poorly. But Volvos? I don't need to be made
more depressed reading about Volvos - that's what pm's are for!
Come on now guys, stick to talking about Xm's and Citroen pleeeeease!!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Dec 2010, 20:02

This seems like a good time to start stock piling good Xms and Xantias. Anyone for this, a 2.1TD MANUAL:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Ive been in two S80s, they did seem huge inside and didnt ride too badly. I really like Volvo interiors!

I think id be driving a Vel Satis before an S80, or maybe a 607, though the S60 looks a very smart car. The S80 will probably be more reliable than the Renault though.

Ive driven a Volvo V70 diesel, that was a really nice car, felt a bit like a tank though, but very secure.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Dec 2010, 20:05

robert_e_smart wrote: We have the C6, the 607 which is coming to the end of its career. Do Renault still make the Vel Satis?

As this is a French car forum i think i can answer this before tipping Andrew over the edge!

No, The Vel Satis has been out of production for quite a few years now.

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 05 Dec 2010, 20:48

Both S80s I have driven were D5s, auto and manual. I'd choose the auto personally. Its a nice auto box. The auto was a taxi with over 250K miles on it, and it was fine.

That 2.1 TD doesn't look tidy enough for that price tag. I bet it needs a timing belt kit, and new spheres, so add on another £300 to get it useable. Thats before you put proper tyres on it. I doubt Camacs (thanks to e-bays other pictures) cut the mustard.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

Thats what its worth, perhaps a little more if you were to be generous.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Dec 2010, 20:58

The ebay pictures do show it in a different light, its not as good as it first looks.

£700 is top money for that, it probably does need a major service but it would make a good workhorse, as the add says.

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 05 Dec 2010, 21:14

Lucas Epic as well...

Post by **CitroJim** » 05 Dec 2010, 21:26

robert_e_smart wrote:Lucas Epic as well...

Nothing wrong with an EPIC Robert

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 06 Dec 2010, 00:04

Yes I noticed that. But its still a 2.1TD manual which is very economical and reliable and its far from the worst Xm ever. It would make a good car that one.

Post by **CitroJim** » 06 Dec 2010, 18:42

Now that the XM is now firmly (and correctly) established as a classic

along with the Pug 405 Mi16 and BX "Valver" it's time for the classic press to turn their attention to the Activa.

This has got to be a contender. OK, so it's a Xantia but a totally unique car.

I keep on meaning to write to the magazines to test the water on this subject.

I wonder if the Xantia V6 should be included as well, especially in the rare MK1 form?

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 06 Dec 2010, 19:20

I really hope that the Activa will be classed as a classic soon, maybe that will steady the decreasing numbers.

Though with its limited run they might well pass the car magazines by.

ACTIVE8 · Post by **ACTIVE8** » 09 Dec 2010, 19:28

Regarding the pictures of the XM nice car, and good condition!

As with the Xantia no strut intrusion into the boot space due to the suspension design.

If the current range is the last of one of the fundamental things that Citroen have been known for over many years I.E the hydraulics then the difference they had/have is lost along with the USP, (Unique Sellling Point) and you lose your loyal customer base, and also admit that in the end like sheep (I.E you join in with the blandness everybody else is doing) even you the manufacturer have abandoned your own idea, and on top of it all compromise the boot space on your future models down to uneccessary rear strut intrusion into the boot space.

Keep the spheres Citroen!

addo · Post by **addo** » 09 Dec 2010, 21:20

Citroën lost me with two things - the crap local importers, and their harping on about "German" styling to the current.

One only has to consider how popular racist/fascist elements are in some parts of Europe, who see certain (20th century European) tragedies as a Good Thing - as a result, certain notionally affiliated brands are revered... So long as these morons exist, I will never own a German car, or one that pretends to be.

Then there's the stupid DS3 and the C-Crosser. The latter an unnecessary piece of talentless borrowing, the former a shameless appending of a totally irrelevant name.