Need a recomendation for a garage / mechanic to work on XM

whitehartbookss · Post by **whitehartbookss** » 13 Dec 2005, 20:50

Dear List,

I'm still soldiering on with my XM - though rapidly coming to the conclusion that I should have bought a brand new Citroen on contract hire!!!!

I'm looking for a recomendation for a very good Citroen Garage or mechanic to work on my XM.

I want to:
take the head off
change all 7 spheres
check correct working of hydraulic system
go through the car from tip to toe.

All recomendations gratefully received.

JOnathan

(I'd have done this myself - but the garage is full of another car in bits - and likley to be that way for another 6 months).

Post by **Peter.N.** » 13 Dec 2005, 22:35

The XM is a brilliant car but you shouldn't really buy one unless you can DIY or have a tame Citroen mechanic. As you have discovered they are not very reliable, or at least, not if they havn't ben looked after very well.

Changing the spheres is not to difficult, you should be able to get that done OK. The head gasket though is a different matter. When mine went I couldn't find anyone who was prepared to tackle it (2.1 td) and Citroen wanted somwhere in the region of £1,000 to do it, so I did it myself and then appreciated why they wanted £1k to do it! If yours is petrol it may be a bit easier.

I hope someone on here can help you find a mechanic who is prepared to tackle it, I know that there are a few about, but I think they will want to know where you live.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 13 Dec 2005, 22:38

Sorry! I've just noticed your location.

mpr1956 · Post by **mpr1956** » 13 Dec 2005, 23:13

Hi jonathan, have a word with Len Page at :
Pryton Engineering
The Workshop
Pavenhill
Purton nr SWindon
Wilts
SN5 4DB
tel 01793 772090

He'll give you a pretty firm estimate, and really KNOWS citroens inside out

Best Wishes, Martin

Bigjoe · Post by **Bigjoe** » 14 Dec 2005, 09:06

Morning all!
I think they quote 1k plus as if its anything like working on the 2.1td in a 406,nearly every job apart from servicing etc is an engine out (or lifted)job

great fun!!

Anyone know of a good citroen place in the scottish borders/edinburgh?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 14 Dec 2005, 11:40

You can get the head off the 2.1 td with it in the car but it is so much hassle that it would probably be easier to take it out, I think it must have taken me about 20 hours in total, but I am sure that if you can find someone experienced with them, they could do it a lot quicker. Having said all that, the car has been brilliant since I did it.

np · Post by np » 14 Dec 2005, 18:13

I often use AP Automotive in Bristol,a few mins away from Temple Meads station,for the jobs i cant do myself.
Their details are number 11 on the following list.
http://www.bxclub.co.uk/specialists/

np · Post by np » 14 Dec 2005, 18:15

I also have a friend who uses Paris Retro in Temple cloud(No 43).He says they are good.