XM buying issues

deian · Post by **deian** » 27 Aug 2007, 17:40

Hi,

I'm wondering now what is the best engine to get in an XM... I am considering the following ones:

2.0i
2.0i turbo
2.1td

I am keeping my eye on a few ones. I have to make comprimises here and there. Initially I was quite strict with what I wanted but since seeing what is out there and the prices they go for I am being a bit more flexible. I would 'like' leathers, I would 'like' climate control (the digital type), I would 'prefer' the series 1 dash, but my question is mainly about the engines. I want the digital climate purely cos i am too lazy to turn and slide things, and it looks nicer with the spaceship dash.

There are early engines, and later engines... I know the later 2.0i turbos had 150bhp over 145bhp in the older ones. Are the new ct engines 16v as compared to the 8v old ones? Are they better?

When did Citroen put the EPIC pump in the 2.1td? I may buy a non epic 2.1td and run on part veggie oil, the epic one would not handle veggie right? But that is the only plus for going for a 2.1td, the running cost, I know some people swear by them, I am more comfortable with a petrol: fuel-air-spark (simple), diesel ignite themselves on compression and rely on fuel timing (i find that a bit weird, sorry derv guys). I had a 2.1td before and it was amazing, but still you know...

Next, how is the non-turbo'd 2.0i engine like compared to the turbo'd one, in terms of performance and fuel economy, longevity. I understand the ct engine has lower compression to handle the turbo, even though it is just a small one to keep things on the boil, so does this mean it is a more rugged engine too, maybe it has stronger internals too?

And finally, I hear about XM auto boxes being quite unreliable, I'm not saying no to an auto if the car comes with the right engine/spec combination, I may convert it (2.1td and 2.0ct share g'boxes right). I'm not sure where to make the comprimise here:

2.0i manual vsx series 2 vs. 2.0i turbo auto prestige (black!)?
2.0i turbo manual si vs.. 2.0i manual series 2?
2.0i auto vsx s2 vs 2.1td sei manual (no digital climate)
...the list goes on when comparing what I'd like to whats out there and the price.

What would you XM guys go for?

Mileage/age isn't such an issue, nor is the colour, as long as the condition is good (note: not mint) and there are no questionable faults that may arise putting the car off the road. Lets face it they more or less look after themselves, just that they like to throw us a puzzle from time to time.

Your views and opinions would be appreciated. I AM in the market for an XM.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Aug 2007, 18:18

My personal choice is the 2.1 td manual estate, I have had five of them, over the last 10 years or more and have two at present. It depends what you want. My needs are plenty of space, relative reliability, reasonable performance and econmy and of course surperb comfort!

I chose a manual gearbox firstly because they are more efficient and secondly because if they fail, as they frequently do after 100k or so, it will write the car off.

The 2.1 td in manual form is capable of in excess of 50 mpg, driven with some restraint and has proved to be a very reliable engine, my last one having covered nearly 300k. Expect to replace the head gasket at about 150k but then expect another 150k before it needs doing again.

If you dont do a high mileage and are not so concerned about fuel consumption, I am told that the 2 ltr turbo is very good, the none turbo is not really powerful enough and is a bit 'thrashy' due to being lower geared, it certainly isnt as good as the 2.1 td

The EPIC pump was only fitted to the XM after '96 and the vast majority are auto,s. They only sold 61 2.1 td manual estates in '96 and I have had three of them. They are easy to indentify as they have N---YBL registrations, there are a few '95's about though. Avoid the EPIC pump if possible. My reliability information is based on the mechanical version.

The Mk 2 (late '94 onwards, chevrons in centre of grill) models are much better built than the Mk1's and have fewer electrical problems.

If I have missed anything, ask again.

There is an XM expert on Anglesey, Check ' club-xm.com' goes by the name 'citroenxm'

deian · Post by **deian** » 27 Aug 2007, 18:43

Yeah, i know him, nice guy, knows his stuff, hard to get hold of though. How difficult would a conversion be (auto to manual)?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Aug 2007, 20:36

Leave a message for him through 'club-xm.com' follow the link to contact member.

I have never done a manual conversion but I know someone who did and said it was a pig of a job, but them most jobs on XM's are

But the're worth it!

Are you looking for a hatchback or estate?

deian · Post by **deian** » 27 Aug 2007, 20:46

hatchback, only 26, so no need for an estate for the time being. i must be the youngest person to WANT an xm over anything else, trouble is, you can't get a better car for the money, that is taking into consideration, running costs, reliability, performance, uniqueness, trim levels, insurance etc

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 27 Aug 2007, 22:52

Deian - check out:

1990 CITROEN XM SEI BLUE ONLY 57000 MILES
ebay item number: 320152002375

It's in Rhyl and has all the bells and whistles being an SEi and
I'll hazard a guesss will probably go for £250!!

Unless you've never driven a 2.0i I'd say give it a chance first.
Seriously, when do you need to drive a prestige car flat out on the
twisties where low 0-60's and max speeds are so important?

Out in the sticks here this evening I struggled to get into 5th
stuck behind a load of holidaying numpties that wouldn't know their
backsides from their elbows...

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 27 Aug 2007, 22:56

Yea, i've seen that one, may go visit it to see what it's like. Not been in an Xm for a while now, last one was citroenxm's one and performance of the v6 aside, it was a lovely car, rides different to the xantia, the space, the toys, the uniqueness etc.

Is the 2.0 more economical than the 2.0i turbo?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:04

1996 N Reg Citroen XM 2.1 litre Turbo D VSX
Price:
£695

Features: 157,672 milesManualBLACKDieselHATCHBACK2100 CC Full Description: Glossary of Terms
Manual, HATCHBACK, Diesel, 157,672 miles, Black, Mileage Verified. £695

Seller:
St. Peters Garage

Dealer's Website: Go to website

And another one....

Enlarge

1994 M Reg CITROEN XM 2.1 TD VSX (BIG SPEC-RARE-AMAZING VALUE!!)5 Doors, Manual 5 speed, Hatchback, Diesel, Emerald green Grey plush velour. A massive specification including, Adjustable Seat Height, Adjustable Steering Column, Air-Conditioning, Anti-Lock Brakes, Body Coloured Bumpers, Electric Seat Memory, Electric Seats, Factory computer pack, Front Fog Lights, full electric pack, Power-Assisted Steering, premium audio pack, rare and stunning colour combination. etc,etc,MASSIVE SPECIFICATION!!,sensible miles,detailed and comprehensive service/maintainance history including original factory book pack,original service book,previous MOT certs,long currect MOT,(6 mths tax available just £99 extra),very rare car,amazing economy with torque and performance,seldom found like this at this age and this price,puts many much newer and vastly more expensive examples to utter shame!!!,MUST BE SEEN!!(detailed pictures at www.specialistcars.net)priced to sell,pre sale vehicle preration and warranty cover fully included,RARE opportunity,BE ULTRA QUICK THIS CAR WILL NOT BE AROUND FOR VERY LONG!!!VIEW THIS CAR WITH MULTI-PHOTOS ON OUR WEBSITE - www.specialistcars.net - ALL MAJOR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS TAKEN - VARIOUS FINANCE PACKAGES AVALIBLE TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS - PART EXCHANGE - CASH EITHER WAY - FULL DEALER FACILITIES - SPECIALIST CARS - THE RIGHT CHOICE - ESTABLISHED CIRCA 15 yrs++ £994. Tel: 01423 358686 Distance: 232 milesPrice: £994
Links:

Dealer's Website

Dealer's Location
Services:
Used Vehicle Sales | Finance | Part Exchange | Warranty | Vehicles Wanted | DeliveryEstablished approaching 15yrs, Specialist Cars is now the natural choice for many, 100+ vehicles available, 50yrs+ combined experience at hand, comprehensive facilities, please visit our website to experience a new and refreshing approach to used car retailing. Many vehicles now with 40+ detailed pictures. Specialist Cars the right choice!
Links: Buyers Checklist | Insurance | Finance | Roadtests

Contact number: 01283 545602

Distance: 152 miles from DT6+6DF ( Dealer's Location )

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:17

OFFICIAL CITROEN FIGURES

2.0i 8v Auto 21.9 41.5 33.2
2.0i 8v Man 24.6 44.8 34.9

2.0i 8v TURBO Auto 19.9 40.4 32.1
2.0i 8v TURBO Man 22.2 39.8 31.7

3.0 12v V6 18.8 36.2 29.4

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:22

You've got to laugh!! I'm on one side finding prospective Xm petrol S1's,
and Peter is on the other finding diesel Xm S2's!!

I'd certainly check out the S1 under your feet and see if it's the kind
of car you're looking for before travelling further afield!! It's a manual
so there'll be plenty of life in it even with a clutch change at 80-90k miles.

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:26

OK, to be completely balanced here:

2.1 TurboD manual 33.2 57.6 43.5

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:31

Guess you've seen this too?

1998 CITROEN XM VSX TURBO [PETROL CT] ebay item number: 290154787535

Andrew

Post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Aug 2007, 23:45

Hi Andrew

Its amazing how many there are when you really search! I think you are winning at the moment!

I havn't run a petrol vehicle for over 20 years, use to do 30k miles per year when I was working and I'm still doing nearly 20k in retirement, so you can see where my interest lies.

Peter.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 28 Aug 2007, 00:07

Fair enough!!

I run a pair of daily hack 1.9TD Xantia estates when I need to go all
sensible, one for the rough stuff and the other when I need to be
'presentable'.

Other days when I DON'T want to be sensible I run either a Cx GTi
Turbo2, or an Xm 2.0i CT Turbo OR a Xm V6 24v.

There's ALSO a 2.0i Xm saloon and a 1.9VSX Xantia saloon as reliable
'when all else fails' backups 'IF' the others decide to act up!!

Funny, with them all up and running on the road 100% legal I don't
seem to have the spare ££'s to spend on such fripparies as beer,
skittles or ciggies!!

Andrew

Post by **Peter.N.** » 28 Aug 2007, 10:21

Think how much healthier that will make you! I had my fair share of Velox's and Cresta's in years gone by, fast in their day, but my motoring is more sedate now, although I must admit that I enjoy driving my sons 2.8 i Capri occaisionaly.

Peter.