Xantia suspension quality

rmunns · Post by **rmunns** » 26 Mar 2010, 03:51

Despite having had two Xantias over a period of four years (and being very happy with both) I'm still not sure as to whether I've experienced as-new ride qualities.

How do you judge, short of driving a brand new one?

While I have changed spheres and maintained the links by performing regular 'exercises' I've never changed fluid or cleaned filters.

When a Xantia suspension is perfectly set up and everything (tyres etc) are correct, what is the ride quality like?

I know this is not a simple thing to answer, but for example with more and more potholes how does a car with really good suspension cope?

Post by **myglaren** » 26 Mar 2010, 06:56

Call in on Jim

I think his two are as close to perfect as you could wish for. Comparing his and yours would be the best way to judge.

rmunns · Post by **rmunns** » 26 Mar 2010, 09:56

Mmmmmmmmmm..............

long journey!

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 26 Mar 2010, 11:53

Magic carpet!

lol, seriously very good, soft but handles well, my SX really leans on the corners but never stops gripping. To me is seems that small imperfections in the road can be felt more than a conventional sprung car, but large bumps and ruts, pot holes, speed bumps etc are less noticeable. Although it could be that lack of large shocks due to large road faults means one notices the smaller imperfections more, or more likely my car has some worn bushes somewhere.

The ride is vastly superior to my friends Mercedes E class avantgarde. I generally find going back to a 'normal' car to be a bit pogo stick like on the sorter ones, or just plain painful on the harder rides.

The exclusive ride is much the same, bit softer in soft mode, real boat like, very comfy, and a bit harder in hard mode for the cornering.

I would change the fluid and clean the filters if you can, it really helps the longevity of the components, my first Xantia came with black LHM after a flush and change it drove nicer, but the damage was already done, the suspension components started dying in turn

Interestingly enough I do find it helps the ride quality on my SX if I drive with some weight in the boot, makes no odds to my exclusive though..

Decent tyres help with grip & noise etc, but don't know if they make any difference to the ride quality, other than feeling more attached to the road.

Basically you should be impressed by your suspension on a daily basis, there's always moments for me during my commute when I think "dam that's a good ride", if you can say that, then I would say your suspension is working correctly

If I'm ever passing your way in the green goblin, I'll be happy to stop and give you a test drive

Post by **CitroJim** » 26 Mar 2010, 12:28

myglaren wrote:Call in on Jim

Not me, unless it's an Activa you want to experience...

The very best riding Xantia I know is DickieG's 110HDi Estate, closely followed by his V6..

My V6 is OK but is a mere cart compared to those noted above...

Post by **Peter.N.** » 26 Mar 2010, 15:01

All hydropnumatics seem to suffer over small sharp bumps, I drive three XMs on a fairly regular basis and they are all more or less the same, tyre pressures make more difference than anything else, if you find your car is riding exceptionally well you will probably find that your tyres are soft

I did once try one with accumulator spheres on one side, the contrast with one side and the other going down our rough forest track had to be felt to be believed, its the only time I have not felt any bumps, on one side of course, buit I don't know how safe that would be on the road

This suspension really comes into its own on fast undulating roads, just watch the ammount of movement on the car in front of you. One day, when my spheres need replacing again, I'm going to try Jim's trick of fitting non hydractive spheres to mine, comfort is far more important than handling to me as I don't drive very fast.

The type of tyres you use can also be a factor in ride quality.

Peter

lexi · Post by **lexi** » 26 Mar 2010, 17:59

This V6 is only my 3rd Xantia and they have all been different despite having no known faults. I find the V6 hatch is softer than my previous two estates (1.9td and hdi).

This one is gorgeous in soft mode.......very soft and supple and then into bends on rails...........love it! Gonna stick my neck out now and say it's become my fav car since my old Rover P6 3.5s....it has really grown on me

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 26 Mar 2010, 21:52

Am i correct in thinking an estate will ride a little harder than a hatch as they have slightly stiffer ABRs?

I cant comment on a Xantia, but a well sorted Xm is quite something. We have huge speed bumps running along the top of our road, most cars you have to slow down to about 15-20 unless you want to get badly jolted into the air. The Xms fly over at any speed, faster the better, at about 30-5 you would have thought someone had removed the bumps all together.

I agree that they seem to pick up smaller ridges in the road more so than conventionally sprung cars, but on undulating roads or big potholes its an odd feeling to just float along without feeling a thing.

Post by **aerodynamica** » 26 Mar 2010, 22:16

my SX really leans on the corners but never stops gripping

Try a series 1 CX then!!

Compared to that my Xantia SX 1.9D was like an F1!! They shure don't roll like they used to but speed humps practically don't exist in the CX..

addo · Post by **addo** » 26 Mar 2010, 22:19

The break's rear suspension cylinders have a massive extra face area (78%) on their pistons. So the ride will be harsher when unloaded and experiencing shap shocks.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 26 Mar 2010, 22:30

With comfort spheres my estates ride very well, the hatch is a little to soft at the rear and pitches quite badly on some surfaces, the estate is soft enough but much more stable.

Peter

lexi · Post by **lexi** » 27 Mar 2010, 00:30

Long wheel base vehicles generally have a smoother more comfortable ride.

So apart from a CX having the wishbones like DX it also has the stretch on wheelbase for even more comfort.

Maybe this helps the XM to a lesser extent plus a softer mode before Hydractive kicks in?

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 27 Mar 2010, 07:51

So.. if I wanted a softer ride on my V6, which spheres am I to change for non-hydractive ones... corner spheres or 'inner' spheres?

Ian

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 27 Mar 2010, 09:23

Sid wrote
"I'll be happy to stop and give you a test drive"

oooh err Sid are you also going to test drive his XANT, TEA HE

i think none of the newer hydralic citroens ride the same or even close to the likes of the DS, followed closely by the CX and the G's,

also the early BX's had roller bearings in the frot suspension arms, this allowed them to ride better than the later BX with rubber bush's,

as the arm could float up and down a lot morte feely,

regards malcolm

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 27 Mar 2010, 09:30

No i think your right, ride quality is slowly getting worse on hydraulic citroens. The S1 C5 is not a patch on Xm quality, the facelifted C5s are even harder again. New C5s seems slightly softer hoever, though even the C6 doesnt match a good Xm, its too short on travel for one thing.