Xantia Comfort?
Moderator: RichardW
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Hydropnumatic suspension is like that, beautiful ride over large undulations at speed but won't cope with small sharp bumps. My best XM gives a surperb ride on good roads but nearly shakes your teeth loose on the forest track I have to drive over to reach the road.
I have a BMW 5 series which are renowned for a good ride - and for a conventionally sprung vehicle they are not bad, it rides as well as the XM on the track but is rubbish compared with it on the road.
Peter
I have a BMW 5 series which are renowned for a good ride - and for a conventionally sprung vehicle they are not bad, it rides as well as the XM on the track but is rubbish compared with it on the road.
Peter
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Its also put my mind to rest a little bitrmunns wrote:Thanks for this re-assuring post. I've had two Xantiae and on both thought that, while really good on good roads, did bump around a bit on less-good surfaces.
On my first car I did find, however, that changing the rear three spheres did improve things a bit.
1998 Xantia 1.9 TD 186k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k
2008 C4 grand Picasso exclusive 105k
I must agree with you Peter, I currently run a 5 series as a daily workhorse and find the ride more than acceptable.. on the other hand the Xantia V6 is very good on motorways etc but the ride is spoilt around town with drain covers pot holes etc. Incidentally the Xantia has 'fresh' spheres all round with 'comfort' or non hydractive spheres on the corners and I shan't make that mistake again... a bit like sailing a ship!Peter.N. wrote:Hydropnumatic suspension is like that, beautiful ride over large undulations at speed but won't cope with small sharp bumps. My best XM gives a surperb ride on good roads but nearly shakes your teeth loose on the forest track I have to drive over to reach the road.
I have a BMW 5 series which are renowned for a good ride - and for a conventionally sprung vehicle they are not bad, it rides as well as the XM on the track but is rubbish compared with it on the road.
Peter
Ian
Account Ref: 6419
Current Cars
Nissan X-Trail SVE
Saab 2.2TiD
Merc E270 Estate
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2001 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1999 Xantia 1.9TD
1997 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1995 XM 3.0 Exclusive Estate
Account Ref: 6419
Current Cars
Nissan X-Trail SVE
Saab 2.2TiD
Merc E270 Estate
Past Citroens
2001 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1999 Xantia 1.9TD
1997 Xantia 3.0 Exclusive
1995 XM 3.0 Exclusive Estate
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- Moderating Team
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C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red
In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars. - x 1206
Hi Ian
My estate has comfort spheres which I find quite acceptable but on the hatch rear the ride is a bit nautical.
My 5 series is an estate with rear air suspension which I understand does make the ride harder and is only comparable with the XM over rough unmade roads, otherwise not nearly as good a ride.
Tyre type and pressures can have a marked effect on the ride, unless I am carrying a full load I tend to run mine a little underinflated which makes quite a difference at low speed, the figures given are assuming a full load. The BMW gives different pressures for fully and partly loaded and they are quite a bit different.
There is quite a variation in tread stiffness between different tyres, what I have done in the past is to get my local friendly tyre fitter to let me 'feel' the tyres on offer, hold them by the edge and press your thumbs into the center of the tread and see how much force is required to push it in.
Peter
My estate has comfort spheres which I find quite acceptable but on the hatch rear the ride is a bit nautical.
My 5 series is an estate with rear air suspension which I understand does make the ride harder and is only comparable with the XM over rough unmade roads, otherwise not nearly as good a ride.
Tyre type and pressures can have a marked effect on the ride, unless I am carrying a full load I tend to run mine a little underinflated which makes quite a difference at low speed, the figures given are assuming a full load. The BMW gives different pressures for fully and partly loaded and they are quite a bit different.
There is quite a variation in tread stiffness between different tyres, what I have done in the past is to get my local friendly tyre fitter to let me 'feel' the tyres on offer, hold them by the edge and press your thumbs into the center of the tread and see how much force is required to push it in.
Peter
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Your right, tyres have a big effect on the ride and handling feel of a car.
I know someone with an XM who has over-pressured spheres all round and has their tyres very soft, this does give it an ocean liner like ride but i can't imagine its too good to drive or very safe with its very squidgy tyres.
Michelin often offer very soft sidewalls - hence Citroens being fitted with these as standard. I usually find that cheaper brands have very stiff sidewall, which along with the bad ride i would think also contributes to the awful grip as the tyre is unable to flex to the road.
I always run our cars tyres at the lower recommended pressure, sometimes one or two PSi less. I usually play around and see what works best, taking into account, ride, handling, feel and tyre wear. I find different tyres work better at different pressures.
Tyre pressures for the Xm are stated for an empty car and driver, there is an upper limit for loaded. Same with the C5s etc.
I know someone with an XM who has over-pressured spheres all round and has their tyres very soft, this does give it an ocean liner like ride but i can't imagine its too good to drive or very safe with its very squidgy tyres.
Michelin often offer very soft sidewalls - hence Citroens being fitted with these as standard. I usually find that cheaper brands have very stiff sidewall, which along with the bad ride i would think also contributes to the awful grip as the tyre is unable to flex to the road.
I always run our cars tyres at the lower recommended pressure, sometimes one or two PSi less. I usually play around and see what works best, taking into account, ride, handling, feel and tyre wear. I find different tyres work better at different pressures.
Tyre pressures for the Xm are stated for an empty car and driver, there is an upper limit for loaded. Same with the C5s etc.
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
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01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
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93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
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07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10