offered a xsara

[daviemck2006]

I've been offered a xsara desire, a 2004 110 hdi with 105k on the clock and full citroen service history but with a leaking power steering pipe at a very reasonable price. It has all the toys that made my c5 so good for me, apart from the suspension (obviously) I would think that replacing a steering pipe would be an easy task on this, don't know however as I have not seen the car yet. What's folks opinion of these, and what would you think the value would be. I know that's a difficult question, but the seller claims it's very good with no rust or dents. I do want back into a Citroen, I need more comfort due to a knackered back than the 107 offers, but I need cheap to fuel which I think a xsara hdi would give. Thanks in advance for any input, Davie

[Hell Razor5543]

I cannot speak for the pipe change, as I have not had to do one, but my previous Xantia was a 110HP HDi, and I got good MPG. On one occasion (when I went to see my Mother) I decided to do an economy run to see what she could do, and found that she returned 61MPG on a 240m round trip (mainly motorway). Round town she struggled to hit 50MPG.

[citroenxm]

Xsaras are ok.. but they dont do it for me at all.. The other thing to check carefully is the rear axle! These fail like BX/Xantia ones but are a completely different design setup... There is apparently a waiting list for rear beams with good bearings up here.. So just check for any rear wheel leaning in, the milage is around the correct mark for any wear showing. The obvious bit is the top of the inner tyre runs in the inner arch.. Check for rub marks, see if you can get your fingers between the tyre and rear arch.

Ive not tried a 110 in a Xsara, but if the lightnes of the Xsara over the xantia is anything to go by, it should FLY and also do very well on fuel.. Just that awfull "Sprung" suspension...

[oneday]

i sold a xsara a few munths ago i had it 3 years and never had any real problems with it. i did 30000 miles in it it did a 5000 mile round trip to south of spain with 5 adults in it and the boot was solid no problem at all it used 150 litres of fuel to get down there 1500 miles not hanging about either. mine was a 90 hp but due to its weight was pretty quick. 160000 miles on the clock when sold and had just flown through an mot check the sills have seen a couple with rust under the paint. suspension not as good as the c5 but not that bad as said before watch for rear suspension faults.

[Monkeyfeet]

I've just driven 110 xsara estate to France and back and although comfort wise its not really a patch on the C5 Exc on long runs it's not a bad car overall at all. Agree with the economy figures. Same as any diesel turbo I think - don't cane it all the time and it's very economical to run. Sprightly too when you want. Also did the rear axle change with a recon unit after the tyre rubbing prob. Job not onerous / technical, really needs two people but easily only a mornings work. Budget around £300 (I think) for the exchange unit though.

[JohnD]

Budget around £300 (I think) for the exchange unit though.

My daughter has a Xsara which she bought new in 2002 and which she's keen to keep hold of. Her rear wheels were rubbing on the wheel arches, so I drove it down to Mountjoy Engineering in Devon where they fitted one of their own rebuilt axle beams for £350 + VAT. It took them about 2 hours.

[daviemck2006]

well the wheels are like this /-\ standing at back of car and looking so I walked away. Pity it looked a nice car otherwise, but factor in the power steering problem and suspension I just couldn't be bothered. It was a cheap car but needing £4-500 spent and a mot in jan. There are plenty more motors for sale.

[oneday]

you did the best thing