Addicted to Citroens

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
eddiebarge
Posts: 9
Joined: 03 Jun 2002, 22:35
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Addicted to Citroens

Post by eddiebarge »

What is it with Citroens? I've had a couple, one good and one bad, and I keep hankering after another. The good one was a ZX diesel from new, but still had many problems; rapid disc wear, power steering pump, stupid "get you home" spare wheel, creaky dash. The bad one was an XM, and I spent a fortune on that and still ended up with a nail.
Everytime I drive past that Citroen dealer I have the urge to stop and look. I hate the C5, it looks dreadful, the Xsara is too cramped compared with the ZX, the Saxo looks nice but with no adjustable column I can't get my knees under the wheel, the Picasso is functional but wierd, and the Berlingo Multispace is very practical but looks like something Postman Pat drives.
I find myself still admiring XMs, but the best of the lot is the DS. Old now but still very stylish and that shape is timeless. Wouldn't it have been great if Citroen had done the C5 to look like an updated DS?
Is there something about Citroen's that get you addicted? I've never had a Peugeot and yet they're supposed to be better, even though mechanically they're almost identical.
Ed
Dave Bamber
Posts: 627
Joined: 25 Feb 2001, 02:17
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 2

Post by Dave Bamber »

<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>Postman Pat's van! Gee thanks.....<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
I think we buy them for the faultless build quality, or is it for the amazing reliability that our cars are famous for?<img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>
Wicked Lorry
stevenlizuk
Posts: 112
Joined: 14 May 2002, 06:01
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by stevenlizuk »

dear ed
you might not be the only one consumed with this strange addiction.
i've recently bought a xantia which has so far caused me nothing but grief, but i still love it!
maybe citroen rub coke on the drivers seat?
happy tinkering and may all you electrical faults be in easy to reach places.
steve
steve kerr
Jon

Post by Jon »

Totally addicted... to Citroen!
Addiction has lasted 18 years in my case. I am beyond any sort of help and have been confirmed as a hopeless incurable case.
I also have "Postman Pat" Berlingo Multispace (at least its not red like Dave's ha ha), a ZX that was given to me (thats how good it is!) and have owned a selection of "gems" such as 2 ZX, a Xantia, 5 GSA's, 4 BX, lots of 2cv's, Ami Supers,a C15, Visa D I won't bore you with them all.
Funnily enough, apart from the Xantia HDi which broke down 3 times in one week due to its ability to suddenly lose all its diesel, most of the above have been quite reliable. The present ZX "skip" has managed to cover 27,000 miles in one years use with only normal servicing, a track rod end, a water housing and rear brakes.
Not so sure about the current offerings, unable to drive a Saxo due to the fact that the pedals are too close togther! C5 I drove a 2.2 HDi estate and liked it, but its bigger than I need. Xsara is a heavier ZX to me. Bought Berlingo Multispace 1.9D which although its a bit slow is great for family use, good drive, loads of room and good on fuel.Cheap too.
Enough of my ramblings!
Jon Wood
IT Supervisor
GSF t/as Andyspares
pwatson
Posts: 263
Joined: 22 Apr 2001, 03:02
Location: E Midlands
My Cars:

Post by pwatson »

Can't compete with the above but have loved Cits since I first saw a DS (in the 50's - I WAS very young!) Couldn't afford one for years but saw one of first BX's in Strasbourg in 1983 and said to myself I'll have one in 3 years when I can afford a second hand one. Have had two BX's and a Xantia since 1987 and have (and here I touch wood) had only one breakdown since then and that was only a broken throttle cable. So they ARE reliable,(thats why we've only had 3 in 15 years) and they are DIFFERENT, and the diesels are very economical, and they are brilliant for towing the caravan (and diesel is VERY cheap in Yugoslavia and Greece!), and they are roomy and actually even the old normally aspirated BX TGD doesn't go badly - just done 600 miles from Besancon to Leics in one day at 58 mpg, and what can I say about the ride??. My wife is just about to replace her Xantia with another - an HDi Exclusive and before we did this we wondered about other makes for about the same price F*rd? V**xhall, N*ssan, T*yota? Why join the herd? Quite sorry to see the old(1993) Xantia go - OK new brake discs and several pads, clutch at 85000 miles the odd tyre but it hasn't even needed a new exhaust. Just hope our "new" HDi isn't Jon's old one! And in 5 years? I suspect it might be a C5 2.2 HDi Exclusive - had a ride in one the other day and I LIKE IT!! And one day I'll have a CX GTi Turbo2 as my toy!!
Happy Citroening!!
PhilW
Phil
pwatson
Posts: 263
Joined: 22 Apr 2001, 03:02
Location: E Midlands
My Cars:

Post by pwatson »

P.S
must put in a good word for my wife - when choosing a new car she only has 3 criteria.
1. It must be a nice colour
2. It must have "that suspension thing" (hydro-pneumatic!)
3. It must be turbo
It restricts the choice to what I want too!!
She's not a bad lass!!
PhilW
Phil
IanR
Posts: 89
Joined: 26 Apr 2002, 03:38
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
Contact:

Post by IanR »

I have a theory that Citroen introduced the hydro suspension in order to cope with the weight of toolboxes the average owner carries around in the boot.
alan s
RIP 2010
Posts: 2542
Joined: 26 Jan 2001, 15:53
Location: Australia
My Cars:
x 6

Post by alan s »

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have a theory that Citroen introduced the hydro suspension in order to cope with the weight of toolboxes the average owner carries around in the boot.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
I love it<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
Alan S
shane_levo
Posts: 3
Joined: 16 Aug 2002, 10:31
Location: Australia
My Cars:
Contact:

Post by shane_levo »

Hmmm,
I thought Citroen drivers didn't carry tools :P
Can't understand why anyone would want one of these cars?? When I first got my license 10years ago I bought a series I CX2400 pallas.
Since then I've also bought a couple of '78 GS pallas's, a 76 CX2200 pallas, a 63 ID19, a 72 DS 21 ie pallas, a BX19tri (something boring for the Mrs to drive :D) and finaly I've just bought a CX2500 GTi turbo!
What can I say?? You'd have to be totaly nuts ;)
seeya,
Shane L.
shane_levo
Posts: 3
Joined: 16 Aug 2002, 10:31
Location: Australia
My Cars:
Contact:

Post by shane_levo »

Hmmm,
I thought Citroen drivers didn't carry tools :P
Can't understand why anyone would want one of these cars?? When I first got my license 10years ago I bought a series I CX2400 pallas.
Since then I've also bought a couple of '78 GS pallas's, a 76 CX2200 pallas, a 63 ID19, a 72 DS 21 ie pallas, a BX19tri (something boring for the Mrs to drive :D) and finaly I've just bought a CX2500 GTi turbo!
What can I say?? You'd have to be totaly nuts ;)
seeya,
Shane L.
NiSk
Posts: 1422
Joined: 24 Jan 2002, 20:11
Location: Sweden
My Cars:
x 1

Post by NiSk »

Tools? all you need is a gallon of LHM!
(I have an XM diesel with mechanical pump, so once it's started the electic thingies don't bother me).
//NiSk
RichardW
Forum Treasurer
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Aug 2002, 17:12
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: MK2 '17 C4GP 1.6 BlueHDi 120
'13 3008 1.6 HDi GripControl
x 983

Post by RichardW »

Everybody else has springs, Citroen has oil filled spheres and mysterious piping everywhere. Everybody else had 4 cyl in-line water cooled engines, Citroen had 2 and 4 cylinder air cooled flat engines. Everybody else had 3 spoke steering wheels, Citroen made do with one. Everybody else had rear wheel drive, Citroen had front. Everybody else had instrument stalks, Citroen had Beer cans and Cheese slicers.
Pity most of this has gone by the board, but the spirit of differentness lives on. I just can't see myself driving one of those 'ordinary' motors. You should have seen the look on the face of the guy when he got in the Visa to put in on the ramp to do the tracking. Priceless.... (he asked me to drive it back off though!)
My family's current crop: 2BX s, 2 Visas (17D and convertible), AX, Xantia and Xsara. In the past 2 amis, 2 dyanes, 5 visas, 6 BXs, 3 GS's. Strangely no 2CVs (to be rectified next year when I build my Avion Blackjack), CX's or D's. We've nearly got it as bad as Alan S.
Richard "I love the smell of LHM in the morning" W
vanny
Posts: 767
Joined: 16 May 2002, 21:08
Location: BXProject
My Cars:
x 1
Contact:

Post by vanny »

As for tools. i always carry loads of tools in the car, because that way it doesnt break down!! Just like every time i go on holiday i go buy water prrofs, boots, etc and then have glorious sunshine. Or when running out of fuel, drive really hard so the fuel lasts longer!! Its all a matter of correct use of murphy's law (also known as sod's law) ' what can go wrong, will go wrong, and probably at the most in oportune moment!
Ill admit i am only on my first Citroen, but if i had the space to store em id already be on my third!!
Stangely no one has mentioned the C3, but i understand that! Its the most god aweful car ive ever been in, i love Corsa's in comparison. Think im gonna stick with the best stuff (anything before a ZX!).
I have a mate who believes that when the frogs are making the cars, they know prehand that a lot will end up in the UK. And as such they design them while laughing 'english pigs, they will never fix it now, ha ha ha ha', then design something that requires trebble jointed knuckles and threes arms (or in 'Haynes' speak, Citroen tool No. xyz).
Vanny
Merseyside, UK
Citroenbx19rd@hotmail.com
http://www.bxproject.co.uk
Terry Brooks
Posts: 16
Joined: 11 Jan 2005, 17:43
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by Terry Brooks »

I suspect the reason for the toolbox in the boot is to stop the back brake calipers seizing up. I always carry half a dozen housebricks. Cheaper than a tool box :-)
Stuart McB
Posts: 1635
Joined: 03 Oct 2003, 00:50
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:
x 1

Post by Stuart McB »

"I think we buy them for the faultless build quality, or is it for the amazing reliability that our cars are famous for" LOL straight out the boys own bumper book of top jokes [:D][:o)][:o)]
Post Reply