Xantia HDi buying advice

Hammer_Mechanic · Unread post by **Hammer_Mechanic** » 14 May 2010, 22:48

My ageing ZX diesel estate has seen better days and I'm considering a Xantia HDi estate as a replacement.

The ZX was my first Citroen and has served me well on a very tight budget. I'm a bit concerned that the Xantia with it's proper Citroen suspension will cost me loads if/when it goes wrong.

What goes on them and how much does it cost? I'm not averse to rolling my sleeves up and doing stuff myself if it's not rocket science and doesn't require special tools. Have always serviced my own cars and done basic mechanical wear and tear.

Also what to look out for/walk away from when viewing cars - I've heard bad things about engine management/electrics problems on the Hdi - wheras my old XUD unit is about as simple as they come....not even a turbo to complicate things (god I could use a turbo though!)
Any way to easily tell what's a 90 and what's a 110?

I'm buying on a budget, so if a car needs fairly routine stuff doing and the price is right it dosn't worry me. Just don't want to slip on a huge banana skin for lack of basic knowledge.

Sorry for the barrage of questions in a first post, mad keen to go and look at a couple tomorrow!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 14 May 2010, 22:59

No doubt the Xantia owners will be along to advise you soon....

Main checks which will differ from a normal car are: Check the strut tops, since you looking at HDis they are S2 cars, i believe these dont suffer failures like S1s, however check for rust around the strut top area and look under the arch too.

Make sure every corner of the car bounces nicely when you press on it, it should be soft but i rarely see a xantia riding well on the road these days so there are plenty of uncared for spheres around.

Spheres are not all that costly but will certainly increase your car buying budget should the one you get need some.

Dont forget if you go for VSX (S1) or Exclusive (S2) it will be hydractive which has more spheres.

HDis are good engines, good on fuel and tend to be reliable. Make sure it runs well and sounds ok. Obviously they are slightly more modern engines with high pressure injectors.

Check for any leaks under the car from suspension pipes.

Most things seem quite cheap to repair, but a certain amount of DIYing is usually needed.

90 VS 110

The 110 has an extra pipe running down the top of the engine cover to the left of the air box. The 90 doesnt.

monkfish · Unread post by **monkfish** » 14 May 2010, 23:30

get a c5 ive had mine a little wile now and im well impressed mines a 2.2 hdi loads of tork and quick mpg a little on the low side but the performance compansece for it lf the 2.2 to bigget the 2.0 liter

Unread post by **DHallworth** » 15 May 2010, 01:05

Buy Mine!

Hammer_Mechanic · Unread post by **Hammer_Mechanic** » 15 May 2010, 13:42

DHallworth wrote:Buy Mine!

Glasgow is a little outside my catchment area I reckon...

Can you deliver to Norwich?

KevMayer · Unread post by **KevMayer** » 15 May 2010, 15:00

This one looks good:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Citroen-Xantia-Ex ... 2c548da031

By the way I'm not related to the seller in any way

Chris570 · Unread post by **Chris570** » 15 May 2010, 15:07

i saw this the other day when out driving and thought "wow, an almost exact copy of mine

"

the HDi is a very good engine

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 15 May 2010, 16:19

The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 15 May 2010, 17:38

Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.

2.1's are OK provided you wear ear plug's.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 15 May 2010, 18:19

DickieG wrote:
Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.
2.1's are OK provided you wear ear plug's.

They're not that bad. Bit agricultural at idle perhaps but once under way, quieter than a 1.9TD I reckon...

Cue an angry mob of 1.9TD owners....

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 15 May 2010, 19:20

CitroJim wrote:
They're not that bad. Bit agricultural at idle perhaps but once under way, quieter than a 1.9TD I reckon.:

Ive had both and couldnt really tell them apart SWMBO always has the radio that loud i couldnt hear myself think

Mind it also meant i couldnt hear her

Colin

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 15 May 2010, 20:26

DickieG wrote:
Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.
2.1's are OK provided you wear ear plug's.

You've obviously never driven and XM

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 15 May 2010, 21:08

Peter.N. wrote:
DickieG wrote:
Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.
2.1's are OK provided you wear ear plug's.
You've obviously never driven and XM

You're right there Peter, its just the diesel rattle at idle that puts me off of a 2.1, they may be quiet inside but I'd be waking up my neighbours each morning

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 15 May 2010, 21:33

We don't have any neighbors

(Click on link at bottom of page)

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 16 May 2010, 08:55

Peter.N. wrote:
DickieG wrote:
Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 is even better, almost as good fuel consumption as the Hdi and much more reliable, easier and cheaper to repair.
2.1's are OK provided you wear ear plug's.
You've obviously never driven and XM

I agree, they are very quiet once under way, though at idel they are a little noisey but not overly so.

I can certainly vouch for them being almost as good on fuel as the HDi and they are about the same for performance, just the 2.1 has a narrower rev range.