Activa reliability

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 31 Jul 2010, 22:48

Hi all

Ive found myself wondering what an activa is like to live with on a daily basis so would like your views, im not interested in economy, i couldnt care less if it does 5 gals to the mile what i want to know is are the hydraulics as bomb proof as any other hydractive citroen or are they fussy cars to run?
Also do xants rust? if you could place them on the brown scale where would they be 1 being a Lancia or early alfa and 10 being gold.
and i would guess that apart from the arcs of the activa its just a standard hydractive xantia is this right?

D

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 31 Jul 2010, 22:55

Like all Xantias of that age, how reliable they are depends on how well they've been looked after, so how much you need to do to get them into tip top condition.

The ARC is basically the same as the other suspension systems so pretty reliable, it's the control arms and corrector linkages which give trouble, but the arms and their bushes are not that expensive and are easy to fit.
If the corrector linkage has been allowed to get dry and seize it will need removing and lubing/dismantling. Removing isn't that difficult.

As for rust, with Juliet she has some rust stains at the usual estate place of the outer skin seams by the back seats, but she is a S2.
Also, there is a little bit of paint bubbling above the NSR wheel arch, and the skin there is flexible whereas the other side is solid. It may be a previous repair, or it may be rust under the paint from the inside of the wheel arch, I've not had time to investigate.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:03

Totally biased opinion - Xantiae of all shapes, sizes and colours are fab!

They won't rust easily though I've seen rear hydraulic pipes and subframes
starting to look ragged and distressed - likely due to the fact these work for
their living on roads that the council does grit during the cold spells
- something I don't think an Activa would see much of?

Rust? 8-9 on your scale!?

OK, this is assuming you're contemplating silver bodykitted Activas as
estates can get rusty - rear doorjambs and sills and even outer arches
are a weakness. Not a rust issue but estate doors hinges are weak and
will snap off the doorframe.

I've scrapped a few of them now and barring accident damage (x3) it's always
mechanical calamities that have seen them off - snapped timing belt, x2 dying
diesel engines and a cracked sump thus seized crank...

none of these were caused by me I hasten to add.

Ripping all these apart the only other area that looked nasty was the front
crossmember under the rad.

Sticky height correctors and failing strut tops are your main points to watch.
The general hydractive hydraulics are bombproof. I've not seen excessive
electrovalve issues. The thing to watch on Activae are the special ARCS
rams leaking and this is covered well by Jim's research/threads

I'd go so far as to say these have to be the easiest 'low maintenance' cars
you can buy and certainly nothing like a clingy Xm...

Andrew

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:19

OK, this is assuming you're contemplating silver bodykitted Activas

That is an outragous unfounded accusation Andrew and i must say i have no idea what your talking about

anyway, so rust in xm ish volumes? then but apart from the strut tops and leaky rams thats it.......... are strut tops activa specific (unbelievably expensive) or just normal hydractive xantia ones (still too expensive)?

D

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:32

Yes, Activa tops are specific apparently though I'd expected them to be the
same as the VSX/Exclusive hydractive but not V6 ones. Strut tops are the
eye watering side of a 100 quid whereas the Xm ones are 3-400...

the leaky rams are 3-400 quid yes - mind "the backroom boys" have effected
a durable repair that ironically uses an Xm steering boot gaiter!

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:36

Yep Dean, he wasn't being swamped by excited bidders was he?

Have you made contact and are in "discussions"

Andrew

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:53

yes i have been talking to him and plans have been made, he's a nice bloke from what i remember and just wants to preserve his car and keep it away from xu10j2te thieves and barry boys.
Watch this space and if anyone wants a rover 216 bubble with a full ticket, 6 months tax and a full service including all oils belts pulleys water pump etc etc let me know, the faster it sells the better.

D

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 31 Jul 2010, 23:59

Good. You may still find yourself on that Military road pressing on some yet...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 01 Aug 2010, 01:52

Excellent. Good to hear this news Dean. The vendor does come across as a nice bloke.

I find an Activa, with the normal TLC given, just as reliable and dependable as any other Xantia. My only observation is they run a tad hot traffic and like to keep moving. You have nothing to fear in the hydraulic department, not even rams now.

Rust, apart from strut tops maybe is NOT an issue on a MK1 and certainly not in XM. As it's an early one, do check the strut tops carefully though.

Deanxm wrote: Watch this space and if anyone wants a rover 216 bubble with a full ticket, 6 months tax and a full service including all oils belts pulleys water pump etc etc let me know, the faster it sells the better.

Maybe swap it for said Activa?

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 01 Aug 2010, 07:28

Exhaust manifold gaskets blowing and cracked manifold itself. Rust is not a problem unless previous accident damage. My old S2 never actually got hot enough to worry. Its not a car you can get in and drive and not worry though, i would be lubricating the linkages every month on a daily driver and keeping the underneath clean near the rams as its corrosion that starts the problems.

There are a lot of fun when working right, nothing else that size goes round corners like it, and the engine has enough to torque to pull it along just fine, just dont expect a rapid car although it can be tweaked a bit to increase the fun without breaking the bank.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 01 Aug 2010, 09:00

Deanxm wrote:
Watch this space and if anyone wants a rover 216 bubble with a full ticket, 6 months tax and a full service including all oils belts pulleys water pump etc etc let me know, the faster it sells the better.

D

My son may be interested. Any photo's and a description along with a price would be welcome.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 01 Aug 2010, 09:32

Its got 91k on the clock which is climbing fast, there are scratches and a 10p size dint in the rear door which i was going to repair and respray but im sure it will sell with this and since im busy and using it daily i just havnt had the motivation, in the last month its had......new mot, 6months tax, cam belt, tenioner, water pump, aux belt, air/ oil filters, plugs, and distributer, stat and some other bits and pieces to that ive forgoten and it now drives like a new car, very tight no rattles or bad habbits.
Edit! im looking for about £695, not sure if this is expensive for one of these on the mainland but over here they go for about £900 so since the door is sratched i thought this about right.

Sorry admin

D

Unread post by **myglaren** » 01 Aug 2010, 10:04

Thanks Dean, I'll send that to him and get back to you.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 01 Aug 2010, 11:55

Try this one as well...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 522wt_1137

It is mine, i'll post a story in a blog.

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 01 Aug 2010, 15:01

Steve, i have to say Gareths is the better car, the 1.4 isnt so prone to liner drop as the bored out 1.6 and 1.8 engines and its still a lively little engine but with cheaper tax, also there is no water in the way

D