Warming towards one.....................

[rmunns]

I can sense that I'm going to get an Activa sooner or later. After 4 years of no-trouble with 2 Xantias (2.0 16V petrol Mark 2 and a 90Hdi) I am pretty happy, just need a bit more excitement and a second car to tinker with.

I understand that someActiva models were available on the continent that were not available UK. Could someone please expand on this?

But to be honest it's more likely that I'd get a UK car simply because of cost. In France secondhand cars are ridiculously priced, sellers just hold on and on rather than reduce.

Is there a single identifying point to spot an Activa? Spoiler?

[myglaren]

Activa badge?

In France you could get the 3L V6

[xantia_v6]

Is there a single identifying point to spot an Activa? Spoiler?

They should all have "Activa" badges on the front doors, and all have spoilers and Activa style alloy wheels. But many non-Activas now sport the spoilers and wheels.

In RHD, just about any TCT (turbo petrol) Xantia hatchback will be an Activa and any other engine or body style is not.

In LHD, most (if not all) V6 hatchbacks with manual transmission are Activas.

Counting the number of spheres underneath is the most accurate indication.

[robert_e_smart]

I'd buy one in France, they're not cheap, but if you don't like it, you can punt it on again.

I'd like to try a diesel one myself. The TCT isn't worth the chew, lousy fuel economy, its not fast enough for said lousy fuel economy either.

[Xaccers]

Didn't they do the 110BHP HDI over there?

[rmunns]

Where I live in France there are so many Brits (over 30%) that selling RHD cars is not hard, especially when you can offer at a much lower price than the French want.

[xantia_v6]

You might investigate this V6 Activa which maybe not too far from you, and unless he improves his advert, he won't be selling it quickly.

Buying dans l'etat means you probably can't drive it home (no CT), but it certainly lowers the price!

[robert_e_smart]

petite fuite hydraulique

Yep, its definately an activa, not an imposter.

They did the 110bhp HDI, even a 2.0 16V Petrol. The French had this Activa thing marketed better than we had in the UK. In the Uk it was the faster, sportier Xantia. But in France with the wide range of engines, the Activa system can be seen more as a safety feature, rather than some way of making the Xantia sportier, or make it go faster.

[rmunns]

Thanks, Xantia_V6.

Ebay france differs in that they have a cheapo section (definitely not the items in it) whereby there is no fee to pay.

That suits very nicely the French.

This is a typical short no info no pic advert that they specialise in.

Or if they should add a pic then out-of-focus or several pics all of the same side of the car.

In a similar vein, garages never display prices on their cars for sale. At least, not round here they don't. So you have to stop and ask. Subtle, eh?

[KP]

The engines on your side of the water were,

2.0 16v
2.0ct
2.0L HDi 110
2.1TD Epic Pump
3.0L V6
All manual and all hatchback as well.

TBH it would be nice to see how the 2.1td and the HDi feel in the car as their torque would make things quite lively in corners but the V6 holds its value very well i believe and most are looked after.

Why nto look in other countries as well if the import tax isn't too stupid?

[rmunns]

What about estates? Do any have activa?

[KP]

No estates but im sure there has been mention of some conversions.

The extra length for some piping would make it hard but i guess the easiest thing to do would be have a written off activa shell and just drop all the bits over as the subframe at the rear is unique and the front setup is unique as well IIRC.

[rmunns]

Thanks KP.

There is no import tax on bringing 'old' cars into France but there is the need for a 'certificate of conformity' a.k.a. con.

A car from UK gets a CofC from Citroen at Slough (£94 when I did it in 2009). From another country I suppose you apply to the HQ of Citroen in that country but that might be easier said than done. Has anyone done this successfully?

And while on the topic, don't new cars come with a CofC, at least for Europe? Strikes me a nice little earner for the car companies.

[andmcit]

There's no extra length in the estate over the saloon UNTIL aft of the rear
subframe so there's no difference in the hydraulic pipes etc. HOWEVER,
the estate rear subframe is different to the saloon's with it's beefier rams,
brakes and trailing arms to handle the heavier duty workload expected of
an estate.

As you want to run a Xantia estate bodyshell (which I totally agree on BTW),
though want some fire in the car's belly the ideal solution would be 200 Bhp
V6 and then a personal preference between the 2.0i's or TD's. The BHP
figures for the petrols will be around 135-150 and the TD's 110.

Andrew

[ACTIVE8]

There's no extra length in the estate over the saloon UNTIL aft of the rear
subframe so there's no difference in the hydraulic pipes etc. HOWEVER,
the estate rear subframe is different to the saloon's with it's beefier rams,
brakes and trailing arms to handle the heavier duty workload expected of
an estate.

As you want to run a Xantia estate bodyshell (which I totally agree on BTW),
though want some fire in the car's belly the ideal solution would be 200 Bhp
V6 and then a personal preference between the 2.0i's or TD's. The BHP
figures for the petrols will be around 135-150 and the TD's 110.

Andrew

Although there is a difference in rear door size, estate ones are longer.