Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[daviemck2006]

I think we'll see Chris in a 1.6hdi vtr+ coupe, or a Leob it he can find a good one. I do like my interior with the part leather, but I love the red in the leobs as well, both in the early one and the facelift one. I've made my mind up, this one's a keeper, and probably will get a new roof at some point, because I think the rest of the car justifies it.

[Citroening]

Word of warning with those 1.4s Chris, they can be prone to Head Gaskets going...

Excellent, I seem to have started a trend here...!

I think they are greatly underrated cars indeed and I really do like mine. Both the pre-facelift and facelift cars are very nice indeed, although as discussed before I went for this Black Facelift Loeb in the end.

What sort of engines are you thinking of Chris? Petrol wise, my Red Loeb was the 1.6 TU 16v which was a good little engine, 110BHP and went well. Downsides were that it could of done with more poke down low and at motorway speeds it was asking for a 6th gear...

Davie and FakeConcern can tell you about the VTS 180 - not driven one myself but we did have one a little while back - nice car and went well too!

Not sure if if you're looking at a facelift but IMO the new 1.6 16v petrol is much better than the previous TU engine. More power down low, lower cruising RPMs and bit better MPG too. I really like this engine and its got a very nice induction sound too - as far as I can see its all standard however it is noticeably louder and better sounding than a mate's C4 with the same engine.

Check out C4owners.org as there's a wealth of information on there including buyers guides etc.

You won't regret a C4!

[daviemck2006]

The vts 180 needs revs to give it's best, there's not really very much torque low down, and it's quite low geared. It's appxox 20mph for 1000 revs in 5th. I think it could really be doing with an extra gear. Totally different from diesels! I've done 450 miles and not checked properly yet, but trip computer is saying I'm getting 34.4mpg overall, but 200 of them were coming up the road last week in poor conditions when I was seldom over 55mph. However I did not buy this for economy, need some fun right now! I ciuldn't have had a better economy car than went away.

If these injections work well and I get back to work I can see an old 106 or saxo diesel for commuting again, or, for cheap running and comfort, I've never driven a xantia yet. !.9td on veggie????????????? It's a big if though

[Citroenmad]

I had thought the 1.4s are a little HGF prone, thanks for the confirmation

This is the trouble, Im really not sure on engine choice. The 1.4 petrol seems to be a good bit better on fuel than the 1.6, but then the more powerful one needs working less, so is it really? I don't often get along with petrols, as you say they dont have much low down and are often low geared - a pet hate! Especially bad as most of my miles are done at motorway speeds ... I do tend to get on with small petrols if they are good, such as the C1, which is a joy to thrash and loves it. The 2.0 VTS would no doubt be fun but I dont think it would deliver what I'm looking for.

Diesels I do get along with and if I found a very well serviced 1.6HDi then I would go for that. However turbos are prone and this is linked to a lack of servicing. The 20K service intervals are too long for me. When I chose the C5s I always went for cars which had annual or 10-12K mile intervals, which ever was soonest. Does the 1.6HDi in the C4 have a DPF? 110 does I think but does the 90? I think the 90 is in the £30 a year tax bracket too. I would love a 2.0HDi 138 as that is a cracking engine and would be somewhat of a lively car in the C4.

It would have to be a pre-facelift as I much prefer the front styling and I think it has to be the coupe body for that rear end styling.

I'll have to see what crops up

Davie, you'll have to get yourself along to a CCC meet this year, your welcome to a drive in a Xantia!

[daviemck2006]

I think it's more about age it they have a dpf or no. I saw a lot of say 56, 57 plate advertised an non dpf, irrespective if they were 90 or 110. Were I going for one again I certainly would look out for a 2.0hdi VTS. In my mind vts trim is the best, well very close with loeb, and with VTS it's 180 petrol od 138 diesel and fast and grin inducing as the 180 is, to be honest I think the diesel would have been better, probably more useable in the real world roads we have now. Had I still been doing 600 miles a week I would not have looked near the petrol.

As I am now single and should have time it may be possible to do a ccc meet at some time, I'm sure I could get travellodges and go a road trip, or even a tent if we get a decent spell of weather in the summer! I would love to meet some of you guys and see your motors. We could even have a black C4 coupe section!!!!!

[Citroenmad]

I do about 400 miles a week and a diesel has always made more sense ...

Yes, they are really worth attending, its a good few miles for you but well worth the treck.

[daviemck2006]

530 miles to Wicksteed park. Doable on motorway cruise at 80 and keep going! Dont think I would have thought about it in the 107

[Citroenmad]

Its one of the more local events for me, only 210 miles away. 530 does seem like a stretch

[Citroening]

I hope your contemplating one in Black, Chris...

Sounds like you're going to be looking for a 2.0 VTS HDi Coupe then. One of the lesser seen models but should be findable! Keep an eye out on the usual places and you should be able to snap one up.

My VTi 120 is not in the same league as the 180s but for what it is, is gives an enjoyable drive. There's some particularly nice back roads around here in the fens that give good opportunity for some enthusiastic driving. The C4 didn't disappoint...!

Coupe body is a must! Having lived with both the facelift wins for me...

Indeed, be good for you to make some CCC Meets....

Wicksteed Park only 45 miles for me...

[CitroJim]

Wicksteed Park only 45 miles for me...

Somewhat less for me I think...

In fact by your standards they're all just around the corner to to me Chris. The only one that's a bit of a trip is Wetherby and that's not a huge distance away really...

Not in the cruise-o-matic anyway. I must say a V6 XM is a pretty impressive device for covering long distances effortlessly...

[Citroenmad]

A 2.0HDi VTS would be great, though within budget, im not sure!

Im going to try and not get a black one Ideally the dark grey, dark blue or maybe silver but I'd rather get a good example and worry about colour later

There are still other cars in my list of possibles but the C4 is a strong contender.


I have found all XMs just eat away the miles, even better if cruise control equipped. Something which I am really missing from the C5. I think I like the idea more than I do the actual operation, as when Im driving the 2002 C5 I often forget it has cruise now Im not using it on my car.

I still maintain that I love the Activa as a motorway cruiser, I would never of thought it before getting one, but it is fantastic for what it is. It rides just superbly on the motorway with a little bit of float, the engine has more than enough torque needed for a squirt of overtaking and it can cruise at high speed with no effort and total stability. Its also quiet and the seats are really supportive and comfortable. Mine is as smooth as silk with not a wheel vibration or anything else to effect the experience. I'm looking forward to trecking about to CCC events in it this year

Its interesting that both of my Xantias are 15 years old now and in my mind still have many things to show modern cars. And this is why I have them, as what I like about Xantias is not found else where.

My dad went out in my Xantia HDi yesterday, he had not driven it before, he came back with nothing but praise for the way it rides and handles. He commented that its a much better ride than his C5 (of course it is!) and has a better feel to it.

I'd like another XM, a V6 manual would be very nice but what I really want is an XM HDi. Real shame that never came about, I'm waiting for Paul to complete his project

[Citroenmad]

In smaller 'C' news, the C3 Picasso should be ready to be collected tomorrow. The dealer has been delayed for various reasons, doing the service and then they had to order the Michelins we wanted etc. I'm sure they could have had it done sooner but due to an error on their part other cars were moved infront of ours!

We are also keeping the C1 for the time being, most likely to sell privately in the near future once the Picasso is settled in. The trade in price for the C1 was quite resonable but not great and the market is strong, it should sell well when the time comes.

[daviemck2006]

Could I see you just keeping the bug for your daily driver? Could do worse with your mileage.

[myglaren]

Its one of the more local events for me, only 210 miles away. 530 does seem like a stretch

Would have been ideal for me as my son lives in Kettering.
Unfortunately he will have moved by the time the event is staged.

[Citroenmad]

Could I see you just keeping the bug for your daily driver? Could do worse with your mileage.

Its being considered

I do love the C1 trio of cars, really great little things as you know and as I keep saying It would fit what I want perfectly and I have been using it quite a bit recently for my commute, which it does very well and makes parking in the City Centre much easier


I'm in no hurry to get something else really, the HDi Xantia is ideal for my daily duties, it does everything. And the Activa is a great toy to get out on nice days. Sorted!

Its just my mind is forever thinking, what else ...