Hydroneumatic citroëns ride and handling

[diuco]

Hello everyone.
I'd like you to give your opinions on how the following cars handle so I can figure out approximately where they sit in this basic representation, having never been in one, just for the seak of curiosity (knowing they are not really comparable and that most of these classic cars are bought "with the heart", because of the feelings they give even if it sometimes isn't the most rational decision... however I have no other way of "measuring" them and of course I'm also not interested in buying them).
Also, feel free to share your personal experiences or any other thread/article about the topic that could be interesting.

From what i've read and the idea I have (therefore expect an inaccurate representation), let's start from here. You can copy and correct it.
Comfort axis (1-10):
(Activa-5 ?BX-6 ?GS?? ?XM-6.5 ?CX-7 ?C6-7.5 ?SM-9 ?DS-10)

Handling axis (1-10):
(C6-4 ?DS-5 ?CX-6.5 ?SM-7 ?XM-7.5 ? GS?? ?BX-8.5 ?Activa-10)

[Rp0thejester]

No C8?... I know it has no hydraulic suspension, but it should be included even if the fing awful catagory

[Hell Razor5543]

Likewise, no C5? The Mk1 and Facelift was fully hydropneumatic, while the top end models of the X7 were. My C5 Facelift has the Hydractive 3+, with the Sports button.

[Rp0thejester]

Wow, we sound so nerdy....

[Michel]

Hello everyone.
I'd like you to give your opinions on how the following cars handle so I can figure out approximately where they sit in this basic representation, having never been in one, just for the seak of curiosity (knowing they are not really comparable and that most of these classic cars are bought "with the heart", because of the feelings they give even if it sometimes isn't the most rational decision... however I have no other way of "measuring" them and of course I'm also not interested in buying them).
Also, feel free to share your personal experiences or any other thread/article about the topic that could be interesting.

From what i've read and the idea I have (therefore expect an inaccurate representation), let's start from here. You can copy and correct it.
Comfort axis (1-10):
(Activa-5 ?BX-6 ?GS?? ?XM-6.5 ?CX-7 ?C6-7.5 ?SM-9 ?DS-10)

Handling axis (1-10):
(C6-4 ?DS-5 ?CX-6.5 ?SM-7 ?XM-7.5 ? GS?? ?BX-8.5 ?Activa-10)

A properly set up Xantia Activa handles better and rides smoother than nearly all of the listed vehicles in my experience. The other top one would be an late model XM V6.

GS handles great, rolls like a small boat in a rough sea though. BX also good handler, especially the GTI 8 and 16v. Good ride too.

I've only been in one DS and two CXs, but both of them were not to my taste at all. Great going in a straight line, but not wonderful round the bends.

All the Xantias handle decently and ride well if maintained properly. The C5 - I've had 3 of them... not my cup of tea, smooth enough but "dead" feeling.

[davoxx]

For me Xantia exclusive is a 8-9 for handling.
For comfort CX Prestige was great.

Avtiva are very comfortable, I think more so than a C5 X7 (but the ones I have could be crap).
A fully sorted XM is very comfy too, I think the same as an Xantia exclusive, the edge to the XM because of the seats though.

[CitroJim]

the edge to the XM because of the seats though.

The XM seats did not suit me at all... I put it down to them being too big for me - two of me could quite comfortably fit on one - and I used to slide all over the place going round corners

I found them quite firm too. Maybe I'm not heavy enough for them...

Genuine Xantia Activa leather seats with their motorised bolsters were brilliant - I could adjust them to fit me perfectly...

[Rp0thejester]

your lucky I'm no good at Photoshop Jim, I've got images of you driving in a baby seat so you don't slide around

[Hell Razor5543]

the edge to the XM because of the seats though.

The XM seats did not suit me at all... I put it down to them being too big for me - two of me could quite comfortably fit on one - and I used to slide all over the place going round corners

I found them quite firm too. Maybe I'm not heavy enough for them...

Genuine Xantia Activa leather seats with their motorised bolsters were brilliant - I could adjust them to fit me perfectly...

Jim, you are so slender I heard that when you once hid behind a rake it turned round to see where you had gone!

[Rp0thejester]

the edge to the XM because of the seats though.

The XM seats did not suit me at all... I put it down to them being too big for me - two of me could quite comfortably fit on one - and I used to slide all over the place going round corners

I found them quite firm too. Maybe I'm not heavy enough for them...

Genuine Xantia Activa leather seats with their motorised bolsters were brilliant - I could adjust them to fit me perfectly...

Jim, you are so slender I heard that when you once hid behind a rake it turned round to see where you had gone!

[CitroJim]

your lucky I'm no good at Photoshop Jim, I've got images of you driving in a baby seat so you don't slide around

Jim, you are so slender I heard that when you once hid behind a rake it turned round to see where you had gone!

Thanks both, that gave me a great giggling session

[davoxx]

Genuine Xantia Activa leather seats with their motorised bolsters were brilliant - I could adjust them to fit me perfectly...

Agreed, those were the best, but they never really made their way over here. The regular seats were good too!
I thought I did find the xm seats very soft and plush, but maybe my memory is wrong on that?

[xantia_v6]

Having both an XM Exclusive and a Xantia Exclusive, I would say that the Xantia seats are more comfortable, certainly more adjustable.
The Xantia seats do suffer from saggy padding, particularly if a previous owner of the car was large in the seating department.
In terms of ride comfort, I think the XM has a slight edge, but they are very similar.