THE END................no more now

[Saraphee]

In Memoriam
Citroen Hydropneumatics
1954-2017

[wurlycorner]

Was the last one built, metal suspension or hydraulic, done know?

[Timmo]

The french government still use a fleet of C6s though, possibly still a little hope of the Ds9 they use in japan coming over and being tickled with the luxury stick??

[GiveMeABreak]

I don't know if anyone has seen this History channel documentary of Citroen, but here's the link, and for posterity, I have an offline version if required - just send me a PM.

[Mandrake]

I don't know if anyone has seen this History channel documentary of Citroen, but here's the link, and for posterity, I have an offline version if required - just send me a PM.

Haven't seen it before and I watched it right through. Thanks for posting it, quite interesting.

[Saraphee]

Should you wish to download here is the video URL

[Saraphee]

Better Link

[Mandrake]

And here is a collection of hydropnuematic based videos:

[Deacon]

I wanted to share my opinion on running older, 90s cars. I think that these cars (no matter the maker, VAG, PSA) could run forever, if the body work gets the proper anti-corrosion treatment every two years, and there are plenty of spare parts. Most of these cars were well isolated and had all you could ask for - ABS, A/C, electronic - everything, parking sensors.

Due to my recent experience with the radiator change on my Xantia, I visited Citroen's Service website for the first time in 3 years. I decided to take a look around and see what's the situation with the spare parts. I was shocked to see that most of the spares for engine, cooling, injection / fuel system, hydraulics and suspension are NFP. And I'm talking about the generic hydraulic suspension and the not so picky 1.9TD. I mean, come on, BMW still sell original spares for their cars from like 25 years ago, how much they cost is another question. I hate it when Citroen tries to take away the spares and shove in my face one of their ugly looking C3s or C4 Catcus.... I'm more keen on going to Kia next, than on any of these.

Hopefully they will come up with another comfy suspension, or like I said -> Kia for me and I'll keep the Xantia in the garage, reserved only for summer road trips.

[CitroJim]

Deacon, I (sadly) agree with what you say above...

[Michel]

I think part of the problem is that mid-sized and large Citroens haven't sold well in France for many, many years. Small cars - AX, Saxos, 106, C1, 207. 306. ZX and so on sold very well... I saw far more AXs, 306, ZX and Saxos while I was there last week than I did Xantias. (2!) I saw 3 C5 MK1s, including and estate and 1 X7. I can only surmise that these cars either never sold in great numbers, or owners got bored of paying out to fix them.

[Gibbo2286]

I recall (on the subject of spare parts) when in 1960 I bought a 1928 vintage Rolls it needed an exhaust silencer, old one rotted out.
I rang the Rolls dealer and asked about availability, "In stock sir." was the reply but at £80 it didn't get bought, I rebuilt the old one.

[van ordinaire]

I can remember when Ford were advertising, in the dirty fingernail mags, at least, that Model T spares were still available.

Lots of manufacturers have jumped on the "classic spares" bandwagon in recent years, significantly when new car sales had slumped - so don't expect PSA to be in any hurry to join the party now.