ZX? I think they're great

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Jon

ZX? I think they're great

Post by Jon »

Why?
Well we've spoken of the handling many times here (the controllable 4 wheel drift, the utter nutter opposite lock steering; off and on the throttle), they're really quite reliable ( 16v owners do not read on!), they're really quite good on fuel and they don't tend to fall to bits too much.
Are they the best ever Citroen, as an all rounder?
I speak as victim of CX, GSA, BX et al.
I have owned 2 x Zx Volcane, and currently run K plate ZX Aura TD with small fuelling mods, Volcane alloys and uprated front brakes ( the rears are crap, I'm still on that one).
Plues side, I get 40 plus MPG dipping to 32 MPG when driven like a man posessed), it has not fallen to bits yet (101 k miles), it has not let me down, its completely annoymous, does Swindon, Reading, then Birmingham most days, and I still enjoy it!
I also own 2001 Berlingo Multispace Di, yet mostly prefer ZX for majority of journeys.
Any other avid ZX owners out there with a tale or too? Surely I'm not THAT obsessed?<img src=icon_smile_shy.gif border=0 align=middle>
Jon Wood
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davethewheel
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Post by davethewheel »

mine is a zx volcane td and what a great car it is purchased 3years ago with 58,000 miles on the clock and now has 98,000 miles has been totaly reliable ,in 3 years has only had 1 exhaust, 4 tyres, timing belt, rear discs plus usual oil changes ,previous car vw golf gti 8v ,have found the zx to be faster, better handling,more economical and reliable have embarresed a lot of more powerful hot hatchs,thought of replacing it with something a bit younger but i have yet to find any thing that impresses me as much as my old zx ,guess i will be keeping it a few more years yet dave :):)
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

ZX sure is a nice little car, but I have a K plate TD sat at the bottom of my garden with a hole in the sill<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>.
Trying to replace it with an estate but they are like rocking horse droppings, one that Iv'e looked at a 96N was allready returning to its natural state under the bonnet, and those that are good people are asking too much money for them for what they are in my opinion.
Might go down the Xantia estate route yet, then I'd be Dave two Xantia's, hehe<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
humpy
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Post by humpy »

I've got a 2.0i Volcane 125000, and I absolutely love it. Been v reliable except for the usual, heater matrix suspension bushes and clutch. Handles like a dream and wow is it quick! I'd have another if I could get a newer one with a/c. Mine's quite late (M) so they didn't sell many after that unfortunately! Those sliding rear seats are a brilliant idea.
Rich
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Post by Rich »

Hi everyone,
My brother used to have a '94 (M) ZX avantage, it was a 1.9D normally aspirated engine and it went like stink!! I used to hijack it quite often as i reckon it was more fun than my Saxo VTR which i had at the time!! Yes, ZX's are top handling machines, i think the build quality is good too, seem to be well put together. Only problem he ever had was a couple of worn suspension bushes. Other than that, VERY reliable!
Regards, Rich. KEEP IT CITROEN!!
volcane305
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Post by volcane305 »

hi all,
The zx is a great car. I have a 94 Volcane td.I had problems with it at 96k miles which made me think of selling. It took a while to get my rear axle sorted but got there in the end, i also had a small argument with a hedge required a new front bumper which was wrecked anyway I got the bonnet sprayed at the same time and the car now looks and drives like new.
I started with an Aura Td way back in 94 this car goes great, its still in the family but the brakes are dreadful, Jon maybe knows what I mean, any enthusiastic braking soon results in no brakes at all.
When thinking of changing my car I tested everything and was very disappointed none can rival the overall package of the volcane.
I have tweaked the fuel pump of my car and am tempted to give the turbo a little more along with modifying the air intake, any suggestions or advice?
gjb02
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Post by gjb02 »

I've had loads of the more modern Citroens, couple of BX Gti, couple of Saxo vtr and an AxGt, but they were never quite as good as the ZX. I originally started with a new 95 1.9D Elation 3dr, absolutely cracking car, the handling, ride quality, and performance were all excellent for a Diesel (it was my first Diesel), I did wish I had opted for the Td at the time. After three years service I traded down to the Saxo Vtr. I'd had several second cars since then, but my wife always liked the ZX, and recently I managed to pick up a 94 Volcane Td 3Dr, with 163,000 miles. It had a few little problems, the cylinder head for one, but its a great motor despite the mileage. It still handles very well for a larger car, I still have the saxo and thats lowered 35mm, and the ZX can still put a smile on my face, it handles like its on rails, and yes it does embarass others, as Davethewheel pointed out. I hope my ZX goes for another couple of years yet, it will probably outlast the Saxo. ZX great car, cheaper than a 306, and a bugger to change the head on, in situ!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
As for the Diesel pump tweaks, I did some, then put them all back, my fuel economy had dropped, I was smoking excessively on acceleration and the idle wouldn't drop below a 1000.(Yes I did adjust the idle down but to no avail) Granted it did go some<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>, but at what cost? As for the Turbo, if you can find a way of turning the eye end on the wastegate actuator rod, let me know, mine was rusted solid. And there isn't a lot of room to get in there!
Gareth
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Post by russellfowden »

Those of you who've seen me on here before know I'm well impressed with my mint 1.9 TD - look for other postings off me to see me extolling it's virtues. They're so cheap as well - why? (apart from looking a bit odd, but you get used to that)
Jon

Post by Jon »

Zx brake update.
At great expense (OK, I'm lying) I fitted Zimmermann x drilled and grooved front discs with Pagid fast road pads. The first couple of applications are a bit touch and go, but after you've used them a bit, they just get better and better! Unfortunately said ZX still suffering from obligatory mushy pedal due to crap rear brakes despite new shoes and cylinders recently.
Dave B will probably tell me I'm an ass, but I seem to be able to adjust them to a point where I can just get the drum back on, yet the handbrake is still too high and the pedal too low.
Currently looking at laying in a Volcane rear beam with rear discs, or else converting to ZX estate rears, drove an N reg 1.9d ZX estate the other week and the brakes felt great!
Will update you shortly.
Jon Wood
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russellfowden
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Post by russellfowden »

That's true, sorry, on my 1.9 TD the only part I don't like are the sponge-like brakes, I took it back to the garage I bought it off because I was suspicious of them - for some reason I expected them to be up to Xantia standards. Apparently they're just a bit rubbish like that. Interestingly, despite the ZX not being a car beloved of boy racers the Volcane commands much higher insurance premiums despite the fact that I could buy one with exactly the same engine, a bit of colour coding here and there and discs all round! Surely they'll just stop better, which for insurance purposes would be good?
Let me know how the rear beam/disc transplant goes Jon, because after five years of Fo$d ownership I'm getting really bored with nothing going wrong with the ZX after fifteen months and am itching to take it apart!
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

Jon, is there a lip on the inside of the drum, if so grind it off or adjust the shoes up through one of the stud holes, not easey though unless your a gy.... , no I'd better not<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>
What's this about Donkey's.....
Dave
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Post by mg46783 »

Ok..Ive enjoyed reading all the extolling of virtues of the ZX 's... I just wish someone would come up with an engine for mine!!!! Till such happens , it continues to act the part of a silver shed on the drive. Oh and as for the brakes... well, I'd like to get it "going" first - then I'll worry about it "stopping" ! Pleaseee????
<img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>
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Post by Chris_L »

Mike,
My engine popped in my ZX TD just after I bought it and I got a 'new' one from a scrappers (out of a slightly newer ZX TD with about ~20k miles on it) for about £700 - 800. I was a bit skeptical at first, but it has been absolutely amazing! Done 70k miles since then with no probs at all. Just need to remember to de-silt the rad so it doesn't happen again (not guilty by the way, was the previous owner and I was on the way to the garage to get it done... how unlucky is that?). I considered getting a new / recon engine, but it was so expensive. You were looking at £1k for the block+head alone, then £lots in labour / your own time to strip down the old and bolt in the new. Seeing as though all the ancilliaries had done 80k+ miles, then I thought it was probably better to change the lot. This way at least I had a fresh start. It turned out to be the most cost effective solution too. If you want to do this, then there are companies that you can call (premium rate (!)) with your requirements, they then fax out to hundreds of yards all over the country, who then phone you back if they have a match. Worked fine for me, but I'd be interested in anybody else's experiences if they have them...
Good luck, let us know how you get on...
Chris
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Post by louis1 »

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I've had loads of the more modern Citroens, couple of BX Gti, couple of Saxo vtr and an AxGt, but they were never quite as good as the ZX. I originally started with a new 95 1.9D Elation 3dr, absolutely cracking car, the handling, ride quality, and performance were all excellent for a Diesel (it was my first Diesel), I did wish I had opted for the Td at the time. After three years service I traded down to the Saxo Vtr. I'd had several second cars since then, but my wife always liked the ZX, and recently I managed to pick up a 94 Volcane Td 3Dr, with 163,000 miles. It had a few little problems, the cylinder head for one, but its a great motor despite the mileage. It still handles very well for a larger car, I still have the saxo and thats lowered 35mm, and the ZX can still put a smile on my face, it handles like its on rails, and yes it does embarass others, as Davethewheel pointed out. I hope my ZX goes for another couple of years yet, it will probably outlast the Saxo. ZX great car, cheaper than a 306, and a bugger to change the head on, in situ!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
As for the Diesel pump tweaks, I did some, then put them all back, my fuel economy had dropped, I was smoking excessively on acceleration and the idle wouldn't drop below a 1000.(Yes I did adjust the idle down but to no avail) Granted it did go some<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>, but at what cost? As for the Turbo, if you can find a way of turning the eye end on the wastegate actuator rod, let me know, mine was rusted solid. And there isn't a lot of room to get in there!
Gareth
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
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