Xantia V6 Exclusive - Should I ??

Hudson · Post by **Hudson** » 12 Jun 2005, 19:39

Hi,
New to all this Citroen business, i am looking at buying a 2000 W Reg Xantia V6 Exclusive.... should i or am i buying into a money pit, oh and it's and auto.

rg · Post by rg » 12 Jun 2005, 19:48

Hi,
A key issue with auto XMs is whether the ATF has been changed regularly.
If not, the most you may be able to get out of the 'box is 100k.
This assumes that it uses the same box, of course, but the principle remains the same I guess.
Cits seem to be either "blessed" or "cursed" - some are money-pits, other defy the weakspots and go on and on. Now, how to distinguish one from the other...
rg

Post by **CitroJim** » 12 Jun 2005, 21:54

As a general statement I should say that any Hydraulic Citroen has the makings of a money-pit unless you can do the work yourself. Then no, parts are cheap and plentiful and they're not hard to work on. I hate to think of the bills I'd rake up at the garage if I did not do it myself.
No worries about the difficult bits either, this forum will always explain how. I think this forum as a whole knows more about Citroens than Citroen do and certainly more than any dealer, even Citroen specialists and it's all free....

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 12 Jun 2005, 22:38

Money pit, no doubt about it! Because it was a low volume model you will find that many parts can only be sourced from Citroen, and they are a pig to work on, so unless you are very confident you will taking it to the garage to get it repaired also. If you do buy make sure it has had a full service, including cam belt ( £500 job or 5 days off the road if you do it yourself!), and spark plugs ( inlet manifold off to change the rear bank).
Absolutely brilliant car when it's going though.

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 12 Jun 2005, 23:15

after owning one and talking to lots of people with them, its as stempy says a total money pit. parts are a total rip off and there so rare that i had to get a s/h HP pump from sweeden!
Andy

louis1 · Post by **louis1** » 13 Jun 2005, 02:08

Hi
I have just sold my one which had 110K miles on the clock and I used to change the oil my self, the cam belt I got done at citroen's which at the time cost me 300 odd pounds, apart from that I never had anything major go wrong. I bought the car with 58000 miles and had three years enjoyment out of it.
Louis

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 13 Jun 2005, 02:28

oh they will go good milage mines at 137K

and the 406's i had was at 117k and 80k

mpr1956 · Post by **mpr1956** » 13 Jun 2005, 03:40

Hi hudson, I think citrojim has hit the spot with his comment about working on the car yourself... I couldn't imagine any hydraulic citroen being a practical proposition if you had to rely on garage servicing, unless there is a specialist near to you. I have found a level of ignorance (or plain profiteering perhaps) about these cars among the motor trade that takes my breath away. I have had these HP citroens for quite a while now as they grow on you, and they are nowhere near as complicated or unreliable as some people think, as long as they are maintained properly (even maintenance is usually cheap and fairly simple).

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 13 Jun 2005, 13:38

The cam belt on these needs changing every 100k, this should be done and as Citroen recommend the tensioners should be changed too the parts cost for a buy the book cam belt change is over £400! and to fit the cam belt you have to move the engine at least 1/2 way out of the bay (i can post pictures if you need to see how cramped the bay is). the hydro pump, alternator, front struts and gearbox are all engine / car specific and GSF and other reasonable priced parts company’s don’t stock anything for them

. the hydraulic system is actually lightly to be the least of the problems, and i would recommend changing the cam belt every 80k as lots seem to have the belt fail in one way or another at that mileage.
If your going to buy one check the hydraulic pipe that runs around the front of the engine bay as it corrodes very quickly (it runs all the way over to the drivers side front strut top). Also check the colour and smell of the oil and also what service history it has. also and people are going to hate me for this if they own them, you can pick them up on eBay (R Reg phase 1's) for £500-£700 for a very very tidy car with FSH so keep an eye out (and at that price the car has to be worth a risk if it has an FSH.
Andy

Stempy · Post by **Stempy** » 13 Jun 2005, 23:27

Yes, regular maintainence is the key to longevity, but remember that if your exhaust drops off like mine has just done the Citroen replacement is £411 plus fitting, so if someone can tell me where to get a pattern part, I've yet to find anyone who does them. Don't half sound nice though.

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 13 Jun 2005, 23:38

Makes the turbo CT sound like a joy to own! Well, yes it is until it needs parts but at least most of those are available from sources other than citroen dealers.

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 14 Jun 2005, 01:20

I have the XM rather than the Xantia; the engine is a dream, quiet, smooth and powerful. It's also lightly loaded so should last a lifetime provided routine maintenance is done regularly. I've had three auto XMs and never had a gearbox problem. Fuel consumption is heavyish - mine averaged 24.5 mpg over the last 18 months but will give nearer 30 on a long run. With a late model I wouldn't anticipate any major suspension problems. Go on, get it and enjoy it.

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 14 Jun 2005, 01:23

thats true the ct is mostly the 8v xu so its a lot less hassel with the only problem being the map sensor tends to die and the turbo being a pain to get to (if any one ever has to replace one do it fron under the car with the DS drive shaft removed its relitively easy then.
Andy

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 14 Jun 2005, 01:53

Brilliant car and yes I agree with mpr1956 that ignorance of the vehicle at a stealer makes for excessive repair/maintenance bills.... if you can find a local specialist that knows about the V6 and its gearbox you will benefit enormously by this great car. If I find myself facing something beyond my capability's then I have no compunction in contacting Paul Johnson at the Citroen Centre in Oxford

ActivaV6uk · Post by **ActivaV6uk** » 14 Jun 2005, 01:59

There is one question that hasn't been asked, what do you want from a car - Luxury or Performance?
Andy