Xantia 2.1Diesel VSX/Exclusive - Should I buy?

madasafish · Unread post by **madasafish** » 27 Jul 2005, 13:49

I see a number of these now for sale 1997 -99 with 65-100k miles at around £1,500 often 1 owner and FSH.
I would look to buy and keep for a number of years.. 5-6,000 miles a year, with about 4,000 around town/short runs.
I would ask the more knowledgeable readers:
1. Any disadvantages vs a 1.9TD? (Honest John mentions spares availability and someon here said unique parts prices). Are these parts prices/availability a major issue or a one off.
2. Should I bother with VSX/Exclsuive due to the complexity of the suspension and its age and just go for an SX?
3. How nice/noisy are they to drive?
4. Average mpg in various conditions?
Any advice/help gratefully received. Thanks in advance:-)

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 27 Jul 2005, 14:09

I can't help you with the car but maybe with the engine. I am on my fourth 2.1td XM (same engine) and I think they are an excellent engine although not as easy to work on as the 1.9. they are smooth, quite and 110 bhp and 183lbs/ft torque which means they are quite rapid and pull like a train, they are also very economical. 40-50 mpg in the XM which weighs over a ton and a half. The worst job I have to do on mine was the head gasket, but they should be good for 150k miles so if you can get a low mileage one that shouldn't be a problem.
The one I sold when I bought the latest, which is a '96 N had done 292k and was still going strong. The suspension is pretty well the same as the XM and I have not had any serious problems with it on any of them.
As far as spares are concerned, I havn't had any problems so far, the engine is used in the XM and 406 as well as the Xantia so there a few of them about. GSF keep most popular parts. The 2.5 td in the XM is a different matter!

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 27 Jul 2005, 14:23

I've been running a '98 Xantia 2.1 Estate from new. It's got 85K on it now, and it's the best car I've ever owned. Since I got it, it hasn't been in a garage except for MOT's. Work on the engine is very similar to any other XUD - oil & filter, air and fuel filters just the same as a 1.9. Changing the cambelt is just a bit more difficult with the top mounting being fixed to the inner wing, which has to come off before the front covers can be reached. The 2.1 has an automatic tensioner similar to the 1.9. Fueling is with a Lucas EPIC system which seems to be reliable, although if it went wrong would probably need expert attention.

macaroni · Unread post by **macaroni** » 27 Jul 2005, 14:29

I had a 2.1 406 for 5 years and it was excellent. I had to replace a leaking fuel pump, but apart from that, faultless. It is generally considered to be the best indirect injection diesel engine made. Go for that.
The hydractive system you get with the VSX is less clear cut for me, but you do get extra kit over the SX, so it must be worth it.
At that price, you can't go wrong.

ActivaV6uk · Unread post by **ActivaV6uk** » 27 Jul 2005, 17:01

I would rate the 2.1 over the HDi so yes its a good option to buy one and infact is what i am looking for. I would go VSX but thats because i like the extra control the suspension gives, the seats will be diferent in a vsx too as there more setup for suport than the comfy SX seats. the head is much better designed than the other XUD's as the swerl chambers dont crack.
If you can pick up a 97-98 you should be happy with it for a long time and with proper servicing it will do you 5 years easy if you get a good un molested car.
Andy

Unread post by **RichardW** » 27 Jul 2005, 17:12

Make sure you drive it for 30 mins plus before committing. I had no probs with the seats in my 95 LX, but the ones in my 97 VSX have lumbar 'support'. I find this is in the wrong place (in every car I have driven with it in fact - does it fit anyone??), and quickly gives me back ache, unless I recline the seat. I have long legs though, so have the seat right back, and therefore can hardly reach the steering wheel, and the folk behind don't get much of a look in on the legroom front[:p]. I wouldn't buy another VSX with cloth seats beacause of this.
I hope to trade up to a 2.1 next summer though....

rory_perrett · Unread post by **rory_perrett** » 27 Jul 2005, 22:01

We’ve got a ’95 Xantia 1.9TD SX 125k and a ’98 2.1TD Exclusive 176k and the 2.1 is by far the better car. Parts can be more expensive but I haven’t come any supply problems yet. The 2.1 is actually more economical than the 1.9 but the insurance is considerably more ( I suspect that this could be to do with it being a series 2 and newer). Performance wise the 2.1 is much nicer to drive.
I find the cloth seats in the 1.9 not very comfortable, whereas I could sit in the leather seats on the 2.1 all day.
A part from the heated seats (fairly common I think) all the toys on the Exclusive are still working and overall it seems to be wearing the miles better than the SX.
Rory

zzf00l · Unread post by **zzf00l** » 28 Jul 2005, 23:19

Leather seats in Exclusive models are definately a better seat... longer in the cushion as well as more adjustment controls... I also think that the leather seats in the Xantia 1 Exclusive models were better than in the Xantia 2 a)Electrically adjustable side support (but no air bag) 2) the head restraints in the back were smaller in the Xantia 2 and therefore could be removed without first lowering the seat (very awkward)

howiedean · Unread post by **howiedean** » 28 Jul 2005, 23:42

Hi,
I'm off to have a look at a Xantia 2.1 TD Exclusive tomorrow it's a 98(R). The dealer is only picking the car up tomorrow and does not know if it is a MK1 or MK2, did Citroen do an Exclusive around this time?
The car has also got Cruise control.
Regards

madasafish · Unread post by **madasafish** » 28 Jul 2005, 23:56

Yes Howdie: '97 to 99 iirc

madasafish · Unread post by **madasafish** » 29 Jul 2005, 14:21

Many thanks for all replies. Near Stoke on Trent there seem to be several advertised on Auto Trader within a 40 mile radius..