cheap xanata, what to look for?

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ssray
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cheap xanata, what to look for?

Post by ssray »

i have found a cheap xant,i have a bx at the mo`(i know its a downgrade) apart from the spheres, the matrix anything else i should look for??
cheers Ray :D
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Post by RichardW »

"anything else i should look for?? "

One that isn't 'cheap' - seriously, even good Xantias can be had for <£1k. Anything that's <£500 is likely to be a shed, especially if it's a TD. Having said that the main weak points are the matrix (feel the spigot under the dash on the passenger side, near the centre console - walk away if it's wet) and the bottom of the radiator - they leak here. A lot! If it's a TD, check that the clutch is not too heavy, and doesn't come in near the top of the pedal - the former will break the clip (nasty to change) the latter means a clutch job is looming (very nasty to change). Other than it's just the usual Citroen LHM and electrical maladies!
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Post by tomsheppard »

The BX a downgrade? Perhaps, if you consider lower performance, much higher fuel consumption and inferior reliability to be a downgrade.
I was tempted to reply "What to look for? A BX."
The Xantia ismore likely to leave you stranded, alas. Avoid those with lots of electronics, ensure that all the things that you avoid on BXs are ok on the Xantia. Ensure that the aircon actually works, Test the bitron box thoroughly, make sure that the floor is dry all over and that the central locking works.
And don't be surprised if it drinks. It will.
Be happy: it is a way of being wise. (Confucius.)
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Post by Harlequin »

i get 450 miles from my activa on motorways , thats cruising along at 70>80

everything works a treat and its quiet as anything.

P plate with 66k on it - it cost me £390 inc parts for new MOT.
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Ian Fearn
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Post by Ian Fearn »

From a drivers point of view knowbody will ever convince me the Xantia is a better car to drive than the BX.

From a reliability point of view then the Xantia is a much newer car so the failures you'll see on a BX have still got a few years to emerge yet on a Xantia. Theres no doubt the Xantia is more complicated and if you were to compare like for like from an age point of view i'm sure the BX would be more reliable.

I care about fuel consumption but my V6 Xantia gives me high 20's to the gallon to work and back and just over 30mpg on a run which is more than acceptable for me. Its such a nice easy car to drive and it'll always be my choice of steed for a long run or the work run. For a spirited cross country drive i'll take my BX 4x4 thanks!
1983 2CV6 Charleston 110k (Re-build in op!)
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Post by Harlequin »

i disagree - my activa is amoungst best handling cars i`ve ever driven , it is truely an experience
Last edited by Harlequin on 21 Mar 2006, 19:18, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by zzf00l »

OOOOPS Someone has started the old BX versus Xantia war...... I wonder how many people on here still own a BX and how many own Xantia's !!!
Sutton Coldfield, West Mids
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Xantia 1.9TD SX (2000)
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Post by Mandrake »

tomsheppard wrote:The BX a downgrade? Perhaps, if you consider lower performance, much higher fuel consumption and inferior reliability to be a downgrade.
I was tempted to reply "What to look for? A BX."
The Xantia ismore likely to leave you stranded, alas.
More likely to leave you stranded ?? The Xantia is no less reliable than a BX (most would say more reliable) and by simple virtue of being 5 to 10 years newer is less likely to break down. Although it has a few minor design flaws (front strut design and strut rubbers, height corrector nylon linkages, clutch cable linkage) on the whole I think its a well designed reliable car...

Of course thats if, like any car, you get one that has been looked after. Over in the UK it seems like Citroen's don't get looked after and get treated like cheap bargain basement cars, and any car that has been neglected or abused is going to give you trouble, so I'd say that the history of the car and maintainance is more important than BX vs Xantia...
Avoid those with lots of electronics, ensure that all the things that you avoid on BXs are ok on the Xantia.
Avoid which electronics in particular ? I presume you're hinting about the ECU here, and the only Xantia's not to have ECU's are the early 1.9TD's. There is nothing to fear from the ECU's IMHO, I havn't heard of one failing, even on this forum, so they're a pretty reliable unit...

Hydractive 2 computer ? Again, havn't heard of any failures, although sensor failures and intermitant Electrovalves are potential problems.

ABS computer ? Very reliable. ABS sensor wires, not so reliable. (Like any car with ABS)
Ensure that the aircon actually works, Test the bitron box thoroughly, make sure that the floor is dry all over and that the central locking works.
Make sure the floor is dry ? Unless its a model with a sunroof the Xantia seems to have a reputation for both not leaking, and not rusting, so a wet floor is unlikely. Unlike the BX which are now routinely starting to rust away...
And don't be surprised if it drinks. It will.
Drinks oil ? Which engine ? I also havn't heard of high oil consumption being a general problem.

My 2 litre 8 valve petrol has done 147,000Km and it doesn't use a drop of oil or burn any oil at all.

Seems to me that you're being unnecessarily harsh on the Xantia...

Regards,
Simon
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Post by Ian Fearn »

Harlequin wrote:i disagree - my activa is amoungst best handling cars i`ve ever driven , it is truely an experience
I take your point although the activa is much more complicated than the BX to achieve similar levels of handling.

My problem with the Activa is the performance of the 2.0 CT Turbo engine. Had the Activa been available over here with the V6 engine i would have one sat in my drive right now!
1983 2CV6 Charleston 110k (Re-build in op!)
1993 BX TZD Turbo
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Post by zzf00l »

I agree.. my own 1.9TD had a bad start just because of poor maintenance by a supposed Cit Specialist. (Getting it sorted gradually) You can't blame the car if it has had some w****r doing his best to wreck it. My other Xant shows what proper maintenance can reward its owner with... stunning performance with brilliant ride and handling... and most important..... reliability.
Sutton Coldfield, West Mids
Xantia V6 Exclusive (2000
Xantia 1.9TD SX (2000)
Previously owned
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Post by alan s »

Well, I own 2 BXs and one Xantia and the Xantia has done more miles than either of the BXs yet it's the preferred choice in my family.
Fuel consumption 2.0i manual 5 speed is equal to any BX we've had, ride slightly solider (VSX) seats firmer, overall feeling of a solider car.
I did my usual thing when I bought it, plugs, filters, LHM, cambelt etc, then had to do the fans on the radiator and I will admit, not as easy as a BX to work on but it has been a hell of a good car and one I would buy again.
The BX is now used more as a fun car, the Xantia is the shopping trolley/workhorse and is used to tow trailers and used when I work and need to carry tools.
I recently did over 2000klms in 3 days with 5 on board, a full load of luggage in temps ranging from 37 to 50 degrees C with the air/con running full belt all the way and averaged almost 33 MPG which was phenominal in my opinion.
FWIW, when I bought this car, it was around half market value here in Oz, so cheap doesn't have to mean nasty too.


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Post by Harlequin »

whats wrong with teh CT engine?

mine has a K7N filter and the boost turned up to 11psi , and yet it returns 34 mpg ish (450 miles to a tank) on motorways, and quick when its needed.


although i DO concur about a V6 Activa should have been in the uk!
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Post by Peter.N. »

The BX is cheap and fast, the td being faster than anything in its class for its time. The Xantia slower but better built, but the 2.1 td is briliant and economical.
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Post by mezuk04 »

Have to fully agree with Mandrake....and also in agreement with being a bit harsh to the Xantia's :cry:
Volkswagen Golf 59' 1.6TD S :(
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Post by Ian Fearn »

Harlequin wrote:whats wrong with teh CT engine?

mine has a K7N filter and the boost turned up to 11psi , and yet it returns 34 mpg ish (450 miles to a tank) on motorways, and quick when its needed.


although i DO concur about a V6 Activa should have been in the uk!
Having only driven a standard one i find them lethargic at best.

I believe they respond quite well to a chip though?
1983 2CV6 Charleston 110k (Re-build in op!)
1993 BX TZD Turbo
1991 BX GTi 4x4
1989 BX GTi 4x4
1991 BX GTi Auto
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