C5 v XM Has anyone owned both?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 09 Apr 2006, 17:24

I am on my forth XM 2.1 td manual estate, having found nothing better in the 10 years I have been running them. I am eventually going to have to replace it with something else. I want something which has a large carrying capacity, is comfortable, rides well and is economical. The only car that comes near it for size is the Merc E Class, but I have been put off them by reports rust and unreliability (even XMs dont go rusty) in fact I read of someone who had bought a a 300 TD, kept it for 4 months and went back to an XM! The Audi A6 estate is fairly large and economical but the ride is awful. That only leaves the BMW 5 series, which rides quite well but is to small.

The only other alternative, as far as I can see is the C5 estate, but from what I have heard is about as unreliable as the XM and not as easy to repair! What I really want to know is how it compares in other respects. Someone out there must have owned both. help please!

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 09 Apr 2006, 17:54

Never driven a C5 but oh boy! do I wish I still had my old XM

Post by **Peter.N.** » 09 Apr 2006, 20:41

Thats what I'm afraid of!

reblack68 · Post by **reblack68** » 09 Apr 2006, 20:54

My mate has an A6 estate. The luggage space is pitiful, considering the external size of the car. I reckon an Escort sized estate could swallow as much luggage.

Big estate cars, in fact all big non-prestige cars, seem to have all but disappeared these days.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 09 Apr 2006, 21:00

Thanks for that, redblack 68, I was under the impression that the A6 had a reasonably large luggage compartment, as you say, it looks big from the outside...should have bought that low mileage XM I saw!

WELSHVIKING · Post by **WELSHVIKING** » 09 Apr 2006, 21:44

My mate from Liverpool who is a RAC mechanic had a xantia hdi sx and loved the car. Talking to him last week about various subjects including the C5 his response was he would not touch one with a bargepole, he has been called out to many and always seems to be fuel pump problems or various electrical gremils causing chaos......Before any C5 owners decide to call me all the names under the sun i am only saying what a qualified mechanic thought of the car.

Post by **user_3150** » 10 Apr 2006, 06:48

I was going to say get another low miles XM as you know the car and you know what to look out for, also have you noticed how many posts are going up for the C5. Quite surprising / worrying for such a new model. Or why not a Xantia Estate 110 hdi. I know I have had a fair share of niggles and problems on mine but it is very easy to work on.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 10 Apr 2006, 09:21

If so unsure I would just keep looking out for a replacement XM...stick with what you know...after all these years you have probably done all the work yourself for a fraction of the cost....come onnnn....XM all the wayyy

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Apr 2006, 09:56

Thanks Alec and mezuk.

I know thats what I ought to be doing, in fact I saw a ,96 2.1 td estate for sale on the Autotrader site on Friday with 88k, 1 owner and a full service history! I did phone the chap and say I would try to get up and see it, but it was about 250 miles from here, not that, that is a problem, but I just havn't had time. I expect he has sold it now, or will have now i've told everyone about it!

Another consideration, is that I have done a lot of work on this car, including a new head gasket last year, and its going well at present. The other one even ar 88k is going to need one in the next 30-40k and I dont really want to do that job again!

And yet another problem is that there are very few XMs left on the road now, most of them seem to be for sale on ebay. There is also a large quantity of new XM spares being sold cheap on there, which indicates to me that soon they are going to be difficult to get. They only sold about three manual 2.1 td estates after '96 so getting a late one is pretty well out of the question. There are a few late auto's but I dont like them.

The obvious choice is to stick with what I have got, but one day I am going to have to change.

Thank you all for your comments and observations.

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 10 Apr 2006, 10:27

So looks as if you are sticking with the current car then?
I would personally think that is the best option at present, and probably the most cost effective scenario too! Only start rethinking drastically when you just cant get hold of the parts you require.

You do realise when you dont own any Citroens your banned from the forum....dont tell anyone thats the case with me....I dont think anyone has noticed yet

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 10 Apr 2006, 12:14

According to a test drive article I read once locally - the C5 estate is one of the largest Estates you can get.

I would have a look next time at the parking lot and ask the owner politely for a peep

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Apr 2006, 13:06

Yes, thats right, Thats why I was enquiring obout it Anders, but I doubt that its as big as the XM. Someone sugessted a Xantia, but although large, again they are nothing like the size of the XM. But I will do as you say, and at least give it a chance. I remember sitting in one in the showroom when they first came out, and not being particularly impressed, the seats were smaller for a start.

Village · Post by **Village** » 11 Apr 2006, 13:51

Howz about a Pug 406 estate? get the 2.2 HDi, it flys. A chap at work had one with a re-map, it was upto around 180 bhp (if thats the sort of thing that floats your boat). He chopped it in for a C5 V6 which he likes (but won't put the autobox in sport so that he can keep a firm grip on his license). incidentally, he has previous form in the Citroen department with at least 2 CX turboD's

Pete

fastandfurryous · Post by **fastandfurryous** » 11 Apr 2006, 14:16

Village wrote:Howz about a Pug 406 estate?

The luggage space in a 406 estate is smaller than that in a 405 estate, which compared to an XM is tiny!

Peter.... you want a nice CX.... like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 4628753018

*bestest Crocodile Dundee accent*

(points at 406 estate) "that's not an estate car"

(points at CX Safari) "THAT'S an estate car!"

It's either something like that, or you'll have to start looking at things like Renault Esapce or Citroen C8. The market for really big estate cars seems to have been swallowed up by the MPV market....

Post by **RichardW** » 11 Apr 2006, 15:09

Nice

Pity it's the other end of the country - although I am going down there at the weekend....

Couldn't give them away a few years ago, now £1500, and reserve not met!