XM vs. Xantia

deian · Post by **deian** » 08 Jan 2007, 19:49

Hi guys,

Further to my post in the 'for sale' section i want to move up to an XM, i know they are in a different class, i like the xm very much since my advetures will paul, who here prefers the xm over the xantia, and what are their pro's and cons? I'm just curious really!

Thanks

tomsheppard · Post by **tomsheppard** » 08 Jan 2007, 20:33

Electrics, auto boxes, cost of diesels and spares availability are all less good on the XM.
If you want a better car than a Xantia, buy a BX.

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 08 Jan 2007, 20:42

Ok here goes... I really liked my XM.. but, it WAS dated, the Xantia was definately a more modern car.
The ride in the XM was more 'magic carpet' . The Xantia corners better. I prefered the digital climate control in the XM. The gearbox in the Xantia is 100% better than the XM... The newer V6 is definately better than the old one...

Overall I suppose the Xantia has it over the XM..

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Jan 2007, 21:43

I have dozens of each type and still haven't decided yet!!

But to give a real perspective on things, put very simply, on a day to day
living with the car basis you wont lose the damned thing in Tesco's car
park if it's an XM!!

Trust me, you WILL when it's a Xantia...well I do anyway!

There's no pazzaz no matter how handsome a Xantia actually is - it simply
isn't special enough - it blends into the background noise. You drive one
of THE most distinctive cars around when you're in an XM - simple as that.
Going all practical for a moment and I believe the Xantia wins on economy
and parts/spares availability though.

I don't think the Xm feels markedly older than a Xantia mind.

I brought Tesco's to a standstill a short while back when EVERYONE
stopped to gawp at my white CX Gti turbo2 minding it's own business
parked in it's space; WTF's THAAATT!!!

And NO, it wasn't creating a big lake of LHM or parked lengthways into
3 spaces!!

Cynics!

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Jan 2007, 21:52

BTW, create an Xm vs Xant poll here and I'm sure 96% will vote for the
Xantia - certainly seems to be the car of choice on this forum...

Andrew

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Jan 2007, 21:57

Mind, stirring things up here I know, whilst for me an XM 24v V6 is better
than a Xantia, a Cx GTi Turbo2 eclipses both - try one - you may like it!

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 08 Jan 2007, 22:15

well it's actually a s1 24v v6 manual that i'll get, just waiting to sell my xantia to fund it's purchase, slap on an lpg kit on it, and get this... cheaper to insure than the xantia! how they work that out i don't know, not complaining though

i do like the cx, not sure about the happy looking headlight and the covered read wheels, but yea, it looks a nice car

i do also think there are a lot of xantia people on here too, me being one, and you will get the hardcore xm fans on the relevant forum, i listen to all negative and positive views and comments without taking to heart and trusting one person over the other, each has their own view and experience, and it's important to understand this on a forum, i like to ask thought provoking questions not just for myself to benefit others in the future.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Jan 2007, 23:16

I feel very fortunate in that I own a XM 24v V6 and a Cx GTi Turbo2 so can
gauge both side by side. IIRC I wrote a lengthy reasoned for and against
between both a good while back in XM-L - the bottom line? - for me
anyway, the Cx wins, complete with it's rear spats and that fabulous
chiselled shark nose DS-like frontal treatment.

Why? Apart from many wooly purely irrational unquantifiable reasons,
one aspect that makes the Cx totally piddle all over the Xm is it's DIRAVI
steering. If you've never even tried let alone become accustomed to it,
just try one before they all disappear...

The 24v V6 Xm is a very rare car - I guess this is the one David is
advertising for sale?

Debate is the whole point of a forum - if we ALL agreed with everything,
there'd be little point talking about anything!!

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 08 Jan 2007, 23:21

you would be right there, (a bit off topic now) can you tell me what the deal is with lpg kits and insurance? i'd have to install it, or get someone to install it, but don't i need a certificate for the insurers to be happy?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 08 Jan 2007, 23:24

Incidentally, if you intend fitting LPG to a V6, the £1k+ price tag is a
formidable £ overhead - that's if you plonk a donut tank in the spare wheel
cradle and have the feed into the air inlet. Go down the direct injection route
and you're likely to almost double this cost. After all that Gordon B will have
doubled the duty on LPG anyway so you'll be back where you started from...

Bearing in mind that these ARE heavy on fuel [goes with the territory] you're
going to have to go a whole LOAD of miles to recoup your investment in the
conversion. Is this going to be the primary/only car!?

edited to make more sense!!

Andrew

deian · Post by **deian** » 08 Jan 2007, 23:48

a kit comes with the car 8) but not installed, i guess i will source a friendly lpg technician and go for a chat

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 09 Jan 2007, 00:02

Yeah, I see it's at extra cost...!

Andrew

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 09 Jan 2007, 00:12

Hi,

I am fairly green on this (excuse the pun) but...

I am still considering LPG on my lovely 1998 V6 Xantia.. I have roofbars, OE towbar, the car is mint, and such a nice drive... love it! a real useful car for some time... 75K miles FSH

I know one person who has managed LPG sequential injection on his 406 V6 and thats the only one I know..(he is very helpful, space under the bonnet is the main worry)

Follow the [online] regulations, spend a couple of weekends and take your time, get your LPGA certified friend to help you tie the loose ends and computer programme it and issue you a cert, he will charge £100 ish? Your insurers (shoud be) happy (not all insure LPG cars, I deliberatly reinsured my Xantia in view of this. (Admiral))
I think if you can buy a brand new kit, fit it, have it checked and programmed etc for under £1000 it's worth it, especially on that great engine...

plus, you can take the kit with you...

?

John

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 09 Jan 2007, 00:13

and of course you have the £600 kit already !

KP · Post by KP » 09 Jan 2007, 08:42

From a personal view LPG is certainly worth the money as if setup correctly you can get more power from it than petrol, you can legally remove the cat and leave it off(saves one expensive worry come MOT time!) and lets mroe of the V6 growl thru.

If you have space go for the biggest tank you can do as it certainly helps with range. my coupe can get upto 190miles from about 36litres(41litre tank) which isnt too far off what i imagine a V6 would see when driving moderately.

TBH i prefer the xantia exec you have to an xm as the XM will be much heavier than the xantia and not handle near as well. and as above parts are harder, it wont be as quick either and you have a rare one id hang onto it