Just bought a 1999 Xantia Activa

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:06

Hi there - after defecting to the Audi forum for a couple of years, I've returned to the fold. I picked up a 1999 Xantia Activa 2.0 Turbo on Friday, so thought I'd drop back in to say hello...

The good news:

Very high spec (leather interior, Climate Control, winter pack etc), good price...

The bad news:

Highish (125k) mileage, no service history (although I bought it from a Citroen mechanic), couple of minor bodywork issues, no owner's handbook.

I'm getting the cambelt replaced next week as a precaution, and will then do a standard oil/filters/plugs service, so that I can start a service history from a known point.

Very impressed by the car so far (I previously had a 94 TDi) - very smooth and quite quick - with an almost surreal feeling when cornering - no body roll at all.

The bigger stuff:

1. The rear spoiler has paint flaking off it. The previous owner told me that the facelift models all eventually succumb to this and that it is a reaction between the material & the paint. The only way to resolve this is to fit a pre-facelift spoiler. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Could I just remove the spoiler?

2. The remote locking key thing does not lock the car, but will unlock it. The previous owner told me that the microswitch inside has broken. Now, the key has a transponder built into it (into the end of the metal key) - does this mean that I can find another transmitter part and programme the car to accept it? (if I remember correctly, on my Mk 1 Xantia, I put a key in the ignition, then pressed the button on the replacement transmitter and held it near the sensor for a few seconds - it was then programmed and I just had to replace the actual key with the original). If this is the case - I'm looking for a post-facelift key transmitter.

The small stuff:

I'm looking for:

1. Owners handbook
2. Set of genuine Citroen front mats.

I've put a post in the For Sale & Wanted section for these bits...

I've no doubt I'll find other bits & pieces that need replacing/fixing as I start using the car, but if anyone can help with parts or advice, I'd be very grateful...

Cheers,

Mike

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:30

Welcome to the asylum Mike, from a fellow Activa owner

Looks a good 'un. Your problems are minor compared to what usually afflicts an Activa. I've practically rebuilt mine (an exaggeration but I have done a LOT of work on it though)

The owners handbook is just the standard one as far as I know. It tells you very little really and all you need you can fine on here. It does tell you how to program the keys...

The key: It is in two parts, there is a transponder chip in the key itself but this only deals with engine immobilisation. The other part, operated by the rubber buttons on the key, is entirely separate. If it won't lock but will unlock, the lock (outermost) button is may be duff. Open the key as for battery replacement, pull out the PCB and operate the lock and unlock switches direct. If it now works, the rubber button material has gone. If it still fails to work, a person with a steady hand, a fine soldering iron and a bit of skill can replace a switch. Else, the PCB on its own is available as a spare part from Citroen.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:42

Very nice! I love the Activa alot, but couldnt afford to run one everyday, so i got a lower spec TD in the same colour and started to add the same bits

The spoiler problem affects many different cars too, mine had a spoiler from a 96 model and its starting to bubble but very minor on the edges, the rest of it is actually sound. It may be the case that they changed the type of material used, something with more resins in it which over a period of time, seeps through the paint and causes it to lose its adhesion, moisture gets underneath and then the problem gets worse quite quickly.

If you cant find another in better condition, the best bet is to sand down all the affected areas with P120, all the way back to the base material past the primer, then P240 it, P400 wet and dry and then 3 coats of high build primer, give it a good 24-48 hours to harden off, flat with P600 then P8-1000 and respray it.

There are a number of shades for my car which is paint code KJA, they replaced KJA with a very similar colour for the facelift models (post 98-99), the correct colour for mine has a white groundcoat followed by the actual colour which has quite a bright orange effect in the sun, mine has been painted on both sides in the past and they used a darker 'general' shade which doesnt have a white groundcoat, be careful which one you use because it will be noticeable in certain light.

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:44

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the rapid reply! I've already had the plipper apart and the front switch is actually missing from the circuit board...

What chance I can find one at a scrapper? (It's how I replaced my plipper on the Mk 1 I had) Any idea how much a new one from Citroen might be ?

Cheers,

Mike

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:52

Xantiaman,

Thanks for the advice. My next door neighbour has just started working in the office of a large bodywork repair shop locally. She says she'll probably be able to get them to quote me for putting right all the minor body stuff as a Saturday "foreigner" job.

I must admit, I'd be quite happy to lose the spoiler altogether rather than have it start flaking in a couple of years...

Mike

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 07 Oct 2007, 18:58

MikeO wrote:Xantiaman,

Thanks for the advice. My next door neighbour has just started working in the office of a large bodywork repair shop locally. She says she'll probably be able to get them to quote me for putting right all the minor body stuff as a Saturday "foreigner" job.

I must admit, I'd be quite happy to lose the spoiler altogether rather than have it start flaking in a couple of years...

Mike

No problem. I do SMART repairs and wheel refurbishment for a living so let me know what their quote is as i could undercut them

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Oct 2007, 19:02

MikeO wrote:Hi Jim,

Thanks for the rapid reply! I've already had the plipper apart and the front switch is actually missing from the circuit board...

What chance I can find one at a scrapper? (It's how I replaced my plipper on the Mk 1 I had) Any idea how much a new one from Citroen might be ?

Cheers,

Mike

Hi Mike,

Well, the missing switch is certainly why it won't work then

I guess someone has already had a go at replacing it.

Just went to look on pr.net (service.citroen.com) to check price and availability and I cannot log in

Maybe the site is down for the weekend.

Chances of a plip from a scrapper are good, they're common across the range more or less but they're not the same as a MK1 Xantia. The MK1 uses Infra Red whereas the MKII one you need is a radio device. They can be re-programmed to your car easily enough. Failing thet a dead one may yield a spare switch.

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 07 Oct 2007, 19:26

citrojim wrote:
MikeO wrote:Hi Jim,

Thanks for the rapid reply! I've already had the plipper apart and the front switch is actually missing from the circuit board...

What chance I can find one at a scrapper? (It's how I replaced my plipper on the Mk 1 I had) Any idea how much a new one from Citroen might be ?

Cheers,

Mike
Hi Mike,

Well, the missing switch is certainly why it won't work then I guess someone has already had a go at replacing it.

Just went to look on pr.net (service.citroen.com) to check price and availability and I cannot log in Maybe the site is down for the weekend.

Chances of a plip from a scrapper are good, they're common across the range more or less but they're not the same as a MK1 Xantia. The MK1 uses Infra Red whereas the MKII one you need is a radio device. They can be re-programmed to your car easily enough. Failing thet a dead one may yield a spare switch.

Thanks Jim - are there any decent online specialist Citroen breakers?

Could you let me know what your Activa's average mpg on a run is? (Not sure I really want to read the answer to that

)

Mike

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Oct 2007, 19:46

MikeO wrote:[Could you let me know what your Activa's average mpg on a run is? (Not sure I really want to read the answer to that )

Get yourself a stiff drink Mike

First the good news: On a run once from Newport Pagnell to Dover and back on all motorways and being legal I got 39 mpg

On a long mixed-road run I get around 36 mpg

Now the bad news:

Running around town working as a taxi driver for my kids and running to work and back (6 miles) I see about 26 mpg

I have to qualify those consumption figures by making the statement that I drive conservatively. Some say I drive like an old git

Others question why I have an Activa and a 205GTi as I don't drive them as they should be driven. All I know is I love 'em both and have had 44mpg out of the 205

I'm sure if the Activa is driven like it should be driven, economy will be much poorer.

One tip, keep the turbo spinning and keep the revs up; you'll find it is more economical that way. Although it will pull strongly at low revs it seems to use more fuel doing so. Also, always use 99 Octane fuel (I like the Shell V-power stuff for choice) for best economy. I know it's more expensive but it seems to do the job.

Sorry, I know of no specialist Citroen breakers. A good specialist French breaker who deals in write-offs only is A5 Salvage near Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire (01525 211411). Give them a call, they are knowledgeable and may be able to help.

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 07 Oct 2007, 20:01

Not as bad as I thought - it's replacing an Audi 80 Avant 16v, which is doing 28-30 mpg on my normal commute - sounds like I ought to be able to match that (20-odd miles each way, 15 on good clear A roads).

Time will tell, I suppose...

Mike 8)

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 07 Oct 2007, 21:06

Welcome to Activa ownership, there's a few of us here to help.

On Mk 2 Xantia's as the plipper works via a radio signal rather than infra red, second hand/new plippers can only be reprogrammed by dealers.

Another Citroen specialist breaker worth trying is http://www.edwardsandson.co.uk/

Totally agree with Jim on 99 octane fuel, it eliminates pinking and gives greater performance.

Get the servicing sorted then go and enjoy cornering, once you get used to driving an Activa you forget how good they are until you drive a different car.

If you need any mechanical parts, I'm breaking one at the moment.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 07 Oct 2007, 21:18

Closest breakers yard for you will be this place, just south of Norwich.

http://www.cit-ren.co.uk/

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 08 Oct 2007, 08:27

Many thanks for all the replies - this place is a great resource...

In the slightly longer term, I'm going to want to fit a towbar (to tow a small motorcycle trailer) - are there any special problems with doing this?

I'm told that the car should have the holes drilled already and that there may be a plug & play electrical wiring point on the loom (sounds too much like a good idea to be true) - is it worth looking out for a genuine Citroen kit, or are the eBay cheapies just as easy?

Mike

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 08 Oct 2007, 08:36

Hi Mike,

Towbar should be no problem at all and no different in concept to any other Xantia. I've not (yet) fitted one to mine as I tow a caravan with my old TD and I'd hate to contemplate the fuel consumption of an Activa with a ton of caravan on the back

Mind you, with the torque available, it should be a great towcar

As far as I know, the car is pre-drilled for a Witter towbar and these are an absolute cinch to fit. Bumper off, bar on, job done in about an hour, start to end. Wiring is simple too, a grommeted hole is available and it's an easy job to tee in behind the rearlight clusters. I'd not worry trying to use any "Plug'n'play". Luckily, they don't use a multiplexed system so traditional towbar wiring practices apply.

I giggled at you avatar Mike

Quality

MikeO · Unread post by **MikeO** » 08 Oct 2007, 19:29

XantiaMan583 wrote:Closest breakers yard for you will be this place, just south of Norwich.

http://www.cit-ren.co.uk/

Thanks XantiaMan, dropped in on the way home from work, but they don't have any Mk IIs - I've emailed Edwards & Sons to see if they have...

Thanks to all for the great response!

Mike