Vince's XM...213k and slowing....

KP · Unread post by KP » 13 Jul 2010, 07:43

Vince there is a way around the hosepipe ban...

Use watering cans instead

worked for me when they had the bans and its a good dodge. don't forget to wash the car on some grass as well and that way you are watering the grass

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 13 Jul 2010, 12:37

KP wrote:Vince there is a way around the hosepipe ban...

...Or buy a stack of bottles of mineral water...

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 13 Jul 2010, 20:23

No need today, its raining

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 05 Aug 2010, 19:51

Well a quick update on all things VSX

This saturday (7th) the Xantia is going on holiday

with us lot in it

We're off to Devon (sunny i hope) for a week so i figurted before we went it was high time i got my front suspension knocks and rattles sorted

The car has been knocking over bumps for a while now which i rightly put down to worn drop links..The car was duly booked into the garage next door to the shop and once changed over, all noises had gone

What was noticed however was that the rear wishbone bushes were badly worn and needed replacing. That would account for the slight wheel wobble around 50mph then

After getting them changed over too yesterday i arrived to take the car home only to find the front riding almost on highest setting and very crashy when driving.....clearly something was done wrong

A quick call to Citroen Xantia Uk tech helpline aka Jim

and a suspected cock up when removing the anti roll bar was diagnosed....Need the grasshopper ever doubt the master? ....Jim was right

I didnt quite understand what the mechnic said it was that he'd moved (it wasnt the white link) and im not entirely convinced the mechanic knows what it is/was either but the car is now back togather and riding fine again...just in time for our trip

What a difference it has made to the way the car steers etc. All wobbles are gone, all noises are gone and the world makes sense again

Oh well..honk if you see us on the M6 / M5 on saturday southbound

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Aug 2010, 20:02

I hope you have a good trip Vince, ive never been to Devon, im going to have to make a point of going sometime soon.

Im sure the Xantia will enjoy its week away

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 05 Aug 2010, 21:00

Excellent stuff Vince

Just been out visiting friends and putting the new numberplates on the silver Activa. Walking back I was wondering how you got on today and was about to PM you when I saw this..

Have a great time down south. You won't be far from Kev. Whereabouts are you going? All Devon is lovely but watch the narrow, twisty roads!

It's right next to Somerset and that where I was born and bred....

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 07 Aug 2010, 00:11

Brixham

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 07 Aug 2010, 19:51

Well it took us 7 hours almost to the minute to get down here....set off at 7am and arrived at 2pm with 2 service stops on the way down.

The Xantia was loaded to the hilt with luggage and as usual performed the trip down without any complaints. The only thing that became more annoying was the heater not blowing cold (need to get that fixed)

Just as i was getting into Brixham from Paignton i passed two 2cv's travelling in convoy

One was a 2cv acadianne

followed by a 2cv beachcomber if thats what they are called...the white ones with the two blue wavy stripes over the bonnet and top. I flashed them in approval and got a wave back

Absolutely knackered after the long day ive had so am going for a rest. Just been told its my turn to put Jack to bed though....after 7 hours driving and busy day that somehow doesnt seem fair...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 07 Aug 2010, 19:55

Great stuff Vince

Now relax and enjoy your holiday

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 08 Aug 2010, 19:40

Glad the trip down was good vince!

Some places here are like a timewarp, I get sick of seeing so many Pug 205s, 309s, 405s, Morri thou's and Mk1 and Mk2's of everything else

Didn't realise you were down for the whole week, I think you'll be rather lucky if today is anything to go by. I've been thinking about walking a bit of the coast path this holiday, I could coincide that with a trip to a pub if you did want to catch up?
Give us a shout if you do as I'm off all this week (I love working at a school

)

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 09 Aug 2010, 23:20

hi kev,

if you were over this way then sure give me a shout

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 11 Aug 2010, 00:24

Still down here in Devon......

One question for you west country boys....whats with the traffic down here? travelling from brixham to torquay or paignton on the coast road or the bypass for that matter is like manchester rush hour...its nuts

It doesnt seem to follow any rhyme or reason either.....one minute its clear, you round a corner and its hammered

TBH its driving me mad going anywhere

Othet than that the weather is holding out and is marvelous.....off to the beach again tomorrow

after a quick trip to the car wash and a fettle with one of my tyre trims

It needs re fitting after i hit a kerb dodging some mad motorists here in brixham

....its full of boy racers driving at mad speeds through tiny streets when the place is full of tourists (like me) and kids.

Ice cream is great though

KP · Unread post by KP » 11 Aug 2010, 08:51

vince tbh i bet at the front of each queue is one or more of the following...

1. Combine 'arvesta
2. Tracta
3. 'Mature' dear/fella in no rush to get anywhere this decade.

Seriously it will be worse at this time of year and due to the recession as lots more people are holidaying in the UK to 'save' money but in my experience its cheaper to go abroad than stay in the UK

Trainman · Unread post by **Trainman** » 11 Aug 2010, 09:38

Will,

Tha's fargettin' caravan

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 11 Aug 2010, 09:57

Down around Torbay the traffic is always bad, us locals tend to avoid that area in the summer unless we have to

Have you been down to Slapton Sands to see the tank they recovered from the D-Day rehearsals? (if your into that sort of thing)
How about toying with roads so thin that you're hitting nettles on either side

There are a few of those about!