Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[DickieG]

I never thought I'd see the day when there wasn't at least one C5 in the land with your name under the registered keeper section!

Same here I'm shocked..

Indeed it caught me by surprise

It would be like me not having a Xantia to my name....

That's the dilemma I'm in ATM, I use mine one day a month just to charge up the battery mind you that's because I'm enjoying my C5 too much

[Citroening]

Surprised to read that Chris! So when's the Activa going then...!

Mind you, I am slowly and not very busily looking for a very tidy S2 V6 XM If one should come along at the right price and condition...

Well Jim I do happen to know of a Series 2 V6 XM finished in Silver with Black Leather Interior that will be hitting the market at some point...

[CitroJim]

Chris will never part with his Activa Franklin... They're a lifetime commitment...

Well Jim I do happen to know of a Series 2 V6 XM finished in Silver with Black Leather Interior that will be hitting the market at some point...

I also should have said 'for not much money' and I guess the one you're referring to will be going for serious cash.. However, that said, do let me know the details as and when they become available

[Citroening]

I'll drop you a PM in a bit Jim...

[CitroJim]

I'll drop you a PM in a bit Jim...

Excellent, thanks Franklin

[Citroenmad]

I never thought I'd see the day when there wasn't at least one C5 in the land with your name under the registered keeper section!

Same here I'm shocked..

It would be like me not having a Xantia to my name...

It's never going to happen...

Mind you, I am slowly and not very busily looking for a very tidy S2 V6 XM If one should come along at the right price and condition...

My mind has been made up for a while, since before getting the HDi Xantia. It took a while as I wanted to find something else to use and run along side the C5 for a while and also the right time of year to sell, the period before Christmas is never a good car selling time.

It must have been sad to see the C5 go Chris , it sounded like a real beauty , at least you've got the lovely Xantia to use and the Rover too .

Mark

I was, I actually felt quite sick as I was driving it over to Darlingon train station to meet its new owner. However, the Xantia will fill in as daily driver, for now ...

I never thought I'd see the day when there wasn't at least one C5 in the land with your name under the registered keeper section!

Same here I'm shocked..

Indeed it caught me by surprise

It would be like me not having a Xantia to my name....

That's the dilemma I'm in ATM, I use mine one day a month just to charge up the battery mind you that's because I'm enjoying my C5 too much

That is good to hear, I'll no doubt end up with one as some point ...

Surprised to read that Chris! So when's the Activa going then...!

Expect to see the Activa for sale very shortly











No, I'm joking, its not going anywhere!

The Activa almost had a year off last year, it had very little use (maybe 1500-2000 miles) due to me having the XM and V6 Xantia ... however this year I'll be at some events with it and using it more for other journeys.

Partly why my C5 has gone is because I want to use a Xantia as my daily and live with one while doing a few miles. I already know what they are like but it is only when I put a good few miles on a car do I become settled with it. I could have used the Xantia while I had the C5, and I did, but its pointless having the C5 just sat there. It should also help with the Xantia column ... However, that is just one reason it went, the main reason was I didn't enjoy driving it as much as I used to.

I find the comfort of the seat and driving position Xantia Exclusive superb. My last trip to France in the C5 had me aching as the seat doesn't support under my legs, as the Xantia does. I was constantly looking for a set of leathers for the C5, as they can be tilted up at the front of the base like the Xantia Exclusive, however I never found a set in a condtion to match the car. I doubt I'll use the HDi Xantia for a long period as my daily but Im undecided yet.

As I've said, I doubt I'll miss the C5 as there are still two more here. Speaking of which, as I parked next to our eldest C5 on the drive today I noticed this:



A slash through the tyre shoulder and well into the canvas but had not punctured the tyre. Im glad I spotted it as it no doubt avoided a blowout. I've swapped it onto the winter wheels and tyres I had for my C5 while I get a new tyre ordered. I think the Monzas suit it far better than its original SX wheels:


Terrible picture as it was quite dark by then

[Dommo]

I was just nosing on youtube (as you do) and found this, I thought it might have been your one until I heard that it had been standing for some years, the number plate is very similar, and I knew it was a Prestige 8v Turbo in a dark colour. Very similar number plate!

[CitroJim]

Be good to see the youtube like Dom

I'm the owner of the Prestige these days

[Dommo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG72LbN-3Mg


Sorry, I'm on night shifts at the moment, I'm currently looking and feeling like the walking dead... How is the XM treating you? I've tried to catch up on your blog but I'm only on page 135, of 162... Could take me some time to get to anything recent!

[CitroJim]

It's good Dom and that one is the twin of mine and as you said, the numbers are very similar.. Mine's about 40 something digits more..

That one is the video looks fairly good although it has a shocking exhaust blow - possibly manifold by the sounds of it...

[Citroenmad]

Following the sale of the C5 my Xantia Exclusive has stepped into daily duties, I'm really enjoying drriving it. It rides a lot better than the C5, the seats are more comfortable (shame the driving position is not as spacious) and its gearchange is also much nicer. There are many more things I like about this HDi and I get to appreciate all every day now.

Today has been a bright and dry day so I took the opportunity to get the Activa out, its been in hibernation for what must be getting for two and a half months now, if not more. I've had the battery off and on charge over the wintery months, so I put that back on, checked the oil and coolant and the engine started instantly on the first turn of the key, as it it had been started earlier that day. Within a few minutes it was in high for me to have a look around underneith, just in case! There was no leaks nor any spots of anything where it had been sat. I didn't think there would be but sitting for a few months in cold weather doesnt do rubber seals etc any favours. I then pumped up the tyres and headed out for a drive to warm it up.

Wow! I always forget how good that car drives! I don't know if its just because I've not driven it in a while or that the cold air had an effect but it was certainly pulling like a train today. I do love the engine in my Activa, for a TCT it does very well and the power delivery is pretty strong and it even manages to make an ok noise when being 'used'. I did take it easy with the performance as its been sat for a while and needed warming though. I also took it quite easy with the corners but I was still moving, might as well throw the rear view mirror away as no one is ever in it! I had a grin from ear to ear and I'm still smiling at the thought of how great that car is!

While the Activa was out, I took a few pictures of the current fleet:



Excuse the state of the HDi, we've had a busy week It'll be washed tomorrow.

However, the Activa is now back in its resting place until some more good weather.

The Rover has now completed 1000 miles and is going very well, I have now settled into the style of the seat and no longer get back ache. In fact, I'm finding it very comfortable as it has quite a laid out driving position, rather than a chair like position of the C5. I've started with machine polishing it, however there was so much road tar built up on the front wings and doors, it took me ages to clay it all off. I have only done the drivers side so far but have since fitted a new genuine Rover pair of front mudflaps, they should help keep it clean and tar free.


What looks like dirt splashes is road tar, extremely difficult to get off, a clay bar is the easiest method.


As well as being a great daily car for my long commute the Xantia is often used for trips to the tip, moving furniture etc. Its a very useful car to have around:


My dads C5 estate has been in the wars again, the tailgate met with the front bumper of a Jeep which has stoved in the panel. So that will need replacing most likely. The eldest C5 is a lot more responsive on its sterring after the fitting of 16" Monza Exclusive SE wheels from its caster like 15" wheels. Im tempted to leave them on.

On much bigger news: The Citroen Car Club National Rally has been chosen to be a marking point for the 20th anniversary of the Xantia. It would be excellent to get as many Xantias to the rally as is possible to mark the occasion. There should be some advertising in the Citroenian about it and I plan on spreading the word on the forums etc (expect a thread in due course). I'm going to try and get both of my Xantias there, if you have a Xantia, please bring it along

[bxzx16v]

It's good to hear the activa has had the cobwebs blown away . The 75 is such a lovely colour I bet it will come up really well after a machine polish , to save your clay Chris get some tar remover it will do a great job of removing all the tar around the lower half . Valet pro tar & glue remover is good from Cyc or try autosmart tardis which is available on eBay , I've recently tried Trix which is a combo of IronX & Tar remover in one , it worked a treat and saves having two products , again available from Cyc in a refill size for a pretty good price . I do like your exclusive it really is a lovely looking thing .

Mark

[Citroenmad]

Thanks for the tips Mark

I did use some Autoglym tar remover on the other side but have run out now. I'd like to think there is a better product so I will give the Valet Pro stuff a try. The OS has came up very well, as has the boot and bonnet, really a good finish. I'm looking forward to getting it all finished but it does take quite a bit of time, as you know

The BRG colour was a big reason why I went for that 75 and it has paid off. I keep doing things with it to improve it and preventative maintenance (new belts, cleaining out the plenum drains, etc etc) but its been good fun so far.

Thanks, I do like the Exclusive, it took me a long time to get one and I'm very glad I did eventually. I put a pair of new Pirelli P1 tyres on the front of the HDi last week which are impressing so far.

[CitroJim]

Isn't it amazing we always seem surprised at what a wonderful car the Activa is even though we own them and drive them regularly. It's like each drive is a revelation. No bad thing...

Great news on the Xantia celebrations at the National Chris... I'll be there with Activa...

[DickieG]

I did use some Autoglym tar remover on the other side but have run out now. I'd like to think there is a better product so I will give the Valet Pro stuff a try.

Use petrol soaked onto a rag, works a treat, one wipe and it falls off plus its far cheaper than those fangled expensive "Detail" tosh .