Citroenmads Citroen blog.

[Citroenmad]

Nice one Chris! Not a fan of MOT time here either! Feels like almost like a judgment of your abilities.

Certainly does feel that way at times Kev!

Excellent

Certainly is

That's fantastic Chris. A testament to your care and maintenance. Well done

Thanks Jim, its a good one this and I hope I can keep it that way.

I'll be taking the HDi Exclusive for the trip to the NEC and back next weekend, 360 miles will be a good day out for it.

[bxzx16v]

Good result on the MoT Chris , but there was no doubt in my mind.

Mark

[Citroenmad]

That was probably the best Classic Car Show I have seen yet, a brilliant day! The HDi Xantia was effortless, as always.

I seem to have bought a ZX, which if all being well I will be collecting on Thursday. Its a 1996 1.9TD Aura Estate which is being exchanged by its current owner for a Xantia he has bought nearby to here. We've never had a ZX and they are another 90's Citroen which I like, so I'm looking forward to seeing what they are like and I can always use an estate car!

I'll update once I've got it

[bxzx16v]

I look forward to an update on your Zx Td estate Chris , I'm sure you'll like it , and a nice trim level too being the aura .

Mark

[Citroenmad]

Hi Mark,

Good to see you're still about on here

Yes, I'll keep you informed if everything goes to plan and I get it. Fingers crossed!

[RichardW]

ZX's are great fun - they handle very well (as long as the rear sub frame mounts are OK), and (in TDs) the surge forward when they come on boost at 2500 rpm is addictive I'd have another one... they do like to rot in the inner front wings though

[Northern_Mike]

ZX's are great fun - they handle very well

I agree with this 100%. One of the best handling and riding cars I've ever owned. Sure, they roll a bit, but the grip and ride is really very good indeed. I think it helps that they're made out of tinfoil too :0)

[CitroJim]

I must say Chris, you are working well at trying all 90s Citroens

they do like to rot in the inner front wings though

A perfect opportunity to add to your skills by learning to weld

It's something we're all going to need to do sooner or later if we want to continue running what we are now...

[Citroenmad]

ZX's are great fun - they handle very well (as long as the rear sub frame mounts are OK), and (in TDs) the surge forward when they come on boost at 2500 rpm is addictive I'd have another one... they do like to rot in the inner front wings though

Yes, I'll certainly be giving it a proper check through for rust and going from there. Its described as very solid but it is currently over 300 miles away so I have not been to view it.

ZX's are great fun - they handle very well

I agree with this 100%. One of the best handling and riding cars I've ever owned. Sure, they roll a bit, but the grip and ride is really very good indeed. I think it helps that they're made out of tinfoil too :0)

So I keep reading ... I've dug out some old roadtests I have It's an appealing little car and I'm always intrigued to try other Citroens as the opportunities arise.

I must say Chris, you are working well at trying all 90s Citroëns

they do like to rot in the inner front wings though

A perfect opportunity to add to your skills by learning to weld

It's something we're all going to need to do sooner or later if we want to continue running what we are now...

I'm trying my best, all I really need now is a BX and I'll have had the range!

Yes, very good thinking, it would be an ideal opprotunity to try my hand at some metal work. I'm thinking it'll need at least something and I'm treating it as a project ..

Basically there was a high chance of it going for scrap and it sounds far too good for that. I've always liked the ZX but have not had much to do with them, other than the odd moving of one when we had them in for a service, years ago. My uncle bought the identical car to this new, a green TD Aura Estate.

I'm looking forward to getting it and having a good poke about to see what condition it is in. If its reasonable or better then it might have a good future with me. It comes with tax and test ... and is doing the 300 miles here tomorrow, so its useable as is.

[Citroenmad]

Well I have the ZX, I'm not really sure what I was expecting, given that it was for scrap money and had been threatened with being scrapped. So I made a quick decision as there is nothing to lose, if it is too bad it can be cubed and the scrap money returned. I'm not really one for scrapping cars, so thats at the back of my mind.

However, it is not as bad as I had feared. The bodywork is reasonable, interior is quite tidy and it does drive very well. The 1.9TD has a nice pull to it and suits the car well, there are no unusual noises apart from a rattling drop link, so far so good!

I've spent this evening in the garage doing some digging around to see what its failings are and I think I've got a good idea of its full condition now.

I've also spent time fiddling with things:
- The drivers side rear door wouldn't work off the locking - I have stripped the door, sorted the sticking levers and its working fine now.
- The clutch was pretty high and squeaky in operation - I have lubricated the linkages to sort the noise and adjusted it, which has improved the drive hugely.
- I've checked the timing belt, it doesn't look very old but depending on what happens, I'll change it myself. Its ok for now

Best bits:
- New front discs and pads
- Recent service
- Recent heater plugs
- Test until Feb
- Tax until end of December
- Very Good engine, no signs of mixing coolant, performs well, etc
- Decent set of matching tyres
- Not a hit of rust anywhere on the upper body
- Underside mostly good, but see below

Worst bits:
- Its a 17 year old ZX which has done 153,000 miles, its far from the worst I have seen but its nothing like my usual standard of cars.
- Rust, I was expecting quite a lot in the usual ZX areas, however its pretty good actually. Some areas need cleaning up and treating but its soild. However, the drivers sill will no doubt need some work for the next MOT.
- Radius bearings, again I have seen worse but the OS is on the lean slightly. To be expected but I understand its far from an easy job with these.
- Drop link needs replacing - I have ordered it and will be fitted soon

Its better than I was expecting but there are a few issues, which I was expecting. I'll use it for the next few days and see how it goes I'm not quite sure why I got it, other than to save it (maybe briefly) from impending doom but it'll be handy to take the dogs out in, trips to the tip and collecting our bulk stock of animal feeds, etc.

I'll post up some pictures once I get some taken, though its not an immaculate example but it's not bad either.

[Northern_Mike]

Sounds lovely!

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[lexi]

You will get your money back on the forum for it Chris. The best fun with ZX Estate is getting
them to do a skip and bang on bendy rough roads when the mounts are going

The ZX has a kind of poor mans 4WS? I like them really. Could I go back to one? Anything is possible with car nuts guys. Don't know what we want..........but determined to get it

[Northern_Mike]

You will get your money back on the forum for it Chris. The best fun with ZX Estate is getting
them to do a skip and bang on bendy rough roads when the mounts are going

The ZX has a kind of poor mans 4WS? I like them really. Could I go back to one? Anything is possible with car nuts guys. Don't know what we want..........but determined to get it

Ha ha, so very true Lexi.

The ZX has a poor mans 4WS, I think they called it a self-steering rear axle. Works well. I'm sure Chris would get his money back..

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[bxzx16v]

I look forward to some pics Chris. Back in the day the Zx was the best handling car in its class and they ride pretty damn good, my old volcane was VERY impressive, the Zx16v is a different beast allround, I'll let you have a drive next time I see you.

Mark

[Citroenmad]

Sounds lovely!

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I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic there Mike I hope you were!

You will get your money back on the forum for it Chris. The best fun with ZX Estate is getting
them to do a skip and bang on bendy rough roads when the mounts are going

The ZX has a kind of poor mans 4WS? I like them really. Could I go back to one? Anything is possible with car nuts guys. Don't know what we want..........but determined to get it

It does seem to handle quite nicely and the subframe mounts look in good shape, it doesn't knock or bang from the back either. In fact, the interior is rattle free too.

Yes, a shame that Citroen didn't keep the rear steering thing going as it does make a difference I think.

I look forward to some pics Chris. Back in the day the Zx was the best handling car in its class and they ride pretty damn good, my old volcane was VERY impressive, the Zx16v is a different beast allround, I'll let you have a drive next time I see you.

Mark

I'll probably take some pictures tomorrow, though its not very clean but I suspect its a car which looks better with some dirt on it! You're right, the ride is good and the seats are pretty comfortable too. Its a car which makes the most of its size, with the rear being so square and decent interior room. The good sized boot has already came in useful. Given that I have only known it one day, I quite like it. I look forward to a trip out in your ZX Mark

I've used the ZX for work today which has been about 60 miles and its been fine, certainly pulls like a train! The engine does seem very fit and healthy. I'm not sure what is in store for it as it does need quite a few things doing and its not the best of examples to try and save, however, to drive its very good.