Calling ZX experts

Post by **Peter.N.** » 23 Jun 2009, 16:00

Hi all

I,m looking for a ZX td for a friend of mine, his car has been written off and he has been driving my wifes ZX and is very impressed with it, especially after his 309!

What I would like to know was when all the nasties started being introduced like electronic pump control. My wifes is a '96 and the only thing I don't like about that is the keypad. What is the latest car I can get that is still repairable?

Thanks

Peter

vince · Post by **vince** » 23 Jun 2009, 22:23

Hi Pete,

I dont remember any of the ZX range being a nightmare. I had a 94 model for a few years but on the whole they were good. The only things i learned / came across as being a pain was:

- O/S CV joint failure (complete shaft only)
- Outer CV boots split about every 20K miles (well mine did anyway)
- Rear subframe mount bushes split
- Ignition modules burn out if hammered

- TD's rot their radiators on the lower O/S corner for some unknown reason.

Thats about all i know

Post by **Peter.N.** » 23 Jun 2009, 22:43

Thanks Vince. We have a '96 estate and its been brilliant, what I am really trying to find out is what is the newest model I can get without engine electronics etc.

Peter

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » 24 Jun 2009, 00:46

No diesel ZX ever had anything more complex than the keypad immobiliser (which is easily dealt with should the situation legitimately arise...)

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Jun 2009, 09:27

Thanks Jonathan, that's what I wanted to know, I assume then no EGR or ECU, so I can safely buy an 'R' reg without any nasty surprises?

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 24 Jun 2009, 10:16

An R plater will have the same inherit failures as the 306 or Xantia, so YES the R reg WILL have a form of egr valve on the exhaust manifold...

Id go for an earlyer one, around N reg, OR go for the N/a 1.9d even more simpler and I dont think they got EGR's on them..

The ZX seems also to suffer from rot, ive a customer with a 1994 L reg 1.9d n/a, and its had both subframe mounts welded, welding on the sills, and for next MOT gonna need MORE welding!! Its been good to the CV boots, however...

Paul

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » 24 Jun 2009, 11:05

Hi Paul,

I stand corrected, I did not realise that the ZX too suffered the addition of EGR (surely also easily defeated...) However they thankfully escaped electronic injector pumps.

Agree about the rot too, front inner wings particularly.

Cheers,

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Jun 2009, 11:27

Thanks Paul and Jonathan

My wifes '96 is completely rust free, has been utterly reliable and has no nasties except the key pad so will try and find one in that area.

Peter

Post by **RichardW** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:21

I was going say that would be on the shelf between the rocking horse poo and the hen's teeth - backed up by Autotrader listing 54 Zxs of which only 11 are TDs

However:

Rocking Horse Poo

If it's anywhere near you (it's a long way from Glasgow).

How come it never happens to me????

I spent 15 months looking for a decent HDi Xantia Estate, and had to settle for a Forte in the end. My mate crashes his 306, and says, hmm I'd like a C5 HDi Estate Exclusive, and bam there is one, 70 miles down the road, in top condition, 2.0 HDi 136, and only £5k. Week later it's on the drive. Git 8)

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:37

always happens Richard!

P

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:41

RichardW wrote:I was going say that would be on the shelf between the rocking horse poo and the hen's teeth - backed up by Autotrader listing 54 Zxs of which only 11 are TDs However:

Rocking Horse Poo

Thats yur car peter!!

Its a M so no electronic control, and no EGR's etc, and POSSIBLY no Keypad either.. Ive had M reg Xantias, with and without, so its a gamble to weither it has one or not..

Paul

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 24 Jun 2009, 18:38

citroenxm wrote:Its a M so no electronic control, and no EGR's etc, and POSSIBLY no Keypad either.. Ive had M reg Xantias, with and without, so its a gamble to weither it has one or not..

Our 95 N Volcane doesn't have the keypad. I think only the last ones (P & R reg) after the range was slashed will have the electronics. The only computer in ours is the clock!

James

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Jun 2009, 19:11

I've been watching Autotrader and Ebay and as you say very few TD's. I'm looking for one with not much more tha 100k on it, there have been a few but not with enough time left (ebay) for me to go and see them. Ther'e was one almost on my doorstep last weekend, I recognised the garage in the picture, but it had gone whan I got there

Anyway, I'm still looking, preferably within 100 miles of the Dorset/ Devon border - if you see any.

Thanks all for your input

Peter

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 24 Jun 2009, 22:11

Peter.N. wrote:I've been watching Autotrader and Ebay and as you say very few TD's. I'm looking for one with not much more tha 100k on it, there have been a few but not with enough time left (ebay) for me to go and see them. Ther'e was one almost on my doorstep last weekend, I recognised the garage in the picture, but it had gone whan I got there Anyway, I'm still looking, preferably within 100 miles of the Dorset/ Devon border - if you see any.

Thanks all for your input

Peter

100k you be VERY VERY lucky Peter, Like the Xantia, I guess most if not ALL will be over 100k by now because of how refined and good the XUD's are...

Paul

Post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Jun 2009, 22:28

Hi Paul

I have seen several with less than 110k and a couple with less that a hundred - but to far away. I they were XM's I would travel the country but I only do that for me.

Peter