why do we bother ??

spliffy · Unread post by **spliffy** » 14 Sep 2010, 19:01

im on my 4th xantia now and seem to spend most of my spare time putting things right why do we do it what have they got that keeps us hooked, if i had a brain id buy a passat and be bored on weekends !! my wife and brother and mates all say the same thing god has it gone wrong again ? get rid, but i cant i love it and cant put my finger on why .anyone who has the answer to this question what have they got please go out and buy an anorrach !!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Sep 2010, 19:18

It's a good question spliffy

Why have I got three now, owned seven of them all-told and brought three back from certain death?

I don't know the answer either

Keeps us occupied though...

I do know one thing. You get to meet some incredible people through them and I've forged a good many life-long friendships as a result. That, for me, makes Citroen ownership.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 14 Sep 2010, 19:36

because when you give them plenty of TLC, the reward you get is immesurable

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 14 Sep 2010, 20:07

I see them a bit like train buffs see a steam engine. Without steam they're just a cold, dead mass of of metal but once steams up it comes alive. With the Citroen without the engine running it's just another car (all be it stylish) but start the engine and it's LHM pumps around like blood bringing the machine to life, it hisses & clicks and slowly gets itself ready to go. Once the suspension's up it's alive!

OK I'll admit it, I'm mad.

Steve.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 14 Sep 2010, 20:12

steelcityuk wrote:I see them a bit like train buffs see a steam engine. Without steam they're just a cold, dead mass of of metal but once steams up it comes alive. With the Citroën without the engine running it's just another car (all be it stylish) but start the engine and it's LHM pumps around like blood bringing the machine to life, it hisses & clicks and slowly gets itself ready to go. Once the suspension's up it's alive!

OK I'll admit it, I'm mad.

Steve.

In that case, we are all mad.
Put it in a nutshell Steve

Trainman · Unread post by **Trainman** » 14 Sep 2010, 20:21

steelcityuk wrote: OK I'll admit it, I'm mad.

Steve.

You'll pleased to know, your not alone !!!!!

tim leech · Unread post by **tim leech** » 14 Sep 2010, 21:19

Ive spent over £1000 on mine, and its worth about the price of a packet of ready salted.

Also owned over 25 bx's too and never made a penny collectively on them, I guess its an illness!

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 14 Sep 2010, 22:31

I have been running XMs for about 14 years now and think I have just got them sussed, had loads of trouble with my early ones until I learn't my way round them. Once you get to know all the common problems and the remedy they can be very reliable. The green estate that my wife wrote off last year

had covered about 70,000 miles almost faultlessly, but I had replaced the head gasket, water pump and quite a number of other things when I first had it.

My son drives the red one that has covered around 270,000 miles now and apart from a couple of hydraulic pipe failures has also been very reliable since I bought it at 200k.

The awkward pipe failures over the rear axle can be prevented by spraying the area with oil about once a year, strut tops and sills respond well to similar treatment.

They are a pig to work on but I still think they are the best car in the world.

Peter

citroenesque · Unread post by **citroenesque** » 14 Sep 2010, 23:04

Peter.N. wrote:They are a pig to work on but I still think they are the best car in the world.

Next to a sorted BX...

I must say I like my XM, it's ridiculous amount of bang for the buck so to speak. I've spent more on a BX than I did on my XM before now... and it is a great grand tourer/express... but get me behind the wheel of a good BX and, well... beauty is in the hands of the driver.

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 15 Sep 2010, 08:33

its the citro blood gets under your skin, once this happens there is no cure,

the only antidote know the man is get another one,

regards malcolm

Unread post by **myglaren** » 15 Sep 2010, 17:47

So it's the LHM that's addictive, not the ironmongery?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 15 Sep 2010, 22:51

I think (seriously) it's the all-forgiving suspension and anti-dive handling under brakes.

If you drive something else as one does a hydraulic Citroën, you'll stuff the suspension and give yourself grief mid-corner...

On a lighter note, I reckon the Xantia gets up from cold like a camel; it's endearing.

Sl4yer · Unread post by **Sl4yer** » 16 Sep 2010, 01:21

addo wrote:On a lighter note, I reckon the Xantia gets up from cold like a camel; it's endearing.

Ha ha! I suppose it does!

James

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 16 Sep 2010, 08:14

addo wrote
"I reckon the Xantia gets up from cold like a camel"

whats that addo
gets up rear end then front, or is it they could have the hummp or 2

,

regards malcolm

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 16 Sep 2010, 09:18

Rear first, then front. It really is like a camel, whereas an older Dee sort of leaps up more evenly if the pump's healthy.

You chaps know we have wild camels in Australia, right? It's true, they were brought over by Afghan traders more than a century ago.