What engine is the 1.8 16v Xantia, and is it good?

ashy90 · Post by **ashy90** » 20 Dec 2010, 16:18

Im not that clued up with Citroen engines, so can someone please tell me what series or name is the 1.8 16v petrol in the Xantias?

Once I get rid of a car or two, I may be after an Xantia of some sort as a run around for the winter months, whilst waiting for the right Activa model to come along.

One thing, I out accelerated my in'laws 1.8 16v Xant in my Rover 414 (1998). I know the 1.4 16v Rover engine is very very quick for its size, but surely a 1.8 16v Xant should have the edge?

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 20 Dec 2010, 16:41

A 1.8 16v is going to be the XU series engine - largely the same architecture
as the well loved XUD. It's a good engine in the xant likely being the most
frugal petrol versus bhp offered. As far as a sporty number, the Xant bodyshell
is very well built so heavy which will take the edge off mpg and 0-60 driving.
As a runaround, I'm sure the 1.8 16v would be fine but don't touch the
fortunately rare 8v 1.8 & 1.6. May as well go for the 1.9TD as they're cheap
enough not to have much premium value versus the petrols now and there'll
be more choice as these were largely the predominant model sold in the UK.

As far as an Activa goes, what are you specifically after as Hattershaun has a
gorgeous looking Delage red series 2 available for sale on this forum?

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=33531

Andrew

VertVega · Post by **VertVega** » 20 Dec 2010, 17:20

A Xantia 1.8i 16V (81kW) has engine code as XU7JP4 (LFY).

: I use this brother site ---> Dutch link for Citroen engine types <---

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 20 Dec 2010, 17:30

I can tell you the 1.8 16v with an auto is really slow. It's Only 112bhp, a little poor for a 1.8 really. I should imagine because of it's relaxed state of tune it would be good for high mileages, I dout the 2.0 is perticullarly stressed either giving only 135bhp, I'd go for the 2.0 16v or if you can find one the 3.0 v6 is magic

. Again not a particularly stressed engine built with cursing and fuel echonomy in mind, which is pretty good I get about 27mpg town driving, more on motorway.

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 20 Dec 2010, 17:42

The rover 400 is about 200kg less than the Xantia and only around 10bhp difference.

evilally · Post by **evilally** » 20 Dec 2010, 17:50

Aren't there 2 1.8 16v engines? The one in our 406 is the 120bhp version. It seriously lacks torque but goes ok once wound up. Economy is about 40mpg if driven with care. On the plus side it is very quiet.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 20 Dec 2010, 20:49

Just seen a T plate Xantia 1.6 16v S2 in Red I think for sale round here, with £650 in the window, had to be T & T'd as it was on the road...

But were miles away in North Wales...

Paul

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 20 Dec 2010, 21:00

A 1.6 Paul, you mean 1.8 right?

The real advantage of choosing the 1.8 Xantia will be condition and mileage, there are still a good number of low mileage Xantia 1.8s around and there seem to be a lot in good condition too. TDs will often be higher mileage (though not a problem for them, they go forever) and some might look a bit more aged than the 1.8s, due to their better usability.

I would thin you would get about 35MPG on average from a 1.8 manual?

They would make a good runaround, but if its doing a few miles id find a diesel version.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 20 Dec 2010, 21:03

Oooppsss, yes 1.8 16v...

Thanks Chris..

Paul

Post by **Peter.N.** » 20 Dec 2010, 23:07

A 2.1 diesel will give you performance and a possible 50 mpg.

Peter

_kid_ · Post by **_kid_** » 21 Dec 2010, 01:43

I had a xantia 1.8 16v and would not recommended it simply because it was unbelievably thirsty, around town very low 20s mpg, and on the motorway around 35mpg, maybe high thirties if you drive like miss daisy.

Whether there was something wrong with mine I don’t know but it passed the mot emissions with flying colours and it seemed to move ok (no misfiring etc), even a local independent Citroen garage said there were thirsty. However some people on this forum claim they are economical- so I don’t know- but from personal experience don’t bother, on the positive side most sellers will almost pay you to buy theirs and yes they are very cheap now, far more so then the diesels versions

btw my xsara 1.4 petrol does around 30mpg around town and high forties on the motorway- much more in line with my expectations

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 08:15

_kid_ wrote: btw my xsara 1.4 petrol does around 30mpg around town and high forties on the motorway- much more in line with my expectations

Thats because they are made of tin foil, and break easilly...

Sorry, no, the Xsaras are much lighter then the xantia.. The Xantia IS a heavy beast, heavyer then the XM even!!!

Paul

Stepto1 · Post by **Stepto1** » 21 Dec 2010, 08:28

My Xantia is a 1.8 16v and I do the 4 or 5 hour drive from Plymouth to Nottingham nearly every weekend while I'm not at sea. I can get home on 40 quid of petrol which works out at between 35 and 40 mpg. The thing is is that I don't hang around on the drive back. I have found the 16v lump an excellent engine. It had been neglected before I got the car with oil like black water in it. It now gets semi-synth every 6,000 miles and the oil comes out nearly as clean as it went in. The engine is very easy to service with plugs and filters easy to get to and cheap to buy. Only real problems have been a leaking core plug in the head and a dead water pump but as the timing belt was due a change I didn't mind too much. It starts easily, ticks over smoothly and has enough power to keep up with most modern saloons. The exhaust note it quite 'sporty' though which gets on my nerves on a long trip although I suspect some numpty may have fitted a 'sports' backbox on it. Keep trying to listen to another to compare!!

addo · Post by **addo** » 21 Dec 2010, 08:33

From personal experience, a V6 is going to be more economical on long hauls than a small four. Around town, the four will do slightly better.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 21 Dec 2010, 10:03

The PSA 24v V6 in the Xantia will manage around 35mpg on a run, which for a V6 I think, is amazing!

Paul