Xantia Diesels Thoughts and opinions

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 01 Jan 2011, 22:43

Hi all,
Now I know I say this all the time, but this time there really is a burning need. I really have to get a diesel soon.
I've got my eye on a couple of Xantia's at the moment, one's an early mk1 '94, the others a mk2 '98.

Both 1.9 TD's as I've plans for SVO, now personally style wise I'm not fussed mk1 or mk2. What I'm interested to know is what if any mechanically sets these apart, is there anything clearly superior in one vs another? I'm aware of the potentially blower problems in the mk1, and have recently fixed in my dads, so not worried there.
I've heard people say the mk1 td's usually have a head gasket failure around 125k miles, where as the mk2 don't, also the strut tops are stronger on the mk2

Theres also the HDi to consider, had one once it was great, no veg oil but great fuel economy and power.

So throwing this one out there, what are your thoughts people, also if you got anything for sale diesel wise let me know.

Thanks

KP · Post by KP » 01 Jan 2011, 22:48

I had a v plate mk2 that I ran on veg s it only died when the sump cracked and the bottom end went. Strong units and I miss getting over 700 miles to £40 of veg

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 01 Jan 2011, 22:50

Generally id always go for the later car, as its seen less winters. Generally Xantias stand up well and they do just seem to last forever.

I believe S2 strut tops are better, but they do go despite what ive read and heard, ive seen S2 strut tops rotten.

I like the HDi engine, they seem to be pretty faultless and they are more efficient. But then if your planning on running it on veg then this might not be in your favour, as a 1.9 on veg should be cheaper to run than a HDi on diesel.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 01 Jan 2011, 23:46

Personally I prefer HDi 110 bhp to TD's but if you are comparing TD models then one thing to consider is that a 94 won't have an engine ECU, pure and simple mechanical diesel motoring

vince · Post by **vince** » 02 Jan 2011, 08:15

TD's as Rich says are less complicated....i would have thought though that a HDI was cheaper to run on diesel than a TD on veg?

My head gasket went Sid at 112K....pain in the rear yes

Id go for a MK2 with a TD in it if you can find one for a mix of the both. They are around

I keep thinking of selling mine and getting another but i cant find anything suitable or have the money for swapping plates over etc.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Jan 2011, 12:23

vince wrote:TD's as Rich says are less complicated....i would have thought though that a HDI was cheaper to run on diesel than a TD on veg?

Because veg is so much cheaper, last time I worked it out (when derv wasn't so expensive) a HDI would have to do 70mpg in order to be cheaper than a TD running on veg.

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 02 Jan 2011, 12:51

Having owned both types of Diesel Xantia's my preference is for the HDI.
Obviously if an HDI develops a non obvious electronic related fault it's going to be a challenge to locate, but as one's knowledge of the systems develops it becomes relatively easy to sort.
Further down the line, injectors could be a major issue, if the engine ECU dies thats pretty terminal due to related issues, then sensors are expensive etc.
Overall though, so far, I prefer the HDI.

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 02 Jan 2011, 17:25

My late S1 has the electronics bolted on the side along with a cat, the only issue I've had personally is the ECU connector contacts corroding. Not enough electrics to scare me!

Basically the later the S1 you get, the more extras you'll have. As soon as you get into S2 territory, the creature comforts step back a few years but the environmental bits don't.

Engine wise the changes I know of on the later TDs:
Aux belt changes to the 2.1 layout
You'll have Air Con from LX spec meaning the hydraulic pump will be higher up
EGR
Cat
Semi electronic injection pump

Not necessarily bad things, just depends on your outlook.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Jan 2011, 17:29

I'd go for a late MK1 TD SX or VSX, looks better, and isn't likely to suffer from rust by the back seats in hatchback form.

Sid_the_Squid · Post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 02 Jan 2011, 18:00

Thanks for the input all,
I've found Asda selling veg oil at 95ppl, substantially cheaper than derv here which is typically 128ppl, if I can get my cost co membership back, I imagine even cheaper prices await, so I think despite the drop off in fuel economy a 1.9TD will be my choice over the HDi.

In my calculations I'm estimating (urban mileage) 45mpg for a 1.9td, and 55mpg for the HDi, certainly my old HDi used to return 55mpg on my standard cross town commute, do these figures sound about right?

I also understand theres a relatively easy way to squeeze some more power from the 1.9TD

I'm thinking of a mk1 TD estate I've seen in the paper, looks good and I fancy an estate after realizing they handle exactly as nice as the hatchback

So quick question a '97 mk1 TD Temptation, what is that an LX or SX?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Jan 2011, 18:13

I believe, like the Sensation, the Temptation was a slightly different spec to the LX/Forte, SX/Desire models.
From what I've been able to find it's similar to the SX.
Dad had a Sensation and that was more like a LX

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 02 Jan 2011, 19:19

A Temptation was LX spec, the Desire was SX and Athena VSX, Forte relates to S2 models.

vince · Post by **vince** » 03 Jan 2011, 09:13

Sid the MPG figures from the TD are 40mpg not 45mpg. That certainyl what ive found on an average over the time ive had mine

Xantidote · Post by **Xantidote** » 03 Jan 2011, 09:28

Sorry Vince (Happy New year to you), but I think 45 is a good average mpg figure, speaking personally, but a lot must depend on the number of short journeys one does?

In the early days of ownership, my TD averaged 49 mpg over long term monitoring. I don't bother checking it nowadays, but the car's now 15 years old with another 100k under it's belt, still on the original injectors, so it will be down on the 49 mpg figure.

Often wonder if a change of injectors would help improve performance (and mpg), and also smooth out the occassional lumpy first start of the day, and no, it's not the glowplugs

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 03 Jan 2011, 10:14

I'm glad you guys confirmed that as I've often noticed ebay sellers claiming 50mpg from the TD's (but guess that's to be expected) and wondered if it is possible.

As my sig shows, I'm averaging 40mpg, though I've tuned mine to the point it smokes badly if I let it (which is wasted fuel) and my journeys are almost exclusively short, mostly around town and invariably foot to the floor when I get the chance.