Citroen Zx16v

[CitroJim]

Mark, if you were nearer I'd be very happy for you to wash my cars on a regular basis and I'd pay well for it too...

[bxzx16v]

Thanks Jim I've not cleaned a nice xantia for a few years now .Here's a few pics of the Zx i took this morning after a little drive out .













After driving it I still can't believe how lucky I am to have one as nice as this and how I came about it . It's not perfect but about as good as you can get for a car coming upto 18 yrs old , I really would like some storage for it but costs are too much .

Last but not least a few pics for Luke of the wifes laguna after it's wash this morning and a coat of dodo juice supernatural hybrid to protect it over the winter months .





The gloss it puts on the paintwork is stunning , it's like an extra clearcoat has been added .

Mark

[CitroJim]

Fantastic Mark

I've decided there's a skill and an art to making cars look lovely and it's one I'm never going to acquire Not to your standard anyway

It's like when I watched Chris Citroenmad wielding a machine polisher with some considerable skill. I thought 'that's well out of my league - something to be left to the pros...'

I'll stick to the spanners....

Been out enjoying the lovely unseasonal weather (like a spring day here today ) and gave both the XM and the V6 a good leathering. They look OK but not in your class...

Then I went mad and cleaned the front house windows, or those I could get to. I thought the cars were dirty but when I saw the state of my windows I was horrified... All sparkly clean now...

[bxzx16v]

Its the opposite for me Jim , only very basic stuff with the spanners I'm afraid but fortunatly a good friend used to work at a Citroen dealer in the Zx/xantia era so he's pretty good with them. Tbh the Zx had been pretty well spot on reliablity wise , no serious issues other than general servicing . The polishing isn't too bad Jim once you get the hang of it , it sounds daft but I find it rather theraputic , the Zx has only had a very light polish but will be getting a full going over come late spring .

Mark

[Citroenmad]

Some more fantastic cleaning there Mark, that looks spotless

You could come and do mine too but it looks like given the chance you would be fully booked anyway

I had the C5 washed for me yesterday when it was at the dealers, I was pretty pleased with that Had to do the Xantia myself though!

This weather does make keeping cars clean much easier, very little salt about, the roads have chance to dry out and the cars are not turning white with salt on every trip. Lets hope it continues

[bxzx16v]

Thanks Chris , it's been great to take the Zx as there's been no grit spread lately. I've not had a problem starting it either since I fitted the 6 yr old battery that used to be on the doblo , the Bosch one just wouldn't last more than 2 weeks maximum without going flat . Are you still enjoying your xantia , it certainly looks a beauty and I can't wait to see it at a show this year .

Mark

[Citroenmad]

Your ZX is looking great that and your right, this weather is excellent to keep our precious cars in use. I've not had the Activa out for over a month (though it feels longer!) but I should get it out for a run quite soon.

I'm really liking the HDi Xantia, its very useful, drives superbly and its nice to have a Xantia which is an ideal daily car. I tend to use that half the time and my C5 the other half. Once I've used one for a few days or a week I get an urge to use the other

[CitroJim]

its nice to have a Xantia which is an ideal daily car.

I've got one of those Chris...

It's called a V6

For the mileage I do these days fuel consumption is not an issue but I appreciate for you an most other it is...

[Citroenmad]

its nice to have a Xantia which is an ideal daily car.

I've got one of those Chris...

It's called a V6

For the mileage I do these days fuel consumption is not an issue but I appreciate for you an most other it is...

I tot up about 25,000 - 30,000 miles a year between cars ... I did use my V6 Xantia for commuting for a few weeks, but stopped before bankruptcy started It was nice to use and did make effortless work of the 40 minute crawl into the city centre. I've used my Activa a good few times for the commute, mainly to give it a run if its not been used for a while.

I like keeping it for best too, I find I become used to cars if used as a daily car and dont appreciate them as much as I should. I find the HDi Exclusive is a great all round car, it does everything. Its economical, refined, smooth, Exclusive spec, Hydractive, estate body and its great to drive. I've done about 200 miles with it today, most of them at Mach 5 as I was in a bit of a rush ... Its used very little fuel, been superbly comfortable and very willing on the country roads too.

[R9UKE]

Both cars looking stunning, Mark.

I'm really looking forward to owning a Laguna III. I've really come round to their looks and a 2.0 T Auto Initiale would do very nicely indeed. Not long now til they're worth peanuts, might have to wait a while longer for a 3.5 V6 Coupé

The ZX is such a rare little car. I don't know what your long term plans are for it but just imagine taking something like that out of the garage in 10-15 years time

And Chris - we're running out of oil, so use it while you still can!!

[Citroenmad]

I quite fancy a LagunaIII too, as you know, I was impressed with that 150 DCi Tourer. However, the coupe is the one for me

No Luke, we are not running out of oil, its all a myth If we do, I'll blame you and your V6s!

[bxzx16v]

Well it looks like the doblo maybe going to a new home soon , I only do eight miles to work and the Dpf is not liking it and I can only see things getting worst . So it looks like the Zx may take over daily duties unless I manage to get a car I've been after for a while now and what with this snow we have it could prove very useful too , if I don't manage to secure a deal I will just run the Zx , not ideal this time of year but she has lasted 18 yrs and doesn't look bad for it . Plenty of good washes and jetwash underneath regular . The doblos possible replacement ? Well it's another fiat possibly but with four wheel drive

Mark

[bxzx16v]

Well there's nothing really to report , the doblo will be staying for a little while longer as I don't want to use the Zx on the salted roads , no hardship as it's great in the snow . And the Zx , well it's not moved for three weeks and she's been entombed in snow for the past few weeks .



Mark

[CitroJim]

My Activa looked exactly like that until an hour or so ago Mark...

I've just cleared it so I could start it and charge the battery a bit. That caused me to go for a very joyous ride in it and a much longer one than intended

I love my Activa

[Citroenmad]

This snow is getting tiring now Luckily, despite constant attempts to top up the snow today, its going from here now.

My Activa needs a run too, must be getting on for 6 weeks since its last. Though I think I'll keep it off the roads a bit longer, until there is less salt around. My car has been shot blasted with it numerous times this week