A milestone passed today...

[Northern_Mike]

I'd end up tearing my hair out with another XM. I'd like a V6 Xantia again as long as it steered right.

Got a nice Silver one here for you Mike, steers and rides beautifully, only 105k. Might need some minor engine and gearbox work though...

I'm swearing off Citroens now after the latest Berlingo suspension farce. I'll get it fixed but it'll be my last one.

It's costing so much to sort this time I've had to sell the MX5 to add funds. That's even before the comms/horn/airbag needs sorting for the MOT.

Citroens? Multiplexing. Keep it all. I'm buying a Focus.

[Mandrake]

No multiplexing in a Xantia What makes you think a modern Focus won't be multiplexed ?

[Northern_Mike]

No multiplexing in a Xantia What makes you think a modern Focus won't be multiplexed ?

No 5* NCAP Rating the Xantia either. Or parts I can nip down round the corner and buy every single one I need, cheaply. Or the ability to give it to any old mechanic to do things I need.

Modern cars all have multiplexing. This is not a problem when it works. I know plenty of Ford owners. None have had problems. I know plenty of modern Citroen owners. Nearly all of them have had problems.

[Mandrake]

Yes, the poor NCAP rating of the Xantia does concern me, its a significant blemish on an otherwise overall robust and well designed car... (by Citroen standards!) That and the strut top failures...

[Northern_Mike]

Yes, the poor NCAP rating of the Xantia does concern me, its a significant blemish on an otherwise overall robust and well designed car...

It is a shame, as it does, as you say, feel well built and robust compared to some more modern cars. I spent Monday driving round in an S2 2.0 Xantia, it felt solid as a rock. Bizarre as it seems, a MK1 MX5 is safer in a crash, despite having no roof.. (4* as opposed to 2*)

At least the Xantia isn't a Chrysler Voyager!

[Mandrake]

I think a lot of what makes a car feel solid is the feeling of the suspension and handling. Stiff suspension tends to make a car feel light and skittery, whereas the very soft but still well damped suspension on a good Xantia gives it a heavy/solid feel. That combined with an absence of rattles and squeaks. (The only thing that squeaks in mine at 15 years old is the trolley jack in the boot rolling from side to side on the corners )

I didn't realise the NCAP rating of the Xantia was so low... Mind you I would argue that a Hydractive Xantia has good active safety features that most cars don't have - the instantaneous switch to a heavily damped "hard" mode if you suddenly swerve to avoid a collision for example keeps the rear of the car under control and helps prevent it spinning out of control. This classic clip of an un-named but easily recognisable "saloon" car loosing it in a slalom compared to an early Hydractive XM shows exactly what I'm talking about...

[Citroening]

Is the Xantia really only 2* NCAP?

Still quite surprised at how low the Xantia's NCAP rating is, reading the NCAP report is interesting...

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/citroen_x ... 97/16.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm pleased that the C4 is a 5* NCAP, shows how things moves on...

[Northern_Mike]

I think a lot of what makes a car feel solid is the feeling of the suspension and handling. Stiff suspension tends to make a car feel light and skittery, whereas the very soft but still well damped suspension on a good Xantia gives it a heavy/solid feel. That combined with an absence of rattles and squeaks. (The only thing that squeaks in mine at 15 years old is the trolley jack in the boot rolling from side to side on the corners )

I didn't realise the NCAP rating of the Xantia was so low... Mind you I would argue that a Hydractive Xantia has good active safety features that most cars don't have

I sort of agree, but it doesn't prevent other people driving into you.

[Hell Razor5543]

True, but you have an improved chance of avoiding them without losing control.

[Citroening]

True, but you have an improved chance of avoiding them without losing control.

Not if someone goes into the back of you though James...

[Hell Razor5543]

True, but you have an improved chance of avoiding them without losing control.

Not if someone goes into the back of you though James...

OK, so you have a better chance PROVIDED you are aware of the developing situation AND the space to take avoiding action.

[Northern_Mike]

True, but you have an improved chance of avoiding them without losing control.

Not unless it's an Activa you don't.

[c.morewood]

I knew this was going to be a good one....62.04 mpg Best ever by 1.5 mpg!!! 993 miles on 72.34 lit.. and I still had another 40 miles in the tank.
I really must be braver next time.. I had jut over 500 miles on half a tank, now I'm sure I can get the 1000 mile tank!!
I think its down to the warm weather and freeing up the rear calipers from the dreaded corrosion.
That's made a lot of difference... just 53 mpg back in May.

[RichardW]

Had mine on Lexia today - it put up the ABS light last week briefly. It's never been on in the 100k I've put on it, and record shows only one previous code service point. Couple of engine fault codes , related to low pressure, presumably when the LP pump went. Alarm fault due to locking it with a door open. Volumetrics still working!! ABS fault was the OSR, which is the one I disturbed in the rear suspension cylinder debarcle earlier in the year. Not a single key fault that is de-rigeur for Xantias. Not bad for a near 150k car

[citroenxm]

Well i have to say mine has been stunning..

Ok i have a shed full of xantia stuff which is a cheat.. but this silver exclusive now on 251200 k has been amazing!

No abs issues.. no strut top issues they are still good .. no suspension issues (a leak at the rear from the anti sink valve) no water cooling issues .. she just keeps going and going..

Issues i have had.. umm brakes - still available from factors... the engine high pressure pump gave me a cutting out problem .. replacement pump from ebay ... one injector seal gave out .. seals easilly avaiable .. so whats not available that is always needed? Pipes? Check them regurally and attend if some suspsious is showing.

There certainly no excuse or reason why id want to disapear into the crowds with a focus..

My new line now is .. "What IS going to go wrong with this car and when if ever?" ...