Simon's new Xantia V6 and Leaf blog

[Mandrake]

Simon may, or may not agree with me when he sees the car, but I think the S1 V6 in Silex grey has cleaner lines than the S2, and actually looks better without a boot spoiler.

Well I've owned a S1 without a spoiler for four years before remember and a S2 with a spoiler and I prefer the lines of the latter.

But I like them both I think its what you're used to to a certain extent, I preferred the S1 styling when I owned one then came around to the S2 styling and started preferring it after owning that...perhaps I'll prefer the S1 again after owning one for a while again

[Hell Razor5543]

Simon may, or may not agree with me when he sees the car, but I think the S1 V6 in Silex grey has cleaner lines than the S2, and actually looks better without a boot spoiler.

Well I've owned a S1 without a spoiler for four years before remember and a S2 with a spoiler and I prefer the lines of the latter.

But I like them both I think its what you're used to to a certain extent, I preferred the S1 styling when I owned one then came around to the S2 styling and stated preferring it after owning that...perhaps I'll prefer the S1 again after owning one for a while again

Well, you could always dismount the spoiler from the S2 and have it ready if you want to add it to the S1.

[Northern_Mike]

I just thought the wider track and wings of the S1 (Activa, V6, and 2.1TD only I think) made it look meaner than the thin winged cars, and it didn't need the spoiler.

[Mandrake]

Simon may, or may not agree with me when he sees the car, but I think the S1 V6 in Silex grey has cleaner lines than the S2, and actually looks better without a boot spoiler.

Well I've owned a S1 without a spoiler for four years before remember and a S2 with a spoiler and I prefer the lines of the latter.

But I like them both I think its what you're used to to a certain extent, I preferred the S1 styling when I owned one then came around to the S2 styling and stated preferring it after owning that...perhaps I'll prefer the S1 again after owning one for a while again

Well, you could always dismount the spoiler from the S2 and have it ready if you want to add it to the S1.

The spoiler on the old one is a bit tatty, and a different colour obviously. I don't want to sully the condition of the new car - according to Jim the paint work on the boot is spotless and as new! I'm sure I'll get used to no spoiler again.

[Mandrake]

I just thought the wider track and wings of the S1 (Activa, V6, and 2.1TD only I think) made it look meaner than the thin winged cars, and it didn't need the spoiler.

Ah, I see what you mean, I forgot the S1 V6 has the wider S2 size wings that my other S1 didn't have...

Is the wheel track actually wider too or is it just cosmetic ?

[DHallworth]

Just seen this, Simon.

Car sounds fantastic!

I have a boot spoiler here that I had intended to fit to our S1 V6 that Luke has. I believe it might actually be Silex Grey. I bought it from Paul, years ago now. If it's any good to you, you're welcome to it.

David.

[Trainman]

Arrived home at 23:45 after stopping to refuel the Xantia. Simon has worked out the it did roughly 34 mpg and at a constant ( where possible ) speed of 70 mph I don't think I hats bad.

I'm having a beer, I have think I've earned and buddy boo's......... knackered isn't the word.........

[CitroJim]

Well done Steve, excellent

34 mpg shows the engine is very healthy but I could tell that anyway by the rusty insides to the tailpipes!

The paint on the tailgate is so good it would be cruel to upset it with a spoiler...

And it has four perfect alloys too. There may be scuffs down the sides but the wheels have never been kerbed.

[xantos]

34 mpg?! If I calculated right that's about 7L per 100km. That's excellent! Mine (2.0 TCT) never goes under 10L per 100km (23mpg)...

EDIT: Or is 34mpg about 8,5L per 100km?

[Mandrake]

34mpg is 8.3 litres / 100km.

Remember this would have been largely motorway cruising which is where the V6 shines, and where the auto box locks up the torque converter most of the time to minimise losses. (Losses are not much more than a manual in this lock up state) 70mph is only about 2600 rpm in top gear too...

I once saw 32.8mpg on my silver V6 with 4 people and luggage on a 800 mile week long tour so Steve's results are perfectly believable. Yesterday's result might have even been as high as 36mpg depending on the cost of the fuel as I worked backwards from the cost of the fuel with estimated £/litre. (I don't know if Steve used 95 or 98) 34mpg was the conservative estimate based on £1.30/litre.

Steve, I bet you're knackered! I would never have attempted that much driving in one day, although I don't have much experience of driving high mileages in one day like some of you guys. Just the mileage I'm going to do today is more than I've ever done in one day before, I think.

My two biggest fears yesterday were that either an unproven car would break down and leave you on the side of the road, or that you'd fall asleep at the wheel!

Fortunately neither came to pass.

[Mandrake]

Well done Steve, excellent

34 mpg shows the engine is very healthy but I could tell that anyway by the rusty insides to the tailpipes!

The silver one always had a black carboned up exhaust - even after I changed the whole of the exhaust system from the middle silencer back, within a month or so the new exhaust was completely black on the inside too... So clearly some cylinders are running rich or there is incomplete combustion...

The paint on the tailgate is so good it would be cruel to upset it with a spoiler...

Yeah I agree. I'll take a look at David's spoiler next time I visit but I'm reluctant to modify the car if its in such good condition, instead I'll focus on repairing the damage that's there.

And it has four perfect alloys too. There may be scuffs down the sides but the wheels have never been kerbed.

Hard to believe really! I wonder if the Alloys have been replaced ? Seems unlikely that all that side damage could occur without marking the wheels...

[Trainman]

Morning all,

Looking at the receipt this morning, the fuel was £133.9 per litre, and she took 52.28 litres for those of you that want to work it out, personally my view is any car that will cover that distance on one tank of fuel is half bad!

Oh and it was ordinary unleaded, I don't know if if it's 95 or 98, and to be honest it's all mine ever gets, so what's good for one, etc........

I'm betting that Simon was up bright and early this morning, all excited at getting a new 'baby' to play with......... I know I would be

[Mandrake]

Morning Steve,

According to my calculations 407 miles and 52.28 litres is 35.4mpg which is very good indeed especially when you were probably in stop start traffic much of the first leg of your journey! And if that was on regular 95 that's impressive as they usually do slightly more mpg on higher octane 98, especially pulling at low rpm.

Yep, I was up early this morning - I've hardly slept for the last two weeks in fact, the stress and anxiety (and now anticipation) of trying juggle finding a replacement car, organising its collection and the disposal of the old one has taken its toll on me, I'm a nervous wreck that's all frayed at the edges.

I'm sitting in the train ready to get going, so not long now.

[Trainman]

I feel a bit like this morning, have you been a good boy

[Trainman]

Simon's just left here heading North, it sounds like he's looking forward to the drive home, I'm looking forward to the report when he gets home....