How to ID a Xantia VSX if you cannot see a badge ?

[Stickyfinger]

Header says it all....

what are the features that would tell you its a (early bonnet badge Xantia 1.9 TD) vsx over other models....if you cannot get close to the car ?

[vborovic]

If I recall correctly, the VSX got 15" alloys and front fog lamps compared to the lower-spec Xantias

[BenC5HDi]

Alloys, fogs, leather.

[vborovic]

I don't think leather would be visible if you can't get close to the car ...

[Stickyfinger]

Turns out its a LX.....boooooo

What date did sinkers stop being sinkers ?

[elma]

Sometime on a L or M plate they changed. I've seen sinker and antisink on m reg. Dont think I've seen a L teg antisink. Citroenxm has a very early antisink, can't remember the plate or year though.

Vsx doesn't have leather as standard. They come with the Vsx tartan interior, leather was an upgrade.

Alloys and body coloured mirrors are the only external giveaways as the sx also had front fog lights fitted. Many have lost the mirrors now so not a good indicator.

Inside the leather wheel, better stereo (no treble clef button) and hydractive button are the only things I can think of that differentiate it. The Vsx seats are distinctive like an activas are, unless they are leather.

Sent from my c64 using tapatalk

[Stickyfinger]

The one I am looking at is on an L Plate........Has coloured mirrors and a sunroof

So maybe not even a sinker.....sounds like it may only be worth it as a "DoorJam" donor

Such a shame to cut-up (what looks like) a solid car

[myglaren]

Turns out its a LX.....boooooo

What date did sinkers stop being sinkers ?

Mine was on an "N" plate.

[CitroJim]

Early VSX did not have leather. Easiest way is to look for thick pipes to the strut tops and a sport\normal switch by the handbrake lever....

If the hydraulic pump has two outlet pipes then it's a non-sinker...

[chinkostu]

The one I am looking at is on an L Plate........Has coloured mirrors and a sunroof

So maybe not even a sinker.....sounds like it may only be worth it as a "DoorJam" donor

Such a shame to cut-up (what looks like) a solid car

You've not been up my end have you? Theres a. l reg sinker not far from me!

[Mandrake]

Early VSX did not have leather. Easiest way is to look for thick pipes to the strut tops and a sport\normal switch by the handbrake lever....

If the hydraulic pump has two outlet pipes then it's a non-sinker...

Yep, the best way to confirm a VSX is to look for Hydractive 2 - that was the defining feature of VSX.

All the other things mentioned varied in different markets and through the run of the Series 1 and therefore aren't sure indicators - for example my 1997 VSX didn't have leather and the SX also came with alloys as standard in some countries!

[vborovic]

That's great specific info so far, but initially Alasdair asked in the case you can't be close to the car ... in case you could be that close, wouldn't a simple VIN check be enough (don't remember if it was visible on the Xantias from the outside like on the recent cars)? Don't know, never used service.citroen with the Xantia's (or any pre C5 cars) to know what details are returned for the car's specification ...

[elma]

The vins not displayed on a mk1.
I guess a reg number check would show the model if you can see it.

[vborovic]

It is probably only engraved on the inside, under the front hood somewhere ... and the door column sticker?

[Mandrake]

That's great specific info so far, but initially Alasdair asked in the case you can't be close to the car ... in case you could be that close, wouldn't a simple VIN check be enough (don't remember if it was visible on the Xantias from the outside like on the recent cars)? Don't know, never used service.citroen with the Xantia's (or any pre C5 cars) to know what details are returned for the car's specification ...

The VIN on a Series 1 Xantia is under the bonnet in the seam of the right hand wing just where the bonnet shuts, thus can't be seen from outside the car unless the bonnet is open. (But if the bonnet was open you would just check for the thick hydraulic pipes to the struts...)

Unfortunately there is actually no fool-proof way to know if a Xantia is a VSX just from looking at it from the outside in a photo, unless you can look in the window and see the Hydractive sport mode button (or the absence of it) on the centre console. There is no external badge to indicate that it is a VSX - for example my 1997 Petrol VSX just had a "2.0i" badge, same as my Dad's SX had, and there are no universally present exterior features (such as wheel trims) to distinguish it.

If the car really needs to be identified conclusively, ask the seller for an under bonnet photo so you can see the thickness of the strut hydraulic pipes.