The best car I've ever owned (Citroën XM in general)

Member Name: The Operator

Product:	Citroën XM in general
Date:	20/04/01 (474 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ride, spaciousness, seriously beautiful.

Disadvantages: Cost of maintenance if not looked after. There a plenty of Citroen specialists

Just over a year ago, my beloved XM 2.0i suffered a heart attack at 5.15 am on the way in to work. We limped in but the garage said it was terminal, a piston ring had gone and scored out a cylinder so badly that it had gone oval. It was a testament to the strength of the car that it had probably been going on for a couple of months yet I had not noticed. Reluctantly, I parted company with her after nine years for a paltry £100 for the good parts that were left on her.

I'd fallen in love with the shape and decided I wanted one. I already owned a BX 1.9GT so knew what I was letting myself in for with a Citroen. The XM proved to be a typical example of the breed. No handbrake (foot pedal and dashboard release handle); suspension to die for and handling, especially in the sports mode, that was equivalent to that of a Lotus. I could reverse park it up a kerb and uphill into a space no more than 6 inches longer than the car; a considerable feat when you consider the width of the car.
She did cost a lot to run towards the end, new spheres all round, parking brake cable (expensive as it feeds all round the steering column and is a very long job for the price of the part) and she was just about to acquire a new radiator. Earlier in her life she had suffered a cracked exhaust manifold and the timing belt needs replacing every 40000 miles or so. Also, I had to have a collar fitted to one of the spark plug threads as I accidentally cross-threaded a plug. Being an alloy head, it wasn't long before the plug was spat out.
The only rust on her after 11 years was in one corner of the sunroof (factory) and a small bit around the door drains.
I would give anything to have her back, she'd only done 77 000 miles, bless her.
The Independent recently said that the XM was destined to become a modern classic, being as it was, one of the last true eccentric and eclectic Citroens. You should be able to get a decent one for under a grand, a V6 for about
3-5. They do not hold their value at all but be sure to get one with a history. Check for serious leaks in the hydraulic system, especially the brake feeder pipes. Dribbles are acceptable but always keep a bottle of green LHM fluid in the boot.

Postscript: I've heard recently that she is alive and well and living near Brands Hatch near a colleague of mine. I hope he realises he's got a bargain. I couldn't imagine her at the breakers.

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