Citroen ZX Volcane / ZX16 Valve 150hp

[SS427 Camaro]

This very original “survivor” silver 5 door ZX Volcane has just popped up on C&C this morning and it’s bought the memories flooding back.
But just what has happened to all of the ZXs ??
Better built, more refined and better to drive than a Golf, Astra or the disappointing Escort MK 5.
The ZX was such a common site through the 90s.
In early 94, my now sadly dementia stricken step dad Geoff, bless him, got me to sell his lovely silver 5 door D Reg Golf GTi and he went & bought a near new L registered white ZX Aura 1.9 TD from long gone Citroen main agents, Page of Wickford Essex in circa 1994. He loved it and became a subscriber to “ Diesel Car “ magazine. I well recall him filing in a survey on the ZX and asking my opinion of it.
But after about 18 months, he got rid due to fear of Diesel car demonisation and bought a green M registered Rover 216SLi ( which was another really good / under rated car - I covered many miles in France in it )
As for the ZX 16V, 150hp ensured it was a very quick car for its day and was probably the best “ Drivers “ car of its Hot Hatch rivals, far superior to a Golf GTi.
Anyone on here owned / own one ?

Edited by SS427 Camaro on Friday 15th March 00:06

[SS427 Camaro]

[SS427 Camaro]

Always liked these, particularly in black.
150hp seems tame now and the Clio RS172 / 182 of a decade later made 150hp seem a tad feeble.

[carinaman]

On Trigger's Retro Roadtests on Flickr they've the CAR Magazine comparison test of the ZX 16V, Golf 3 GTI 16V and Civic VTi. Gavin Green picked the Civic comparing it's uneveness of qualities to an Italian car.

I thought the ZX featured in the 4 way Giant Test with the Tipo Sedicivalvole, but now wondering if it was the Golf, Mk5/6 RS2000 and the Astra GSi.

[carinaman]

SS427 Camaro said:

This very original “survivor” silver 5 door ZX Volcane has just popped up on C&C this morning and it’s bought the memories flooding back. ]

MoT has a fortnight to run. It mentions underseal but has some photos of the underside. The car has Yeomans of Exeter plates on it and Dawlish is on the coast. The MoT is up on my 20 year old hand me down soon so I shall have to remain just interested.

Is the 306/ZX platform known for rust?

Edited to type I looked at Autoshire and posts there say they take longer to rust but do, seems around the rear end floor and wheelarches.

Edited by carinaman on Friday 15th March 01:00

[lost in espace]

I had a 1.9d which was great, ran on nearly neat veg oil for years to no ill effect. However on filling it with diesel for the first time I treated it to a full tank, and a 1/4 of it ended up on the forecourt floor. It was one of those comfy cars that felt like an old slipper.

[s m]

They used one at the Autocar Handling Day one year - obviously it was French but just ‘too slidey’ at the rear to set a fast time and shown the way home by the less powerful 1.9 205 and Corsa GSi

[Om]

Brilliant cars - always reviewed well - and don't forget it won the Paris-Dakar rally 4 times!...

Not owned - I tried though. I went to see a ZX Volcane 1.9 TD (3dr) as I needed something more economical for a long commute. Sadly the one I went to see/drive I was unable to get behind the wheel. Whatever I did the seat wouldn't go back far enough for me to fit behind the wheel and operate the gears/brake/clutch. I assume there was something wrong with the runners as the seat moved back and forward but stopped way too early. Garage didn't seem interested, so neither was I...

In the end I bought a Fiat Marea 2.0-20v (and to hell with the economy). Now there's another for the 'where did they all go' thread...

[Bobley]

I bought one of the original UK 16V press cars back in 1999. It was immaculate...

... sadly about 2 months later I found out how bad the passive rear steering axle got when the bushes perished... now I only have a little trophy with part of the back bumper stuck to it...

At least it was a handy car for a house move at the time.

[Lester H]

SS427 Camaro said:

This very original “survivor” silver 5 door ZX Volcane has just popped up on C&C this morning and it’s bought the memories flooding back.
But just what has happened to all of the ZXs ??
Better built, more refined and better to drive than a Golf, Astra or the disappointing Escort MK 5.
The ZX was such a common site through the 90s.
In early 94, my now sadly dementia stricken step dad Geoff, bless him, got me to sell his lovely silver 5 door D Reg Golf GTi and he went & bought a near new L registered white ZX Aura 1.9 TD from long gone Citroen main agents, Page of Wickford Essex in circa 1994. He loved it and became a subscriber to “ Diesel Car “ magazine. I well recall him filing in a survey on the ZX and asking my opinion of it.
But after about 18 months, he got rid due to fear of Diesel car demonisation and bought a green M registered Rover 216SLi ( which was another really good / under rated car - I covered many miles in France in it )
As for the ZX 16V, 150hp ensured it was a very quick car for its day and was probably the best “ Drivers “ car of its Hot Hatch rivals, far superior to a Golf GTi.
Anyone on here owned / own one ?

Edited by SS427 Camaro on Friday 15th March 00:06

Yes, and no in that I bought one used for my son in law some 15 years ago. Diesel, 1.9, but not a tuned up Volcante or anything. The abiding memory, apart from brake cables sagging down below ( and the spivvy dealer who sold it) was that - for its time- it was fast at reasonable speeds because the torque in mid range was very impressive compared with its petrol rivals. Yes, the diesel torque thing is now a cliche, but it was very entertaining at the time. Also it was comfy for a small(ish) car.

[donaircooleone]

carinaman said:

MoT has a fortnight to run. It mentions underseal but has some photos of the underside. The car has Yeomans of Exeter plates on it and Dawlish is on the coast. The MoT is up on my 20 year old hand me down soon so I shall have to remain just interested.

Is the 306/ZX platform known for rust?

Edited to type I looked at Autoshire and posts there say they take longer to rust but do, seems around the rear end floor and wheelarches.

Edited by carinaman on Friday 15th March 01:00

And worth checking the chassis stiffener panels at the front where they are often lifted incorrectly.

[Salamura]

My father owned a green ZX Aura 1.8 petrol estate (much like the one below) for the best part of 10 years. Utterly solid car. When he finally sold it, it was 22 years old and it looked like crap due to hailstone damage, but everything on it worked. Decent drive too, albeit very soft and wallowy, as a Citroen should be.

[thiscocks]

I had a 1.9TD and then the 2.0 16V. I loved the look of the 16v (a big part of why I bought it) but sadly the drive didnt live up to the looks for me. Seemed a fair bit heavier up front than the 1.9 and the engine although decently powerful had a pretty poor throttle response which meant it was more suited for cruising rather than more enthusiastic driving. It was apparently down to the variable intake manifold system they used on that engine. You could probably replace it with something else but didnt seem worth the hassle.

Apparently the one to get was the volcane with the 1.9 XU, ideally non-cat (same as the 205 gti unit). I can imagine that would suit it much better. I did spend a while searching for one but think I only ever saw one for sale which was wrecked.