RE: Spotted: Citroen ZX 16v

[Dr Z]

RichardD said:

Regarding your car, you could do better if you change the TD to a TV (Turbo diesel -> TurboVeg, if the fuel pump would allow). Then turn the boost up. (My supa-shed TurboD has peak torque at what seems like 3k revs!)

I considered it when I was doing 110 miles a day for a year, but then I was skint and my car didn't have the 'correct' pump. Peak torque at 3k? My TD it feels like the boost comes on at 2.5k and ends at about 3.8k. It sits at 2.8k @70mph so instant response for motorway overtaking... The thing loves Shell V-power diesel. It feels like you get an instant re-map with a much stronger top-end.


These cars do 'feel' so light compared to modern hatches/cars. My TD gets washed about in a strong cross wind on the motorway! But great to throw about, I don't know if the 16v is 'stiffer' handling wise, but my TD has quite noticeable body roll and the steering rack that is not that quick (but this is after driving a Porsche 944, so probably not fair to the car).

[sorrel]

Nice to see one of these again! Had one in 2003 as a toy and it really was a fun car. Fast, great handling and even looked quite cool. Had it for a year, enjoyed it and to be honest, I do sometimes miss it. If I had enough drive space, I'd be tempted to get another..

[anonymous-user]

I'd rather go for one of these although I admit that I know nothing about them so it could be crap.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[GrahamG]

Had a 16v for two years back in the day and it never let me down once (unlike the Audi A4 company car that replaced it!)

Can attest to the appeal of those wheels - came out one morning to find the car on bricks with one wheel still attached by one bolt and the jack still underneath the car with a clear set of fingerprints in the oil around the base of the jack! Sadly Police took no real interest but very happily a neighbor found the missing wheels stashed in bushes nearby later the same day!

Power delivery was, perhaps predictably, very 'peaky' but it was a fantastic handling and very quick little car, and properly practical with it.

[grosserbaby]

My Dad had a 1.9 Volcane in 1991 before they sent the petrol to the 2.0, it did about 70k with us including a big stuff on the road from Monaco to Nice, sold to a friend who had it for years after. Much better built than a VW Golf of that era, just enough fun on the twisty bits, cracking throttle response and better on the long haul than a lot other hot/warm hatches of the time. About the only French car we had where you didn't expect something to break off it, in fact come to think nothing ever did break due to any fault of the car. Don't think replacement 2.0 was quite as good for hooning about in.

You did have to twist the injection mixer screw back up to full fat after a service or mot or it would go all slow and jerky plus use more fuel into the bargain, and replace the passive rear steer bushes quite often or you'd get a shock when pressing on.

[eliotrw]

The best of all is the ZX Dakar version (It was limited edition)
They were very late ZX16v's with the Gti-6 engine.
Although a Phase 1 306 GTi-6 is essentially the same car with a 6 speed box.
The 306 had passive rear steer too...

[Johnnytheboy]

Wasn't the 2 litre like this badged as the Volcane too?

I recall it going up against the RS2000, Astra 16v and Golf GTi(?) in an Autocar group test and getting thumped.

Unfortunately the ZX is forever tainted for me by the fact that it seemed to be the numpty car of choice in my area for a few years.

[RichardD]

Dr Z said:

I considered it when I was doing 110 miles a day for a year, but then I was skint and my car didn't have the 'correct' pump. Peak torque at 3k? My TD it feels like the boost comes on at 2.5k and ends at about 3.8k. It sits at 2.8k @70mph so instant response for motorway overtaking... The thing loves Shell V-power diesel. It feels like you get an instant re-map with a much stronger top-end.


These cars do 'feel' so light compared to modern hatches/cars. My TD gets washed about in a strong cross wind on the motorway! But great to throw about, I don't know if the 16v is 'stiffer' handling wise, but my TD has quite noticeable body roll and the steering rack that is not that quick (but this is after driving a Porsche 944, so probably not fair to the car).

The turbo wakes up at 2k but being an old unit (compared to say the HDi engines that replaced the 1.9TD) it is bigger and takes more to get going.
Mine inherited Volcane suspension after the rear axle got a bit worn which makes it a little lower and stiffer (still get blown about a bit though). Also a friend suggesting 195/50*15 Toyo Proxies (which were a bargain from Camskill) help too .
I doubt the petrol models are stiffer but assuming the engines are a bit lighter, could help a bit there with less weight in the nose.

A loooong time ago I had a 1.9 Volcane briefly as a company car with a Sylva Fury kitcar as a weekend toy. I once decided to do my favourite bit of local road in the ZX and when I looked at the clock I realised I was wafting along at the same speed that in the Fury I thought was "making progress" .

I've a Xsara as a replacement for the ZX (but still seem to refuse to scrap it/get rid), the turbo comes in strongly at 1500rpm and it has advanced features like heating that works and a drivers window that goes up and down (not jammed up with a bit of wood after the cable snapped), but turn in, high speed cornering and steering feel are just not as good.

[S10GTA]

Great car. I'd love one, but they can be a pig to work on.

[h4muf]

I too had a Volcane TD,great car imho!

[4a4]

gdelargy said:

What about the 205 D Turbo? I remember a workmate raving about his, and that must have been back in about '93-'94. He'd owned a 205 GTI prior to that as well, so he wasn't just blowing smoke (in every way).

I think the Pug was slightly down on power, but obviously it was a lot lighter too.

:wub:
205 DTurbo. I remember your hip hugging bolsters on the seats, Golf GTI beating acceleration, and a weeks worth of commuting and evening hooning for £10 worth of diesel.
Ahh memories. Blow out didn't help stability, turning in on 6.5" wide wheels though...

[Hub]

"my first car was a Citroen ZX"

Me too. Wasn't too fond of it, but the 16v did interest me as a result! They are super rare though, and have been for years!

Edit: How Many Left says only 18 on the road, and 34 sorn! They peaked at only around 500 on the road so Citroen never sold that many.

Edited by Hub on Monday 4th February 12:54

[londonbabe]

My mum had a ZX Volcane 1.9i
It replaced a wonderful black BX 19 GTi, and to me was far, far less of a car.
It wasn't 'Citroeny' enough, due to steel springs and it had the look of a badge engineered Peugeot, and those backwards "afterthought" rear 3/4 windows were vile. The later 3 door looked much better.

Its biggest crime, as a back seat passenger, was the awful gimmicky sliding rear bench, which entailed them fitting some kind of hinge bar that was placed just so to dig into your lower spine in the most painful way possible. It was easily the most uncomfortable car to ride in I have ever experienced, which for a Citroen, is nigh on unforgivable.

[Rob175kks]

My mate had one of these a few years back, lost his keys but found that the keys to his mum's 1.4 model of the same car opened and started it!

[robsa]

Brilliant cars, probably a good buy for £2300 odd quid if you're a french car nut. The Volcane would be worth a go if it sold for £500 too.

Although reading the phrase 'timewarp' wants me to dig my eyes out with a teaspoon, along with 'ice cold aircon' and 'buttery smooth' when referring to smartphones.....

[alangla]

Rob175kks said:

My mate had one of these a few years back, lost his keys but found that the keys to his mum's 1.4 model of the same car opened and started it!

So THAT'S why they fitted the PIN pad immobiliser!!!

[ruff'n'smov]

I had a 93 L plate 2.0 volcane which cost 5.5k , Loved it and great road holding too. I used to travel between Shorpe and Doncaster M181 onto M180 slip road was a very tight slip road did it at 80 in the volcane and recently tried that slip in a TT 80 was very scary in that so the ZX was way ahead of its time.

[omgus]

I've had two ZX's (both 1.4) and very nearly brought a 1.9td a few days ago. Always wanted a 16v but never seemed to find one when i had the cash.

I will always love a car that could ignore speedbumps so easily yet also hold on when when you ragged the arse off it.

This article has brought back a few memories,

[young_bairn]

Yes a car I have owned features. My first car was a 3 door 1.4i 'elation' M375 XTS If I remember correctly. Done me very well for 4 years. I drove to Aberdeen and Barrow in Furness regularly. Handed it down to my sister and ran for another couple of years before she traded it in. Solid beast with very low running costs.

[Johnnytheboy]

young_bairn said:

Yes a car I have owned features. My first car was a 3 door 1.4i 'elation' M375 XTS If I remember correctly. Done me very well for 4 years. I drove to Aberdeen and Barrow in Furness regularly. Handed it down to my sister and ran for another couple of years before she traded it in. Solid beast with very low running costs.

That's no way to talk about your sister.