Here I go again.... Citroen XM luxo-barge content

[hidetheelephants]

Podie said:

I remember my Dad test driving a V6 version... but he felt seasick driving it, so went for the Pug 605 instead.

Possibly the only contemporary luxobarge with worse depreciation than the XM!

[AmitG]

Johnboy Mac said:

It's just nicely mad. Only Citroen.

The current Citroens may be more reliable, but they just can't match the character of the XM. I like the fixed-hub steering wheel you get in the C4/C5 but given the choice between that and an electric armrest...

It got me thinking about which car manufacturer is today catering for us lovers of charmingly bonkers design. Citroen have IMHO gone a bit too Germanic to qualify. I'm thinking Honda.

[Podie]

hidetheelephants said:

Podie said:

I remember my Dad test driving a V6 version... but he felt seasick driving it, so went for the Pug 605 instead.

Possibly the only contemporary luxobarge with worse depreciation than the XM!

Company car.


(in those days it was a decent perk still)

[S10GTA]

CarlosV8 said:

Another fine choice sir, hopefully this one will work out better!

Loving the pimp armrest, but slightly disappointed by the lack of boost gauge in the dash - I'm sure my Grandad's old TD had one. Does it have the switchable sports suspension?

It does indeed, and makes a surprising difference. You will have to meet me at Southways when I take it down sometime.

[tog]

I really want an XM, and last week had a long conversation with a friend who is a retired Citroen main dealer. He told me that hand on heart he really couldn't recommend that I bought an XM. I still want one though.

If you need parts try the Citroen dealer in Marlborough, Clarke and Rodway. They are still an independent locally owned company, but a year or two ago he told me that he'd written all his XM stock off the books so if I ever found to come to him for parts, as they now no longer owed him anything. He was putting their old CX stock on ebay one by one.

[Fun Bus]

My love of the electrically operated armrest aside; I really do think the XM has a real charm about it - much more so than the 605 or Renault Safrane in my opinion.

My cousin had an XM many years ago, a dark red one but the spec and year escape me now.

[Stinkfoot]

I love these - just so quirky. In fact any big Franch saloon is a rare sight these days but i must admit i really like the idea of a cheapo C6 in a few years.

Great thread OP.

[S10GTA]

Took the luxo-barge into work today for the first time, and it was lovely driving in town. It did exactly what I got it for. A nice, comfy, easy journey with minimum fuss. Very pleased.

Now the important question, sans mud flaps?

[Kitchski]

Take 'em off and see what you think?

[CarlosV8]

S10GTA said:

CarlosV8 said:

Another fine choice sir, hopefully this one will work out better!

Loving the pimp armrest, but slightly disappointed by the lack of boost gauge in the dash - I'm sure my Grandad's old TD had one. Does it have the switchable sports suspension?

It does indeed, and makes a surprising difference. You will have to meet me at Southways when I take it down sometime.

Cool! Let me know when you're popping down, can't promise I'll be able to make it (baby due next month!) but I'll try

[RP1]

Fan-bloody-tastic. That arm rest is possibly the best feature I've seen in a car, ever.

[S10GTA]

My geek book arrived today



Expect useless facts at random intervals.

[guru_1071]

i think i might have the haynes manual for the XM at home, will have a rummage, you can have it if you want it

[405dogvan]

S10GTA said:

Now the important question, sans mud flaps?

Good question - it's illegal not to have them tho, innit??

A mate of mine used to drive a Vitara snotter - mainly for offroad use but he'd sometimes use it on the road for dump trips etc. He removed the mudflaps (as they kept getting ripped-off) but one rainy day he was stopped by Plod who showed him a video of the MASSIVE roostertails he was generating - and then showed him a ticket with a fine attached to it!?!?

[Kitchski]

405dogvan said:

S10GTA said:

Now the important question, sans mud flaps?

Good question - it's illegal not to have them tho, innit??

A mate of mine used to drive a Vitara snotter - mainly for offroad use but he'd sometimes use it on the road for dump trips etc. He removed the mudflaps (as they kept getting ripped-off) but one rainy day he was stopped by Plod who showed him a video of the MASSIVE roostertails he was generating - and then showed him a ticket with a fine attached to it!?!?

No they were just an accessory - nothing legal about it.

On a 4x4it might be a different case where it was designed to have them or something, or the possibility he had oversized tyres etc.

[ajb85]

All hail the XM! A bit like the Alfa; a true petrol head has to own something odd ball and quirky like this at some point if only for a brief period. I have fond memories of the BX and we had a CX Gti once for all of 5 minutes, I'd seen nothing like it!

Hope this one will be the silver lining to the cloud that was the rot-box 405. Touch wood, the XM might just surprise you and become a proper old faithful bird, wanting for nothing and pissing through every MoT.

[ashy19]

That is very bizarre the inside rear window. Is that in the XM? Something all XM's have?

[s1rallyemark]

S10GTA said:

My geek book arrived today



Expect useless facts at random intervals.

Randomly i also have this book so if anyone else wants it let me know.

[Graebob]

OP, you magnificent bd. I've always wanted one of these

[williamp]

s1rallyemark said:

S10GTA said:

My geek book arrived today



Expect useless facts at random intervals.

Randomly i also have this book so if anyone else wants it let me know.

I feel a fact-off between you. Ready, steady, go!!