£300 Citroen Xantia 1.9 Td experiment
Discussion
Inspired by the barn stored Bx thread on here I decided I needed an alternatively suspended car. A Bx was top of the list but there aren't many around so I turned my attention to the Xantia.
I'd like to say I spent many hours reading up on them, finding out what to look out for and then meticulously inspecting a selection of candidates. Instead, I had a few pints on Saturday and put bids on the closest Xantia to me and placed bids until I was the highest bidder. The auction ended on Sunday and I watched with horror as the seconds disappeared and I became the owner of an unknown quantity for the sum of £315. I picked it up in the dark and pouring rain, made sure the engine started, handed over the money and made my way home. It came with half a tank of diesel, a nice bonus.
Here's the beauty, a 1997 1.9td in the best grandad colour.
The tow bar is a nice touch, I'll hopefully get some use out of it. The bodywork is ok, a few scrapes and bumps but nothing bad. A bit of rust at the end of the sills but nothing to be worried about. The interior has plush velour in a lovely dull grey. There's a nice piece of black gaffer tape covering a small hole on the passenger seat.
It has one of those bloody keypad immobilisers
It also has aircon, whether it does anything or not remains to be seen.
What I can say is that the drivetrain is very good, driving back on the motorway it was very smooth. It was dark but when I put my foot down there was no smoke cloud behind. It seems to have been fairly well looked after, recent cambelt, service, battery and tyres this year.
The suspension needs a bit of work. There's only one invoice with the car and that says that the front spheres are on their way out. The sphere's are a novelty for me!
I'll be getting them sorted as the ride is a little bouncy.
So, will this be a reliable winter barge or a complete knacker? I'm thinking the former, well hoping really.
Any advice?
I'd like to say I spent many hours reading up on them, finding out what to look out for and then meticulously inspecting a selection of candidates. Instead, I had a few pints on Saturday and put bids on the closest Xantia to me and placed bids until I was the highest bidder. The auction ended on Sunday and I watched with horror as the seconds disappeared and I became the owner of an unknown quantity for the sum of £315. I picked it up in the dark and pouring rain, made sure the engine started, handed over the money and made my way home. It came with half a tank of diesel, a nice bonus.
Here's the beauty, a 1997 1.9td in the best grandad colour.
The tow bar is a nice touch, I'll hopefully get some use out of it. The bodywork is ok, a few scrapes and bumps but nothing bad. A bit of rust at the end of the sills but nothing to be worried about. The interior has plush velour in a lovely dull grey. There's a nice piece of black gaffer tape covering a small hole on the passenger seat.
It has one of those bloody keypad immobilisers
It also has aircon, whether it does anything or not remains to be seen.
What I can say is that the drivetrain is very good, driving back on the motorway it was very smooth. It was dark but when I put my foot down there was no smoke cloud behind. It seems to have been fairly well looked after, recent cambelt, service, battery and tyres this year.
The suspension needs a bit of work. There's only one invoice with the car and that says that the front spheres are on their way out. The sphere's are a novelty for me!
I'll be getting them sorted as the ride is a little bouncy.
So, will this be a reliable winter barge or a complete knacker? I'm thinking the former, well hoping really.
Any advice?
At that price, I don't think you can go wrong at all. If you're not scared of handling a spanner and occasionally getting stuck in, I can't see it being anything other than budget motoring. I love the fact we can pick up nice steady runners for a couple of hundred quid in this country.
Edit: Plus tapping in that four digit code must feel pretty cool..
Edit: Plus tapping in that four digit code must feel pretty cool..
I had one of these in a 1.9d for a couple of years and was a very well built capable car, I was sorry to see it go and I never had a single bit of trouble with it.
The only small gripe I ever found was the brakes always seemed a bit on and off, my father also had an old ex company car from my work which was a 2.0 petrol and when he got rid of it and sold it to my friend it was on 200.000 on the original engine with no mechanical work needed whatsoever.
It ended up being bought two years later from my friend by a do as you Likey and ended up being used as a post office battering ram.
Like the previous poster said how did It go so wrong for French cars.
The only small gripe I ever found was the brakes always seemed a bit on and off, my father also had an old ex company car from my work which was a 2.0 petrol and when he got rid of it and sold it to my friend it was on 200.000 on the original engine with no mechanical work needed whatsoever.
It ended up being bought two years later from my friend by a do as you Likey and ended up being used as a post office battering ram.
Like the previous poster said how did It go so wrong for French cars.
Reckon you've got yourself a deal there.
I had an XM with the keypad for seven years - it really isn't a big problem, and two-factor authentication is all the rage for online banking and the like now... <grin> Seriously, I'm always surprised it hasn't taken off, with so many people breaking in to houses to nick keys.
As far as the spheres go - remember that they're both springing and damping. It's the springing which fails over time. When they go flat, you effectively have no suspension bar the rubber bushes and the like. And the strut tops on Xants and XMs can rust and fail, pushing the strut through the bonnet.
As well as the four wheel spheres, there's one extra at the front - the accumulator - which is your pressure reserve for if the engine cuts out. If that's flat, you have no brakes almost immediately. It also helps to damp pressure waves from the pump, which can fracture various hydraulic components if left undamped. With the engine running and the car in normal height it should click about every minute, no more often.
Then there's an extra sphere at the back, the "anti-sink" sphere. It also has a role in the back suspension and back brakes. It's usually ignored, so it's almost certainly fubar by now. TBH, it's the least important if you're just smoking the car about.
Unless the fluid's really vivid green, change it. Simple job. ONLY use LHM in it.
Apart from that, there's not much to go wrong with the hydraulics, and the rest's just a 406. As well as the XM (and a second as a breaker), I've had four CXs and a GSA over the years...
I had an XM with the keypad for seven years - it really isn't a big problem, and two-factor authentication is all the rage for online banking and the like now... <grin> Seriously, I'm always surprised it hasn't taken off, with so many people breaking in to houses to nick keys.
As far as the spheres go - remember that they're both springing and damping. It's the springing which fails over time. When they go flat, you effectively have no suspension bar the rubber bushes and the like. And the strut tops on Xants and XMs can rust and fail, pushing the strut through the bonnet.
As well as the four wheel spheres, there's one extra at the front - the accumulator - which is your pressure reserve for if the engine cuts out. If that's flat, you have no brakes almost immediately. It also helps to damp pressure waves from the pump, which can fracture various hydraulic components if left undamped. With the engine running and the car in normal height it should click about every minute, no more often.
Then there's an extra sphere at the back, the "anti-sink" sphere. It also has a role in the back suspension and back brakes. It's usually ignored, so it's almost certainly fubar by now. TBH, it's the least important if you're just smoking the car about.
Unless the fluid's really vivid green, change it. Simple job. ONLY use LHM in it.
Apart from that, there's not much to go wrong with the hydraulics, and the rest's just a 406. As well as the XM (and a second as a breaker), I've had four CXs and a GSA over the years...
Thanks, it's good to see that they are well regarded. It amazes me as well that you can buy a car with loads of life left for so little money.
I'm going to get in touch with the previous owner, I bought it off a trader but the previous owner had owned it for over 10 years. Hopefully he'll be able to tell me which bits have been replaced.
I'll have a look at the strut tops and then, if all looks well, I'll probably replace the spheres and fluid. I want to enjoy full waftiness. I've already enjoyed raising and lowering the car, still in the novelty phase.
I'm going to get in touch with the previous owner, I bought it off a trader but the previous owner had owned it for over 10 years. Hopefully he'll be able to tell me which bits have been replaced.
I'll have a look at the strut tops and then, if all looks well, I'll probably replace the spheres and fluid. I want to enjoy full waftiness. I've already enjoyed raising and lowering the car, still in the novelty phase.
I'm pleased the estate has planted the seed!
Seriously though, Xantias are good cars. They were class leaders back in the day, if motoring mags are anything to go by, and though they're a bit staid and plain, they make excellent workhorses.
Only drawback of the 1.9TD really is the economy. I wouldn't expect any better than low 40s, even if you're kind to it. The steering's also pretty numb in feel, and the braking feel is also pretty nasty, though there is a mod you can do with the pedal to put that right.
Plus points? Good build (really), excellent ride once you've got new balls on it, fantastically roomy, reliable engine (make sure cooling system is clean....silty rads are what blows the head gasket) and if it's got a Bosch diesel pump, you'll be able to run it on veg for a decade before it throws its toys.
It's largely the same engine as the estate BTW, only with a turbo/intercooler setup.
If you need any help or info just let me know. Spheres are a piece of piss to change, and well worth doing....more than anything else on the car really!
Seriously though, Xantias are good cars. They were class leaders back in the day, if motoring mags are anything to go by, and though they're a bit staid and plain, they make excellent workhorses.
Only drawback of the 1.9TD really is the economy. I wouldn't expect any better than low 40s, even if you're kind to it. The steering's also pretty numb in feel, and the braking feel is also pretty nasty, though there is a mod you can do with the pedal to put that right.
Plus points? Good build (really), excellent ride once you've got new balls on it, fantastically roomy, reliable engine (make sure cooling system is clean....silty rads are what blows the head gasket) and if it's got a Bosch diesel pump, you'll be able to run it on veg for a decade before it throws its toys.
It's largely the same engine as the estate BTW, only with a turbo/intercooler setup.
If you need any help or info just let me know. Spheres are a piece of piss to change, and well worth doing....more than anything else on the car really!
0a said:
Good cars - several family members had them and they seem to do hundreds of thousands of miles. Where did french cars go wrong!
Yup - its a shame the French cars went downhill - id love to know who in Peugeot decides - I know - we want to replace the 406 - heres the 407 
.In the 80s - we had the 205, the 1990s bought us the 406 and Xantia.
Now - errr well the result of stuff like 307s, 407s and 308s and other remarkably average stuff - is that I don't know if Peugeot and Citroen will even exist next year.
DS 5 was a great opportunity - but they well and truly blew it - having a proper French car ride like older French cars - would have made a big difference I think.
508 did have promise but didn't quite hit the mark - which it needed to do againsed BMW and co.
Back to the OP - best wishes with the Xantia - lovely cars.
Cheers Kitchski, I appreciate the offer. It'll be interesting to see what mpg I can tease from it. In the 40's will be good enough. I like that it's a wafting car so I can just relax and take my time instead of rushing everywhere.
Is there any particular place to get the best sphere's from?
I'm looking forward to seeing my 328i touring sell now so I can drive the Citroen more.
Is there any particular place to get the best sphere's from?
I'm looking forward to seeing my 328i touring sell now so I can drive the Citroen more.
Small update.
I've lived with the car for a bit and have been finding out its good and bad points. On the good side is that the engine is really good. Serviced and cambelt changed in the last 1000 miles. The gearbox is great, very tight. I rang the garage that has serviced the car for the last 7 years and he said that it was always treated well and had everything that it needed. They were concerned about the last owner as he was an old gent. Hope he's ok and just given up driving due to age.
The interior needed a really good clean so I set about it with some Autoglym cleaners. Here's what came off one A pillar.
The rest of the interior was similar but it smells a lot better now and i'm pretty confident that I won't catch anything deadly from it.
The recent weather highlighted a need for new bulbs and wipers so i've fitted some Bosch items that were on offer.
The next item on the list was the suspension. I knew that the front spheres were spent due to the bouncy ride and I had no evidence of any of the others being done. There's 6 in total and a search brought up a company called Westroen who sell all 6 spheres for £180. It seemed a good price and they are offered with a 3 year warranty so I went for them. What was even better was that the owner, Doug, would fit them for free as I waited. I went over to Manchester today to get them fitted and the street leading up to the garage was full of speed bumps. A great test for the suspension. It was a bumpy mess unfortunately but I knew that it would be fixed in a matter of hours.
The car was assessed and Doug set about changing the spheres. It was interesting to watch Doug in action. There was time for chatting and cups of tea and the job was still done in just over 90 mins. I can thoroughly recommend Westroen, great service. The drive back put the suspension to the test again. This time the legendary ride was back, the same speed humps that had me bouncing a couple of hours earlier were now smoothly absorbed. I have a wafty barge once more.
Mechanically, the car is all set for winter now. Hopefully it will prove to be reliable. There's a couple of electric issues taht need looking at. I can't get the interior lights to come on so i'll look into that.
I've lived with the car for a bit and have been finding out its good and bad points. On the good side is that the engine is really good. Serviced and cambelt changed in the last 1000 miles. The gearbox is great, very tight. I rang the garage that has serviced the car for the last 7 years and he said that it was always treated well and had everything that it needed. They were concerned about the last owner as he was an old gent. Hope he's ok and just given up driving due to age.
The interior needed a really good clean so I set about it with some Autoglym cleaners. Here's what came off one A pillar.
The rest of the interior was similar but it smells a lot better now and i'm pretty confident that I won't catch anything deadly from it.
The recent weather highlighted a need for new bulbs and wipers so i've fitted some Bosch items that were on offer.
The next item on the list was the suspension. I knew that the front spheres were spent due to the bouncy ride and I had no evidence of any of the others being done. There's 6 in total and a search brought up a company called Westroen who sell all 6 spheres for £180. It seemed a good price and they are offered with a 3 year warranty so I went for them. What was even better was that the owner, Doug, would fit them for free as I waited. I went over to Manchester today to get them fitted and the street leading up to the garage was full of speed bumps. A great test for the suspension. It was a bumpy mess unfortunately but I knew that it would be fixed in a matter of hours.
The car was assessed and Doug set about changing the spheres. It was interesting to watch Doug in action. There was time for chatting and cups of tea and the job was still done in just over 90 mins. I can thoroughly recommend Westroen, great service. The drive back put the suspension to the test again. This time the legendary ride was back, the same speed humps that had me bouncing a couple of hours earlier were now smoothly absorbed. I have a wafty barge once more.
Mechanically, the car is all set for winter now. Hopefully it will prove to be reliable. There's a couple of electric issues taht need looking at. I can't get the interior lights to come on so i'll look into that.
Every time I see mention of a Xantia - I decide I want one 
.
Should temptation ever get the better of better judgement/common sense - what should a Xantia with suspension in good/decent order actually ride like.
Was in a Xantia once - a taxi - after a night on the tiles - felt that more of the roads inperfections were being transmitted to me in the back seat then I would have expected/liked.
Just as important - am I actually missing anything worthwhile by keeping out of Xantia land
.Should temptation ever get the better of better judgement/common sense - what should a Xantia with suspension in good/decent order actually ride like.
Was in a Xantia once - a taxi - after a night on the tiles - felt that more of the roads inperfections were being transmitted to me in the back seat then I would have expected/liked.
Just as important - am I actually missing anything worthwhile by keeping out of Xantia land
As long as the spheres are good, the hydractive 2 cars ride better in my experience. The Activa is the most fidgety, though it still pisses on normally sprung cars and you forgive it because of what it can do through corners.
They're good cars if you get a decent one....looks like you have OP.
They're good cars if you get a decent one....looks like you have OP.
Dad had one as a cheap runabout years ago...
Very comfortable and surprisingly little body roll in the corners.
Just don't crash it
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/citroen_xantia_1997/...
Very comfortable and surprisingly little body roll in the corners.
Just don't crash it
http://www.euroncap.com/tests/citroen_xantia_1997/...
It's quite difficult to explain the ride. It's like controlled wallowing! Nice and squishy but good turn in and composure. It takes all of the harsh edges out of pot holes.
Generally it's just a nice relaxing place to be.
One thing I'm keeping an eye on is a bit of clutch judder when setting off from a standstill. There's no slipping but it's a slight concern.
I'd love to have a go in an Activa that was in good working order. It's a shame that we didn't get the Hdi version over here.
Generally it's just a nice relaxing place to be.
One thing I'm keeping an eye on is a bit of clutch judder when setting off from a standstill. There's no slipping but it's a slight concern.
I'd love to have a go in an Activa that was in good working order. It's a shame that we didn't get the Hdi version over here.
Interested to see how you get on with this... I had one a good few years ago.. Bought with 47k and sold with 93k.. Just a 1.9 non turbo diesel... Was slow, not very economical - averaging 33 mpg - going basically flat out down the motorway (it didn't go very quick!) and ended up being expensive to run.. Annoying things like door locks, problems with electrics, brakes as mentioned were horrible to use being either on or off.. Wheel bearing.. Also had an oil leak.. Not big money to fix but every service was expensive.. All mounted up...
It was really comfy though...
It was really comfy though...
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff