RE: SOTW: Citroen CX Croisette

[mcelliott]

Thom said:

Oh that is very nice indeed, but I reckon the saloon is even better looking. I rate them, along with the DS, as my two favourite cars ever. Simply gorgeous. Unfortunately with hardly any decent examples left I'm worried that I may have missed the boat in owning one.

[Thom]

Sure the saloon formally "looks" better but the odd-looking estate has this je ne sais quoi that gives it a certain appeal

[carinaman]

soad said:

Gorbyrev said:

I am pretty sure that once the hydropneumatic suspension is lowered right down, you can't wheelclamp a CX or for that matter a BX.

Interesting, never gave that a thought.

I think one of the changes to Xantia when they facelifted it was removing that ability. The Newcomers test in CAR for the facelifted Xantia said the ability to sink to the floor could lead to the exhaust getting damaged when it was dropped on uneven ground.

I'm not sure where those saying it's a mish mash of different designs are coming from at all.

It's been said before elsewhere, but definitely a bit of this in the CX:

http://www.landcrab.net/mainframes/main_pinafarina...

[tmsgriff]

Those big Cx estates were amazing.Their load carrying and seating capacity made for many wondeful blasts round Europe, wafting along, gliding even, at amazing cruising speeds and in those duty free days, one hell of a load of little French beers and cases of cheap plonk were disguised by the self levelling suspension.

A short interlude with a 2.5? Gti was an exhilirating experience cut short by a tendency to overheat.

Moved onto an XM and then to a C5, all large estates but none had the sheer Frenchness of the CX. Amazing value too if bought low mileage second hand.

Definite good shed.

[Kitchski]

carinaman said:

soad said:

Gorbyrev said:

I am pretty sure that once the hydropneumatic suspension is lowered right down, you can't wheelclamp a CX or for that matter a BX.

Interesting, never gave that a thought.

I think one of the changes to Xantia when they facelifted it was removing that ability. The Newcomers test in CAR for the facelifted Xantia said the ability to sink to the floor could lead to the exhaust getting damaged when it was dropped on uneven ground.

I'm not sure where those saying it's a mish mash of different designs are coming from at all.

It's been said before elsewhere, but definitely a bit of this in the CX:

http://www.landcrab.net/mainframes/main_pinafarina...

Early Xantias sink like most hydropneumatically suspended Cits, but anything from late 1994 onwards had what was called "anti-sink" which was brought in to satisfy those who didn't like the suspension as they'd have to wait for it to rise before setting off, wasting precious seconds.
It was basically a reserve accumulator sphere on the axle (only using a female thread - the only sphere that ever did) which stored pressure while the engine was off (and therefore had no high pressure pump spinning).

You can still deck a Xantia manually though, as you can with all hydropneumatic Citroens using the height conrol lever or buttons. It's just that with a car with anti-sink, the HP pump needs to be running to allow the pressure switch to release the pressure in the anti-sink sphere, whereas in something like a BX you just flick the lever and the car hisses before slumping on the floor.

[fluffnik]

Faust66 said:

Strangely, for an enormous car it had the most feeble sounding horn I can ever recall hearing… but I suppose that’s the French for you!

The horn should be two stage:

• light press - weedy electric horn
• full press - twin air horns

[Munich]

SWoll said:

Munich said:

SWoll said:

Go on then, I'll stick my head above the parapet.

Absolutely bloody awful. Give me a german barge any day of the week over this ugly, badly built monstrosity.

It might be at the more "interesting" end of the shed spectrum, but that doesn't make it any good...

You may well be correct in terms of driver appeal, running costs... etc, but it is still a good Shed. Part of the appeal of buying a shed should be to experience leftfield cars instead of just a cheap version of what everyone else already drives - I mean, if it was to go bang after a couple of months, what does it matter.

These Citroens, for example, are getting rare and as a certified Petrolhead I think it's important to expereince these cars before it's too late (you can then sell it after 3 month for the same price you paid for it).

Whilst I appreciate your sentiments, I find I have absolutely no interest whatsover in "experiencing" what this car has to offer.

Call me a phillistine perhaps, but I see absolutely nothing appealing here that I would feel the urge to throw a bag of sand at.

Not my kind of shed, but each to their own. Seems to have been popular, which is a good thing.

Yeah, fair enough. Can't really argue against you, just different opinions.

I really like the Citroen C6 too and will own one for a couple of months in the future. However, this liking purely comes from the design. Had it been designed as a scaled-up old C5 then I don't think it would hold any attraction whatsoever.

[xkrGiles]

Munich said:

SWoll said:

Munich said:

SWoll said:

Go on then, I'll stick my head above the parapet.

Absolutely bloody awful. Give me a german barge any day of the week over this ugly, badly built monstrosity.

It might be at the more "interesting" end of the shed spectrum, but that doesn't make it any good...

You may well be correct in terms of driver appeal, running costs... etc, but it is still a good Shed. Part of the appeal of buying a shed should be to experience leftfield cars instead of just a cheap version of what everyone else already drives - I mean, if it was to go bang after a couple of months, what does it matter.

These Citroens, for example, are getting rare and as a certified Petrolhead I think it's important to expereince these cars before it's too late (you can then sell it after 3 month for the same price you paid for it).

Whilst I appreciate your sentiments, I find I have absolutely no interest whatsover in "experiencing" what this car has to offer.

Call me a phillistine perhaps, but I see absolutely nothing appealing here that I would feel the urge to throw a bag of sand at.

Not my kind of shed, but each to their own. Seems to have been popular, which is a good thing.

Yeah, fair enough. Can't really argue against you, just different opinions.

I really like the Citroen C6 too and will own one for a couple of months in the future. However, this liking purely comes from the design. Had it been designed as a scaled-up old C5 then I don't think it would hold any attraction whatsoever.

SWOLL = Why do you have nothing in your garage ?
or was it all german boring blandness which has become invisible to me

Each to their own, but you are in the minority to suggest this has no interest when compared with any german crap

[CGAT]

I'll stick to my version of these sheds

[Kolbenkopp]

Cool, me likes. Takes dedication to cope with the associated



potential I think.

[turbo-ww]

CGAT said:

I'll stick to my version of these sheds

8 Posts in 15 months, is that because you spend all your time polishing the flip-flop?

Go on, be brave, tell us more.

[ess]

[quotehmmmmmm..........not shed cash though



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-CX-GTI-TURBO2-/2...
[/quote]

Lovely !

I ran a '88 CX 2.5 GTI for a year or so back in the late nineties.
Unfortunately don't appear to have any photos of her.
Great car, let down by dodgy electrics.
Reasonable running costs through independents in London including re-gassing of the suspension.
Have to love the rear concave glass.

[Faust66]

fluffnik said:

Faust66 said:

Strangely, for an enormous car it had the most feeble sounding horn I can ever recall hearing… but I suppose that’s the French for you!

The horn should be two stage:

• light press - weedy electric horn
• full press - twin air horns

I'll tell the old man next time I speak to him! (shame he sold the car back in '89 though).

[Johnboy Mac]

CGAT said:

I'll stick to my version of these sheds

Well done Mr.C Gat. It ain't to my taste (which is neither here nor there), no denying it's far, far more interesting that some other loved & modded older cars about. Respect and well done again.

[samsoon19]

Awesome things! I love old French cars just for sillyness of some of them. Who cares if it breaks, you'll be too busy laughing at the the various warning lights and dials having a fit to care!

[dapprman]

soad said:

Gorbyrev said:

I am pretty sure that once the hydropneumatic suspension is lowered right down, you can't wheelclamp a CX or for that matter a BX.

Interesting, never gave that a thought.

Going to have to pop outside and try it on my C6. I half expect it to rise back up once I kill the ignition though.

[KM666]

Fast Bug said:

Escort Si-130 said:

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH you guys giving me nightmares. I hated seeing these cars as a kid. True banger status, a clunker in its highest regard. These looked awful seeing them in the 80's they looked like something of another world. I HATED the flaps over the rear wheel. Ugly as hell, I guess this is also another reason why I do not like the current C6 as its styling seems to be based on this monstrosity.
This shed is a real dirty ole garden rotting garden shed in an allotment field.

Says the guy named after a mark 5 Escort

I hope the 'Bug' part of your name doesnt refer to a VW Beetle, if it does then thats a keen sense of irony you've honed there!

dapprman said:

soad said:

I am pretty sure that once the hydropneumatic suspension is lowered right down, you can't wheelclamp a CX or for that matter a BX.

Interesting, never gave that a thought.

Yes I remember this being true from my Mums ex's BX and Xantia.
The system doubles up as a handy tool for mechanics too, you raise it fully, pop the axle stands under the body, lower it fully and watch in awe as it raises its wheels ready for inspection.
Used to make me sick as dog everytime I went in them though, wallowing soft suspension combined with my Mums twitchy, jerky driving style = Seasick!

Liked the style of them however!

That flip paint one looks Pimp! Not sure about the alternative wheels pictured, 5 spokes look mean on it though!

Edited by KM666 on Saturday 28th January 20:47

[CGAT]

turbo-ww said:

8 Posts in 15 months, is that because you spend all your time polishing the flip-flop?

Go on, be brave, tell us more.

I only pop on here to defend the poor cx I've had this one since it was a bit over 2 years old, sadly not used in the last 2 years other than to MOT her. the paint has a good wax on it and only requires minimal attention







has a few bits in the motor too

[Strawman]

CGAT said:

has a few bits in the motor too

So what sort of power is it now making? Does the standard suspension cope easily with more power, brakes ?

[Kitchski]

KM666 said:

The system doubles up as a handy tool for mechanics too, you raise it fully, pop the axle stands under the body, lower it fully and watch in awe as it raises its wheels ready for inspection.
int one looks Pimp! Not sure about the alternative wheels pictured, 5 spokes look mean on it though!

Edited by KM666 on Saturday 28th January 20:47

That trick only works if you're doing one side at a time. The system can't lift the wheels up, it's still only suspension rather than fully powered hydraulics.
It works from side to side because the anti-roll bars lift the wheels, though on most Cit's this doesn't work on the rear either because of the semi-covered rear arches - you can't get the wheel out, except on the DS as you can remove the rear wing pretty easily.