My bodged Citroen BX 16v
Discussion
K50 DEL said:
Kitchski said:
I might be retrofitting air-con to it soon though, as well as ripping all the panels off and performing rust-prevention measures underneath to avoid the carnage you had with that Peugeot!
BX with air con... that'll be pretty rare, think I've only ever seen a photo of one of them.Controls are mounted in the tiny horizontal gap below the central air vents IIRC
Spooky, just been on loveoldclassics thread, where he spotted a BX in Hastings. Which reminded me of a 1991 BX Meteor that I owned back in 2001, so much fun to be had with the suspension lever, bouncing around on the top setting. Or grounding out on the lowest. Mine was a problem motor only a cheap runabout paid £600, cos just got divorced, overheated and would refuse to start when hot, traded in for a golf as soon as I could. Getting rare now.
If anyone's reading this and is feeling the love, I know of a black ph2 16v up for £650 with no MOT needing a bit of work:
Give me a shout if you're interested and I'll pass the details on to the owner. It's not going on the bay (to my knowledge). The car is in Lincs (again to my knowledge!)
Cheers
Give me a shout if you're interested and I'll pass the details on to the owner. It's not going on the bay (to my knowledge). The car is in Lincs (again to my knowledge!)
Cheers
Having updated the estate's thread, I remembered I'd done one for the 16v too.
So what's changed since the last post? Not too much really (the world of BXs is a fairly boring, almost reliable one!) I've still got it, covered around 3000miles since the last update. It failed it's MoT this year (on more than a bulb....grrrr!) Had to fit two new balljoints, new front wheel bearing and a couple of other bits. Can't complain....I haven't changed any drivetrain parts on it since I got it in 2004, and that was 35,000miles ago!
I'll be using it as my daily for October, and was using it as a daily up until earlier this year. It's been running really well, managing high 30's to the gallon on runs (even hit 42mpg last summer) and still managing to keep me entertained behind the wheel. Every time I drive it, I always want to drive further than I need to, taking the long way home etc. It's that kind of car, and the more time goes on and modern cars get more and more anonymous, the more this thing appeals. I just can't imagine driving a modern car at all these days.
I took the car to The Wheel Alignment Centre having taken my TVR down there the previous day. I was so impressed with Nick on that car I took the BX for a geo-check (didn't really need a check....I knew it was miles out!) Nick, the guy who runs it is a top bloke, and really knows his onions. His wealth of knowledge on all things alignment-related is always impressive, which led to me learning something I found funny that day; on hooking my car up, I noticed the camber differed from left to right on the car. I thought that was odd, as you can't adjust the camber on it (hydropneumatic suspension self-levels....it barely needs any castor or toe either).
So I asked Nick....his repsonse "well, it's French innit." Before I went on with the "oh, yeah here we go, slag the French cars off then just as everyone else does" he carried on with "I like the French cars, but they're all built like that. It allows for the cambers on their roads, so they're cambered from the off to deal with continental roads." I said "well, what about the English? We drive on the left." "Well, we can get f
ked can't we?!" he said!
So it's pretty amazing that they make some of the best handling cars around, when they're not naturally geared for our roads. Apparently it's a very common thing on French cars....stereotypically arrogant! Don't ask him about Audis or Mercs though
French really do like snails, too:
(Parked in my fecking garage, windows shut....must be BX panel gaps!)
Carrying on from a previous comment about it going on a bullst rolling road, and us (at work) putting a rolling road in, well we did. I've been playing and learning on my own cars ever since. A while back, I switched the correction factor to DIN (just as it would have been back in 1990) instead of SAE correction factors. They were rated at 160bhp DIN, or 158bhp SAE.
Result:
Now chassis rolling roads can never be taken as 100% accurate, as there are too many variables between the run and the finished graph. But even so, I enjoyed that!
I even videoed it:
[pic]
[/pic]
I even organised a BX rolling road day. Seven cars hit the dyno in total, and all were either 16v or turbo diesel models. All had over 100k miles on, and the 16vs did 149bhp, 150bhp, 152bhp and 156bhp (book figure is 158bhp (SAE)). TDs did 89bhp, 90bhp and 92bhp (book figure 88bhp SAE/90bhp DIN).....I run a dyno, and that really doesn't happen too often; having a group of old cars ALL being on the money!
I already had a second 16v, this time in grey, but that has turned out to be totally rotten and is now being broken for spares. I'll be lifting the aircon from that car and fitting it to this one. I've also bought ANOTHER 16v, this time another red (well, it's pink) version of the same build year. Didn't come with an engine, originally bought for spares. Annoyingly (in a way) it's actually mint underneath, with one really bad area of rot which is leaving me umming and ahhing as to whether to fix it.
BAH (as I call it) is going on the BXC stand in the NEC Classic Motor Show in November. It's all original, battle scars, the lot, so it might stand out a bit from the other resprayed cars dotted around the place. But if you're at the show and see it, come say hello! It's the only weekend of the year I'm going to be upbeat and sociable!
Anyway, as you can tell I can't really think what to write. But, like the estate, it's going well, ageing gracefully and still making reps in Insignias double take when immaturity strikes and I out accelerate them having moved over after they've tailgated me for 10 miles on a motorway.
So what's changed since the last post? Not too much really (the world of BXs is a fairly boring, almost reliable one!) I've still got it, covered around 3000miles since the last update. It failed it's MoT this year (on more than a bulb....grrrr!) Had to fit two new balljoints, new front wheel bearing and a couple of other bits. Can't complain....I haven't changed any drivetrain parts on it since I got it in 2004, and that was 35,000miles ago!
I'll be using it as my daily for October, and was using it as a daily up until earlier this year. It's been running really well, managing high 30's to the gallon on runs (even hit 42mpg last summer) and still managing to keep me entertained behind the wheel. Every time I drive it, I always want to drive further than I need to, taking the long way home etc. It's that kind of car, and the more time goes on and modern cars get more and more anonymous, the more this thing appeals. I just can't imagine driving a modern car at all these days.
I took the car to The Wheel Alignment Centre having taken my TVR down there the previous day. I was so impressed with Nick on that car I took the BX for a geo-check (didn't really need a check....I knew it was miles out!) Nick, the guy who runs it is a top bloke, and really knows his onions. His wealth of knowledge on all things alignment-related is always impressive, which led to me learning something I found funny that day; on hooking my car up, I noticed the camber differed from left to right on the car. I thought that was odd, as you can't adjust the camber on it (hydropneumatic suspension self-levels....it barely needs any castor or toe either).
So I asked Nick....his repsonse "well, it's French innit." Before I went on with the "oh, yeah here we go, slag the French cars off then just as everyone else does" he carried on with "I like the French cars, but they're all built like that. It allows for the cambers on their roads, so they're cambered from the off to deal with continental roads." I said "well, what about the English? We drive on the left." "Well, we can get f
ked can't we?!" he said! So it's pretty amazing that they make some of the best handling cars around, when they're not naturally geared for our roads. Apparently it's a very common thing on French cars....stereotypically arrogant! Don't ask him about Audis or Mercs though
French really do like snails, too:
(Parked in my fecking garage, windows shut....must be BX panel gaps!)
Carrying on from a previous comment about it going on a bulls
t rolling road, and us (at work) putting a rolling road in, well we did. I've been playing and learning on my own cars ever since. A while back, I switched the correction factor to DIN (just as it would have been back in 1990) instead of SAE correction factors. They were rated at 160bhp DIN, or 158bhp SAE.Result:
Now chassis rolling roads can never be taken as 100% accurate, as there are too many variables between the run and the finished graph. But even so, I enjoyed that!
I even videoed it:
[pic]
[/pic]I even organised a BX rolling road day. Seven cars hit the dyno in total, and all were either 16v or turbo diesel models. All had over 100k miles on, and the 16vs did 149bhp, 150bhp, 152bhp and 156bhp (book figure is 158bhp (SAE)). TDs did 89bhp, 90bhp and 92bhp (book figure 88bhp SAE/90bhp DIN).....I run a dyno, and that really doesn't happen too often; having a group of old cars ALL being on the money!
I already had a second 16v, this time in grey, but that has turned out to be totally rotten and is now being broken for spares. I'll be lifting the aircon from that car and fitting it to this one. I've also bought ANOTHER 16v, this time another red (well, it's pink) version of the same build year. Didn't come with an engine, originally bought for spares. Annoyingly (in a way) it's actually mint underneath, with one really bad area of rot which is leaving me umming and ahhing as to whether to fix it.
BAH (as I call it) is going on the BXC stand in the NEC Classic Motor Show in November. It's all original, battle scars, the lot, so it might stand out a bit from the other resprayed cars dotted around the place. But if you're at the show and see it, come say hello! It's the only weekend of the year I'm going to be upbeat and sociable!
Anyway, as you can tell I can't really think what to write. But, like the estate, it's going well, ageing gracefully and still making reps in Insignias double take when immaturity strikes and I out accelerate them having moved over after they've tailgated me for 10 miles on a motorway.
First time I've seen this thread. I love the BX 16v, had two when I first passed my test back in '96.
In fact a buddy also had one and we ran around with matching Citunning stickers on the back lol. Tell you what they were awesome fun and a lot of bang for buck back then. Gave the RS boys something to worry about at the, ahem, traffic light Grandprix ; )
Going to send a link to this thread to my mate. We still talk very fondly of these cars and the antics we got up too in them, well we were 17 and lived near Dartford lol. Still got pictures up of them in the garage next to my current chariot : )
Thanks for reviving this thread mate, really enjoyed the read.
In fact a buddy also had one and we ran around with matching Citunning stickers on the back lol. Tell you what they were awesome fun and a lot of bang for buck back then. Gave the RS boys something to worry about at the, ahem, traffic light Grandprix ; )
Going to send a link to this thread to my mate. We still talk very fondly of these cars and the antics we got up too in them, well we were 17 and lived near Dartford lol. Still got pictures up of them in the garage next to my current chariot : )
Thanks for reviving this thread mate, really enjoyed the read.
Cheers guys.
I'm looking forward to the NEC, because along with it's little cousin the AX GT, these cars always seem to bring out stories and tales from people. I always end up speaking to someone whose mother's brother's mate's supervisor had one
Usually hear some funny stories about 'hydrolastic' suspension systems blowing up and making the car roll off a cliff too!
I'm looking forward to the NEC, because along with it's little cousin the AX GT, these cars always seem to bring out stories and tales from people. I always end up speaking to someone whose mother's brother's mate's supervisor had one
Usually hear some funny stories about 'hydrolastic' suspension systems blowing up and making the car roll off a cliff too!
Quick update time! With the NEC looming, I had to make some small changes:
Old:
New:
Old:
New:
Much better, I think. The newer font plates just don't work on older cars. Obviously these are show plates....I won't actually drive with them on. Honest.
A few other issues to attend to, like the coolant leak that's just decided to....well, happen really. I've also had a buzzing noise coming from the backbox for a couple of weeks. It's not the OE 16v one, it's a cheapo Walker copy cat. I bought a centre section a few years ago too, but that's made of monkey metal and has already rusted through, so I found a spare off another 16v I'm breaking....a GENUINE Citroen one!
So, fitted my original genuine backbox that came with the car way back in 2004 (that I'd removed to preserve it for future use, but decided to stop being a tart) along with this centre silencer. Had to clean it out first though:
Something had been living in it!:
All fitted now though:
Added bonus.....this exhaust system is a genuine one, front to back! And it makes a unique noise that the aftermarket ones can't hit. It's subtle, like a sort of muted hum, but with a muffled rasp if you give it some welly. I'll need a bloody anal camera to capture the noise on film, but I'm aiming to try!
I also removed my cone air filter and refitted the original airbox setup, and I have to say I'm enjoying it without it now! So currently, my 16v is pretty much totally standard....and all the better for it (you can tell I've hit 30!)
Enjoyed the drive home tonight
Old:
New:
Old:
New:
Much better, I think. The newer font plates just don't work on older cars. Obviously these are show plates....I won't actually drive with them on. Honest.
A few other issues to attend to, like the coolant leak that's just decided to....well, happen really. I've also had a buzzing noise coming from the backbox for a couple of weeks. It's not the OE 16v one, it's a cheapo Walker copy cat. I bought a centre section a few years ago too, but that's made of monkey metal and has already rusted through, so I found a spare off another 16v I'm breaking....a GENUINE Citroen one!
So, fitted my original genuine backbox that came with the car way back in 2004 (that I'd removed to preserve it for future use, but decided to stop being a tart) along with this centre silencer. Had to clean it out first though:
Something had been living in it!:
All fitted now though:
Added bonus.....this exhaust system is a genuine one, front to back! And it makes a unique noise that the aftermarket ones can't hit. It's subtle, like a sort of muted hum, but with a muffled rasp if you give it some welly. I'll need a bloody anal camera to capture the noise on film, but I'm aiming to try!
I also removed my cone air filter and refitted the original airbox setup, and I have to say I'm enjoying it without it now! So currently, my 16v is pretty much totally standard....and all the better for it (you can tell I've hit 30!)
Enjoyed the drive home tonight
Thanks for the update.
Allow me to reminisce. A friend, years ago when we were just out of school, had a bunch of BXs (should that BXes?). Starting off with a C-reg 1.6 and then followed by high spec A-reg mark 1 (A285 BSG, scrapped I should imagine) in dark green, them with the pods and metric alloys. The procession of BXii(?) culminated in white diesel, which might have been E-reg. In the diesel, I remember driving it, my friend asked why I could get it to accelerate so quickly, er I just booted it with foot to the floor, he had a more delicate right foot and thought the resistance at mid throttle was the extent of the throttle travel!
In comparison with my contemporary Nissan Bluebird, BX brakes were certainly excellent[1]!
[1] Excepting handbrake turns. Silly Citroen fitted the handbrake shoes to the front wheels. No fun.
Allow me to reminisce. A friend, years ago when we were just out of school, had a bunch of BXs (should that BXes?). Starting off with a C-reg 1.6 and then followed by high spec A-reg mark 1 (A285 BSG, scrapped I should imagine) in dark green, them with the pods and metric alloys. The procession of BXii(?) culminated in white diesel, which might have been E-reg. In the diesel, I remember driving it, my friend asked why I could get it to accelerate so quickly, er I just booted it with foot to the floor, he had a more delicate right foot and thought the resistance at mid throttle was the extent of the throttle travel!
In comparison with my contemporary Nissan Bluebird, BX brakes were certainly excellent[1]!
[1] Excepting handbrake turns. Silly Citroen fitted the handbrake shoes to the front wheels. No fun.
Kitchski said:
downthepub said:
[1] Excepting handbrake turns. Silly Citroen fitted the handbrake shoes to the front wheels. No fun.
On the flipside, man-sized J-turns are easy!
Had a BX19D and a wonderfully charismatic 17 estate, auto with lpg. Free gift, in great nick - all I had to do was get it from Liege and drive it back to Shropshire for its MOT. It ended up spending ages with us. Once I'd got the gas serviced it became my favourite long distance hacks.
My persoanl view is that these were superb cars. I owned two phase two 16v cars when they were new: G769NDM (grey with stripes) and a J reg whose number I forget (white with herringbone). Its odd seeing similar cars now with tatty rim and terminal corrosion, but its nice to see on ebeing saved.
Loads of cleaning, planning and collapse/failure of said plans over the weekend. In other words, the NEC Classic Car Show. The BX stand did well, with six cars AND carpet! Was quite busy, loads of stories from passers-by reliving memories, which is what it's all about.
The old girl scrubbed up better than I thought it would too, and I nicked this picture from Honest John's Facebook page:
It's actually quite a good page for pictures of other cars too, if you follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=6191165714...
Downsides? Well other than the legendary diesel estate I had giving in and being left in the midlands, nothing too serious. The 16v has developed an intermittant misfire though. Thought I'd solved it when I found the dizzy cap central contact seized into the cap and carbon soot everywhere! Pulled one from my breaker and switched it over, but the problem remained. Pretty sure it's now the TDC sensor, which is located on the top of the bell housing. Underneath the HP suspension pump. Can I be fked to remove that and change it? Can I fk! BX has gone into the garage, tax cashed in. I'll get back to it in the new year
On the plus side, other than the misfire it's driving really nicely. Suspension has hit a sweet spot where I think the spheres are starting to go off, but they've stiffened the ride very slightly without ruining it. It goes round corners better than ever at the moment, so that's all good. No knocks, no rattles....it could have done 50k miles if you shut your eyes.
Until it misfires.
The old girl scrubbed up better than I thought it would too, and I nicked this picture from Honest John's Facebook page:
It's actually quite a good page for pictures of other cars too, if you follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=6191165714...
Downsides? Well other than the legendary diesel estate I had giving in and being left in the midlands, nothing too serious. The 16v has developed an intermittant misfire though. Thought I'd solved it when I found the dizzy cap central contact seized into the cap and carbon soot everywhere! Pulled one from my breaker and switched it over, but the problem remained. Pretty sure it's now the TDC sensor, which is located on the top of the bell housing. Underneath the HP suspension pump. Can I be f
ked to remove that and change it? Can I fk! BX has gone into the garage, tax cashed in. I'll get back to it in the new year On the plus side, other than the misfire it's driving really nicely. Suspension has hit a sweet spot where I think the spheres are starting to go off, but they've stiffened the ride very slightly without ruining it. It goes round corners better than ever at the moment, so that's all good. No knocks, no rattles....it could have done 50k miles if you shut your eyes.
Until it misfires.
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