And Then There Were 2 (xms)

[DrTim]

OK I picked up the S2 VSX blue R Reg I have been considering for a couple of weeks today. Only 59k miles, 2 previous owners but second only a few months.

Rear suspension is well hard, and bodywork not perfect, but I'm convinced mileage is genuine and there can't be that many newer RHD Xm's around.

The sounds work (hurray!) and drives nice apart from hard rear. Got some history but not all.

Fingers crossed, I guess it'll need some spheres at the back at least and maybe a diode job to get the ride the way is should be. And cheaper than putting my K into the specialist to fix outstanding non-engine related issues.

later

[Peter.N.]

That looks an unusual colour, is the blue as light as it looks?

Peter.N.

[Ciaran]

I've recently seen an XM in that light blue for the first time, and my girlfriend has spotted one too, around Belfast, which I believe to be the same car.

Your's is the second car I've ever seen with that colour, DrTim, it must be a bit rare.

Ciarán.

[DrTim]

Yes it is "light" blue and I do like it! I've only ever seen the darker blue before on an XM.

Slightly scruffy bodywork (the main owner for past 10 years apparently was over 80 and gave it because he kept scratching it going into the garage) and rock hard suspension notwithstanding, I have positive feelings about this car. Fingers crossed.

Still trying to work out if this car has A/C. Doesn't appear to from the manual and doesn't have the electronic LCD climate control or A/C on/off button (it just says "electronic control" where that should be) but auto mode seems a good compromise, and what is that between the rad and the fan, a second rad or a condenser?

later

[xmexclusive]

Hi All

Citroen made Mk2's in 4 different blues so secondhand body parts need careful matching.

Dr Tim

New car looks good.

Regards

XMexc

[Andmcit]

Hi - I've just finished gutting out an identically coloured MINT and I mean MINT S2
saloon - IT IS a very pretty colour.

Sadly the car was a mint FCSH fully MOT'd & taxed low mileage CT turbo auto and it
donated it's engine to a 306 Pug conversion...

words fail me

Apparently it was cheaper to buy a running car they could try the engine out in than
buying one out of a car for £400. They dropped the whole front subframe to get at the
engine easily and weighed in for scrap the autobox/struts/subframe/steering as it was
all very heavy and got a few £'s!

I found out about the 'remains' just as they were about to be made in 1000's of small
chunks and bought as much as I could remove off it in the breaker's yard!! It was on
a cherished plate too so it's difficult to date but IIRC it was a VSX of 95-97 vintage...

I blame some crappy article in Revs Redline Hotstuff magazine etc etc where some
17 year old lad and his mates made a boring car more uninsurable and a deathtrap
to boot all blinged up to the nines with a Halfords Credit Card.

This is where all the Xantia Activa's 16v & Turbo Xm's are going in case you're looking
for one. Seen over a dozen Activas die by this method in the last 6-7 months probably
all down to a car being modded and shown at Pugfest etc.

Anyhow, now I've got that of my chest, look after yours DrTim, it's now an even rarer colour
on an Xm!

Andrew

[techmanagain]

>Still trying to work out if this car has A/C. Doesn't appear to from the manual and doesn't have the electronic LCD climate control or A/C on/off button (it just says "electronic control" where that should be) but auto mode seems a good compromise, and what is that between the rad and the fan, a second rad or a condenser? <

As it is not a 2.5TD, it would suggest that the other radiator is a cooler for an autobox or an intercoolerr for a turbo, as you do not seem to have any of the console controls for aircon. You don't indicate whether you car is auto or manual, so if it's auto, you may have your answer.

[Peter.N.]

If its a turbo, it will be the intercooler, if not probably is a condenser. The intercooler will probably be about the same size as the radiator and have large pipes connected to it , about 2" diameter. A condenser will be smaller and have small diameter pipes, typically 3/8". I have had five XMs, 2 SEDs and 3 VSXs, but only one has had aircon, and that was one of the older ones.

Peter.N.

[demag]

DrTim my controls also say "Electronic Control" and mine is not a/c. It has 3 control knobs. The left hand one is the speed control and at the bottom left is an "Auto" position. With this selected and a set temperature selected on the other knob (say 22) the temp shpuld stay constant in the cabin although it sometimes has to be coaxed into life by twiddling the temp knob from hot to cold!

[DrTim]

ok its a Turbo model so it must be the intercooler at the front, thanks for helping me work that out.

demaq, yes the auto mode without a/c seems like a good compromise, I have the full CC module in my Prestiege but its been running without CFC's (and with A/C off) for ages which is basically the same thing. The knob arrangement in the new one is slightly more complicated I guess, but the CC in the old one has its own foibles.

When I turned the central fans on the dash on I noticed there was quite a rattle. I hope this is just something loose not a sign of imminent failure.

later

[DrTim]

ok I managed to get them both parked together and took a pic (attached). Not the best pic in the workd I am afraid.

[Ciaran]

Get those wobbly webs on the blue one if you're getting rid of the Prestiege. Would be a pity, though. I take it you can't keep both?

Ciarán.

[onthecut]

Hi DrTim.

A/C -- dead simple; if there's a compressor it's got A/C; if there isn't, it hasn't !!

Mike.

[mouseflakes]

That street looks familiar DrTim - ah! Just checked your profile, I see you're in Bristol - that explains it! Totterdown perhaps?

I'm in St. Annes. I've no XM as yet, but have a hankering for one. I do have a 1978 Renault 30 and a R25, so there's a bit of a theme there (big, soft old French cars). R25 will go when I find a nice XM.

I'll keep an eye out for you. Toot if you see me - flakey brown R30 (there's only one like it in the UK so it will be me) or a black R25 TXI.

[DrTim]

Ciaran, I am considering keeping both if the other option is to scrap the old one! It is taxed till end of July and MOT out just after that. May be able to offroad it out of town but I'm keeping it close to home for a while now its back (was living close to indies for some months).

I don't know how realistic but I really can't throw cash at the new one like I did at the old one when I first got it, so I am hoping to try and get some basic work done (brake pads and disk for starters, maybe spheres?) myself rather than at the indie, and I can practice on the old one!

My beamer mad workmate thinks I am mad!

Wobbly webs? You mean the wheels? Can't think of much else I'd want to move.

onthecut, thanks, have established now there is no a/c in the new car.

mouseflakes, good luck searching for an XM in Bristol. I'm not quite ready to part with the old one yet You know my street then? Do you look after your old Renaults yourself?