almost an XM owner from Oz, XM new comer

[berlinaman]

Hi all. I am almost the owner of a 24V 3.0 V6 1999 model. It was one of the last ones sold in Melbourne. It is a one owner, has done 150,000ks and is dark metallic grey with black leather. It is in very good condition and has a service history. I had a quick drive and all seems well. I will purchase it pending a pre purchase inspection I have organised. I am very excited as I have been a fan for a long time after driving, and missing out on buying a similar car 5 years ago. My C5 wagon will have to go.
I am feeling a little trepidatious (is that a word?) as I have had xantia experience of the auto box and the XM does have a reputation for being complex. It also needs a full service including cam belt and a set of tyres

Can anyone recommend abrand and type of tyre for the XM as it will need a new set. Also can anyone tell me about roof racks - factory or aftermarket. Is there a recommended brand or type?

Any advice would be appreciated.

If all goes well with the inspection I will post some pictures.

Tony

[xmexclusive]

Hi Tony

Welcome to Club-XM.
No doubt Dean our autobox specialist will pick up on your post.
He will point you at a thread on FCF where the same type of XM box is being rebuilt.
For now get the condition of the autobox oil checked.
Metal particals and or black burnt colour/smell should ring bells.
You will have no dipstick, box supposed to be sealed for life.
Oil change details in the Citroen workshop manual.
If they cannot show you a copy of the instructions do not let them touch it.
Only one permited oil type made by ESSO, do not risk compatible products however good the claims made.
A box rebuild is just too expensive.
If you open the car drivers door around the top edge of the frame you will see a rubber seal. Lift this seal gently and you will find a bolt hole for the roof rack. Similar rack fixings in the other door frames.
If you have not already found it the vehicle owners handbook should be in a wallet in the lid of the main fuse box. Passenger side under the dash.
This will recommend Michellin tyres 205/65/R15-94W I think.
The tyre information should also be on a sticker, drivers door pillar between the hinges.

John

This post has been edited by xmexclusive on November 22, 2011 11:51 am

[Peter.N.]

Hi Tony

Welcome to the club. XMs are becoming rare now over here so you were lucky to find a decent one. I'm not in to auto's but as John says we have a resident expert in Dean. Enjoy your car.

Peter

[dean]

Hi

Ive not worked on one of these boxes before but if you have a look in at THIS PLACE there is a man there who has re built a few ZF 4HP20's, the one he is working on now is from a MK2 24v XM actualy.

Gearboxes usualy do about 100,000-150,000 miles depending on the sort of life they have had/fluid changes although i have seen boxes die at 50k miles, ive also seen ones that have done 200k miles. The main trouble with this box is two fold, firstly the filter is built into the casing so the box has to be removed to change it, secondly the oil was never intended to be changed, it was specified as sealed for life, i presume to keep service costs down. Some people ignored this suggestion and with good reason but others did not, later boxes did not even have dipsticks for the driver to monitor fluid level.

Another point worth mentioning is coolant condition, if coolant changes have been neglected or any sealants have been added to the coolant by wary, the gearbox oil cooler uses engine coolant and is the lowest part of the system, many a dead box has been found to have a blocked oil cooler due to contamination in the coolant, if the coolant is rusty you need to take on board the fact that the there may be trouble ahead.

Do not be alarmed at the xm's supposed complexity however, this is fairly commonplace with modern vehicles and the xm is a pedalcar compared to much of the stuff on the market today.

Enjoy your new toy

D

[berlinaman]

Thanks guys, your input is invaluable. The owner has now decided to get the cam belt replaced himself as he is worried it is due for replacement and does not like the mechanics I suggested for a pre purchase inspection and having the job done if I buy. All a bit confusing but I will let you know more when I and if I get it.