Hello, Not been here for a while

[demag]

Well I've been through a number of cars over the last 4 0r 5 years but couldn't really settle with any of them. So, at long last I finally have another Citroen. Unfortunately it's not an Xm but a Berlingo MkIII, the Vtr 90. Its an 08 plate with 49k and quite nice condition. It must have been one of the first in the country as it was registered in June.

[xmexclusive]

Hi Dave

Pleased to hear from you.
Nowt wrong with a Berlingo.

The UK XM's are wasting away fast now at around 400 a year.
I think there are just over 2000 left with less than 1000 on the road.

Let us know what you tried as alternatives and why they did not last.

Regards

John

[demag]

Hi John,
Thanks for the welcome. I did a quick search on my old one the other day. Typed the reg in and it came back with all the details so hopefully it's still on the road. Apart from slightly firm suspension which I had done loads of work on it was a nice car. 2.5 with 80 odd thousand miles.

Funnily enough I looked on the Bx forum the other day and my old Bx Txs is up for sale again. Yes the thought did cross my mind. Don't think Wifey would be too happy though!

[demag]

Ah yes the cars.
The first one was a Fiat Multipla. 1.9td 115. It was a nice car, stunning brilliant gold colour with blue tinted windows (original). Good aircon and twin sunroofs. It was very quirky, some would say ugly but it was a good drive. However, fully loaded with 6 people on the motorway it used to run out of puff on long inclines. So I chipped it, I used a Tunit module which was plug 'n play. It just connects into the loom at the common rail and modifies the settings. On full wack it would give 125-130bhp which gave the Multi startling performance, pulling away from a standstill was very rapid indeed. However too much boost would produce smoke as well so I always compromised on the settings. The insurance was still very reasonable through the club as well. It was ok in summer but in winter it was a different car altogether. The heater was useless and people complained about them all the time on the forum, but no matter how many mods were tried no one ever really improved it. Also in winter I learned to park in gear with no handbrake. I forgot once and had to drive very slowly to work with the handbrake frozen on and when I got there I could only just touch the rear hubs! The gearchange cables would also freeze in winter making it a very awkward drive. And finally the clutch pedal was on the floor, a common fault and it was the norm to hear people talking £7-800 for a new clutch. Eventually the problems outweighed the pleasure and it was time to part.

[Peter.N.]

Hi Dave and welcome back

I too have succumbed to a non XM although I still have one, the C5 is a reasonable replacement but not as refined as the 2.1 in the engine department, very good on fuel though, ride quite good and nearly as much space. I also have a 406 very sharp handling and quiet but doesn't ride like the C5.

Peter

[demag]

Hello Peter,
Surprisingly the Berlingo is the softest sprung car I've owned for a while and rides the many speed humps around here very well. It also holds the road well on corners but the seats although they look quite modern do lack side support.