Postings regularly ask the question "Where are you?".
Why don't we put our whereabouts on our signatures - or are we all shy?
In the topic on buying an XM, Noz said that nobody ever makes a posting saying that their XM ran perfectly . Here goes, my XM gave me a perfect drive today with no problems (except the cruise control still isn't working).
Noz also advised against buying an XM unless you can do your own repairs/maintenance because of the horrendous costs of getting it repaired professionally. Although I agree completely, are other oldish cars more reliable and are their professional repair costs less?
I suppose what I'm asking is "Are XMs more unreliable than other cars?". My feeling is that they aren't and very few of the reported problems actually stop you from driving the car.
Derek
Full Version Location, Location, Location.
Derek, until a couple of years ago my partner had a 10 year old Saab 9000 with 280k miles. Like my XM it ran and started OK but the list of other faults - trip computer, air con, heated seats, mirrors, climate control, speaker systems, radio generally, front wheel bearings, rust across boot floor, headlamp wipers, rear reflective panel, they got pinched!, drivers electric window, lamp fail systems unreliable and a few more like the sun visor failures, interior mirror spring breakages etc.
Hilary bought the car new and it was maintained by the local Saab indy throughout.
They did not stop the car being driven but hell they annoyed me like no other car. Gave her my 4 year old Xantia TD in the end which she still has with no faults except for the earth return lead and a starter motor in the last 2 years - touch wood. It has 150k miles on it now at 8 years old and is due a set of spheres.
The Saab fetched £100 in a private sale and it is still running today.
As for my Series 2 XM it a has few niggles but never a list like the Saab.
Moral of the story, the XM is no more unreliable than any other car with this array of electronics on board.
Robin
P.S. I am in Cambridgeshire
Hilary bought the car new and it was maintained by the local Saab indy throughout.
They did not stop the car being driven but hell they annoyed me like no other car. Gave her my 4 year old Xantia TD in the end which she still has with no faults except for the earth return lead and a starter motor in the last 2 years - touch wood. It has 150k miles on it now at 8 years old and is due a set of spheres.
The Saab fetched £100 in a private sale and it is still running today.
As for my Series 2 XM it a has few niggles but never a list like the Saab.
Moral of the story, the XM is no more unreliable than any other car with this array of electronics on board.
Robin
P.S. I am in Cambridgeshire
Hi Derek
Good idea!I think we only post when we have a problem or can help someone else.When all is well we tend to keep quiet so as not to tempt fate!I don't think our cars are anymore unreliable than any other by comparision.The Omega has its own expensive gearbox and fuel pump issues.Big Volvos & Saabs parts are often outrageous.It seems to me that most cars produced from the 1980's onwards were designed not to be self maintaining.BMW with their service lights and look under most bonnets these days and its all covered in plastic shrouding etc.Units are sealed and not repairable etc.For me I run an XM because its cheap and practical for my Antiques business.I could afford to buy a used Audi Estate etc but couldn't afford the running/service costs or depreciation.I am happy in an older car and there is almost an inverted snobbery these days if you have an old car.Models are updated so often these days that you could forever change your car to have the latest model.When I am out in the Isetta it gets far more general interest at shows than virtually any other car.I was lucky enough to take part in the 100 years of Motoring London Motor Show Parade this summer-the car was photographed 1000's of times.
Worldwide Isetta production was C200,000.There were approx 30,000 made in the UK and yet our club can supply almost every part new or used for our cars.Mine is fitted with a rare Smiths Semi Automatic gearbox-we think only between 6 & 12 cars were fitted with this.I still drive the car year in year out and have done so for the past 12 years and it still works.If it goes wrong I'll have to work out how to repair it as there are NO parts for it at all.It took me 3 months to track down the magnetic powder for it.In 1995 this cost £97 for 25g(less than a teaspoon)which equates to £3880 for a bag of sugars worth for a 298cc engine
It was also fitted to Rootes cars in the form of the Easi Drive but the engines were typically 1500cc so I dread to think how much they used.
Better go!
Regards Rob
Good idea!I think we only post when we have a problem or can help someone else.When all is well we tend to keep quiet so as not to tempt fate!I don't think our cars are anymore unreliable than any other by comparision.The Omega has its own expensive gearbox and fuel pump issues.Big Volvos & Saabs parts are often outrageous.It seems to me that most cars produced from the 1980's onwards were designed not to be self maintaining.BMW with their service lights and look under most bonnets these days and its all covered in plastic shrouding etc.Units are sealed and not repairable etc.For me I run an XM because its cheap and practical for my Antiques business.I could afford to buy a used Audi Estate etc but couldn't afford the running/service costs or depreciation.I am happy in an older car and there is almost an inverted snobbery these days if you have an old car.Models are updated so often these days that you could forever change your car to have the latest model.When I am out in the Isetta it gets far more general interest at shows than virtually any other car.I was lucky enough to take part in the 100 years of Motoring London Motor Show Parade this summer-the car was photographed 1000's of times.
Worldwide Isetta production was C200,000.There were approx 30,000 made in the UK and yet our club can supply almost every part new or used for our cars.Mine is fitted with a rare Smiths Semi Automatic gearbox-we think only between 6 & 12 cars were fitted with this.I still drive the car year in year out and have done so for the past 12 years and it still works.If it goes wrong I'll have to work out how to repair it as there are NO parts for it at all.It took me 3 months to track down the magnetic powder for it.In 1995 this cost £97 for 25g(less than a teaspoon)which equates to £3880 for a bag of sugars worth for a 298cc engine
It was also fitted to Rootes cars in the form of the Easi Drive but the engines were typically 1500cc so I dread to think how much they used.Better go!
Regards Rob
Hi Derek
Interesting post. I think that XM's are reasonably reliable when they are well looked after. The trouble is that often they are not due to the fact that they are cheap to purchase and people don't like spending money on cheap cars.
The most reliable car I did have was a ZX 1.9TD which I had for 8 years that had nothing more than straight forward than servicing and a set of new dashbulbs, a broken clutch spring, plus two sets of glow plugs. I think that cars may never be as long term (over 7-8 years old) reliable as mechanical diesels. Car electricals seem to get ever more complex as mechanicals get more reliable. Electics will kill cars in the future.
I'm in deepest Surrey, Fetcham, surrounded by folks driving German saloons, sports cars, 4x4's. Plus the nice stuff - not a single XM though. Down the road is P1 http://www.p1international.com/ so I do often see lots of excotics too.
Tony
Interesting post. I think that XM's are reasonably reliable when they are well looked after. The trouble is that often they are not due to the fact that they are cheap to purchase and people don't like spending money on cheap cars.
The most reliable car I did have was a ZX 1.9TD which I had for 8 years that had nothing more than straight forward than servicing and a set of new dashbulbs, a broken clutch spring, plus two sets of glow plugs. I think that cars may never be as long term (over 7-8 years old) reliable as mechanical diesels. Car electricals seem to get ever more complex as mechanicals get more reliable. Electics will kill cars in the future.
I'm in deepest Surrey, Fetcham, surrounded by folks driving German saloons, sports cars, 4x4's. Plus the nice stuff - not a single XM though. Down the road is P1 http://www.p1international.com/ so I do often see lots of excotics too.
Tony
Hi All
Many of my sentiments expressed here. I have been checking out a number of different vehicles to replace the XM when the time eventually comes, and there isnt anything available that meets all the criteria. So we are faced with paying more money for less car and when you look at the cost of servicing and spares it makes running an XM seem cheap! For example I change my oil every 5k and can buy correct spec oil for £5.99 for five litres, on a modern diesel its going to be about four times that, and I dont believe that changing the oil every 20k is an option if you want the engine to last as long as our diesels. Then there is the cost of electronic problems, with many cars ther is no option other than to take you car to a dealer with a cost of about £100.00 just for a diagnosis! I think throwing a few hundred at an XM to keep it going is a bargain.
Peter.N.
Many of my sentiments expressed here. I have been checking out a number of different vehicles to replace the XM when the time eventually comes, and there isnt anything available that meets all the criteria. So we are faced with paying more money for less car and when you look at the cost of servicing and spares it makes running an XM seem cheap! For example I change my oil every 5k and can buy correct spec oil for £5.99 for five litres, on a modern diesel its going to be about four times that, and I dont believe that changing the oil every 20k is an option if you want the engine to last as long as our diesels. Then there is the cost of electronic problems, with many cars ther is no option other than to take you car to a dealer with a cost of about £100.00 just for a diagnosis! I think throwing a few hundred at an XM to keep it going is a bargain.
Peter.N.
Thank you for the suggestion Derek, I've done mine!
Peter.N.
Peter.N.
My XM is no worse than any other car I've had of a similar vintage.
For those of us who can, it's gratifying to keep your own car maintained at minimal cost.
I find 'interesting' problems a good challenge to my ingenuity. Then again, I've never had just one car so I always have a back up if one is sidetracked with a serious problem.
I think Rob might have something to say to me when I tell him that my Dad and I sold this-
AND THIS
to Buy this -
and this-
For those of us who can, it's gratifying to keep your own car maintained at minimal cost.
I find 'interesting' problems a good challenge to my ingenuity. Then again, I've never had just one car so I always have a back up if one is sidetracked with a serious problem.
I think Rob might have something to say to me when I tell him that my Dad and I sold this-
AND THIS
to Buy this -
and this-
Wirdy
Sacriledge...there should be a law against it!!!!!!!!!!
A left hand drive 3 wheeler!At least you partly balance the engine and gearbox out.The worst are the rhd 3 wheeler because you have the engine,gearbox and driver all on one side...in my case 28stones worth(thats INCLUDING the engine!)and only a pig iron counterbalance of approx 50lbs I think on the nearside-not surprisingly they like to roll!
Regards Rob
Sacriledge...there should be a law against it!!!!!!!!!!
A left hand drive 3 wheeler!At least you partly balance the engine and gearbox out.The worst are the rhd 3 wheeler because you have the engine,gearbox and driver all on one side...in my case 28stones worth(thats INCLUDING the engine!)and only a pig iron counterbalance of approx 50lbs I think on the nearside-not surprisingly they like to roll!Regards Rob
| QUOTE (Little&Large @ Jan 15 2007, 09:47 AM) |
| Wirdy Sacriledge...there should be a law against it!!!!!!!!!! A left hand drive 3 wheeler!At least you partly balance the engine and gearbox out.The worst are the rhd 3 wheeler because you have the engine,gearbox and driver all on one side...in my case 28stones worth(thats INCLUDING the engine!)and only a pig iron counterbalance of approx 50lbs I think on the nearside-not surprisingly they like to roll!Regards Rob |
Never mind that..........what's the R35 like?
Hi there
Apologies for the delay in responding...just got back from France.If I was on the R35 I would still be on my way TO Dover.Its a 350 Single with a rigid rear end but unusually for a pre war bike it has telescopic forks.I believe it was one of the 1st bikes to be fitted with such.I bought it on the spur of the moment from East Germany!I borrowed my brothers Berlingo van and it literally fitted in with inches to spare.I did 1600 miles in a weekend in picking it up-a long way to go to find it wouldn't fit in
To be honest I haven't ridden it much.It had an East German European restoration in the mid 1990's that has mellowed nicely now.The bike is registered for 1938 but the bikes were made in Eisenach(where the Austin 7 licenced Dixi was made).The Russians captured it during the war and there were parts for hundreds of bikes and cars which were assembled after the war.They had the tooling and presses as well and starting making their own "BMW"'s as well using the same employees etc but not under BMW management.BMW was not happy about this understandably and sued them in 1949.The later bikes had the red/white propellor Eisenach badges.
I bought the bike as a born again biker and thought I couldn't do too much damage to myself as the top speed is only around 60mph,the down side is the brakes which have a stopping distance of approx 300 feet at 30mph(not joking).The tyres are terrible Polish ones and I think the wheels need balancing as the vibration through the bars at 35mph is horrendous.I have attached a picture-it is a handsome looking bike with good black paint handlined with white stripes.
Regards Rob
Apologies for the delay in responding...just got back from France.If I was on the R35 I would still be on my way TO Dover.Its a 350 Single with a rigid rear end but unusually for a pre war bike it has telescopic forks.I believe it was one of the 1st bikes to be fitted with such.I bought it on the spur of the moment from East Germany!I borrowed my brothers Berlingo van and it literally fitted in with inches to spare.I did 1600 miles in a weekend in picking it up-a long way to go to find it wouldn't fit in
To be honest I haven't ridden it much.It had an East German European restoration in the mid 1990's that has mellowed nicely now.The bike is registered for 1938 but the bikes were made in Eisenach(where the Austin 7 licenced Dixi was made).The Russians captured it during the war and there were parts for hundreds of bikes and cars which were assembled after the war.They had the tooling and presses as well and starting making their own "BMW"'s as well using the same employees etc but not under BMW management.BMW was not happy about this understandably and sued them in 1949.The later bikes had the red/white propellor Eisenach badges.
I bought the bike as a born again biker and thought I couldn't do too much damage to myself as the top speed is only around 60mph,the down side is the brakes which have a stopping distance of approx 300 feet at 30mph(not joking).The tyres are terrible
Polish ones and I think the wheels need balancing as the vibration through the bars at 35mph is horrendous.I have attached a picture-it is a handsome looking bike with good black paint handlined with white stripes.Regards Rob
That is one lovely bike, Rob.
You obviously look after it exremely well.
You obviously look after it exremely well.
Hey Rob that's a beaut!
And the flowers under the seat are really pretty!
The vibration might possibly be normal you know. A 350 single and solid back end, maybe at certain road speeds the harmonics build up to make it uncomfortable. Presumably the vibes die down at higher speeds? I can't imagine they were much into rider ergonomics in1938!
And the flowers under the seat are really pretty!
The vibration might possibly be normal you know. A 350 single and solid back end, maybe at certain road speeds the harmonics build up to make it uncomfortable. Presumably the vibes die down at higher speeds? I can't imagine they were much into rider ergonomics in1938!
Hi Dave
No the vibes get even worse the faster you go.Its OK up to about 35 and over 45 they make your hands tingle!The vibes come through the front bar grips.There is no evidence of any balancing weights on any of the spokes.The tyres are horrendous and fairly worn as well.I am going to put new tyres on it and see if that makes any difference.As you can imagine it takes a long time to get anywhere sticking to 35mph...even the Isetta goes quicker!The general vibration from the engine means you have to check your nuts at the end of each trip! They regularly come loose and have put nyloc bolts on the worst offenders
The flowers were as a result of my gardening policy-carnage.It was a cottage I rented and like many rented places the garden had been neglected for years.I literally cut everything(literally)down to a maximum height of 3ft,the next year the garden looked great!
Regards Rob
No the vibes get even worse the faster you go.Its OK up to about 35 and over 45 they make your hands tingle!The vibes come through the front bar grips.There is no evidence of any balancing weights on any of the spokes.The tyres are horrendous and fairly worn as well.I am going to put new tyres on it and see if that makes any difference.As you can imagine it takes a long time to get anywhere sticking to 35mph...even the Isetta goes quicker!The general vibration from the engine means you have to check your nuts at the end of each trip!
They regularly come loose and have put nyloc bolts on the worst offenders The flowers were as a result of my gardening policy-carnage.It was a cottage I rented and like many rented places the garden had been neglected for years.I literally cut everything(literally)down to a maximum height of 3ft,the next year the garden looked great!
Regards Rob
PHEW! Stunning bike Rob, up until last summer I had a 1985 BMW R80RT with all the original bit'n'bobs on it; in Colorado red metallic which had faded to a marvellous sort of burnt orange on the horizontal surfaces; a nightmare to match if it had ever needed paint.....
BTW you are just down the road from me; I'm in Bushey, midway twixt the Heath and the village....
Regards
Loopy
BTW you are just down the road from me; I'm in Bushey, midway twixt the Heath and the village....
Regards
Loopy
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