I keep seeing references to people preferring Series-1 cars to Series-2 ones and that auto boxes are unreliable.

So, just how relaible are the auto boxes and manuals and why do people prefer Series1 to Series2, is it tangiable reasons, such as reliability and rust, or is it preference.?

I have my own preference but just though I'd ask others their opinion.

Good thread!

Ok, my preference is series2.

I like the dash and i much prefer the newer front bumper and grill, looks much more modern, along with the thicker black bump strips. So Series 2 for looks for me.

Usually i prefer a manual car over an auto, but in the Xm i think i prefer the auto. Although i have not driven a manual for a good while.

However the 2.5TD would probably be my ideal choice, so a S2 manual diesel it is!

Mike,

Strange how some people say the MK2 rusts more than the MK1 and others say the opposite.....
I prefer MK1 With an auto box in the xm, any other car and i would prefer manual but i think it suits it well.
I like the dash and the body of the 1, even though the 2 is quieter but with dodgy window mechs............and rust
oh and V6 24v has to be the ultimate XM surely, cost no issue though

D

To me the S1 is very BX ish inside and properly Citroen, the S2 more mainstream showing the way it was going towards the Xantia then C5, etc.

Not only Citroen have the autobox trouble, apparently (quote from car mechanics here) the sealed autoboxes they started fitting to BMWs fail at around the 100-125K mark. Previous to them being sealed they lasted far longer.

If the LPG XM hadn't come up I'd have gone for a S1 this time.

Steve.

I much prefer the dash and the more "pointed" look of the series one cars. I've had (currently breaking) a 2.0 litre petrol auto which was a slug and hopeless
up and down steep mountain roads and to which I converted to a manual box, a 2.1td auto which was also VERY sedate and currently drive a 2.1 td manual which for me is perfect apart from a very notchy gearshift (going to try new engine mountings).

If I can find a good condition, silver series 1 estate with 2.1td engine, and manual box I'll be installing a leather interior before Mrs.P even has chance to draw breath to protest.Colin.P

Although I must admit that most of the S1 's I have seen lately have had less rust than the S2's, I do prefer the S2. None of mine have any serious rust but a couple are a little frilly round the edges.

The electrical reliability of the S2 has definitely improved, they have also done one or two mods, particularly on the 2.1s to improve accessibility in the engine compartment and I must confess I prefer the look of them.

I don't like auto boxes for three reasons, firstly they are inefficient, and I don't like anything that's inefficient, just compare the fuel consumptions.

Secondly, they have a limited life and I can't repair them, the manual boxes will usually last more than the life of the car and even if they should develop a fault, it doesn't normally prevent you from driving them.

Thirdly, I don't like the way they drive, I like to keep below 2000 rpm whenever possible, and they don't let you do that, which makes them noisy and again - inefficient.

Peter.N.

I prefer the S1 Xantia too.

Steve.

Does anyone know what makes the mk2 quieter?
Ive been poking and proding the MK2 recently and comparing it with the 1, the floor soundproofing isnt any thicker, but i did notice the inner door seals on the doorframe are covered in felt on the 2 whereas the 1 is just rubber, the firewall matting is the same too, and they use the same engines (apart from the 16v and 2.5). It cant just be a bit of felt on the door seals surely????

Also the 1 has places to put stuff on the dash but the 2 has RCL that works from more than 6ft away and as Citmad has said a nicer front bumper, but the 1 has a nicer nose cone and wingmirrors, the 2's look like hippo ears!

D

Dean, fit the engine and tell the missus that it's essential maintenance and totally unavoidable, then, enjoy the performance hike safe in the knowledge of her befuddlement. (assuming of course that your missus has as much mechanical knowledge as mine )

Good luck with it, Colin.P

she has no mechanical knowledge, bless her, but she does know i rebuilt the head and went over the whole engine, rads, timing kit, water pump and hoses not even a year ago, and now im going to rip it out and do the same with another engine, around £700 i recon, with rebuilt turbo, new rads oil coolers and all rubber hoses including head rebuild, oil pump rings, shells...............i just wont tell her

D

That's the way, you know it makes sense

Colin.P

engines the same?????? they may be but there was changes to the head etc that does make them slightly quiter.

Dean, this is probably a silly question but as you've already rebuilt your existing 8v engine, why don't you just overhaul the turbocharger and fit it and its associated pipework to your present engine?

Derek