I have car issues.. well space issues really which means either my XM has to go or my 820 Vitesse coupé turbo. Condition wise both are much the same, all working, the XM has a few blown bulbs, the 820 a few spots of rust. And both suffer from having engines desired by the max power readers. Recent attempts to sell the 820 have come to naught although much interest in its engine and gearbox from 214 owners (this one also has uprated gearbox bearings, the standard ones fail).

The XM needs it's exhaust manifold gasket replaceing for MOT and the stupid wire 'doughnut' What can I do? not sure storage is really wise

Ah well there's a dilema. It depends whether you run either of them because you like them and can you replace them with something else you like. After over 15 years of XM ownership mine are coming to the end of their economical life, if I was a few years younger I would keep them going at all costs but but I don't have the ooomph now so am also running a 406 Hdi estate which is brilliant, it doesn't have the XMs comfort or space - but it doesn't go wrong either

Most modern cars have a rubbish ride so when th XMs finally go I will probably get an E class Merc as they are about the only cars with decent ride comfort and internal space compareable with the XM.

Peter

XM Every time over the rover.. Though, I now beleve the "Pugerisers" for the Turbo engine do not exsist any more... They have had their engines now..

I know the Rover is a VERY good Honda design, but at the end of the day to me, Rover shouts old man..

Paul

PS: Hang on Stewart, isnt this XM the one you "Modified" into a better S1 Dash setup?? Surely that should answer your question!

It's not got the S1 dash at the moment as I am awating some wiring information, I have most of the switches opertaing their various functions, however the Hazard lights are yet to be sorted out and none of the switch illumination sorted out. So as it stands it has S1 (heated!) leather seats in but the original S2 door cards and dash.

The 800 coupé has a similar WTF factor as the XM its not quiet a space ship, but few know what it is, till they see the grille and then look astounded. I have both becuse I like them! The rover is more 'Baby Bentley' inside compared to full on Darth Vader dark lord of the sith of the S1 XM or is that 'Disater area' stunt ship?..Where black buttons on a black background light up black and most of it does not work...

But the rover 'enthusuausts' seem more intersted in parts than the whole car

I drive a 26 year old Golf GTI becuse I like it no more than any other white goods and feel no guilt in scarificing it as a daily drive (I have a 100 mile a day round trip comute)

Woooooooow.. is that an S1 85 Golf GTi, or an S2 85 Golf GTi.. They changed in 85 didn't they (on A plate anyway)

Well Stewart, seems only you can answer it then, but I understand where your stuck, Ive had the dilemma many time..

Only recently with a Black XM, which Ive now lived to regret the WRONG decision!


Paul

It's a Mk2, although the early 1/4 light cars (they had 2 'facelifts' one they went to single window doors, the 2nd was the big bumbers) like mine seem to be almost wiped out and possibly more unusual than a Mk1. But it starts when wanted, stops well is not dreadfull to drive either, in fact for what it is it's very good, but far far too un quirky to get attached to and annoyingly propbly worth more than the other 2
Its seen here..

Mk2 Golf

Oh and I have found that VW enthusiasts are a bit well... daft really they get excited about unusual colours, even if it does look like baby sick mind you I guiess it helps them to put 'rare' in the description of an otherwise common car!

But I have decided to sit on the 800 and the XM till the weather is better and I can MOT the XM and see what I feel then (it will probbly be a case of which one aquires a suitable home first!)