1988 Citroen BX 19 16v GTi review from UK and Ireland

Numerous hydraulic hoses split.

Hydraulic pump.

Water hose split (killing above pump).

Starter motor.

Gear linkages.

Clutch (after towing a dive boat with seized brakes).

Central locking solenoid.

Coil, distributor and leads.

Other electrical niggles.

Sump corroded through.

Exhaust and tires.

I bought this car kind of by accident after finding myself car-less and needing wheels to lug my dive gear around for the summer. I only planned to own it a short while and although she is not reliable nothing has been too costly to fix and I hate buying/selling cars.

For high mileage she still looks very good inside and out and enjoyed regular servicing for most of her life. However the last two owners let her go a bit and I guess I'm paying for it.

The performance is very good but having previously owned a hot hatch 106 before it's not as quick. The engine must be unburstable! Several owners like the handling but I've found mine soggy and bouncy but for motor-ways with a boot full of Scuba gear (which is what she's mostly used for) she's very good returning good fuel consumption in comfort.

Living in East London the insurance costs the same as I payed for the car and the journey lottery (will she get there and back) has finally tempted me to get rid of her. I won't own another Citroen with this type of suspension (unless I can find an old tidy DS) but I know I'll miss her when she goes.