1988 Citroen BX GTi 16V 1.9 cc 16v

Summary:

Cheap, fun and practical

Faults:

High speed judder which couldn't be rectified. Made driving above 80 mph very uncomfortable.

Front suspension leg needed replacing.

Used a lot of oil (a litre every 700-800 miles)

Exhaust back box rattled first thing in the morning.

General Comments:

A quick car when the rev range was used, but not much low down torque. Noisy at cruising speed, but excellent, stable handling with great high speed ride. Very well equipped and good value.

Felt a bit lightly built in places, but was reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th March, 2004

31st May 2005, 04:47

Timely LHM oil change will prevent many mishaps in the hydraulic system of any Citroen car.

The oil use of older BX gasoline engines is caused by the valve seals that have become brittle. Replacing is possible without removing the cylinder head (putting the piston in top-dead position will prevent the valves from falling into the combustion chamber)

1988 Citroen BX rd 1.9 diesel

Summary:

Very good car

Faults:

Needed all new spheres, not uncommon.

Needed new radius arm bearings, not uncommon.

General Comments:

Well I treated this car like rubbish, its brilliant.

Easy to fix yourself despite what anybody says about the suspension.

Good powerful diesel engine and very reliable.

Practical estate well recommended.

Seats rather uncomfortable though, not for my back so I changed the interior for a gti one which is much better.

Very comfortable ride quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st June, 2003

1988 Citroen BX 1.9 in-line 4 diesel

Summary:

It was a ideal car for a car crusher.

Faults:

Steering rack broke in 1999.

Alternator broke in 1999.

Hydraulic suspension completely destroyed in 1998.

Electric windows wouldn't work in 1997.

Radio was terrible always.

Radiator overheated in 1996.

General Comments:

It was a okay car in the beginning, but as the years went on, more problems occured. It was a 1.9 diesel, no turbo, so it only could do 70mph flat out. It was a ideal car for a car crusher.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th April, 2003

1988 Citroen BX 19 16v GTi 1.9 petrol

Summary:

Quick but fragile when old

Faults:

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.

General Comments:

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th October, 2001

23rd Jan 2002, 07:05

Strongly agree with the review, I have experienced most of the problems as the reviewer including the strange breaking of the gear linkage twice. Particularly empathise with the Journey Lottery.

1988 Citroen BX 16 1.6

Faults:

Exhaust.

Leaking: hydraulic fluid, oil, petrol, water, radiator.

Rear suspension failed.

Hydraulic pump failed.

Ignition wire faulty.

Rngine overheating.

General Comments:

After being run for 12,000 miles in 6 months, this 123,000 mile complete failure of everything occured. A quick lightweight car, let down by the lack of reliability and high repair costs

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th February, 2000

1st Aug 2008, 05:37

Looking at all the faults, it looks more that the car isn't serviced at all.

Always check your hydraulic fluid - if not the pump will eventually fail. Overheated engine? No coolant in radiator.

That's the problem with lots of reviews. People think that cars can maintain themselves. No maintenance = lots of problems. The car breaks down and they say the reliability of the car is bad. And that's not true of course...