1990 Citroen XM SED 2.1 turbo diesel

Summary:

A brilliant car

Faults:

Apart from normal consumable items, this car has not had any expensive repairs.

General Comments:

This car is perfect I do a 150 mile daily commute, and my car has never let me down. It is cosseted somewhat with oil/filter change every 2 months. Garaged over night, and with heater for company in the winter months.

The XM is a fantastic mile muncher, and I will be holding on to this car for a few years yet. This car is coming up to 13 years old and starts first time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2003

27th Dec 2003, 12:00

XM has covered a further 15000 miles since last entry, rear exhaust box has been replaced, new front disc's. Air con is now working a bit of expensive luxury to repair (It never worked from the day the I bought the car).

28th Apr 2007, 16:02

After completing over 320000 miles my XM has finally expired, not due to the car giving up the ghost, but due to some idiot crashing into my rear.

1990 Citroen XM Sei 2.0i

Summary:

Amazing handling, space, performance and individual as well

Faults:

Rear passenger electric window was not working when I got the car- £60 from a breaker got me a 2nd hand unit.

Most of the major money has been spent already - the first two owners were scrupulous. The car has had new suspension spheres, clutch, master cylinder, discs, pads, alternator, and a full Citroen service history.

The car is in excellent condition, with only minor wear visible on some of the chrome exterior trim.

The fault indicator computer lies frequently, a known XM fault.

General Comments:

Late 1980's spaceship for comfort conscious style outlaws with no time for boring cars. It's pretty gutsy for a 2.0i in such a big car, although the urban mpg is not as good as some, the sheer effortlessness with which this car cruises at high speed is a revelation. The ride is magic carpet, and for such a big boat the way it turns into a corner and resists roll is amazing.

I really wanted an XM and it was such a bargain at £900. Sei trim gets all the goodies such as electric everything, leather and air con. Choose carefully as there are a lot of ropey sheds for what seem like bargain money, and avoid the low specced ones. Why on earth would you buy some iffy old Granada??

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th March, 2001

1990 Citroen XM Si 2.0 petrol

Summary:

When its good its really good, but....

Faults:

Starter motor, fuel pump, onboard computer.

General Comments:

Such a wonderfully comfortable car, easy to drive, everything electric, surprisingly nifty for a 2 litre automatic. Cheap to buy. Expensive to keep going! There is always something that needs fixing or replacing on an ageing XM and if you have an auto then you drive knowing that the day it goes wrong, or the suspension packs in you may as well dump the car because fixing it will cost more than another same age XM! If you know a good Citroen mechanic it's worth having one.

Onboard computer means well and is handy when it's accurate but the moment it thinks something is wrong, whether it is or isn't, it becomes really very annoying!

Good economy below 3000 revs (60mph on motorway) but lousy around town. I still want the 3.0 V6 though!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2000

1990 Citroen XM SD 2.1 turbo diesel

Faults:

Front spheres.

New tyres, brake pads, battery and glow plugs.

General Comments:

Fabulous car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th April, 1998

1990 Citroen XM Sei V6 3.0 petrol

Faults:

Loads. Leaking head gasket & overheating. Suspension spheres. Electric windows sticking down. Climate control with a mind of its own. Air conditioning leaks. The list is endless.

General Comments:

What's good? - Loads of neat design touches. Different.

What's not so good? - Everything else. No wonder no-one else does it like this. Ancient, thirsty and rough V6 is lumpier than most 4 cyl engines.

Overall? - An electrical and mechanical disaster zone. Avoid old XM's like the plague. If you want to be different, try painting your hair green instead. It's less expensive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd November, 1997

16th May 2001, 04:50

Well they really do seem to be heaps!.. Thank you for sharing your misfortune..

11th Jul 2001, 17:26

Nonsense! I've got a 1991 Sei and its great. Yes it has problems, knackered starter, Ignition Control Module and other trivia, there are some bits of trim missing or broken and I've had to modify the window mechanisms.

But let's face it these are OLD CARS. Name me one that doesn't have problems!

What other car gives you all the comfort, pace, poise, road presence, space, style and downright individualism you get from an XM?

Vive la Citroen!!!

1990 Citroen XM Sei 3.0 petrol

Faults:

Internal bulbs blow at an alarming rate.

Parking brake cables break regularly (design fault).

Suspension performance erratic (in spite of earth mods and new spheres).

General Comments:

An amazingly comfortable and refined car when the suspension is working properly - equipment level excellent.

Best models were made after 1994 when earth problems were fixed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th October, 1997

1990 Citroen XM V6 Sei 3.0 petrol

Faults:

Numerous electrical gremlins: erronious warning lights, blown bulbs, suspension has fits and refuses to go out of "sport" mode.

Suspension spheres need replacing after 4 or so years.

General build better than reputation.

General Comments:

Probably the best front seats in any car in the world, performance good but gearbox not as smooth as some and reluctant to kick-down. Plenty of space, handling quite good (bit like a big GTi), ride excellent when it works.

Expensive if it goes wrong, spoilt by irritating faults, dealers usually hide when you drive up in one.

Never, ever, buy one unless its cheap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 1997