1997 Citroen Xantia Reviews - Page 5 of 8

Small stuff: engine mount, brake pads (bit too often) battery, cruise control (after market)

Build quality: clips, etc break easily.

Floormat clips silly, etc.

But the "bones" of the car are great!

Greatest fault: slow hydraulics (esp. rear) but improved in later two pump models. Slow to get to pressure.

At the price (a very important consideration!) a great car. Performance, comfort, steering + dynamics very superior for a "budget" performance car.

Versatile interior.

High comfort levels.

Boring design compared to "real" Citroens!

Terrific compromise between a sedate family car and a performance vehicle.

Only thing that plays up is the ABS light on the dash. it comes on on its own accord, but the brakes seem to work OK. key fob for central locking plays up a bit, but I take out the batteries clean them and it seems to work OK for a while.

Seats a bit uncomfortable on a long journey. passenger seat could do with a lumber support as well.

Petrol consumption a bit high around town, but gets better on the motorway as long as you don't clog it.

Heating and air con work brilliantly.

Handbrake cable split.

Ambient temperature reader renewed.

Problems with hydraulics. It won't go.

Completely into smooth ride, very.

Bouncy at rear. Something keeps buzzing.

Or squawking under the dash on drivers.

Side.

I like the car, but could'nt get a good trade in price for it, evev with full S.H.

Problem with starting resulted in the car going to the main dealer on numerous occasions. They fitted £100's worth of new parts under guarantee, including glow plugs, injectors, and a new timer relay. All had no effect. In the end an independent diesel specialist advised that the immobiliser was the problem. This was replaced at a cost of £400 and the problem was fixed. All this despite the main dealer denying there was any problem and even querying whether I knew how to start the car properly!!!

I have also had to have the air conditioning re-gassed at a cost of £100 because the main dealer insisted on dismantling the system to find the leak.

Glow plugs have been replaced for a second time.

On a recent trip on holiday, the hydraulic system sprung a leak, which resulted in the car being left at home and a hire car being required.

The car is also heavy on front brake pads and tyres.

A nice comfortable car to drive and 45 mpg means its reasonable frugal. However, it has been plagued by problems. I understand that this car is known for hydraulics and electrical problems. I will be getting rid of it asap.

The rear brake pads wore to the metal at around 40,000 miles.

The clutch clip snapped at 63,000 miles. The clip that connects the clutch cable to the pedal is, quite possibly, the most inaccessible part that I have ever seen on a car. Eventually the instrument pod had to be removed to allow access to the top of the pedal. I consider myself to be a competent DIY mechanic, but I would put the car into a dealership in future if this ever happened again.

Other than regular servicing every three months to take into account the high mileage I do, the car has been very reliable, and still looks and drives as fresh as when I first bought it.

If you are in the market for a no-nonsense, frugal, comfortable, individual, second hand car, then I would not hesitate to recommend a TD Xantia.

My car is a Temptation limited edition, which means that it comes with remote central locking and alarm, electric front windows, electric glass sunroof, remote control stereo (which mutes itself for no reason sometimes), power steering, and air conditioning, which I feel is a lot of kit for the money I have spent.

I have seen over 600 miles from a single tank of diesel before the warning light comes on, on more than one occasion, and the car is very quiet once the engine is warm.