1994 Citroen Xantia LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Leaking heater matrix.

5 suspension accumulators required.

Burnt-out heater fan control.

Starter motor changed.

Wiper linkage fell apart.

Front discs worn out (second time).

Clutch assembly changed (expensive).

Diesel flow and return pipes leaking.

Cam cover gasket leak (twice).

Gear-box oil leak.

Worn bearing in gear-box.

Plus points:- good overall fuel consumption and a gutsy engine.

Minus points:- every thing else, the dealer costs are a nightmare and the ride makes the passengers travel sick.

I'm sorry you've had such a bad time with your car, but they are not all badly built.

I have two Xantias - one has done 160k miles the other 120k and neither has exhibited major faults and neither has so much as a rattly piece of trim. The build quality on both my cars is vastly superior to that of my MG.

I can concur that suspension spheres need to be changed every three to five years, but this can be done cheaply at Westreon in Manchester among other brilliant non franchised garages.

The diesel cars are heavier on disks than petrol cars due to the extra engine weight, but a pair of discs and pads from Andy Spares at Reading are about £80 all in and they take 30 minutes to fit as Citroen have an excellent design of hub and caliper. Mine last about 25k (disks) and half that for pads on the front.

I have had chaffing handbrake cables in the past, again cheap to fix, and leaking fuel pipes due to their proximity to the Turbo manifold, but nothing really bad.

My cars are now seven and six years old, return 60 mpg and cruise comfortably all day at motorway speeds ;-)

Nothing comes close on purchase price, low running cost and comfort - but you need to join the Citroen owners club and learn to wield a spanner.

Richard Hough.

I have a 1994 Xantia automatic which refuses to change gear for the 1st half mile unless it is rev-ed to 6000 revs, but thereafter is perfect. It also takes at least 1 minute for the suspension to rise otherwise it is a dream car with exceptional comfort and luxury of drive.

Any ideas as my Citroen dealer does not have any.

Neville.

The ABS warning light on my ‘95 2-litre petrol model is permanently on. I had a diagnostic test done at a dealership and was told that corrosion of the drive shaft at the wheel sensor at the front driver’s side was the problem and the signal the ABS system is receiving from the wheel sensor is out of tolerance.

I took the front wheel off and found that the toothed ring on the outer CV joint was full of road dirt and salt etc. The other wheel sensors are bound to be dirty and a bit corroded too.

I cleaned it up; scraped off some rust and greased it; cleaned up the sensor hoping that would do, but the warning light remains on.

A guy I know who knows a bit about cars says that the car’s engine management system may need to be re-set. So it looks like I don’t have any option other than to take it back to the Citroen dealer who’ll take another £48 for a second diagnostic and reset procedure.

If they change the drive shaft it’s £250, and assuming the others are rusting and will soon go the same way, I could be scrapping it with only 56,000 on the clock.

Any owners have the same experience?

Jim, East Kilbride.

My 1997 Xantia 1.9 TD has 56000 on the clock and has the ABS light on. I have been told it will cost 368.00 to repair 2 sensors and 335.00 to replace the o/s/f bottom wishbone. Is there anyone out there who can do anything or do I have to scrap it? The vehicle value is only around £600, it is a beautiful condition car, but seems to me it may be fit for scrap due to the garage bills. Neil.