1996 Citroen Xantia LX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Ride-height adjusters stuck on several occasions.

Plastic linkage broke on the clutch lever (£6 part, but 8 hours labour).

Clutch nearly out at 82k.

Gearbox on its way out at 82k.

When this car goes, it goes well. But when this car breaks down, it does it in style.

I've just dumped the car, not because I didn't like driving it - it's a really good cruiser (No good for parking or round town, however - no turning circle). I dumped the car because every little thing that was going wrong turned into a major drama. Even common failures, such as the PLASTIC linkage between the clutch cable and pedal. "Common failure" said the dealer, "but we'll have to take the dash out to replace it".

Every little thing that goes wrong requires the removal of either the engine or dashboard.

Citroen designers regrettably forget to keep things simple. That's why I like the AX so much. Mine (with electric windows and central locking) has everything you need, but nothing you don't need.

For the Xantia type of car, managers must not allow crazy designers to get out of control.

Unfortunately these problems are more a result of appalling Citroen main dealers in the UK, than a design fault of the car.

The height correctors need a small amount of grease on them about once a year to stop them seizing, about a 5-minute job.

The clutch pedal clip DOES NOT need the dash to be removed to replace it - despite what Citroen dealers may tell you! An independent Citroen specialist will change it in a little over an hour without removing the dash, and charge about a tenth of the price of a dealer.

The plastic linkage is prone to failure, especially if the clutch operation is heavy, due to wear of either the clutch or the cable. I have had three fail in under two and a half years!!! This does reduce one's confidence in an otherwise solid and comfortable car. Apparently there is a company based in Gloucester who manufacture a metal replacement which should hopefully be more robust in service. They can be contacted at: CGS Autosystems, 01452 311 110. I'm phoning them on Monday as the damned clip has just snapped on my driveway!

Bruno.

Having had the clutch pedal plastic clip snap on Christmas eve before the shopping had been done you would think that I would hate the car, but what other main dealer would look at it and repair it and charge less than book price because the fitter could do it in half the time well done tonkin in bugle Cornwall and what other car that is 10years old can still start first time and return 38mpg.

CGS Autosystems used to sell a metal clutch linkage, but no longer provide one as it was snapping clutch cables.

20th March 2007.

I have had two plastic clutch pedal clip breakages. The first was replaced by a contortionist, the second by an engineer who cut through the bolt with a power saw. If Citroen had fitted the bolt the other way round, nut on the outside, it would be no problem to change.

Water collecting in the rear seat wells is due a leaking plastic membrane in the rear door, allowing the water to run through the lock and under the boot mat.

I found that the plastic clutch clip was actually OK. It was the spring metal clip that was damaged. This was caused by depressing the pedal too far so that the pedal actually touched the clip, prying it open. I cured it by sticking a block of wood under the carpet (and fixing it there so that it doesn't get under the brake pedal) which prevents the pedal being depressed too far.