1990 Citroen XM Si 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

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 from UK and Ireland

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 from UK and Ireland

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 from UK and Ireland

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 from UK and Ireland

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