Faults:

Problems with the hydropneumatic suspension are not a minor issue, as the cylinder breaks the suspension system, causing the arm to rise and damage the hood. To fix this, the entire system must be replaced.

Rust is another issue; vehicle sills and floors are prone to rust, which can be hidden with sealant until the damage is complete.

Then there are the mechanical problems and electrical failures, they are not few although they are not relevant and do not affect the functioning of the car ; starting problems occasionally result from this.

The engine is smooth and has no major issues, but once it overheats due to oil problems, the V6 exhibits this problem; it tends to consume more oil than desired, damaging the engine.

General Comments:

The most notable feature of this car is its excellent comfort and handling. The hydropneumatic suspension is spectacular and creates a great sense of safety while driving, providing an exceptionally smooth ride experience, especially on long journeys, thanks to its suspension. For its age in this area it was a car that was very advanced compared to several others.

Although it's personal, I love its design; it's distinctive and elegant, with a large glass surface that offers excellent visibility.

The car requires rigorous and necessary maintenance to ensure its safety. Parts, while readily available, are difficult to obtain and quite expensive for an imported car over 30 years old (The XM was the last Citroen sold in the US).

The engine is a fast, smooth 3.0-liter V6 with plenty of torque from low revs, well suited to the XM's type of car. Acceleration is spectacular, and its top speed is just over 140 mph.

It's one of the least-seen Citroens around here, but it's worth having. At least I don't regret it.

Faults:

Hydraulic Pump (Recon unit failed)

Front O/S bearing

Clutch (just worn, but scary cost to replace)

Front Drivers Window regulator (Oh so common fault in the Mk2)

Rust in both front floor panels - although fully galvanized this is a weak point due to the jacking points at the front, and causing the floor to rot out.

Water pump seized.

General Comments:

Despite all of the above faults, this car was superb and supremely comfortable. Until the water pump seized it was extremely reliable, always started in the morning, and still returned an average 41 MPG.

The MPG was mainly due to sitting on the motorways at just under 70mph. Yet if I needed to show the BMW drivers or the reps a clean pair of heels there was still oodles of oomph under the happy pedal. The hydractive sports suspension also gave it a lot more grip than I realised at the time - I'm now driving a TD xantia and the difference is very noticeable.

I must have been lucky as all the dot matrix displays, trip computer etc. all worked perfectly.

My only gripe is that the engine fills the engine bay so completely, that it should come with free knuckle-skin grafts as standard.

I'm very sad to see it go, but as well as getting the water-pump and the welding done it also needs new tyres, disks and pads all round and the turbo is on its way out. Thankfully it's going to be recycled by another Citroen enthusiast.

Faults:

Faulty hydractive suspension.

Excessive tyre wear.

General Comments:

Fantastic ride. Turbo engine not powerful enough to match pace and power of otherwise equivalent BMW and Mercedes.

Not a box. Gallic styling along the SM, DS individuality.