Only a few years ago there was a perfect one close by Citroën XM six-cylinder for sale. He went to Poland or something for just 600 euros. Meanwhile Citroën XMs carefully discovered as enthusiastic cars. And because they are made from 1989, there are now officially classic ones Citroën XMs.
De Citroën XM as car of the year
In 1990 the big one became Citroën voted 'Car of the Year'. An honor that has turned out to be a Judas kiss for more cars. The car was signed by Studio Bertone and its letter-like nose was highly modern.
Not such a good start
For the real enthusiasts it is a know. For fresh enthusiasts it can be surprising: The first series Citroën Like the Peugeot 605, XMs was put into production in an almost Italian way before the concept was developed. The cars were strongly susceptible to malfunction and the buyers did not feel excessively happy that their purchase was still in the development phase. The dreamed success of the Citroën XM has therefore never really got off the ground. Only after 1992 were Citroën XMs considerably less susceptible to interference.
Also with 3 liter six-cylinder
The successor to the CX (according to many people 'the last Real Citroën') was for sale with four and six-cylinder blocks. And with the 3 liter V6 (up to 200 pk) was the Citroën XM in its most luxurious version really is a very stylish, chic, fast and comfortable sub top class automobile. Not that they were awake at Mercedes-Benz and BMW, but it may be said.
Actually pretty good cars
Later Citroën XMs were certainly not bad cars. But their bad reputation still stuck to them. For lease drivers it was not a problem, just one Citroën XM was an automobile that set new standards in the field of depreciation. With resale, the price quickly fell into a free fall. But because even among people without money for a large, fast car, there is always a demand for large fast cars, the big ones thought Citroëns often a new owner.
Everything stands and falls with proper maintenance
The new owners did exactly what you could expect from them: they saved on maintenance. And it has been known to connoisseurs for centuries: the reliability of the 'Hydrauliques' from Citroën stands or falls on regular maintenance by engineers who are dedicated to the brand. At AMK we once had a trainee runner - Duncan has meanwhile landed comfortably in Australia - who for 1.000 guilder a very nice looking Citroën XM six-cylinder.
When he took his pride to the local Citroën specialist brought he received a repair estimate of 3.000 guilder. He exchanged his 3 liter six-cylinder engine Citroën XM then on the spot but against an 1400 cc BX in which he has been a 'hydraulic' driver for years without any problems.
Go for perfection
When purchasing a classic, it is usually best to buy the best possible copy. And really good ones are quite scarce and have long cost more than 1.000 guilders. In classic country Garage de l'Est from Vlaardingen is a company that seamlessly responds to this. The company is in the niche market of Perfect French Classics.
'From prices' are tricky
On the 'open market' are already Citroën XMs for sale from around € 1.500. Six-cylinders are already for sale for less than € 2.000. For that money you naturally have the chance to score a top match. Or to have to invest three to four times the purchase price in details such as the hydraulic suspension, engine mounts, etc. The saying is 'Cheap is expensive'. And if one saying goes for one Citroën XM ...
* Meanwhile, the Citroën C6 again the 'Last Real Citroën'
Still 1000 times rather an XM than some German thing. I've had several XMs, and actually ridden without any problems. Replacing the spring bulbs is much cheaper than four new shock absorbers under a 'normal' car. No, just give me one Citroën.
I alternate with a Cx-break, a C5 2 break, an Xm pullman break and for the family a recent C8. The Cx turbo 2 diesel remains a unique car, and in my opinion the last real one Citroën. The Xm could be a bit more reliable ... the C5 drives great with 140 hp hdi and the C8 is useful as a family vehicle but is certainly not Citroën. Hard suspension and too reliable to handle Citroën to be.
I have had four XM's. Berlines and estates. Recently I bought a beautiful XM estate ligne prestige, 2000 cc 16V FROM 2/2000 WITH 113.000 KM ON THE COUNTER; Beautiful car. It will also be my last Citroen. What is being produced now are Peugeot clones. And then they dare to come up with the new DS brand. Shame on you Citroen, you have done it to me
A pity this story again. The XM is a unique car, both in design and technology. The very first copies did indeed show SOMETIMES defects. But the bulk of the 330.000 XMs was really nothing wrong with that. That an intern from a long time ago once had a rickety XM .. well. Of course he didn't have the money for it either.
The XM really deserves some more positive attention….
Driven a V6 automatic for a few years. Super car!
Have had a 2 CT Turbo twice. Very nice cars and gone away with high mileage. Understand that it is better to ignore the 2.0 cylinders.
Typing error year 1089 in production ???
And despise instead of expecting?
C5 HDI 135pks aut. Station. Best lease car so far. By the way, Xm station also had a great trunk if I remember correctly. Was on the autobahn with the C5 on a quiet Sunday evening driving towards Staatsburg (cruise control on 190), by the way, completely “driven away” by a CX turbo diesel II.
The Last Real Citroën'has nothing to do with HP, large travel limousine or whatever: the CX is the last because it came on the market Citroën became part of Peugeot (PSA) ...
Meanwhile Citroën stopped HP because;
1) the roads are no longer so bad to justify HP,
2) it was a relatively expensive system to produce and
3) Only 20% of worldwide sales for an HP Cit were requested.
Funny is that more than 55% of the Dutch sales were specifically an HP car ..
But to continue to supply HP only for the Netherlands is not done… a pity.
The last HP-Cit is the C5 ..