Advice On Citroen Xantia

TheFlyingFox · September 2, 2012

Hi Guys,

Currently i have a 307 hatchback and i want to go in for a sedan. Thinking about the Xantia as i have always liked it's formal looks. I know that it's engine is shared in common with the 406. I have heard that it's suspension is a nightmare if something goes wrong. How are the parts for this car? maintenance etc

Thanks in advance

chan5 · September 2, 2012

it shares 406 running gear so mechanical parts may easy to source.

But body panels and that suspension parts might be tricky to find or else simply you've to import somehow.

And according to a very senior mechanic of carm*art, the workshop boys call citrons as "lady with everyday menstruation".

Got the gravity of issue, ? It leaks from somewhere somehow , however you maintain it. Heard that it was available without hydropneumatic suspension and if it's you're ready to go.

Wait somebody answers your question with more technical details.

Strikeee · November 26, 2013

Hey guys,

I got a good opportunity and bought a Xantia(YOM 2000) with hydrolic suspensions. Though the price is very attractive, car need a high attention.

Engine need a tune-up
Power steering need attention
Suspension need to replace
Brakes need attention

Its like I have to do a complete restoration to this ride. any advices on where I can find good mechanics to work on my ride.

Cheers

Supra_Natural · November 26, 2013

On 11/26/2013 at 4:40 AM, Strikeee said:
Hey guys,
I got a good opportunity and bought a Xantia(YOM 2000) with hydrolic suspensions. Though the price is very attractive, car need a high attention.

Engine need a tune-up

Power steering need attention

Suspension need to replace

Brakes need attention

Its like I have to do a complete restoration to this ride. any advices on where I can find good mechanics to work on my ride.

Cheers

I'd love to say congrats on your new ride but you really should have done a bit more research before jumping into a Xantia dude, not exactly a simple car to keep running.

Engine is not too bad, shared with peugeot so parts are common and should be available, the suspension is going to be quite a headache, it requires specialized knowledge which is pretty hard to find in SL...

The garage I get my work done has some experience with Citroen suspension, you could perhaps have a chat with them and see if they can help.

Its in maradana, a tiny hole in the wall place behind the Honda workshop, but their work is good. - Prasad Motors - No 52 JE Gunasekera Mw, Col 10. Telephone 2677982.

Best to give them a call first because they don't have a lot of space.

Best of luck!

Gummybr · November 26, 2013

On 11/26/2013 at 4:40 AM, Strikeee said:
Hey guys,
I got a good opportunity and bought a Xantia(YOM 2000) with hydrolic suspensions. Though the price is very attractive, car need a high attention.

Engine need a tune-up

Power steering need attention

Suspension need to replace

Brakes need attention

Its like I have to do a complete restoration to this ride. any advices on where I can find good mechanics to work on my ride.

Cheers

Engine should be easily tuned. The next three will direct you to issues with the hydrophneumatic system. Power Steering, Brake Boost and Suspension work on the same system. So looks like it could be the culprit and replacing it and checking for any leaks around should sort out those issues. BTW don't even think of removing the suspension with coils as you will need to change all the systems. My previous office had a Xantia which was later sold, they had to spend about 400,000 for parts to replace the system, mind you they were one time agents for Citroen. I've seen Citroens being repaired close to the Pelawatte Karting track where they have a Pug garage, they might help.

BTW its a nice comfy car, you'll like it.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Gummybr

Watchman · November 26, 2013

I'm curious though.. When you say "good opportunity" and "price is very attractive" what do you mean?

Maybe you wouldnt mind sharing how much the car cost, and how you got it at what is probably well below market value?

Gummybr · November 26, 2013

On 11/26/2013 at 7:48 AM, Watchman said:
I'm curious though.. When you say "good opportunity" and "price is very attractive" what do you mean?
Maybe you wouldnt mind sharing how much the car cost, and how you got it at what is probably well below market value?

Believe it must be the car being advertised for a very long time by a person who is going abroad. Apparently he is going abroad cos he's an Indian who worked for a Telecommunication company in SL.

Crosswind · November 26, 2013

On 11/26/2013 at 8:16 AM, Gummybr said:
Believe it must be the car being advertised for a very long time by a person who is going abroad. Apparently he is going abroad cos he's an Indian who worked for a Telecommunication company in SL.

I wouldn't consider anything above 500-600K as 'attractive' for a Xantia with suspension issues

Hopefully Strikee didn't get striked out

Komisiripala · November 26, 2013

You let go of a Teg in mint condition and bought this???

You ought to be shot, strikee. Somewhere painful first!!

VVTi · November 26, 2013

and you are gonna buy a car of an Indian???? A Indian used Euro for that???? Are you crazy????

If an Indian, especially one worked here in the Telcom sector, tries to sell me a used Xantia and sweetens the deal with his MILF wife and 18 year old daughter I will still run a mile.

Komisiripala · November 26, 2013

You let go of the silver Teg for this. I'm still not over that!!

VVTi · November 26, 2013

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/citroen/xantia/2000/

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/citroen/xantia-1993/

This is a bit too late now... but I always, as a rule, read up on all online stuff before making a purchase decision.

Carsurvey.org is a fairly decent site after HonestJohn

Strikeee · November 27, 2013

On 11/26/2013 at 4:01 PM, Komisiripala said:
You let go of the silver Teg for this. I'm still not over that!!

Komi, I thought of not let go the Civic and if Im to get the Teg, I need to give away my civic.

On 11/26/2013 at 12:17 PM, Crosswind said:
I wouldn't consider anything above 500-600K as 'attractive' for a Xantia with suspension issues
Hopefully Strikee didn't get striked out

Berm Moper, Yes... 1st he asked for 800 and after all the bargaining I got the price down for 650k and this one was not owned by an indian.(not quite sure, didnt see an indian name in the book)

I wanted to have a car which is bit rare... thats the main reason for this purchase.

VVTi · November 27, 2013

Kudos for wanting a rare car... however rare cars comes with their own unique problems. I would know, owned and suffered through 2 years with an Italian.

But having said that in this day and age of ebay and paypal, everything is possible.

Use only the known Euro experts and not the corner garage. I would first try the Pug specialists if I were you.

Komisiripala · November 27, 2013

600,000 fair enough. Guess I won't shoot you after all! As VVTi said, read up a lot. Kapruka global sea freight might be your new best friend. Look them up if you need parts brought down off eBay. Big things I mean. Good luck mate. I read up on your car. Reviews are bipolar. But those who love it, adore it!

Crosswind · November 27, 2013

On 11/27/2013 at 2:42 AM, Strikeee said:
Komi, I thought of not let go the Civic and if Im to get the Teg, I need to give away my civic.
Berm Moper, Yes... 1st he asked for 800 and after all the bargaining I got the price down for 650k and this one was not owned by an indian.(not quite sure, didnt see an indian name in the book)

I wanted to have a car which is bit rare... thats the main reason for this purchase.

Is your car GR-255* by any chance?

Strikeee · January 1, 2014

Hi guys...

Now my Xantia is in good condition. The previous owner has mixed up the oils, therefore it causes most of my problems. I changed the oils and some oil sealers and now car is running really good.

Height controller only works in 3 stages, which is High, middle & low... nothing works in between

And I got one problem with the front door winders. Both of them are not working. So any ideas of how to make them work again or any matching winders which I can replace my current winders

Thank you

Gummybr · January 2, 2014

On 1/1/2014 at 6:28 AM, Strikeee said:
Hi guys...
Now my Xantia is in good condition. The previous owner has mixed up the oils, therefore it causes most of my problems. I changed the oils and some oil sealers and now car is running really good.

Height controller only works in 3 stages, which is High, middle & low... nothing works in between

And I got one problem with the front door winders. Both of them are not working. So any ideas of how to make them work again or any matching winders which I can replace my current winders

Thank you

There's only three positions for the height controller if I remember correctly. Think Peugeot winders should work since its based on the 406

GTAm · January 3, 2014

Love the shape of the car. But lots of horror stories from the first owners. Like many such cars the second time around many owners would have learned its idiosyncrasies, and how to deal with inherent faults etc. Won't be a straightforward experience I believe but should become collectible like the XM and many before it.