Citroen BX Questions

[drakkie]

Since i have been looking for a second(or more)-hand BX i was wondering a few things:

1) How is the reliability with high mileages ? (150.000 km +)
2) How are the maintenance costs,especially for the hydraulic stuff.
3) What are the known weak spots regarding rust and hidden problems ?

I'd hope someone might be able to help out on these things,cos im considering buying a BX for after i passed my driving exam in not too much time hopefully. I'm also open for other (cheap) suggestions. It needs to be very cheap,low-cost in maintenance,lightweight( for road taces) and preferably a Citroen. Budget is about 500€

[henk4]

a white BX 14 is about the cheapest thing you can buy. Rust is not a problem, the most obvious problem appear to be in the rear wheel suspension system which tend to wear out resulting in X-shaped position of the wheels. You may have noticed that as it is quite easy to see.

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by henk4

a white BX 14 is about the cheapest thing you can buy. Rust is not a problem, the most obvious problem appear to be in the rear wheel suspension system which tend to wear out resulting in X-shaped position of the wheels. You may have noticed that as it is quite easy to see.

Thanks, do you happen to know about any problems of high mileage ?

(And yes, i do know to never get the alloy wheels cos they will look awful after a few days you got the car from the dealer...)

My dad used to have two when they were new but he never really drove them up to high mileages. His only problems with it were that he crashed both !!!

[henk4]

Originally Posted by drakkie

Thanks, do you happen to know about any problems of high mileage ?

(And yes, i do know to never get the alloy wheels cos they will look awful after a few days you got the car from the dealer...)

My dad used to have two when they were new but he never really drove them up to high mileages. His only problems with it were that he crashed both !!!

I had 4 in total
the first one: B19D was crashed while parked in front of the house after 16 months and 55000 km. No other problems with the car
the second, again 19D, lasted 4 years and was traded for a 19TurboD
after 190000 km. The normal wear and tear took place but the garage owner decided to keep the car for himself, and they subsequently found out that a number of things had to be replaced, including the front subframe. Apart from this a leaking radiator started to cause peoblems after 150 k.
the TD lasted 140000 km and was traded for a new TD while the model was close to be replaced by the Xantia, and the offer was quite nice. The last TD was traded after 3 years for a Xantia 1.9TD in 1997.

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by henk4

I had 4 in total
the first one: B19D was crashed while parked in front of the house after 16 months and 55000 km.

I won't mention a certain person wrongly assesing the corner near your house and almost crashing into the "blue monster" during driving lessons

But my dad's first red one (sry no ida about the type because i was really small back then) got hit in the side by an old woman.Her engine was about on the passenger seat so he was really lucky... Second 1.6 petrol Deauville (white) expereicned a really weird crash. While driving on a country road a horse freaked out when we passed by. The horse hit the side and bonnet completely destroying it It wasn't a write-off but still a very expensive repair. The insurance guy couldn't believe it Apparently pictures have been posted in a personel magazine of one of the country's largest insurers...

[Lagonda]

I'd say. Get a lower mileage ZX or something like that.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Lagonda

I'd say. Get a lower mileage ZX or something like that.

steel springs....

[nota]

This site is often interesting http://www.carsurvey.org/model_Citroen_BX.html

One of the above respondents mentions BX16v.com

[Lagonda]

Originally Posted by henk4

steel springs....

I know. But it's cheaper to maintain which is an important factor in first car. And I would dare to say that the ZX seems more reliable than the BX.

[matek]

Well i havent picked it up yet but mah dads promised his old XM turbo i just need to pick it up from poland i live in london... :s

Just wana say that was a fun car, never been in the BX but i vouch for the XM

[drakkie]

Originally Posted by Lagonda

I know. But it's cheaper to maintain which is an important factor in first car. And I would dare to say that the ZX seems more reliable than the BX.

My uncle used to have one. He kept getting problems caused by poor build quality (for example leakages everywhere)...
He once put it on a test bench at his work (Koni) and found the engineers astounded by how poor it was set-up and that this setup was driveable...

I am now also looking for an old CX Gti The owner has the car parked in a garage next to my dad.It hasn't moved for a while but with some work it should be easily fixed, especially since he restored it 3-4 years ago.

[Lagonda]

http://www.autoscout24.nl/dut/detail...id=gl2iheumnty

http://www.autoscout24.nl/dut/detail...id=qkqwnowlsr3 pretty low mileage (well, compared to the rest)

Maybe stretch your budget and get a Xantia 1.6 or 1.8 ? They can be had at around €1000.