Bereavment Sale

[Philip Chidlow]

A very sorry business and I completely sympathise. I hope Roger gets over his obvious 'delusion'... and the CCC honcho should know better than to give wholly (off the scale) 'valuations' without consulting someone with experience of BX reality. Like you Tim.

[Tim Leech]

The honcho is apparently Brian Drummond, CCC chairman (not a bx owner I think), but again I think "Roger" has just used his name in a vain bid to try and get money.

[DLM]

Throughout 17 years of secondhand BX ownership, and about 10 BXs, the only BX which cost more than £2000 was the very first - a 1989 16RS bought in 1992 through Citroen's own approved-used scheme.

The prices being asked for these cars might look more reasonable if Dorset moved across the English channel, become a French Departement, and the cars were converted to left-hand drive and given a Fresh 2-year "Control Technique". A new CT makes nearly anything with 4 wheels worth a four-figure sum in Euros.

[Tim Leech]

Well ive washed my hands of it, I will get in touch with Brain Drummond and find where hes getting his info from.

[BX Bandit]

Washed your hands of it? I thought it was all about saving the BX?

[Tim Leech]

Washed your hands of it? I thought it was all about saving the BX?

Bandit have you not read the rest of the post? Im happy to save any unwated/unloved BX but what I take exception to is driving 175 miles to have a gun held to my head, that I either cough up or I go home empty handed. sharp practice dont you think!

Anyway I have had a very apologetic message from Amanda and the matter is now closed, if anyone is interested in the BX diesels which are failry priced please call her.

[Philip Chidlow]

Bandit, Tim's right. He has forked out money only to be ripped off. I think he's understandably miffed.

I'm not sure anyone on here would be happy driving hundreds of miles to help save a BX or two from eBay/scrappers, (in respect for a deceased BXer, in a way!) only to have a ridiculous price put on the vehicles in question - without prior warning...

After all Tim does save BXs and his record is good.

Tim bought the scrapper-bound TZD Turbo ('The Green Hornet') knowing that I'd buy it from him and use it as our BXagon car. Can't say he earned anything much from it, if anything, so I am hugely grateful for the time and effort he put into 'saving' that particular BX.

We have another laudable saviour in our midst now too - Kitch with the newly acquired 16v. Let's hope that can be saved too.

[BX Bandit]

After all Tim does save BXs and his record is good.

Tim bought the scrapper-bound TZD Turbo ('The Green Hornet') knowing that I'd buy it from him and use it as our BXagon car. Can't say he earned anything much from it, if anything, so I am hugely grateful for the time and effort he put into 'saving' that particular BX.

I've said this before but Tim doesn't save them. He prolongs their death. None of us on here are naive enough to truly believe that a 20yr old BX is rust free. They aren't! So, after polishing and pampering a so called 'saved' BX what is Tim going to do with his fleet? Thus far he's flogged them on. Unless that car falls into the hands of someone willing and able to weld it up, then it's fate is inevitable. Restoring, or if you like, 'saving' a car is NOT about an MOT and making it look pretty. Cars are tools of transport and they need to fulfil a list of requirements and in order of priority (depending on taste)

1) Safe
2) roadworthy
3) efficient
4) versatile
5) refined
6) comfortable
7) appealing

So having a pretty car is at the end of the list. To really 'save' a car you have to extend it's longevity, pretty bumpers and 'rare non functioning headlamp washes' do nothing to extend the life of a car.

As he was going darn sarf to get bits then it's hardly a wasted journey (but yes it's frustrating) so why blather about it on here and slag off the chairman of the CCC?

If this seems out of terms so be it, but there are others on here who have stripped a BX to it's bare bones, removed the corrosion, welded patches on and performed virtually every mechanical operation possible. That is restoration and 'saving' a BX But they don't get BXC credits or happy claps for doing so.

I could of given you my TGD Turbo for the bxagon - would that be saving it? No, because it will still be as rusty at the end of the bxagon as it is now.

This balance HAS to be re-dressed. 'Saving' a car is not about pretty bumpers/spray/polish. The tech section is filled with mechanical & electrical queries - not how to get the deepest gloss. Many members save their own cars by working on them. Aerodynamica is a good example. What recognition does he get? Yet I'd say the dreadlocked Scotsman has done more to actually preserve or 'save' a BX than Tim.
The above is just my opinion and I cannot be held responsible for any outcome. Deleting this thread or banning me makes a mockery of the democracy of the UK and ones assumed freedom of speech.

[Philip Chidlow]

Many members save their own cars by working on them. Aerodynamica is a good example. What recognition does he get? Yet I'd say the dreadlocked Scotsman has done more to actually preserve or 'save' a BX than Tim.
The above is just my opinion and I cannot be held responsible for any outcome. Deleting this thread or banning me makes a mockery of the democracy of the UK and ones assumed freedom of speech.

I think Aero' is recognised on here. I certainly view his efforts with some envy! That's a decent post, Bandit, I wouldn't worry about being deleted or repremanded.

The points you raise are valid in the extreme - and to a degree humbling - so please don't assume that most aren't in agreement with you about the need for serious restoration in most cases. On the otherhand, postponing death isn't necessarily an evil. If it gives pleasure and allows a stay of execution until a new owner who's handy with a welding torch, angle grinder etc. to take over then that's OK in my view.

I like my cars to look good too, and I can understand the polishing bit. (Tim's big enough to take criticism about that ). So yes, Bandit, maybe we ought to be flexible in the use of the word 'saved'. Maybe in the case of those granted a longer stay on 'death row' we could refer to them as 'granted a temporary reprive'?

[BX Bandit]

I think Aero' is recognised on here. I certainly view his efforts with some envy!

Aero may well be recognised but he doesn't get the pampering awarded to Tim. Nor should he. I just think Tims efforts are over-egged by quite some margin and seems to put himself above the rest of us (aided by other members) and frankly it's not on.

..... I wouldn't worry about being deleted or repremanded.

Well one has to wonder but thanks for your assurances. If i didn't know better I'd say you were a member of the masons and had some sway!

I'm not trying to big myself up btw, more trying to redress the imbalance I percieve.

If it gives pleasure and allows a stay of execution

That's the nail on the head and I have no problem with that at all. It's not the principle but the undue (In my opinion at least) recognition.

[Philip Chidlow]

Oh, you aren't a Mason? Well, consider this conversation terminated

(I am contactable at the BX Lodge, The Gandini Building, No. 82 Rue d. André, Rennes.)

[CitroXim]

I wouldn't worry about being deleted or repremanded.

No worry on that score at all Bandit. As Phil says, a very fair post stating a personally held opinion. Fair do.

Moderation would only become necessary if it turned into a slanging match or descended into something worse.

[Tim Leech]

Bandit you are entitled on your opinion, we shall agree to disagree, your very welcome to inspect any of may cars for faults/rust etc, they have some minor ones admitted, but nothing that is safety related. As for prolonging the death, yes all cars will get scrapped one day but whilst in my care I try and keep mine in good condition mechanically and bodily to save the decline.

I like mine to look nice aswell as run well, some people dont care aslong as its reliable, each to their own. I would always put safety infront of asthetics so if its not right I will get it fixed. I intend to keep the 3 bxs I have for aslong as possible, they are all regularly waxed, waxoiled, driven in fine weather and then put away in the garage or car cover so I hope they will be around for a while longer and we can be argueing over this point in another 10 years

[Mike E (uk)]

IMHO simply buying a BX and getting it an MOT is a major step towards preservation.

Even if the car only lasts another 12 months then becomes recycled so that others might live.

Personally I have destructed many BXs that could have been made roadworthy again, but not without the time and skill and dedication that few people have. But the parts were recycled as much as possible.

In an ideal world we would rebuild our cars to new specification, but this is not going to happen.

Enjoy the BX and preserve it as best you can.

Mike

[Vanny]

The only original bits on my car are all external. Everything under the bonnet (bar the subframe) has come off another car, only the seats and roof lining in the interior are original i think. And most parts on the car i have a spare of. In fact i've rescued more BX's than i really should have some through parts but many through hard graft and determination. But 8 years ago a clutch change took three weeks (non stop) now i can do one in under 3 hours! Its all about learning.

Rover man, have you had some extensive surgery done on the valver? Cos last time i was under it the rear N/S chassis leg wasn't looking to clever!