Talking B____X

[Mike E (uk)]

You did 780 miles in a day, that is a lot. But you must have been entirely on autoroutes.

The BXagon used very few motorways, so you may have done 1/4 the distance, but not 1/4 the time.

I find my BX is comfortable. During the BXagon, I never felt reluctant to get back in after a stop.

Plus we got nearly 40mpg from the petrol BX, and we worked it hard too.

Not got aircon though. It is true though, XMs are very comfortable.

Mike

[Philip Chidlow]

Well, there's no doubting I couldn't have done it without using the autoroutes/peage! It cost too: £50 in tolls... But it also included driving through Paris, exploring Amiens and a stop in Abbeville. I agree about the BX though. You can get out of it after 'X' hundred miles and still feel good.

[Philip Chidlow]

WT*, Doctor Who? OK not Earth-shattering in its implications,, but...

Prompted by a post on a Doolywobb's FB page I had to write the following...
Is it me or has something gone wrong with Dr Who? Why does seemingly every episode take place in the present day, on Earth (specifically London/SE or Cardiff)? Why is this particular Doctor a self-parodying klutz? What happen to Time and Space? What's wrong with other planets/places and wildly different times? If variety is the spice of life the scriptwriters are peddling nothing more spicy than a ham sandwich.

A friend of Ian's agreed. What about anyone here?

[Dollywobbler]

I don't get into it too deeply. It was interesting, even if they weren't bouncing around planets. BBC's budget cuts are clearly having an effect, but it was still interesting and well acted.

[mat_fenwick]

Not got a clue about Dr. Who, but I'll echo Mike's comments above. Not once did I feel any sense of reluctant to slip into the driving seat for another day at the wheel. Even after what was probably the longest stretch when we ended up in Montpellier, the following morning I was actually raring to go, and had probably the best driving day of the trip.
Mike, your fuel economy was very impressive, I would hazard a guess that I managed only mid 40s!
Not having driven (or even sat in!) an XM I can't say for certain but I would imagine (as larger cars in general tend to be) them to be excellent for eating up the miles and keeping you relaxed.

[Philip Chidlow]

I find Mike's fuel economy staggering too. What happens when you rag it?

As for comfort I think much of the benefit (for long distance cruising) of the XM is derived from its relative silence when compared to the BX. Noise can be fatigue-inducing.

On the other hand I would say for its size the BX is a good cruiser too - because even though it is quite noisy, the seats (GTi/TZD ones I am talking about) are supremely comfortable. And off the Autoroutes/motorways, the XM is at a disadvantage as it just isn't as compact, or indeed 'chuckable' as the BX.

I think owning a BX and an XM is a happy mix.

[Mike E (uk)]

I was ragging it, that's what it is for.

It would not have been safe to drive much faster on unfamiliar roads anyway.

I think my overdrive 5th may have helped on the flatter bits, and the car only had 11 cold starts over 3000 miles. Local trips round town I will get 25mpg ish.

Alan gets better fuel economy than me, I like the engine sound too much so I rev it more.

Agreed- the BX is noisy compared with newer or bigger cars, but not unpleasantly so.

Mike

[Philip Chidlow]

Agreed- the BX is noisy compared with newer or bigger cars, but not unpleasantly so.

Depends if you're in an 8v GTi or not.

I've owned lots and the one area I wish could be improved is the exhaust note. It's never pleasant. Tolerable most of the time, but it's noisy at idle and can sound like a tractor sometimes. But we all have our crosses to bear. And if it was that bad maybe I wouldn't have had so many

[electrokid]

On the other hand I would say for its size the BX is a good cruiser too

I'd say so too - anything where you feel much the same getting out of it at the end of a long journey and you're happy to do the same the following day is a good cruiser and the BX certainly fits the bill - and at just on the tonne that's actually quite amazing.

The granny flies well - you'd expect that of course at 1.6 tonnes, independant suspension, gas shocks and armchairs to sit in.

The most surprising was a Yank job - Chevy Lumina - had a 600 odd mile trip - Philadephia to Columbo then along country roads (swerving to avoid the dead hog in the road and wondering who turned the lights out as I hit the first swarm of mosquitos) to Buffalo and then south along the shores of Lake Erie. When I got out of the car it felt as though I'd just driven around the block. The handling was very good but the brakes were utter rubbish. I've later found out that the Lumina is a badged Holden Commodore - the Aussies obviously know how to design suspension.

I'd love to try an XM but I've run out of space !

[rayfenwick]

[I'd love to try an XM but I've run out of space !

They're addictive...this is my 4th.

[Dollywobbler]

Jump out of a BX into something modern, like a Pug 308, Honda Civic or Ford Focus, as the wonderful ride quality of the BX really comes to the fore. Modern cars all tend to jiggle on motorways. It's really irritating (even BMW X5s!). The BX seems to smooth it all out. Credit to Citroen - the new C5 has an amazing ride too, even if it's got 'boring' suspension.

Mind you, I'm down-sizing and will (more than likely) be taking the 2CV to Switzerland next month. Comfort yes. Quiet, oh no!

[electrokid]

They're addictive...this is my 4th

Thanks for the warning on my 6th Granada and my 3rd BX - like I could do with another addiction

[rayfenwick]

Every time SWMBO hears me talk about a Visa or 2CV or H van she starts worrying.

Though in honesty she wants a 2CV herself. And a DS.

[electrokid]

will (more than likely) be taking the 2CV to Switzerland next month

And the mileage you have on that is seriously impressive !

And a DS.

I dreamt of owning a DS in the 1950s - it's never really gone away

[Tim Leech]

This months Classic and Sportscar has the DS/CX and XM in a featurette.