BX questions, is it for me?

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Alpine
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BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Alpine »

Hello

I'm new to the forum, have been thinking of getting a BX as a daily driver to go alongside my other 2 classics, one of which is a 2CV.

Just a couple of questions.

Is the BX ok as a daily driver? I asssume so but would appeciate some assurance !!

Secondly, how unreliable/reliable is the suspension. The technical side of it scares me a bit but I guess its just a matter of geting to know it. As I understand it, it is a combination of LHM, nitrogen and a motor running the lot around. Is it the green spheres that carry the nitrogen? Is there a page / link which gives some guidance on how it works?

I can service a car but anything more technical has to go to the mechanic in the village. Is working on a BX for a specialist only though?

When I was young my best friend's dad had a BX 19 GTI 8v (E reg) which was awesome, so I'm hoping to bring back some memories !

Phil (Leeds)
northernchap
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by northernchap »

Hi Phil! I'm also new and not too far away from you.

I bought a BX recently as I had a GTi years ago and always fancied another so I picked up a turbo diesel estate. It was at the other end of the country so I got the train down, drove it to Dover, filled it with wine and drove back up to Yorkshire - the car was superb, felt fresh as a daisy and used less than half a tank of fuel all day!

That's the good side though - the downside is that it is currently having suspension issues... now don't for a second think they're as scary as they might sound, but if you do go and look at one make sure you know how to check it all out beforehand and don't just buy one off eBay that you've never seen like this numpty... :)

When I get it going again, you're welcome to come and have a nosy around if you like!
1992 BX17 TZD Turbo Diesel Estate [Red]
1988 Fiat Panda 4x4 [NATO green]
1991 Peugeot 309 GLD [Champagne beige]
1965 Ford Mustang [Black]
rutter123
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by rutter123 »

Hi Phil

I use a bx as a daily driver and last year covered 34,000 in it and the previous year 29,000 it is coming up close to 300,000 miles now and has plenty of life left in it yet, itis a 1990 tzd turbo which ive owned for 9 years.

The suspension system is pretty reliable providing it is looked after properly, bearing in mind that most bx's are over 25yrs old now, if you are considering one i would recommend a full overhaul of the system as most of the rubber pipework will be perished or certainly on its way out-same for the original fitment steel pipes which corrode over time and do let go just when you dont need it. The basic principle is the hydraulic pump which is belt driven runs the lot, brakes, steering and suspension, with the suspension spheres being filled with nitrogen gas and lhm fluid which varies depending on load. The hydraulic system is powered through a flow distribution valve which splits the flow between the PAS and the rest which also has a pressure regulator and safety valve fitted in case of hydraulic failure. The system looks complicated but is actually quite simple once you have grasped the basics. There are no shock absorbers as such the spheres do all the work which will need changing/regassing every so often but this a fairly simple task. The whole system works at extremely high pressure so its best everything in tip top condition. If you have basic mechanical knowledge then i see no reason why home spannering cant be done with caution. Personally i dont think "the local garage up the road" will have the knowledge to work on a bx but there are plenty of specialists who can to a good standard.

As for engine servicing it simple stuff, oil,s filter, cambelts etc etc all still readily available as are most parts for a bx with some hard to get hold of bits now being remanufactured.

BX's can suffer from rust so beware when buying as some of it is hidden. Things to look for rust on inner wings, front door hinge plates, sills, boot floor esp the rear exhaust hanger area, bases of the A/B/C pillars, around the top of the windscreen corners, under the screenwash bottles at the bulkhead, wet or damp footwells, rear wings, rear chassis rails.

I have owned bx's for 20 years and the ride quality of a good one cannot be beaten in my opinion, they will cope with modern traffic and return good mpg with a diesel seeing the good side of 50+mpg and the gti's still capable of giving modern stuff a good run for their money.

My advice is spend as much as you can afford to get the best value for money, not something that will constantly spring leaks and leave you stranded at the roadside.

Maybe you would like to view my current gti8v which is up for sale on Car and Classic, a stunning car and a steal at £1395 reg no H963AAE.

Good luck.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Defender110 »

A BX is perfect for a daily driver and the mechanicals are actually very simple and nothing to be afraid of. The big issue is getting a BX that isn't too far gone with tin worm. They were very well built on this front and well exceeded the life expectancy of any new car but as they are now well past that there are a few corrosion points shared by all BX's that if left to spread can be fatal for the car without major surgery. The main point for this is around the rear sill where it meets the subframe mountings. The first sign of tin worm here is at the seam inside the rear door opening. They also suffer from front inner wing corrosion which if caught soon enough can be stopped very easily. Underneath the washer bottles in the scuttle panel can also get corrosion if the drain holes aren't cleaned periodically and any corrosion here can spread and meet up with the previously mentioned inner wing corrosion. Rear boot / cross member should also be checked.
If you do find a solid one then daily driving and simple mechanicals will go hand in hand with excellent reliability from the XUD diesel engines. (I have no knowledge of the petrol variety)
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
northernchap
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by northernchap »

Also I should have said, there's a couple of specialists in the area but I've heard good things about C&C Motors who are on your side of Bradford - just in case you were worried about needing to find a garage, there are a few about! http://www.candccitroen.co.uk/
1992 BX17 TZD Turbo Diesel Estate [Red]
1988 Fiat Panda 4x4 [NATO green]
1991 Peugeot 309 GLD [Champagne beige]
1965 Ford Mustang [Black]
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ken newbold
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by ken newbold »

You're in Leeds, you wont get stuck ;-)
They think it's all over, it is now!
Defender110
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Defender110 »

ken newbold wrote:You're in Leeds, you wont get stuck ;-)
but you're doomed! stranded on the wrong side of the Pennines!
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
Alpine
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Alpine »

many thanks for all of your replies, very helpful. I have heard of C&C through my 2cv (Ray Calvert), but never used them.

Thanks rutter123 (Cliff, I think), I have seen your GTI on Car & Classic, it looks very nice, I may call you, Spalding is not that far from Leeds I think.
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by rutter123 »

Sorry Phil, car sold today.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
Alpine
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Alpine »

Thanks, that's a shame, I got an insurance quote on it! Well done with sale, I'll keep looking
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ken newbold
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by ken newbold »

I'll have a BX TZD for sale shortly
They think it's all over, it is now!
rutter123
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65 Peugeot Boxer work van 280k
x 136

Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by rutter123 »

There is a rather tidy low miles (81k) tzd turbo on ebay now looks tidy and has been well looked after by lady owner, might be worth a look. If i was bx shopping i would certainly consider this one. Barely run in at that mileage and a good spec turbo diesel which will go forever. price £1150

By the way Phil worth looking a classic insurance if it's a second car, try Footman James for a quote.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
Alpine
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Alpine »

Thanks both. I think the one on eBay is marked sold now.

Where are you based Ken? I've never had a diesel, was after a petrol but would consider. My email is philipbagley@yahoo.com
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ken newbold
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by ken newbold »

Sunny Wakefield
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Defender110
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Re: BX questions, is it for me?

Post by Defender110 »

ken newbold wrote:Sunny Wakefield
Is that not a contradiction of terms? :lol:
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
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