I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

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FroggyBX
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I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by FroggyBX »

Bonjour, I'm retired in France and am in the process of buying a '91 BX 'Image' for just under €4k (about £3.5k) which I don't really need 'cos my trusty Fiesta does it all. 'Er indoors is of the opinion that this confirms I'm going senile, and she may be right. She says "you can do what you want" which obviously translates as "don't you dare buy that car". Despite this frightening threat, I'm going ahead because it'd be silly not to. I reckon it's a belter: just 64,000 kms (about 40,000 miles), virtually two owners from new (second owner, now deceased, from '94 at 10,000 kms, kept it garaged and molleycoddled), full service history with loads of garage receipts (mostly Citroen in Tulle - it's a local car from new), all original manuals, excellent nick (interior and exterior), recent cambelt change and exhaust, etc. 'leccy windows work, not sure if the octopus has been changed (I understand they're no longer available) and, alas, no radio CD thingy, but I intend to get one fitted. Are the standard speakers ok? In order to be sold, the car has to pass its Controle Technique (French MoT test) which should confirm its excellent roadworthyness. Forgot to take some pics on yesterday's test drive (I was the passenger, car behaved very well). Anything I should look out for? Am I mad?
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by RobC »

You'd be hard pressed to find someone on a BX forum who would say you were mad for buying a BX - after all that's why we're here and we think owning one is perfectly normal...

The standard speakers disintegrate over time and were never that good to begin with, so expect to fit some replacements. The standard tweeters (if you have them) in the dashboard are ok tho, so you can probably just get away with changing the door speakers. The rear speakers (again if fitted) are in the C pillar and are pretty crap. They're a weird size and usually aftermarket replacements will need a bit of fettling to get them to fit.

It's bound to have some rust somewhere, but hopefully less than the UK based ones get. Boot floor, behind the rear bumper, sills, front inner wings are places to look out for.

The octopus is no longer made by Citroen but a UK specialist call Chevronics reproduces it.

In addition to your list, you might want to consider getting the spheres recharged or replaced, and the LHM changed and filters cleaned. It sounds like a good buy though. Pics a must, etc.

btw as soon as your other half gets in it and experiences the lovely soft ride (especially compared to a fiesta!) she'll be won over. Also, I found when I drove my BX in France a few years back, locals were so impressed to see one still going they would stop in the street and exclaim "Bay Ex! Bay Ex!" excitedly - so you'll also become a local celebrity. Win win.
1991 Citroen BX 16v
FroggyBX
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by FroggyBX »

Thanks for all that info. Much appreciated. Am awaiting the CT (Mot) test result and observations with interest - (seller booked the test for next Monday). Will load some snaps soon as poss. Thanks again.
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white exec
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by white exec »

Well, that makes two of us who've fished for a BX in France.
Our 19D Millésime was found in Aubagne, near Marseille, back in October.
Some details and pics here...
viewtopic.php?p=269014#p269014
...including updating the audio and speakers.

Look forward to seeing the photos.
The ride (and all the space) has to win her over... :-P
Chris
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jamescarruthers
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by jamescarruthers »

I mean a sorted BX is still a fantastic car to drive so you’re certainly not mad.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG

Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
FroggyBX
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by FroggyBX »

I've just discovered that the BX petrol tanks are apparently made of plastic. Will the ethanol that's recently been added to modern unleaded petrols (both 98 and 95 RON) soften and eventually dissolve these plastic tanks? All sounds a bit worrying. That damned ethanol eventually rotted the fibreglass petrol tank on my old Greeves motorcycle so I had to swap it for a metal one.
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by RobC »

I guess we'll all find out sooner or later, but I very much doubt that would be the case.
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jamescarruthers
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by jamescarruthers »

In the UK, I believe the only Ethanol free is the premium Esso stuff. How much longer for thou, who knows.
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG

Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
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white exec
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by white exec »

I think our tanks are made from HDPE or polypropylene.
Both are listed as having good resistance to 95% ethanol, from the one or two chemical resistance sites I looked at quickly.
Needs closer scrutiny.

Many fuel specialist sites detail the problems with ethanol based gasoline, including corrosion of soft metal, rubber and some plastic parts, water absorption and associated fuel separation, implications for fuel storage, 'seasonal' or irregular use of engines (boats, mowers, generators...), fibreglass tanks, etc. AA and RAC have advice, and so do fleet specialists. Good bit of bloggy opinion out there too.
Chris
FroggyBX
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by FroggyBX »

BX passed its CT test (MoT) yesterday with a couple of very minor observations (bit of play in steering, fog light pointing slightly off, silencer a bit dented). Seller now sending off the Carte Grise (French equivalent of v5c 'logbook') to get the car registered in his name (currently registered in the name of his deceased uncle). Having experienced the, er, leisurely momentum of French bureaucracy a few times in the past, I wouldn't be surprised if this relatively simple operation takes..., ooh, a couple of weeks, or maybe a month, or maybe more. But then we should be able to conclude the sale. And then I'll have to send off the brand new Carte Grise issued in the name of the seller in order to get the powers-that-be to issue a brand new one with my name listed as the owner. And..., if all this is done before the 12th July (when the car will be officially thirty years old) the documentation will have to be sent off again (well, no, it's not compulsory) to the powers-that-be in order to register the car as a 'véhicule de collection' which will enable it to be CT'd (MoT'd) once every five years instead of the present two, and presumably there are a few other advantages though I know not what (cheaper insurance maybe?). Still no photos. Forgot to ask again. Will do so now.
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Tim Leech
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by Tim Leech »

Ive always had good reliability with BX's, I guess its preventative maintenance!
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
FroggyBX
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by FroggyBX »

The BX has landed.
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jamescarruthers
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by jamescarruthers »

FroggyBX wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 12:46 pm The BX has landed.
Do tell! What have you bought?
1987 Volvo 480 ES
2006 Citroen C6 Exclusive 3.0 petrol/LPG

Previous BX's:
A966 XRL -- BX 16 TRS
H767 BEG -- BX 14 TGE
B316 AMP -- BX 14 E
jvbram
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Re: I'm buying a BX. Am I mad?

Post by jvbram »

Bonjour, i also bought a Bx in france recent?y. Unlike yours shes done almost 500km but still goes and has no rust or body damage. My wife was annoyed with me but is slowly coming around. It only cost 300 euro. When i get the Control Tectnique, I intend to register it as a Collection vehicle as it is over 30 years. This means cheap insurance and The CT lasts 5 years. You can also keep the original plates i think. You must join a classic car club first. It does not have to be a Citroen club. There lots of them. The club in my small town just got its affiliation with FFVE. Amicalement
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