Went to see a BX today

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:03 pm

Hello everyone, I'm fairly new here though I have been reading bits on the forum for a while before signing up.

While routinely checking for cars I could afford on Auto Trader (my current car, a Pug 306 has taken a turn for the worse and needs replacing) I came accross a BX for £499 and persistently convinced my dad to drive me to see it.

(its this one http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... egLetter=J)

The car was in fairly good shape, a silver TZD turbo and was exactly what I would have wanted in a BX, but then I started to notice a few things were off about it. Most importantly, the hydraulic pump was chirping every 9 odd seconds which I'm pretty sure indicates the hydraulics are losing pressure too quickly. (shouldnt it be 30 seconds on a healthy BX?) The rear wiper, sunroof and front foglights were also shot, though I would have overlooked those small issues had I been sure the hydraulics were sound.

Nevertheless, I took it for a little test drive and it seemed to be pretty happy on the road. Was my first time driving a BX and I found it quite impressive and fun at the same time.

Needless to say, I considered the potential hydraulic issue something that could not be overlooked, especially after my dad reported something was dripping from the car, and politely (and painfully) declined to buy the car - much to the frustration of the garage owner.

I'm getting myself in a right stress over it, because after driving that TZD getting another 306 would feel really mediocre.

Should I be kicking myself for not buying this car, or would I be kicking myself if I had bought it?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:15 pm

There'll be others, cheaper too!

Tourist · Post by **Tourist** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 10:16 pm

Good to see you on here T.

Just to let other forum members know, I have also seen this car. It looked OK (few tatty bits of the body and trim) and seemed to go well, though I think for anyone who doesn't want to spend money on a BX immediately, it's not the right car.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:00 am

The 9 second suspension chirp is most probably a worn accumulator sphere, cheap and easy to replace, the rear wiper could be just a fuse, switch or a motor at worst, again nice and easy fixes. If the sunroof neither tilted nor slid it could again be a blown fuse, relay or a motor.

There will be lots of these floating about on here, best to check for corrosion firstly if the car drove ok, the electrical gremlins are non essential for now.

Aerodynamica · Post by **Aerodynamica** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:01 am

Welcome!

buyer beware as they say - however, that looked to be a car dealer? their prices are going to be higher.

You could have made a nasty low offer to 'help take it off his hands' , flash the cash and then use that saved to remedy some of the issues.

However, there are plenty more available in time..

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:28 am

As discussed here: http://www.bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10030

It is fitted with air con, but it probably won't work. I had one that ran OK using RS24 gas, but that's prohibitively expensive now. I was quoted £120 for conversion to R134a once. Don't know if that's realistic or not.

Tattiness can be sorted. Being a dealer, even if it 'goes' OK, you still have some comback if it goes wrong, I believe. If it is dropping something try to establish what it is. Most diesels I've experienced have a slight oil leak somewhere... usually from the rear of the engine. It could be LHM, how much green stuff it loses will depend on a number of factors; drive it around, raise and lowwer the suspension a few times and make sure you get the PAS working. Look underneath (but DON'T get underneath unless the car is adequately supported) and see what's occuring

... Or, it could be a weeping hose (check the bottom hose as they tend to go most regularly I understand)... If indeed the a/c is working, which I doubt, condesation would cause a puddle - but it won't be particularly evident at this time of year.

Do the other checks that have been discussed at length elsewhere on this forum (rust, rear arm bearings etc.)

Being a TZD Turdo with air con makes it worth considering. If in doubt take someone along who understands cars/Citroens and wave £300 under the dealer's nose... and see what happens.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:45 am

Philip Chidlow wrote: If in doubt take someone along who understands cars/Citroens and wave £300 under the dealer's nose... and see what happens.

That sounds like an idea, but I would not be able to go back with my dad cause he doesnt like the car (wants me to get a n/a 306 again). I could probably get a lift down though if its still there but I'd need someone who understands citroens and lives near enough to come and have a look. Any volunteers?

Tourist · Post by **Tourist** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:06 pm

Volunteers wanted, let's get another BX on the club and on the road. I've learned you need someone there who knows what they're doing, and I learned it the hard way, so let's give Boxwolf some help

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:22 pm

Thanks James, but I'd say from the apparent lack of further interest in this thread it was perhaps too big a request for someone to accompany me to look at a car they wont be buying

which does raise the question of how I'm gonna find a nice BX and know if its healthy or not since my knowledge of citroen hydraulics falls pretty short of acceptable.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:31 pm

Boxwolf wrote:Thanks James, but I'd say from the apparent lack of further interest in this thread it was perhaps too big a request for someone to accompany me to look at a car they wont be buying which does raise the question of how I'm gonna find a nice BX and know if its healthy or not since my knowledge of citroen hydraulics falls pretty short of acceptable.

I'm not sure there are that many members in your area, but don't give up.
You know what? I bought a car of another Club member once, a nice TXD estate and although I ended up selling it on, it still lives on with another member. And it was a cracking car.

Maybe there might be a member on here selling a BX. Then at least you'll have an idea of its good and bad points?

You might have to be patient, but it could pay off.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:28 pm

Yeah I was hoping there might be a nice TZD turbo hatch going around on the forum sometime soon, though I get the feeling it might be a while, and even then it may be too far or other people after it. I really don't want to lose the chance to get one that's already around and could be perfect for me.

I do think that a BX from one of the club members is a safer bet, but if there are none around for quite a while I'll have to get one from somewhere else. I am determined to get a BX, but I need a car at least before easter.

Tourist · Post by **Tourist** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:58 pm

See if you're allowed to get a cheap "gap" car until a BX comes along because I think it's unlikely that you can get the TZD that's in London, unless someone here offers to go and see it with you.

Boxwolf · Post by **Boxwolf** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:10 pm

Well, the problem with a "gap" car is I'd be welcomed by my parents to get it, but then pressured and pushed to keep it and not get a BX which is why I'm not considering that. It would also be a hastle to insure and sell and considering I wouldnt need it for very long just not worth the stress.

I have a feeling I wont be able to get the silver bx, (still got my fingers crossed though) but if that is the case I would rather wait for another one than get something i'd not really want.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:49 pm

Why dont you buy Tourists ZX?

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:13 pm

Tourist wrote:See if you're allowed to get a cheap "gap" car until a BX comes along because I think it's unlikely that you can get the TZD that's in London, unless someone here offers to go and see it with you.

Then:

Roverman wrote:Why dont you buy Tourists ZX?

Because it ain't cheap