BX ownership

jrdpod · Post by **jrdpod** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:08 pm

It is likely that I will be giving up BX ownership.
The last straw came when the big end went on my BX Meteor back in January; see post on this in "technical".
I have now got a Peugeot 106 as my "everyday car", and considering the amount of money the BX has already taken, I don't think it is now viable keeping this car. I have another BX stored as well, a D reg 17 RD that needs a "complete" rebuild.
I will post further information once I've made a decision. This may not be
for several months.
I will keep my links with BXClub.co.uk whatever happens.

Regards
John Podgorski/jrdpod.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:13 pm

Its a shame, but i guess if they are becoming moneypits, then i can understand. On the other hand you could do a restoration over time when funds allow etc...& have both of em back on the road in the next couple of years. These beasts are getting rarer & rarer.

Another thing to keep into consideration is, in all probability the govt will be doing something rather daft like they do over in europe which is to give a large financial incentive to scrap your banger for a newer motor, so you could be sitting on £4k rather than just the current £150 scrap value for both your motors.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:21 pm

Nothing lasts forever, even the most cared for cars will eventually wear out and its not practical to keep throwing money at them (I should know). Whatever happens keep in touch and maybe in a year or two the hankering for a BX will take hold again and you will suddenly end up with one, it seems to happen quite alot to most BX bods!

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:04 pm

The last straw came when the big end went on my BX Meteor back in January; see post on this in "technical".

Shame. Don't know the full details (and the forum search facility doesn't want to let me trace your posts back right now), but there was a time when some on this forum had time, opportunity and tools to turn around an engine swap in short order for a deserving BX cause where the original car was sound if the engine wasn't . All depends who's around you, engine availability and what they're willing and able to do on a goodwill basis - the original conception of the forum.

Having two cars to mix'n'match is a good start point , and a pause for thought seems a sound approach at this point.

Equally there's a time to say "enough is enough" , though my days of running a Peugot 106 proved very temporary and I was soon reunited with a BX.

The Peugeot's now in use by my brother, several years on , as it suits his circumstances at present (in diesel form the epitome of four wheels and basic transport - and pretty much ideal for straightened times) .

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:14 pm

Several years ago when I left the shores of the Old Country I thought the BX that I left behind was the last one I would ever own. Yes I searched for one when I got to New Zealand but at the time (2003) the prices of a reasonable condition BX was over nz$4000 given the exchange rate at the time that worked out a 1500quid. Cars were expensive here especially Euro Cars!

I lasted 3 years before I spotted the BX we now own the urge was just to much to get back in a car that was familer and comfortable with. OK so I had been driving a BX of one sort of another since 1988 basically all my driving life.

Yep its been a money pit but then I dont recall having a BX thats not cost me to run compared to the Korean Motor which picked up for $1000 six years ago that keeps going and going.

The biggest outlay on my BX was having the headgasket done practically doubling the cost what I had paid for her most people would have just said blow it and walked away. Not sure why I didnt? Sitting on various shelves are parts from a BX that I aqquired for $250 unable to get back on the road and parked beside her now is another $300 car I brought for parts yet after fisshing out a spark plug is still going strong nearly 12 months on. Its destiny is far from final despite its difficult starting, high mileage, a oil leak that apperared and a blow from a exhaust gasket. Yet its blardy more economical on the fuel consumption that our main one.

You say you have a stable mate parked beside it? Well get out the dust sheet park up this one untill that urge to get it running appears again.

Your lucky theres plenty of people within your grasp prepared to help, things are tough now maybe a few yeras down the road you may just regret not holding on to these BXs?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:47 pm

Another sad story

Was the meteor a petrol engine? Don't think I've ever know a diesel one suffer this fate, having said that, I do know of two diesels last year that put a leg out of bed.

With your BX spotting ability John, I'm sure it won't be long before you find a bargain BX. Keep looking!

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:17 am

As the forum is now letting me trace back posts by author, I can see it's a 16 petrol. Petrol XUs do seem rather more temperamental than XUDs, in a patchy sort of way (never the same fault twice).

I can now understand your reluctance to put another engine in there which isn't absolutely known-good, John, after reading the thread, and your frustration.

1598cc XUs that fit your bill are now in somewhat short supply, unless rebuilt (which doesn't fit the financial bill). Given what happens to them over time, that's the only sensible option. I also see that some of the comments I made earlier are nor relevant.

Does anyone have such a thing to offer John on a goodwill basis, should he want it? i.e. known-good BX16 XU engine, or an unwanted but rebuilt one. Perhaps even a known-good bottom-end?

While not someone who gets down and dirty with engines very much , I can remember having engine problems on my first BX16 (purchased 1992), after an indicated and supposedly mileage-checked 60-65k -
probably piston or piston-ring -related. All I know was that it was drinking oil and fouling-up a pot on a serial basis which made long trips impractical, and the future pretty damn uncertain.

This was an "approved used" car from Citroen's old Hallmark scheme, and it all came to a head just after expiry pf the 3-year scheme warranty, in time-honoured fashion.

I never did find out exactly what happened - it proved most cost-effective to replace the whole engine - the West-of-London specialist I used at the time had a moribund Y-or A-reg BX16 available but with a good engine (Yes, about as old a BX and XU as you can get). That replacement did many more miles, albeit with slight inconvenience as it hadn't been converted for unleaded. The other 16 I owned got well over the 100k with only the expected valve-guide replacement along the way.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:30 am

Didnt Mr Rutherford have agood low mileage 1.6 engine from snoopy he wanted rid of? Just a thought.