Thoughts & Opinions

[Endosapp]

Ive been pondering over a replacement daily drive for the last couple of months, Ive driven a Picasso for the last 5 years and it has been an excellent car but Im looking retrospectively at either a BX or a CX.
It must be at least 15 years since I drove a BX (Im 36) - In fact I passed my test in a Bx Leader and then a few months later my dad bought a Meteor and I quickly acquired my only 3 points !
Im been looking at P2 16v recently mainly on ebay . (Ive also been looking at various CX's). Just wondering what to look for ? any specific buying tips or negative points about 16v any assistance would be really helpful -

[Tim Leech]

I would drive one first and see whether it suits you as they are VERY different to a Picasso, the 16v is great to drive but not everyones ideal for long journeys due to the high gearing and rather vocal engine and finding a decent 16v is quite a task now.

[ken newbold]

and definitely NOT a CX, unless you have a grudge against your money

[MULLEY]

Good question Endosapp. Do you favour petrol or diesel? Can you do your own mechanical/maintenance work?

[DLM]

Glad to see you're considering BX ownership from the position of knowledge, as you've driven and owned BXs before.

You've probably found the 16v forum already, and that should tell you something. 16v owners hang around together, to some extent out of necessity, as a 16v is a quite different breed of BX. 16v owners have to consider quite a few things that an owner of other BX don't have to.

Times change. Almost any BX of any model type - all now being over 15 years old - almost certainly needs a hefty mid-life overhaul or ground-up rebuild to be a trusty and enjoyable daily drive rather than something that's being driven into the ground. Or a conscientious previous owner who's already done that. Both basic and BX-specific features need to be in good order, before considering anything else - and most BX bodyshells, though strong, are likely to be showing showing the ravages of time, e.g. in sills, inner front wings, C-Pillar, front-door-hinge-hangers (bad design point), and the rear of the car. A structural bodywork audit is essential before purchase.

Like any other car, they rust eventually. Unlike a CX, they can be welded together again relatively straightforwardly by someone with the right skills, but any half-measures in structural bodywork repair, especially at the rear of a BX hatchback, are nothing more than a fig-leaf.

I haven't even mentioned much specific to a 16v yet. Mechanical skills and sympathy, or the ability and perseverance to acquire them, are almost essential for 16v ownership in my opinion. The cars are often hard-driven, which takes an inevitable toll on the mechanics. Enthusiasm is a given - you have to be an enthusiast to own one and run one regularly. I've never owned one - though I've run BXs for 17 years - but I know people who do. They expend a lot of time, money and personal effort on them in order to keep them up to the mark and enjoy them.

A daily driver? It must also be said that a regularly-used-and-maintained BX will stay in better health than a cosseted example which leaves the garage rarely. However, running and keeping up a 16v will not be cheap.

If you want to be driving a car that performs and handles as it was intended to do, gives reliable service, and will also have a long life, you can't take any half-measures in my opinion. If you don't look at it this way, then you'll be locked in a cycle of one step forward, two (or more) steps back on an ongoing basis.

Again, bear in mind that 16vs are by far the biggest money-eaters of all BXs.

All that said, good luck!

[tom]

Having owned three, there is no such thing as a good CX. They were a thing of their time. A wonderful thing but in no way a modern car. BXs have less character but at least the character they have is good. As DLM says, BXs are getting on a bit and good valvers are both expensive and esoteric. I'd almost suggest an 8valve GTI which are cheap and quick without being highly strung but be aware that they can be thirsty. COntroversial though the opinion may be, the BX, with its steep and often painful learning curve, increasing shortage of spares and overall low value, may not be an ideal choice for an everyday car if performance (and the will to use it ) are important to you.

[Vanny]

Man people have some interesting views on the BX 16v. After years of BX owner ship the only 'BX style' i havent driven much is the small engined petrols. 7 years in diesels (driving them mind) and 3 years driving a valver and they are VERY different cars. For a daily drive around town, occasional extended trips (100miles), and something to go the tip in, and something to tow with, a diesel is the way to go! Turbo 1.7 mind!

If its an occasional drive you want, the the valver is more suited for long long drives (so long as you dont mess with the exhaust/tuning) they are easy to make progress in and all round better on the motorway. They tow very very well!

They are no more expensive in maintenance to run, and while they may not be as good on fuel (best 16v consumption ive had is mid 40's, while i've had 70's from my old 19rd), consider this, my current daily drive is a 6speed 2 litre diesel, three years old and will not give more than 42mpg, which means given the fuel price difference its MUCH cheaper for me to get there with a smile on my face in the valver, rather than arrive in a car i am ashamed to have to drive. (PS its not a Xantia, wont lower myself that low )

[CitroXim]

You very neatly describe the same essential difference is there is between a Xantia TD and an Activa there Vanny For long hauls I'd far rather take my Activa than the TD any day. Mind you, that may all change when the V6 is up and running though and I'd not be surprised if the V6 assumed the role of long-distance cruiser

(PS its not a Xantia, wont lower myself that low )

So just what is more embarrassing than a Xantia then Vanny?

(Don't quite see what you have against Xantias really.... Do tell...)

[DavidRutherford]

If you're considering a CX, have a look here.
Good CX's are getting very hard to find, but they do still exist, and can be found provided you are willing to either get your hands dirty, or spend a fair chunk of cash.

A CX is without doubt the most comfortable way to cover long distances.

[Mike E (uk)]

A good friend of mine had a CX turbo 2.

Nice car, but you have to be very dedicated to run one, with deep pockets or happen to be a mechanic with spare time.
The engine was the only reliable part of his CX. It seemed like everything else broke or rusted.

As stated above, a BX is easier to fix & spares are more available because so many were made.

An 8V GTI is less bother to run than the 16V, and there are more available. I have had both types for many years.

The 16V has all the problems of the other BXs, plus a few more. I forgive mine its faults because it's a hoot to drive. It is rather ' frantic' but on a run fuel economy is actually surprisingly good because it is so light.
40mpg is possible.

If you do lots of miles, especially round town, you will probably want a diesel.

Mike

[docchevron]

the 16v is great to drive but not everyones ideal for long journeys due to the high gearing

Erm, or low gearing even.

As said above really, what do you want from a car?

A CX might be a goer of you find a REALLY good one, and like welding, but good CX's are almost impossible to find now.

Likewise, good bX's? Very very rare, all the good ones are owned by enthusiasts.
Thats not to say there aren't good ones about still, but it's almost pot luck these days.
Any BX will have rust in it, so again, sooner or later Mr. MiG will have to come out.

[Vanny]

Jim, an ACTIVA is not a Xantia, it has few if any traits of a Xantia, and is really just a crazy French experiment gone very very right.

I will admit that i have generally driven poor spec Xantias, but the seats are terrible electrics worse than a BX when they go wrong (i mean what the hell is with that alarm), and deffinately built to a low budget (lower than a BX designed in the 70's). The 1.9TD engine in the Xantia is more like a 19rd in the BX because the Xantia is so bloated. Okay they're more stable in a stiff breeze than a BX. But my biggest and real bone with the Xantia is that they are so disconnected from the road on which they role. Some people would say they are simply more refined than a BX, i say they where trying to make the Xantia like other cars, perhaps german cars, boring, dull, disconnected ( i wont say reliable), with big thick high doors, blergh.

But the ACTIVA, mmmm, reasonable engine, bit bargh like but so amazingly disconnected from the road it doesn;t drive round corners it floats at high speed!

I prefer the AX over a Xantia!

[CitroXim]

You're right Vanny, an Activa is out there all on it's own Something I'm reminded of every time I drive mine.

Yep, I agree, the seats in cooking Xants are not the best and true comfort comes only with leather ones, something all of mine have. My TD once had the horrible Alcantara jobs and when I replaced them with leather, a whole new world of comfort and joy began

Touch-wood, I've been lucky with Xantia electrics but many haven't. I just hate to think of how may electrical faults I've given myself on the V6 after lifting the engine and transmission out Around 99% of the engine bay looms come out with the engine and several hundred connectors have to be separated

Hey, you've still not revealed the identy of the 6 speed diesel that shames you Come on, out with it!

[Endosapp]

Thanks for your input chaps - some interesting thoughts to ponder.

[Tim Leech]

the 16v is great to drive but not everyones ideal for long journeys due to the high gearing

Erm, or low gearing even.

Ahh yes that what I meant!