1988 1.9RD Estate

robt · Post by **robt** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:08 pm

Hi,

I’m new to the forum, and to Citroen ownership, and have just bought this light blue 1988 1.9RD estate that was on ebay last week. I bought it unseen which is always a bit risky, but the seller sounded a decent chap and it turned out fine as the car is a good ‘un! Plans are to tinker with it over the next few weeks and to use it over the winter months for long trips, this will give my Montego a rest which has a few niggles that need sorting out. I'll get some photos up soon.

It’s been serviced regularly since new and overall is a really solid car. I was surprised how willing the engine is, and sounds quieter and less clattery than some modern diesels. The bodywork has the usual older car dings but it has very little rust, just a few spots on the drivers door and some bubbling on the rear NS arch.

Apart from a few easy fixes such as new boot struts (god the plastic bootlid is heavy!), a loose passenger sun visor, and a repair to the rear OS light cluster, the clutch needs attention as it’s a bit sticky and heavy. I’ve been reading on the forum about the clutch lever so will take a look at that first. There isn’t much travel in the pedal so I’m hoping it won’t need a new cable.

Another thing is the intermittent grumbling/rubbing sounds from the front end over rough roads. The seller told me the front spheres could do with a recharge/replacing, so I’m wondering if the noise is related to this? I’ll leave this one for a specialist to sort out, so if anyone can recommend a good independent Citroen specialist in South London/North Kent I’d appreciate it.

Cheers
Rob

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm

Welcome to the Forum, and to the World of the BX

You have a nice looking car there - and estates of that vintage aren't common, so well done - I hope you enjoy it.

As for specialists, I know there are a few along the south coast area but I think there are a few listed here (but this list is old being hidden away in a dusty old corner of the 'old' site, so double check!)...

http://www.bxclub.co.uk/specialists

robt · Post by **robt** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:48 pm

Thanks for the welcome Philip

I'm enjoying it already, once the few issues are sorted it'll be even better

The clutch is the priority as it makes changing gear a bit of an event, especially 1st and reverse!

I'll follow up a few of those specialists and give feedback here as to whether they are still around.

Post by **Defender110** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:59 pm

Yes Welcome to the club Rob, I saw your car on ebay , it does look a very nice genuine car. If your happy enough working on your car I'm sure we can guide you through most of the problems you may encounter but that shouldn't be many with that car. It is always worth changing the front spheres as an elimination to any suspension noise if the previous owner thought them due. They are very easy to change if you want to work on your own car & hang fire with your specialist.

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:03 pm

Welcome to the world of BX's, its a disease I tell you!, that 19RD estate looks lovely and is VERY rare nowadays as most were driven into th ground years ago, if you wanted Im sure someone on here could supply you with a correct set of wheeltrims?.

Anyway good luck with the car, these 1.9D's are very easy to maintain and although not fast are lovely to drive.

robt · Post by **robt** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:35 pm

Thanks again for the welcome chaps. I spent 5 hours on Sunday giving it a good clean inside and out as it was a bit on the dirty side, so that's the first big job out of the way. The cleaner it got the more I realised what a good choice I made with buying it, as the interior is in pretty good nick, certainly for an old diesel workhourse anyway.

Tax runs out end of September so I'll SORN it and keep it garaged for a month and tax again in November - this will give me a chance to get the parts and research how to do the jobs needed. So I'll be on here quite a bit looking through threads and asking for advice

Here's a couple of photos:

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:38 pm

That sure is a good looking estate (oxymoron?

) - and as for trims, well, all in good time... But get some new reg plates; makes a big difference to 'perceived value' (ie how well the car is cared for)... but that interior? Spot on!

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:07 pm

Christ!

I have competition!

Lovely car, orrible wheel trims!

The colour is magnetic blue if you should need any paint.

For the purist...................

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-BX-WH ... 3a6a76211e

this is what it would of had when new.

robt · Post by **robt** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:39 pm

The interior has come up really well considering what it was. I'm not normally that fastidious but I had the toothbrushes out and everything, OCD...!

I agree the trims are naff, new ones are on my shopping list. And well spotted with the plate Philip, it's got several cracks so I'll get some of those dealer plate copies you can get made as it's still got the originals from Tansfield Citroen of Horsham.

Paul296 · Post by **Paul296** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:59 pm

Lovely looking car that and I particularly like the colour. It looks like a great purchase. New plates and wheel trims etc. etc. - I expect you're on the case aleady - in your head at least!

Toothbrushes for interior valeting? Whats 'OCD' about that? Eminently sensible IMHO. If I look between the seats and the handbrake housing and there's a load of biscuit crumbs, balls of fluff and a hairy half sucked boiled sweet - I get depressed! You can't beat a nice clean car, particularly when it scrubs up that well!

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:44 pm

Nice motor Rob,

and welcome to the forum and the pleasures of owning a BX. The damned things just grow on you and i for one prefer driving my BXs to any other motor. The problem for me is which one to choose today!!

Andy

Des Smith · Post by **Des Smith** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:18 pm

Welcome to the club, Rob. As far as I'm aware, you and me is the only two BX owners in SE London. Mine's an H Reg BX14TE (any colour you like so long as its white) St Tropez and it will be roaring out of the MOT station at the end of the week for another year of fun and freedom.

robt wrote:it's still got the originals from Tansfield Citroën of Horsham.

...Which is similar to my excuse for not replacing my cracked front plate yet. In reality, that detailing will come to the top of the agenda about the same time as the new rear wings get welded on and the respray is done. (Anyone that's seen WAM will know she is a bit crispy over the bump strips, but not, seemingly, a disqualification for an MOT)

Keep the forum up to date and when you get back on the road I will keep an eye out for you. I have yet to see another BX in London (or anywhere else come to that) since I bought mine in June 2010. It will be good to know there's another one gliding over the speed bumps that adorn SE London's highways.

anaconda · Post by **anaconda** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:53 pm

Bloody fine looking car that! Handsome colour too. I reckon met blue is now joint second as far as fave colours go, with white as the natural dressing for the bx.

An interior that clean is just showing off!! I'll be purchasing a toothbrush at the weekend.

Im also getting intermitent rumbling from the front driverside. Hopefully the sphere, I wouldnt really know, but I'll have to get to the garage at some point.

Des Smith · Post by **Des Smith** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:16 pm

anaconda wrote:I reckon met blue is now joint second as far as fave colours go, with white as the natural dressing for the bx.

Seconded!!!

I really liked the Scarecrow's metallic blue BX14 when I saw it in the flesh - it looked really vibrant and clean.

Of course, the best location for a metallic blue car is near an azure blue sea under a cloudless blue sky with lot of sunshine.

robt · Post by **robt** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:44 pm

Thanks for yet more welcomes, you're a friendly bunch on here

Might see you around then Des. I live in Beckenham and keep the BX garaged up in Crystal Palace at the moment (I'm yet to find a council garage nearer home). I'm currently having a bit of a spend up on ebay buying this and that for it!

If anyone has 3 trims for it I'd be interested - I've already bought the one Roverman posted up (thanks for that).