I'm no fan of TDs at all. I hate the narrow torque band and that everyone who has them says "any gear and they just chugg away". It's not true, they just slow down unless you're on the boost. I borrowed a 406 HDI 110 (fair enough a big car) for a weekend and was swapping cogs all the time. And that's not trying to go quick, just driving around. I like keeping in engines in the torque band and at small throttle openings coz for me it makes for more relaxed driving and saves fuel. Plus I think it's coz I'm more often on a bike and I tend to ride that between 4,000 and 8,000 (even though peak torque is at 9,000) when I'm just relaxing, it means I can just tickle the throttle but have enough torque for unplanned lazy overtakes.
My 4x4 if I remember had a good spread of power unlike my mates 16valve I spent half an hour driving a few weeks ago. He said it wasn't running right and the exhaust was starting to blow but it was REALLY flat below 4,000.
It has Xantia 2.0 turbo brakes too and they're brilliant. A bit sharp to me at first but jumping back in my winter-hack diesel Saxo (it had to be a citroen) made me remember how much I hate brake servos. I still can't get used to it now. The last car I owned before that was the 4x4 and I love that solid pedal. Might be another bike thing with just having a lever and some pistons and hoses but I can't get used to a car slowing before I feel resistance at the pedal. the brakes on my Saxo are really good but spirited driving did make them fade quite recently.
There's not a lot wrong with BXs and how they drive. I'd love another
I've only ever driven my 4x4, that 16valve a few times and a brief go in a 1.9RD (think it was).
My favourite thing about the 16valve (and presumably all BXs) is the steering though. I noticed it this time driving my mates. It's SO direct. It does have all new bushes front and rear but still, it's far better than new euroboxes I've driven.
1992 BX GTi 4x4 in silver with all the extras. (sold and missed)
2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-9R E1
2000 Gilera DNA 50
2000 Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec
2009 Ford Focus ST-3 225
Borrowed 2006 Kawasaki ZZR 1400