ZX corner

[mds141]

I'll sing my Mum's praises here. She drives around in her ( well Dad's ) DS3 Dsport, like she's taking part in a WRC round. No clutch issues yet and she's ( sorry Mum ) 74. Go get 'em Mum.

[Philip Chidlow]

ZX Corner news.

Bodge found!

Diesel leak wasn't a pesky leak-off pipe but was due to the failure of a totally bodged repair to the main fuel pipe that runs from bulb to filter, across the top of the head, above where the injectors are. The bodge included the pipe being wrapped in tape and having three jubilee clips fitted around it.

Bodge now removed and, while replacement pipe is on order - a proper repair done using a length of slightly larger pipe and a couple of clips will do the job. In fact it's so fuel-tight at the moment I might just leave 'New Improved Bodge' in place and carry the new pipe in the boot as a talisman against failure of the repair. (Seems to be the case for every other 'spare' I carry but never need). Anyway, all running issues banished.

[Tim Leech]

I do love cheap fixes! Im hoping my £6 master cylinder kit will give a similar success story!

[Philip Chidlow]

As the BX enjoys the beginnings of minor classic status and prices steadily creep upwards, the lowly ZX and it's stablemate the Xantia languish where the BX was a few years back. OK, there will always be a firm Xantia fanbase and not without good reason; my experience of the car was positive... but for me it lacked the charm of the BX to which I've grown all too accustomed with over the years.

Scattered through the long list of cars I've owned are a few ZXs. From the time I hired a 1.4 (Reflex I think) in 1993 I've always enjoyed being behind the wheel of a ZX, but somehow the conservative styling and lack of 'Citroen-ness' never really made me glance appreciatively back over my shoulder at the car as I walked away. The ZX is always regarded as the ugly duckling alongside its elegantly styled PSA partner, the Peugeot 306. To me there's also such dare-I-say blandness about the design it struggles to fair well against the similarly yawn-inducing Renault 19.

At least that's what I used to feel.

Now, if the 306 wore the Chevrons I wouldn't be writing this and there'd be a strong following; The market-leading ZX Turbo Diesels would be everywhere and later, 6-speed ZX 16v Volcanes would be high up on the list of greatest hot-hatches, and there'd be - not to everyone's taste, sure - a thriving modding/pimping fraternity amongst the ZX's followers.

But the ZX doesn't look sexy. It has some awkward angles and the nose sometimes seems too small and almost droopy. It's a small car, sure, but even against a contemporary Escort, it seems a bit, well, stunted.

But I have now developed a serious soft-spot for these currently under-appreciated Citroens.

Now is the time to acquire one as they are disappearing fast. The 16v, Volcane/Furio ZXs are already in the hands (mostly) of enthusiasts, but the lesser elevated versions are cheap as chips. A good Turbo Diesel will not command high prices. It can't at the moment.. but one day we'll wonder where all the ZXs have gone. What's more, apart from the odd enthusiastically-maintained sporty ZX we are a long way off seeing ranks of cherished ZXs polished to within an inch of their lives at a Citroen rally. 2016 sees the 25th anniversary of the ZX. I wonder if we will see 60 ZXs turn up at the CCC to celebrate (as happened with the BXs in 2007)?

Somehow I think not. It's not a bad thing necessarily - it's just the same for the AX after all (there's another one dropping like a lead balloon off the radar) - just so long as there are a core of followers and fans who will do what they can to keep the ZX alive. Maybe, come 2021 the remaining 50 or so ZXs will all come together in a field somewhere to celebrate the car's 30th!

I now drive my fourth ZX - a humble 1.9D Avantage 3-door. It's white. It shouts out 'The owner's skint!', it costs more than it's worth in fuel every three months, and almost any repair would render it beyond economical repair.

But I really like driving it. I'm rediscovering the brilliant handling, the compliant ride and those neat little design touches that are simple but effective; like the sliding rear seat, or the uncomplicated radio controls. I like the brakes and I think the engine is a gem. It's new clutch has transformed the driving experience and I have to say, with it's decidedly unoriginal wheel trims it looks half decent. In fact the 3-door has some cheeky 'flair' - maybe it is about to 'come of age' in a World of excessively over-designed bling machines being churned out by manufacturers everywhere (Citroen is certainly not immune from this almost laughable over-indulgence and celebration of form over function)...

I guess us ZX owners will have to be content (maybe even a little smug) driving around in a car that is brilliantly competent (and yet so far beneath the radar as to be almost subterranean!) until 2021 when the ugly duckling finally becomes if not a swan, appreciated for being what Autocar once said of the ZX 'the Best Car in the Real World'.

[Caffiend]

lovely!

Having 2 Triton Green BXs is silly really. I may well be on the lookout for a ZX as a daily next spring - very underrated little cars, just hope that most excellent review doesn't send the prices sky high

[Tinkley]

Having had the pleasure of taking a 130hp Pug 306 on sticky Michelins round the short track at Siverstone some years ago I loved the handling. With its shorter than the BX wheelbase you really could point it and balance it well in the corners. If the ZX (same underpan I believe) is similar I fully understand where you are coming from about these cars. My issue was more a space one - I got more 'stuff' in my BX hatch than a 306 Estate!, at least when moving a colleagues furniture.

However with the BX becoming harder to get parts for etc maybe I needa more 'modern' machine. Perhaps I should look for a ZX Estate which does have that bit extra space. The Volcane in red always looked pretty good to me. The Xsara and C5 just a bit odd. The concept C5 from about 99 looked much better than the production model. The C4 is pretty good (last shape) but is not quite right - I keep hitting my head on the roof pillar (getting in) as its so much lower than the BX!!!. Like the C6 but too big. DS5 mmm jury out apparently the ride is rubbish. Further on the C4, you are sitting at least 50-60mm higher, it weighs 250Kg more (others are worse) and the steering is great at speed when taking a series of bends but way too heavy when making the tiny adjustments on the motorway or fast single track road. Absolutely hate the instrumentation which is much better in the BX. Why put information in 3+ places which is all in 2 in the BX?. The new Civic is pretty good at doing it but some of the best I have ever seen was in the SAAB 9000 - lovely dials etc.

Regrettably Citroen will never make another hydraulic suspension mid size car. Pity I'd be very interested, probably enough to buy one.

Thanks for your thoughts Philip, much appreciated. Hope the ZX does what you want and keep us updated, good luck.

[Philip Chidlow]

Thanks; agree about the C4 - I hit my head almost every time I've ever got into one. The rake of the 'A' pillar is way too much.

Just got back from a 'spirited' drive in the ZX. What it loses on the straights (which is a lot) to most other cars, it makes up quite a lot on the corners. The ZX excels in the tight ones where it manages to maintain a lot more of its momentum than you'd think was reasonable

[Philip Chidlow]

Can I tempt anyone with one of these?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281152033007" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bxzx16v]

Great words Phil , I've had a few Zx's myself and loved them all . Even though the 306 is based on the Zx's floorpan the Zx is the sharper handling car . It will certainly be a rare sight in years to come . That turboD you spotted looks tidy . If we ever cross paths at a show your more than welcome to a drive in my 16v , echoes of the Bx16v but with proper handling .

Mark

[Philip Chidlow]

Great words Phil , I've had a few Zx's myself and loved them all . Even though the 306 is based on the Zx's floorpan the Zx is the sharper handling car . It will certainly be a rare sight in years to come . That turboD you spotted looks tidy . If we ever cross paths at a show your more than welcome to a drive in my 16v , echoes of the Bx16v but with proper handling .

Mark

Hi

Well I'll be at the CXM Rally in September

[Thread Bear]

It is all a bit heavy though, for less space. Its Peugeot shaped and inspired, with Citroen underpinnings. What's bonkers about it other than that? Very good value etc etc but I prefer my BX Estate I am afraid, its load shaped like modern cars aren't, unless you buy one of the converted vans - invented by Matra with the Rancharo, I guess. I do not want to drive a converted van even if it has a friendly brand name and perm any one of seven seats.

I want one vehicle that does all. Volvo, Merc or Citroen Estate is about your choice in the early 90's - having proven to myself the Pug 405 is inferior to the BX despite being a strong old beast. The replacement Pug? Bloody disaster area. All known purchasers to me had trouble and big bills. The BX Estate wasn't replaced so you had to have the Pug, I think not. Likewise the C series Citroens came in late, after the buyers had gone elsewhere, those I know of, fall/fell apart, expensively. Not interested. Merc lost the plot with the shape of the grill and Volvo got nadgered. Is there a good solid simple reliable car on the market today that can do the job those 90's cars can, as well as they can. Cannot think of a one. We progress backwards. Meanwhile the buying pressure on these simple Estates is building slowly as those people who can do a bit realize they offer good reliable cheap motoring that moderns cannot if you can get a good one.

General Izzation coming in there, on the side. As free thinking as American foreign policy.

[Philip Chidlow]

I concur; very little can touch the BX estate for practicality in a small package. Even the hatch is surprisingly roomy considering its external dimensions. I'm not advocating the ZX as a replacement for a BX... but it is a better drive. (Runs and hides!) It might be heavier in proportion to its size but that gives a more sturdy feel (especially in 3 door guise) which highlights my main issue with the BX... it is lightweight for a reason; it's designed very well, and plastics/composites help it achieve around the 1000kg mark, but it is pretty darned flimsy in parts.

The Xantia estate isn't a bad successor to the BX, but not having ever owned one I can't attest to whether it's actually any better.

[Thread Bear]

I have not looked at the statistics of accident data of BX. One assumes they are not as good as moderns, However the crumple zones and additional emergency equipment mean moderns get written off as readily as the more flimsy designs of the passed, like the BX. That all said there is something in having a machine that has some mass and sturdy features about it. Going overboard it was fun driving my Humber Hawk. Bloody awful car in many ways, but it had the road presence to demand the space on the road it needed. Not what we want so much these days. Its more nimble and urgency to be available, if not used, to avoid trouble and take advantage of space left. This a BX does not offer unless in the sport versions. That is a very competitive arena to kick sand in. It sells cars.
Glad you ignored the rest of the rant, I was having a very bad morning. Should not hi jack other folks discussions.

[Philip Chidlow]

No worries, it's an interesting subject. Actually I do have some data somewhere about how the BX, other Citroens and their contemporaries fared in the real world. It measures how occupants came out of an accident. The BX scored pretty well - at least as well as the BMW 7 series of the time IIRC.

[Philip Chidlow]

Update time:

Drove to Duxford and back in it, and it is more than capable of keeping up with 'modern' traffic on the motorways.... but it comes into its own on the B roads to be honest. Much the same as the Red Baron in that respect.

The car is now settling down after the work it's had done. the knackered steering wheel has been given a new lease of life by sewing a Hong Kong Leather Steering Wheel Cover on to it... (not - it would seem - actually from a cow ). At least that'll do until I can get my hands on a nice Volcane wheel or similar. I quite like the original pre-facelift style.

The rear parcel shelf now works the way it was supposed to. Anyone who is familiar with the ZX will also be aware of the tell-tale sign of loops of black cord dangling out of the closed hatch because the retracting system has long since given up. Well, I managed to get a new old stock set of new cords and elastic strings and although well fiddly to fit were worth the effort.

So, what's planned? The brake pads and discs will need replacing within a year... so I'll get a good pair of Discs; Bendix or similar and some Mintex pads. Front flexis will be changed (maybe, if I can find some, braided-style ones would be good) as will the brake fluid. Changing it to Motul or Castrol RBF600 so should we be descending the Pyrenees at anything other than walking pace there's less chance of boiling the brakes.

I have a cold air / cone filter induction kit for it. That'll get fitted when Kermit and I can get together... And then we'll also be fitting a pair of Hella 181 Fog lights into the currently blanked-off recesses in the front bumper, under the headlights. They'll probably wear their black and white Hella covers most of the time - which'll go with the general theme!

And also I have a new old stock universal roller blind for the back window coming which I'll screw into place because being an Avantage, it doesn't have an integral roller blind.

I'm sure more will be done, but that's about it for now (apart from needing a damned good T-cut and polish - which isn't guaranteed before Little Horwood but I'll see what can be done!).