1991 TZD Drooling

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:42 am

I went into Drool mode when I saw this beaut advertised.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 574590.htm

All the BXs that have sent me into that mode have been in the South Island which is like crossing the Channel to have a look at, and not really a day trip.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:40 am

Nice. Like the alloys.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:04 pm

TZ's didn't have a sunroof over there then?

Wouldn't say it looks mint, but then I guess its not rich pickings in NZ with BXs. How rare are they over there?

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:15 pm

Can't see aircon controls on the dash.

Do they fit them elsewhere on NZ cars?

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:23 pm

There looks to be a switch on the rear most bank on the centre console inbetween the rear electric windows? I know on MK1s the A/C switches weer located in the centre console but I suspect that was retro fit maybe.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:43 pm

Way2go wrote:Can't see aircon controls on the dash. Do they fit them elsewhere on NZ cars?

Very observant I missed that

The Aircon units are fitted in the same place as in the BX manuals you get in Europe (well mine does). I think I will ask this question of the owner. Only "Air Conditioning" I can see is open windows or doors

Kitch, I guess the factory sunroof is a option? Most of the cars I have seen advertised the owners dont have a clue about the basics of what model BX they have, or as this one proves whats fitted.

Sunroofs in NZ are not a common sight as the imports we get are also provided mainly to the Australian market. So burning sun on the head is not popular

Add to that when it rains in NZ it dont take days to fall its like having a bucket thrown at you.
Would you believe we get 3 times as much rain as the UK sometimes more per year? and well all know a sunroof problem. Also we get more sun so more detrioation to plastics.

Air Conditioning is the in thing due to the humidity of the summer months, thats why I live in the middle up high less humidity

Shorter cooler summers

As for how rare is a BX well, as far as I am aware I have the only one within a 100km Radius. Although I live in one of the lowest populated areas of the North Island. They are about mainly in the major citys hence getting parts for me is a mission. I wait for the winter when the Ski season may bring a few more into the area.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:26 am

Well it is possible of course, that the car has or had A/C and in its place the sunroof was removed.

When Xantias were new, if the model came with A/C it came without a sunroof and vice versa. Sunroofs were cost options on AC cars, maybe the BX was the same? Or in NZ anyway?

Its gotta be said though, it does look like the button between the rear window switches. My mk1 16TRS had original AC and has the button down there, though all the mk2's I've seen have the conventional toggle switches under the vents.

Tecar · Post by **Tecar** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:02 am

Kitch wrote:TZ's didn't have a sunroof over there then?
Wouldn't say it looks mint, but then I guess its not rich pickings in NZ with BXs. How rare are they over there?

They're not as rare as you'd expect. In NZ BX's were quite popular when new. There were a lot of sales in NZ. One of the car rental companies even had a fleet of them in the mid 80s. The easiest way to find them is through CCCNZ and Citroen repairers now, although trade-me offers a good deal more cars.
We run a few citroens, but our last car was a 92 TGD with dealer fitted air-con and an electric sun-roof. It was pretty high mileage, as it had been used by a travelling salesman, however the back seat was mint, and he'd even made up carpets to protect the original carpet and folded back seat. The main problem we found was that being a non-turbo, turning the aircon had the same effect as pulling on the handbrake whilst driving -

There are still a lot of BXs around NZ - and they are quite popular for the CCCNZ national rallies - where Kiwis are still allowed to take part in driving events with their cars (we call them gymkhanas, but they're just an excuse to do mad things safely off road!)

An example of the BX line up at a NZ gathering

Okay so it's a GSA and a traction- but I've only got video of a BX doing the same

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:19 pm

Gidday Tecar

Would this be the Taranaki Rally I have heard about but can never find out information on?

I like the comment " turning the aircon had the same effect as pulling on the handbrake whilst driving" The other can be said when you turn it off, then it feels like Turbo Boost

Only keep mine running just long enough to get the temp to a comfotable level. Flick it off before any overtaking manauvers

that plus very aware of the extra fuel usage. Its not exactly been a warm summer in my part of NZ so not had much cause to use it.

Tecar · Post by **Tecar** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:48 am

Hiya Kiwi

kiwi wrote: Would this be the Taranaki Rally I have heard about but can never find out information on?

The pics were taken in Christchurch (2003) and Wellington (2001). The NZ Rallies are held annually by different regions. The last was in Blenheim a few weeks ago. The Taranaki club used to be pretty active- and you'd probably find more BXs around New Plymouth. (infact Citroens in general are more plentiful out that way, than in most parts of NZ). Try CCCNZ link for more info or I can PM a phone number for the Taranaki secretary

kiwi wrote:I like the comment " turning the aircon had the same effect as pulling on the handbrake whilst driving" The other can be said when you turn it off, then it feels like Turbo Boost.

Most definitely.
Although you really did notice the lack of Turbo going up hills too. (I think the car was a little scared of hills - almost like it was trying to find reverse, it was that slow sometimes) We sold the car to a pilot, who drove it down to Christchurch...it's flatter around there, so probably not such a problem.

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 3:00 am

Well I got no answer from the Seller on the Aircon installation in fact they withdrew the car from sale

Thats the second car I had a interest in that was withdrawn from sale when I asked a techinical question of the owner

Hey thanks Tecar thats useful information, when I get in need of parts I know where to ask now. Your right about the Taranaki Citroens, I understood that the reason is a guy with a passion out that way had a family business selling them. It was one of the first areas w looked when we moved out to NZ, well mainly because it was originally where my wife had her job offer.