1st time saxo vts owner, what do I need to know

juno_first · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:06

I've never had a Citroen before & just got a saxo vts, is there anything I need check or get checked out on it?

Its a P reg & body is mint, no mods, 89k miles n sounds ok.
I think its been thrashed though because an engine mounting feals loose.
It also 'misses' at cold/low revs.
6 weeks MOT left so is there anything in particular these things fail on?
I was thinking of doing the MOT then checking cam-belt, doing a service.

thanks a lot

ps. at 6ft tall I cant see the speedo unless I sit way back lying down lol, any cure?

paradigm · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:20

juno_first said:
ps. at 6ft tall I cant see the speedo unless I sit way back lying down lol, any cure?

Shrink a little?

In all seriousness, check for noises from the gearbox, they tend to give way! Also the clutch release bearing.

NathanE · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:21

The engine mounts always go FUBAR on french hatchbacks - not always a sign it's been thrashed.

Leeum · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:22

As mentioned, check for any noises out of the ordinary on stuff like steering/ suspension and the clutch.

Does it have a full service history?

juno_first · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:25

Its got a service history up to 62k miles, new cat in 04, even a tracker receipt :/

Yeah suppose front wheal drive puts a strain on the moutings especially with a 1.6.

Gearbox has a little whine when slowing in 1st.

Clutch 'grabs' a little sometimes when catching the bite.

Sone · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:27

juno_first said:
Yeah suppose front wheal drive puts a strain on the moutings especially with a 1.6.

i have drivin a 4.6 fwd car, and i bet there a bigger engines than that available

GT3 · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:27

All VTS idle like a bag of crap don't worry, you should hear mine now

With that mileage engine mounts, suspension bushes and balljoints are gonna be knackered if they haven't been done already.

NathanE · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:28

Sone said:
i have drivin a 4.6 fwd car, and i bet there a bigger engines than that available

Sone · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:29

NathanE said:

i was confused with the 1.6 aspect braking mounts, its hardly a big engine no matter the engine layout

juno_first · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:31

GT3 said:
All VTS idle like a bag of crap don't worry, you should hear mine now

With that mileage engine mounts, suspension bushes and balljoints are gonna be knackered if they haven't been done already.

YEAH the idle is a bit rough; thought a plug was down..

Think its worth spending a bit on as the body is mint & I paid little for it or should I say swapped it for a N reg fiesta zetec 1.25 12m mot -rusty + 150

Leeum · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:37

juno_first said:
Its got a service history up to 62k miles, new cat in 04, even a tracker receipt :/

In that case, it might be worth checking the condition of the air filter and the plugs/ coil pack - should give an indication as to wether its had a major service recently. A dodgy coil pack or a fouled filter/ plugs might be to blame for the poor idle you mentioned

juno_first · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:39

yep, think I'll service it after mot.

Is it normal to have a '16v' badge on the side behind the rear window?

Leeum · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:40

juno_first said:
yep, think I'll service it after mot.

Is it normal to have a '16v' badge on the side behind the rear window?

Yip, comes as standard with the VTS

NathanE · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:45

Sone said:
i was confused with the 1.6 aspect braking mounts, its hardly a big engine no matter the engine layout

I agree, but the french seem to manage it. I think mostly it's down to their gearbox designs being very harsh on the engine.

juno_first · 7 Sep 2007 at 21:47

thought id show you guys how innocent this thing looks..

GT3 · 7 Sep 2007 at 22:04

Buckingham blue - nice. One of the rarest colour, only avaliable in P and R reg.

Later style grill and wheels improve looks no end though

Sone · 8 Sep 2007 at 07:55

don't know much about saxo's but arn't those VTR wheels not VTS wheels on juno's?

edit, looking at GT3's post again are they just old style wheels?

juno_first · 8 Sep 2007 at 09:32

Sone said:
don't know much about saxo's but arn't those VTR wheels not VTS wheels on juno's?

edit, looking at GT3's post again are they just old style wheels?

It's a mk1 P reg so maybe old wheels?, I dunno much about Citroen 'yet'.
Does anyone know what vts wheels should look like?
Reading the specs online, the vts should have 195x15x45profile yet mine has 185x15x55profile, is this because its mk1 ? or a previous owner was skinny? lol. Guess the speedo would be wrong if they're the wrong size?
Whats the biggest wheel that can be fit (whilst maintaining diameter/correct speedo), as I'd like show off the rear discs. Though seams a shame change it from stock :rolleyes:

Looks a better body kit on that T reg saxo, like the coloured door mirrors

dale1uk · 8 Sep 2007 at 09:47

The vts wheels are the ones in GT3's post, but you'll pay a a fair amount for a 2nd hand set as they get snapped up quickly. Fairly sure that the mk1's only came with the wheels that you have and the later vts's came with the revised style, with the vtr staying the same.
Fairly sure 17's go on but the inner front arch lining has to come out. Personally I'd wait until a set of the proper vts wheels came available and go for those.
Mmm your's should have colour coded mirrors as stock :confused:

EDIT: Think I'm wrong, just noticed yours has the early front grill aswell so maybe when that got revised the colour coded mirrors where added aswell.

GT3 · 8 Sep 2007 at 12:02

Late R reg they changed to the later style grill, colour coded mirror caps and clear side repeaters. Very late T reg they started using the 15" wheels on the VTS which were originally Xsara VTR alloys. Before this all VTR and VTS used the 14" wheels. 185/55 R14 and 195/45 R15 gives pretty much the same rolling radius anyway so your speedo reading would be fine if you wanted the later wheels.

Without arch mods you can put 16" wheels with a 195/40 tyre on but seriously don't bother stick with 15s.