Citroen Xantia buying advice + knocking noise from suspension - cost?

[MarkDavis]

I've just been looking at a 2000 Citroen Xantia automatic with a mate of mine.

The car seems to drive okay, but it has a knocking noise coming from the driver's side suspension. Anyone have a rough idea what this could be and how it would cost to fix?

Also what price do you reckon we should offer for the car, taking the above into account? It's done 75k and has a service history up to 40k.

 

[manic_man]

A 2000 xantia with 75k?

Doesnt seem likely. Still it is also an auto, which were an unusual choice as its not a very good box iirc. Also you dont say whether its petrol or diesel?

With re: to the knocking noise, on the whole the xantia has much the same basic suspension setup as a conventional car. However, of course, the springs and dampers are replaced with hydraulics.

So you need to do all the usual checks, ball joints, various arms, wheelbearings can be one if its a noise on the move etc etc. But then you also have the strut top ( the bit under the bonnet with the hydraulic sphere sticking out of it), make sure the top of that isnt corroded through (bit of rust is to be expected).

What is the suspension like as a whole? It should rise quickly to normal ride height once started, without any groaning. It should fall relatively smoothly and evenly when ride height is put to minimum and then rise after about 30 seconds (and the STOP light comes on) if you then put it staright into its highest setting. Also, with it at normal, press firmly on each corner of the car, it should give easily but then after a few seconds resist you and physically push you upwards. With the car at idle, there should be an audible click at the front of the engine bay every 1-2 minutes (ideally 2). If its more rapid than that then the accumulator sphere is on its way out. Not a big or expensive job in itself but it can have a detrimental effect to the whole hydraulic system until it is replaced.

Open up the LHM reservoir (cap to the back right of the engine bay) and just dip your finger into the fluid. It should be clear green or possibly yellow, though really it should be green. If its a dark muddy green or yellow then its LHM hasnt been changed at standard intervals (36k iirc) meaning the hydraulic system as a whole hasnt be maintained. In which case i'd walk away.

 

[whitecrook]

^ ^ ^ good post. My money would be on a drop link or possibly ball joint etc. If it has hub caps check they are secure and also the cap of the alloys..

Money wise all xantia should be pretty cheap, you can find dozens of them on ebay, for example.

 

[Rain Man]

my money is on drop link aswel. Every single time my 6 makes a knocking I have to replace the drop link, and its usually the drivers side, stupid pot holes. A new droplink is about a tenner from an autofactors and 10minutes to replace depending on how easy it is to remove. A garage would probably want £50/£60 parts and labour.

 

[WJA96]

Unless you desperately want a Xantia, walk away. Even if you desperately want a Xantia, walk away from one that is in any way noticeably defective. There'll be enough problems that you can't see/hear/smell lurking in there. I had three and while I loved them all, they were paid for by someone else and the quickest way I know of to spend all your money is to buy a Citroen Xantia.

And then there's the whole PSU 4-speed automatic gearbox issue. Just don't do it.

 

[whitecrook]

Unless you desperately want a Xantia, walk away. Even if you desperately want a Xantia, walk away from one that is in any way noticeably defective. There'll be enough problems that you can't see/hear/smell lurking in there. I had three and while I loved them all, they were paid for by someone else and the quickest way I know of to spend all your money is to buy a Citroen Xantia.

And then there's the whole PSU 4-speed automatic gearbox issue. Just don't do it.

Maybe. Not sure on the auto, but Xantias are 10 a penny, a decent one can be had for £500. They are cheap to maintain, easy to fix, the diesels will last up to 200K if they have been maintained well. Stay clear of the activa, as these are quite complex, although worth a punt at a couple of hundred 'just for the laughs' I had one and it was awesome but it fell apart and wasn't worth fixing.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Walk away from this car, an abused Xantia is a moneypit and this one has suspect mileage and no service history. It's probably got 175k.