Conference terri::cars_uk

well, it either wins Paris-Dakar rallies, or bursts into flames...

Seriously, it's an Escort sized 3 or 5 door hatch; fits in
between the AX and the BX. It doesn't have the oelo-pnemuatic whatsit
suspension of the BX.

It's available in France in Spring, and should be in the UK late Summer
(maybe in time for August...)

I don't think there's any details yet on prices/trim, etc.

But you can guarantee it'll be competive on price.

I guess it'll have the top engines from AX, and most of the BX engine
options. 

It's also gonna be used as a base for the Pug 309 replacement, like the
BX was used for the 405.

Peter.

I hope they don't do an 8.1 litre model for the US market...

...or if they do I hope it is more reliable than the original.


Jon

    If there is a 1 litre model, will it be called a ZX-10 ? :-) 

In this weeks Autocar there is a run down on the ZX. Worth getting if 
you are interested.

In there it said the French will be using names instead of letters
for the various models. It gives some performance figuers too.

Peter.

    ZX REFLEX - 1360cc 75 bhp
    
    ZX AVANTAGE - 1360cc 75 bhp + better trim and finish
    
    ZX AURA - 1580cc 89 bhp + Ghia type refinements
    
    ZX VOLCANE 1905cc 130 bhp + alloy wheels + ABS
    
    All due to arrive in June.
    
    
    
    Regards
    Martin

    .-1 Sound interesting... I will have to have a look for Autothingy..
    
    Stu.

    From the piccies I've seen, it looks like the Skoda Favorit.
    Still, I'll be interested in looking at the 130bhp model.
    
    - Roy                                  

    I think it looks like the fiat Typo.
    
    
    Richard

    
    I think it looks like a Yugo Sana.

Anyone know when the 309 replacement is released, and any of it's details ?

    
>    ZX VOLCANE 1905cc 130 bhp + alloy wheels + ABS
    
...is that the one that bursts into flames ?

:-)

    
    
    The new Peugeot will be based on the ZX floorpan and running gear.

    The bottom end of the range will be called 306 and will not only
    replace the 309 but some 205 models as well. Low spec 205 models
    will be replaced by a new 105 (to be revealed at Geneva?)
    
    The mags say the new 3** Peugeot will be not available until 1992 
    in the UK and that the full range won't come 'till 1993.
    205 production was due to end in 1993, but Peugeot have now said
    it will continue while demand exists. Perhaps another Mini?
    

    Autoexpress today has the write up on thenew zx volcane!
    
    What they have to say:
    
    124mph top end
    0-60 9.4 (but this was in the wet)
    mpg 29.4 (presumed average as it doesnt state)
    price expected to be around 12,700
    
    only criticism they really have is that 5th gear could be a bit longer.
    
    
    regards martin

>>    only criticism they really have is that 5th gear could be a bit longer.
    
	Someone agrees with me!. This car surely uses 205 1.9 mechanics.

	-John

    It did'nt mention anything about that, it almost seemed as if they were
    talking about something completely new, unless anyone knows different i
    would it suspect as you say john, that it is 205 1.9 mechanics.
    
    Regards Martin

    re -1 
    
    Well the picture of the engine in Auto Express looks very similar to my 
    1.9 PUG's.  And the comment about 5th gear sounds about right - but if
    you want fast acceleration...
    
    
    ..Craig 

>    Well the picture of the engine in Auto Express looks very similar to my 
>    1.9 PUG's.  And the comment about 5th gear sounds about right - but if
>    you want fast acceleration...
    
    
	It's not just the 205. The 309, 405, BX, AX and now the ZX all
	use virtually the same mechanics.

	What has the 5th gear ratio got to do with acceleration?

	-John

    >What has the 5th gear ratio got to do with acceleration?
    
    All the 'Hot Hatch' type cars I have driven have had a low 5th gear
    (esp the GTi Rover), I suppose to keep fast but smooth acceleration 
    through the gears.
    
    If you want to cruise, you buy a different car.
    
    ..Craig

	Yes but, taking the 205 as an example, it'll do over 100 mph
	in 4th, so what use is a low 5th?.

	-John

�	so what use is a low 5th?.
    
    As earlier reply stated - better acceleration.
    
    No matter what gear is used, the lower ratio it has, the better
    the response.  True, (with low 5th) it will not affect the much-publicised
    zero-to-sixty acceleration figures, but it will still have an effect on
    the performance when in that gear.
    
    J.R.

>    No matter what gear is used, the lower ratio it has, the better
>    the response.  True, (with low 5th) it will not affect the much-publicised
>    zero-to-sixty acceleration figures, but it will still have an effect on
>    the performance when in that gear.
    
	So it's only of use above 100mph, very useful.

	-John

�	So it's only of use above 100mph, very useful.
    
    Not if you are 'cruising' in top, then you may appreciate the
    extra response that a lower ratio provides.  Of course, this
    will be offset against higher noise, wear, consumption...
    
    J.R.

Apart from the 0-60 mph figures, how does the car rate - you know unimportant
things like :-

	o handling
	o dynamics
	o interior comfort
	o practicality

re .23; In an A&M test, it beat the Rover 214 and Ford Escort...

The last sentence says "Don't be fooled by the dull styling [of the ZX] -
the Avantage is great to drive, with punchy performance, rewarding handling,
and a superb ride. It's well packaged too, and lavishly equipped for the
price. Stripped of the goodies it would win; with them it's a steal."

The ZX Avantage is �9710, with a 1360 cc engine, top spd 105, 0-60 in 11.9.
It compared against the Escort 1.4LX at �10,125, and Rover 214S at �10,212.

The Avantage has spilt seats, rev counter, elctric front windows, electric
adj,. for apssenger door, electric sunroof, central locking, and the sliding
rear seat to vary passenger/luggagespace.

I haven't had a chance to see one yet, but I intend to pop down the garage
in the next week or so.

Peter. 

    Test-drove a ZX Volcane yesterday for 45 minutes...... here are my
    brief impressions:
    
    
    Good headroom, even with standard electric sunroof, for the first time
    in a Citroen! (I can't fit into a Rover 214/216 with sunroof, to give
    you an indication...)
    
    Perfectly quick enough for today's traffic conditions, and flexible
    right throughout the range
    
    Astonishing blend of ride and handling: turn-in on corners is almost
    TOO good, and makes you think (especially in the wet, as I drove it)
    that the back is about to overtake the front
    
    Good equipment, and solid feel (well, for a Citroen, anyway!)
    
    Perfectly acceptable on noise, even at motorway speeds (unlike Autocar
    & Motor's report this week, that expresses severe reservations about
    the noise); agreed it's not quiet, but it's not the rough/raunchy
    machine Autocar had led me to expect. OK, at 90 it's getting noisy, but
    at 75-80 it's fine.
    
    Excellent gearbox
    
    Brakes excellent
    
    Power-steering has lots of feel, but is almost too high-geared at 2.9
    turns lock-to-lock: I almost drove onto the first roundabout I went
    round! (I guess you BX-ites will be used to this, anyway)
    
    Not particularly roomy inside, but adequate unless you're always going
    to carry 4/5 people + luggage
    
    
    
    
    Negatives (mostly minor)
    ------------------------
    
    Driver's door mirror only manually adjustable, and both mirrors have
    too distorted a view
    
    Seats too 'short': little under-thigh support, but otherwise excellent
    (make those in the BX look a bit sick...)
    
    Little room under/next-to the pedals for your feet (I guess they
    assume both feet will always be ON the pedals in this car!)
    
    Only the ridiculous single wiper for the front screen: why Citroen (and
    Fiat in some cases) persist with this, beats me. Mercedes show how
    effective one wiper CAN be.
    
    
    Overall
    -------
    
    Brilliant! I'd agree with Autocar.
    
    Mail me if you want to know more
    
    
    
    
    
    Regards,
    S

(on their current radio advert, which I heard this morning)

They tested the ZX against the Escort, 214, Fait Tipo, Renault 19 (and maybe
another one or two), and rated the ZX best in class.

The advert actually said something along the lines of "The nearest thing
yet to the perfect family car".

Peter.

    I've just checked out the Volcane as it appears to be quite good value
    on the new car scheme at just under �500/yr.

    The brochure boasts 0-60 at 7.8 secs, 130 bhp (torque 118).

    These figures make it the lowest price car on the scheme with decent
    performance.

    I didn't get the chance to drive one, but my overall impression was
    that it was good quality for a Citro�n but with the electric sunroof it
    would be uncomfortable for me because of lack of headroom. You can
    order the car with the sunroof as a delete option. How you would
    arrange that under the new lease guidelines I don't know. I guess you
    would have to get a seperate quote.

    Whilst the seats looked good and gave reasonable support, the side
    supports were too far apart and allowed you to slide in the seat unlike
    the Recaros in my RS.

    I have a long time to go before the end of my current lease so I didn't
    push for a test drive.

    If you are in the market for 5-dr sporty family car this is definately
    worth a look.

    Roy

>>      <<< Note 1347.27 by KERNEL::SHELLEYR "On the bank of brinkruptcy" >>>
>>                                -< ZX Volcane >-
>>    Whilst the seats looked good and gave reasonable support, the side
>>    supports were too far apart and allowed you to slide in the seat unlike
>>    the Recaros in my RS.

    Squab or back?, I know the back has 'pinch' adjustment.
    
    Richard
    

    �Squab or back?, I know the back has 'pinch' adjustment.
    
    The seat had an extra adjustment � way up which I assumed was for
    lumber  support. Are you suggesting that the side supports can be moved
    closer together ?
    
    Roy (what on earth is a Squab ?)

    Squab = the bit your bum goes on ! :^)
    
    Mark

    re: Squab.
    
    Pardon my ignorance. In that case to answer the original question -
    
    It was the 'back' side supports.
    
    Roy

    Yes the drivers seat back has a knob half way up on BOTH sides. One was
    lumbar, t'other moved the supports closer or further apart.
    
    Yes, Squab is the bit your bum goes on, the dictionary defines it as
    various, including a kind of couch, but I've always heared it used in
    reference to the above.
    
    Richard

    I drove one of the ZXs a while ago and was very impressed by the
    general build quality nd lack of rattles, squeaks, etc that you
    normally find in cars of this class (or even more expensive ones). I
    don't remember being inconvenienced by the headroom from the driving
    seat too much. It's interesting that the ZX has a cheap sort of 4 wheel
    steering whereby there appears to be allowed movement in the rear wheel
    hubs which allow the wheels to move slightly under cornering. No, I
    didn't understand it either 'cos the salesperson couldn;t explain it
    better than that - maybe someone could give the "official"
    explanation...
    
    Cheers,
    	Colin

    �don't remember being inconvenienced by the headroom.
    
    I should of quilified my comment about headroom. I'm 6' 4". Headroom
    may only be a problem for drivers over 6 foot tall.
    
    Roy (Sunroof hater)

I think that with the flaming experience of 2 drivers (Ickx and Waldegard?)
in the Paris-Dakar, and the terrible incident where Ickx's co-driver received
95% burns in the Pharoah Rally over the weekend , that the "Volcane" derivative
of the ZX may well be one to avoid!

Talk about baptism by fire...

Steve

the rally ZX's are mainly the old Pug rally car, with a different set of
clothes to make it look a bit like the ZX!

So, don't worry about it!

Peter.

P.S. mind you, I don't think the rally drivers will be too happy about it!

    I got my ZX Volcane yesterday: thought people might be interested in my
    first impressions...
    
    Looks great in red!
    
    Very well put-together for a Citroen...
    
    Optional air-conditioning has one drawback: it seems to be installed
    where the glove-box was, so there's no storage space! (but I'd rather
    have the air-con...)
    
    Handling/ride amazing for a hottish hatch
    
    Engine flexibility superb
    
    Can't fit a Krooklok: the panelling under the steering wheel sticks out
    too far
    
    PDI must have been non-existent
    
    Single wiper a real disadvantage with the mucky roads at the moment
    
    Seats adjustable every which way, but still not as comfortable as those
    in my old Astra SRi
    
    
    
    I'll be interested to see what mpg I don't get out of it!
    
    
    Cheers,
    S
                                                             

    What was the quote out of interest. As it has air-con presumably you
    didn't order it straight from the preferred list.

    �890 was the quote, for non-met, ABS and air-con. In fact, I ordered
    before the preferred list was published, as my lease was not altered to
    three years (I'm doing -> 30K miles/year: buy my own car to run at that
    rate??? Pah!!)
                 
    Looking at the cost on the preferred list, I've got a good deal...
    
    
    
    Cheers,
    S

Is it a factory option?

Peter.

    re .40
    
    If you want a citroen with AC delivered quickly then it is probably
    going to be a car already in this country. Apparently there is a place
    in Leatherhead (?) which fits AC using factory parts. It costs a few
    hundred � more than having it factory fitted, but you dont have to
    wait. Thats what a salesman (from the Citroen garage in Newbury) told
    me, so it must be true.
    
    I almost went for a ZX (ABS + AC) myself, but eventually decided on a
    BX. The ZX is a nicer car, but has limited boot space in spite of the
    moving rear seat. I think the boot space is calculated with the rear
    seat in mid position. So when you want to carry adults or large
    children in the back the actual boot space is smaller. So it failed my
    test (push chair must go in the boot fore/aft with adult in the back of
    the car. The push chair would only go in sidewards, which does not
    leave much room for shopping etc). Nevertheless I was strongly tempted
    to ignore that and get one anyway !
    
    Andrew

    Factory.... and it took ages! I ordered on 9 September...
    
    According to most of the road tests I've read, the only options on
    UK-spec Volcanes are ABS and leather seats, but one test (can't
    remember which) said air-con was available, so I requested that on my
    quote form, and it was accepted.
    
    I know, however, that the air-con was factory-fitted, because delivery
    was delayed from 5 November till yesterday while they worked out where
    to put all the air-con gubbins on a right-hooker! Hope it works
    (haven't tried it yet).
    
    BTW, I chose the ZX Volcane mainly because, as far as I could see, it
    was the only reasonably priced car (that I could get in) this side of a
    BX GTi on which you could order air-con as a factory option.
    
    I believe the new Peugeot 106 XT (or XSi?) can have air-con, if
    anyone's interested...
    
    Overall, the ZX is brilliant. If I tell you that I have always hated
    Citroens (particularly the BX), and that my wife has just bought a ZX
    Reflex (bottom of range), you will be able to tell that I am a Citroen
    convert. And don't believe people that tell you it is now a `sanitised'
    Citroen -- it's got bags of character! Only a Citroen could have one
    windscreen wiper, and power-steering with 2.8 turns lock to lock! Also
    the suspension is incredible -- makes my old Astra feel like a
    skateboard...
                 f
    
    
    Cheers,
    S
                                   

    
    One windscreen wiper?
     
    Fiat and Mercedes also fit this 'unique' feature! 
    
    Mark
    

    Yeah, I know, but Mercedes are a whole lot more successful at clearing
    the screen with a single wiper than Citroen and Fiat are!
    
    I didn't mean it was unique, merely it showed a bit of character!
    
    Cheers,
    S

    First fill-up shows the Volcane to have a worrying appetite for
    unleaded, compared with my Astra SRi... 30.7mpg over varied traffic
    conditions, but admittedly there was quite a bit of local running about
    in that, as well as some gentle M-way cruising...
    
    Also, it is an incredibly easy car to drive at fast average speeds,
    without really trying. I've barely gone over 4000 rpm, and yet my wife
    commented that I wouldn't ever need to drive the car any faster in
    normal use.
    
    
    S

This has the 1.9 Pug GTi motor doesn't it, with the new Citroen floppy
suspension. Are the mechanicals new or lifted from the 309/205 GTi ?

How does it compare to the Pugs in performance/handling/comfirt terms ?

    Where the engine came from is arguable, though it did start out as a
    pug. It was fitted to BX 19GTi, 405 1.9i's, 309 GTi, 205 GTi (1.9), and
    now the volcano.
    
    Whatja mean "new Citroen floppy suspension"?. If yuo mean it's got side
    to side wobble (they call it partial self steering) then Yes. But it's
    conventional springs not the old hydropneumatic like the BX.
    
    The floor pan is the same as the soon to be released 306.
    
    Richard

Sounds like .46 doesn't like Citroen.

I tried the Volcane, (just round the block), and I was very impressed.

The car was wonderfully smooth, with a near perfect feel regarding
handling/ride etc. The ride is better than ANY car I've driven, including
a big Granada hire car I had (which should, I presume, have a good ride).

I didn't like Citroens before, but I'm very impressed with this one.

Mark.

Guys, guys, guys.... just kidding, honest ?!?

    I know you're kidding re floppy suspension, but floppy is one adjective
    you cannot apply to the Volcane's suspension! As I mentioned earlier, I
    was ardently anti-Citroen till I drove the ZX.... It really is
    something else.
    
    Re the engine: I believe it has the same power and torque outputs as
    the Peugeot 1.9 GTi engine, but the difference is that max. torque is
    at 3250 and not 4750 rpm: it makes a big difference, I can assure you.
    
    Also, don't believe the tests that say noise is a serious problem with
    the Volcane: it makes my previous Astra SRi sound like a tractor,
    although I will agree that above 4000 it is noticeably more vocal.
    
    
    S

    .44�    Yeah, I know, but Mercedes are a whole lot more successful at clearing
    .44�    the screen with a single wiper than Citroen and Fiat are!
    
    I challenge that. Single wiper on the 190 (and on the Venturi) is a
    pain when driving on muddy roads.
    
    Don't get me wrong: the single wiper really cleans the whole area but
    there is a delay comapred to twin wipers.

    Incidentally, not only have I got a ZX Volcane as a lease car, but we
    have recently bought a ZX Reflex for my wife as well!
    
    It'll be interesting to see the difference in running two ZX's in the
    same family, especially the top and bottom models in the range.
    
    
    S

    
    re -1:
    
    What do you think about the performance of Volcane? Can you compare it
    to some other car?
    
    Hannu 

>>               <<< Note 1347.54 by FUTURS::WATSON "Rik Watson" >>>
>>                           -< Yes: A ZX Reflex :-) >-
    
    Watch out Rik, this is a J.A. style one-liner reply !!!
    
    J.R.

    Thanks John,
    	You've completely ruined my day.
    
    	Rik

    Re .53....
    
    What kind of car are you used to, so you have something meaningful for
    comparison purposes???
    
    Performance of the Volcane seems to me to be between that of a Vauxhall
    Astra SRi (approx. an 8V Opel Kadett GSi) and a 16V GTE (GSi 16V). The
    Volcane is definitely not as fast as the Renault 5 GT Turbo, but then
    that's hardly surprising!
    
    More impressive than its performance (which I consider entirely
    adequate for most normal people!) is the way it puts its power on the
    road... You have to go like an idiot to spin the wheels in the dry, and
    in the wet its grip is incredible. Torque steer is pretty well
    non-existent, too.
    
    
    
    Stephen

Re: .56
>                         -< How much is a Nova GTI ? >-

Now called the Nova GSI    latest price list = �11,455

    After 1500 miles or so, the engine-management system started to play
    up on my Volcane...
    
    Now, at 2300 miles, it's supposed to have been rectified, but it'll
    remain to be seen whether that's the case...
    
    Symptoms are: EMS light on dashboard coming on; engine idling at 1200
    rpm; very jerky throttle (it's either on or off); 'hunting' of the
    throttle while cruising at a steady speed.
    
    
    S

    That's standard for a hot hatchback.  Revving at 3k at the red lights
    and throttle only has two positions. You're with friends here, you don't
    have to justify it.

    Talking to the salesman in Speen(Newbury) at the weekend he gave me a
    few 'futures'
    
    There's a ZX turbo diesel due out in about 6 weeks time, They will be
    binging out a turbo of the 1905cc but I wasn't sure if this would be
    the 1905, or whether this would be added later. New BX due out at the
    end of this year
    
    This turbo will also go in the new BX. 
    
    Richard

    Well, we're over 4K miles now, so thought you'd like an update on
    Volcane motoring...
    
    
    One continuing problem: engine-management/injection system. Throttle
    switch (didn't know there was one...) replaced at 2800 miles, with no
    reocurrence of main symptoms. However, engine is still not quite
    'right', even now. When you take your foot off the throttle, the effect
    is a bit like running up to the governor limit on a diesel: feels as if
    the car is being held back -- more than just the effect of letting the
    engine do the braking; engine runs badly around 1500 revs, so traffic
    driving is a real bore; at 2000 and 3000 rpm, if you try to keep a
    steady speed, the engine 'hunts' around those revs, and if you slightly
    release the throttle then the rev counter needle drops down 50-100 revs
    in one step, rather than gradually. Any comments from owners of Pug
    1.6/1.9-engined cars (I've never driven one)? Is is the perennial Pug
    injection bad-running problem, in Citroen incarnation?
    
    
    Handling/ride: as good as, if not better than, first acquaintance led
    me to believe
    
    Performance: Up to the mark, but not earth-shattering
    
    Noise: OK below 3500 rpm, but can get wearing on a long run if you
    cruise at more than an indicated 80mph (not that I do...). Actually
    better at 80 than 70: 68-74 has a boom period
    
    Economy: MUCH LESS economical than my Astra... I only get 28mpg when
    using the performance, yet still only 32 when going gently. Generally
    consumption is static around 29.5-30.5. Seems to be one of those cars
    that you get nearly the same mpg regardless how you drive it.
    
    Quality: Seems to be holding up to Citroen's claims, although a couple
    of minor dings in the door show that the metal isn't much thicker than
    on a BX....
    
    
    
    
    Stephen

    
    
    Hi,
    
    Expecting delivery of my Volcane in early March. Mind you after reading
    some of the previous notes, I am beginning to wonder???!!
    
    Too late now though...huh
    
    mac

    Don't worry: you've made a brilliant choice! Seriously!
    
    I'm just being very picky in my comments. Overall, it's the best
    hot-hatch I've driven, especially in terms of ride-handling balance.
    Yes, the Astra 16V may be faster; yes the 5GT may have barnstorming
    mid-range acceleration; yes, the "XYZ turbo GTi" may corner completely
    flat, but the Volcane in my view is the winner.
    
    
    
    Hope that restores your faith!
    
    
    
    BEst,
    STephen
           

    re .63
    
    Ian,
    	Mine's due at the end of March too!!!
    
    	If you can get hold of Feb's Performance Car they have a giant
    test, involving :
    	Astra GSi 16v
    	rs 2000
    	Rover 220 GTi
    	Tipo 16v
    	Honda Civic 
    	+some more
    
    	The winner by a short nose was the Tipo, but the Volcane came
    second!  I'm looking forward to getting mine!!
    
    	See ya,
    
    	Jon.
    

    
    
    If the Tipo won, it should be an argument for not buying the magazine.
    

    re .66
    
    What do you base that judgement on? I saw an advert for the Tipo 16v
    and it looked reasonable. Have you had one?
    
    Greg (thinking of the next car in 6 months)

    
    Funny that the two cars with the lowest likely resale value are placed
    first and second? The Tipo and Volcane have both received good reviews,
    but I wouldn't like to have to try and sell a 3 year old one...
    
    Mark

    Re. .65
    
    So Jon the Astra is soon to be history eh? You should have gone for the
    Renault 19 16V. Although after your 5 and what happened to it I can
    maybe see why not!
    
    Cheers,
    
    Spike.

    
    Re .67
    
    I haven't 'had' a Tipo, but have been given one as a hire car. 
    I dislike the design of the rear. The inside is made for small
    people and the driver cockpit is, IMO "fussy".
    
    Again, IMO, Fiat have often made good engines, but have rarely
    produced a car worthy of them.
    
    Richard.

    re. 69
    
    Spike!
    	They haven't rightsized you yet then?????
    
    	The astra went about a year ago..
    	156 horses was just toooooo much, esp round the country lanes near
    me.  Too many hedges got too close to the car.  Yuk what horrible
    handling!
    	The Volcane seems to have taken over the 309 GTi's handling mantle
    so shouldn't be quite as 'entertaining' as the 16v Astra!!
    	Your 5GTT still going then??
    
    	Cheers,
    	Jon.
    

    Re. last.
    
    Cheeky git!
    
    The 5GTT went over night a year ago tomorrow thanks to some considerate
    Reading car thief!!! Since then I've had several toys: a Rover 414 SLI
    (what a dog), Toyota Corolla GTI and a Citroen BX 16V - non of which I'd 
    like to have back. The current toy if you hadn't guessed is a R19 16V -
    which I'd gladly swop for the convertible when it comes out!!!
    
    Have Fun,
    
    Spike.

    Alwight Jon,
    
    	So there was I thinking I would be the only instructorite with a ZX
    and you go and spoil it... ah well.. What colour are you getting... How
    are things in LDO these days, you had my collleague down there last
    week, Paul Glynn... 
    
    'ow do spike...
    
    do you remember sunny old Manchester.......:))))
    
    mac

> which I'd gladly swop for the convertible when it comes out!!!

Spike,

Even with the 19 grand price tag?

    Mac,
    	I've gone for the red!  It looks really nice in the brochure!
    	Then I saw a red one in the flesh and couldn't tell if it was dirty
    or just a duller red than in the book.  About both of us having a
    Volcane, you're at one end of the country and I'm at the other.  The
    probability that we'll be flashing each other across the M6 central
    reservation is extremely unlikely!
    
    		Jon.
    

    Anyone got any info on the ZX Volcane 16 valve due out shortly?
    
    I've just took delivery of a ZX Volcane and other than it falling of
    the ramps of the transporter, its sound.

    
    Well, I've just recieved my NEW ZX Volcane.
    
    First impressions:
    To look at - does not look a sporty car, which is very good, as
    mentioned  I chose red as my colour, and glad I did. It is a dull red
    not a bright yukky red.
    
    Interior - very impressed. Having never had a new car, I am very happy
    with the interior. It is very comfortable with an adjustable driving
    position, which helps me, being 6ft 3". Back seats just as comfortable.
    The extra lumbar support on the drivers seat in very helpful.
    
    Features - The PAS is excellent, again never had a car with power
    assisted steering. Lights, and things all good. One thing I have a
    tendancy to do, is that when you start up the car the console lights
    up, this gives me the impression I have my headlights on.. not the
    case, as I discovered. The electric window switches on the driver door
    are very hard to get to and use...the only flaw though.
    
    Driving - no complaints, smooth silky etc... put the foot down and it
    moves.....great
    
    Only thing i notice is that when driving at about 70/75 there is a
    vibrating feeling coming throught the accelerator pedal, don't know if
    this is because its new or what, also is quite loud-ish as well.. Any
    comments.
    
    Apart from that, I am well pleased and will now be driving
    everywhere...
    
    Mac

    
    Maybe this is not important anymore and I'v never had a new car so I'm
    no expert. But
    
        Why do you drive a new car at 70/75 mph?
    
        Or is this back to the it's only a lease car argument.
    
    Chris.

    
    Most new cars 'running in' limits (where they exist) easily allow 70-75
    mph cruising.
    
    Mark

re .79


> Why do you drive a new car at 70/75 mph?


Chrism

Why shouldn't you drive a new car at 70/75 mph? 

Greg

	With most new (ie 5 geared cars), 75 comes up at under 3,500 revs. 
	Mostly, you need to vary the revs and not overload a new engine 
	(too low revs can be harmful too).  With most new cars, you have to
	look hard at the handbook to find out how to run it in; but running
	in helps give you a tighter engine and better fuel economy.

	Dave

    Any volcane owner got the What Car report from Jan 92 where they tested
    it and the Alfa Romeo 33
    
    Greg

    
    re -a few back
    
    Paul,
    	Well there is only one colour to go for. No boring City blue colour
		:)))))
    
    re - a few less back
    
    >> I drive at 70/75 mph
    
    The reason I put 70/75 mph, is that according to the maint manual for
    the first X number of miles NOT to go above 4500 revs. And going by
    what I have been doing at 70/75mph I would have to be doing at least a
    100 mph, which I would never do... :))))
    
    mac

    
    Re: Last few.
    
    Cool off...
    
    I asked a question in which I stated my ignorance. Thanks Mark and -1
    for civil answers.
    
    Chris.

	70MPH is max under the law for some roads,

	I hope you go a lot slower elswhere



	:-)

    
    I test drove 1.9 volcane today. I really liked this car. Suspension
    is good; not too hard, not too soft. Steering is light and fast, but
    not withhout "feel of road". Overall handling is good. Car is
    not noisy.  Brakes are excellent!
    
    Performance is satisfactory, not very good taking high rev, but
    there is power in lower revs. 
    
    I test drove a very curvy and difficult road and I must admit it
    was fun!
    
    
    Hannu H.
    
    

    hi all,
    	I've had my volcane for a month or so now and as everyone else has
    said it's a great car to drive.  I have a couple of questions that some
    of the other leasees(?)/owners may be able to answer.
    	The car's passive rear steering seems to be ok most of the time but
    has anyone tried a country road with fairly tight but fast 's' bends?
    The rear steering seems to get a bit confused on the second or third
    curve and the handling goes to pot!  Its difficult to describe but it
    feels that it almost needs a bit of opposite lock to cure it.  It
    doesn't, mind you!
    	Secondly, I know someone who has just had to replace his front
    tyres on his volcane (MXV2s) after just 8700 miles.  He says he has
    treated the car fairly gently, so I wonder whether these are short-life
    tyres?  
    	Has anyone felt MXV2s after a long run?  They're very hot and
    tacky!  Maybe the excellent handling takes it's toll on the driven
    wheels?
    
    	Jon.
    'sticky

    I've now done 11500 miles in my Volcane -- mixture of fast country
    roads and motorway runs -- and I can agree with most of your comments.. 
    
    I don't find the handling goes to pot on a series of bends, but what I
    do find is that if you have a sharp bend with a bump mid-corner, the
    car seems to be thrown off line more than I would have expected. The
    rear-wheel steer seems to adjust too much, and the back end seems to
    'hop' around a bit.
    
    Also, I'm afraid the car does eat tyres (I've also got MXV2s on mine).
    I reckon I drive the car spiritedly, but sympathetically, but the
    fronts were half-worn at the 6000 service, so I had the fronts swapped
    to the back before they got any worse -- the rears were barely worn. To
    put this in perspective, I got 20000 out of my Astra SRi, over the same
    roads, before I had to swap fronts to back.
    
    
    Rgds,
    Stephen

    Unfortunately for me, my car is through PHH so the tyres have got to last
    for 16000 miles before PHH will stump up the dosh to replace them, so
    like you, Stephen, I'll swap front for rear halfway down!
    
    	Jon.

    Jon.
    
    From what I remember about your driving it shouldn't be tyres that are
    a problem - more like air traffic control clearance!
    
    Cheers,
    
    Spike.

    Now come on Spike,  I've now got a sensible 5 door hatch with a baby
    seat (no, it's not for me!) not a 3 door buzz bomb whose wheels
    couldn't wait to get away from the road!
    
    	Happy motoring
    
    	Jon. 

    Hi Jon,
    
    	Had my Volcane now for 2 months, nearly coming up for its 6000 mile
    service. I drive it moderately as anyone else, how just done 1000 miles
    in a week and a half, and found for long driving it was superb, at the
    end of the journey you still felt fresh-ish.
    
    	As to it's handling round sharp corners, I too sometimes find that
    the rear wheels tend to hop across a little, almost as if they are
    trying to catch up, tyre wear so far I must admit I haven't noticed,
    but will mention it when I take it for a service. I have noticed a
    couple of things just recently that I am also going to mention to the
    garage, firstly my brakes have become very squeaky everytime I touch
    the brakes, soft or hard...??? and secondly and a littyle more annoying
    is that I seem to be getting a whistling noise from the centre of the
    dash whilst travelling. Its as if when the wind goes throught the vents
    on the front of the car it whistles, maybe this is a design feature,
    any clues anyone???
    
    Apart from that I am so far happy, the thing I like is that is does
    not stand out and say I'm a flash sports car, pinch me, break into me,
    apart from the two little 1.9i badges on either side it looks like an
    ordinary hatchback. Quite amusing against XR2's though hehehe :)
    
    mac

    
    
     Does anyone know the performance differences for the new Volcane which
    now has a 2 litre engine with cat and ABS standard ? 
    
    
       Paul...

Have they changed the specs already, as the new lease prices are for a ZX 1.9,
with ABS as an option....!

Peter.

    
    
    Sorry,
         not ABS as standard but a cat and 2 litre is correct. I don't know
    if the cars on the new lease scheme are correct, there is an asterix
    beside the ZX volcane but no explanation.
    
       When i went into a Citroen dealer last week he said they were all
    now 2 litre with a catalytic converter. Price on the system has gone
    down quite a bit though!!
    
    
    
    
    Paul....

    Shame on PSA (Peugeot + Citroen). They have argued with the catalytic
    converter + lambda probe system since it has been proposed. Their idea
    was (still is) to work on lean mixture.
    
    The result is that their new models (starting 1-Jul-92) have all been
    equipped with cat converter, lambda probe and petrol injection (as
    required by EEC on 1-Jan-93 latest) BUT PSA have done NO effort to get
    equivalent torque/power of previous engines. Even with bigger (and
    heavier) engines the power output is lower, torque is approximately
    conserved.
    
    It will certainly take some time (and lost sales) before they adapt
    their engines. If I look at other manufacturers I cannot see any
    significant loss in engine performance when converted to cat converter.

 I had a ZX Volcane 2.0I on loan from Citroen U.K. for a few days last week
Overall I thought I was a good car. I liked the roomy interior and the fact
that it had five doors. I loved the ride quality and its eagerness to turn into
corners. I did find the rear wheel steering quite offputting though
especially through fast corners.

 Unfortunately the car suffered from total brake failure on Saturday as I tried
to stop for a red traffic light from 70 mph on a busy dual carriage way. We
( my wife was in the car with me ) ended up right through the lights and
stopping just before another set of lights. Luckily we had been the first in the
queue coming up to the lights and nobody had decided to jump the lights on the
road crossing our road. Needless to say we spent the rest of the weekend
thinking about how lucky we had been !

 I limped the car to the nearest phone box and had a quick look underneath.
Brake fluid was running down the inside of the front drivers side wheel.

 I dont know yet what the cause of this was ( i didnt investigate too closely 
as I wasn't dressed for it ) but, given the fact that the leak appeared to be
inside the wheel and that I am not aware of anything being picked up off the
road and hitting the underside of the car I suspect that some part of the brake
pipe gave up of its own accord.

 A thing like that can put a man quite off driving !

	Barrie.

    .99� A thing like that can put a man quite off driving !
    
    I certainly understand that. This is the kind of experience I wish I
    will not share ....
    
    What happened when you pressed on the brake pedal ? Did it simply go to
    the floor ? This car like every car on the road must have twin brake
    circuits, so I guess you were left with just brakes on 2 wheels (on a
    diagonal position).
    
    I'd be interested to know more about this. How can this happen ?

.100
>>    What happened when you pressed on the brake pedal ? Did it simply go to
>>    the floor ? This car like every car on the road must have twin brake
>>    circuits, so I guess you were left with just brakes on 2 wheels (on a
>>    diagonal position).

 The brake pedal went to the floor. To begin with there was some resistance then
the pedal simply sank to the floor. I got the impression that the bake brakes
may have been working to begin with but there certainly wasnt enough stopping
power to bring the car to a halt at anything above 1 or 2 mph. By the time I had
the car recoverd to the nearest Citroen dealer using the foot brake had no
effect at all.

	Barrie.

One interesting thing is that some dual circuit brakes have a
common fluid reservoir. When this is empty, the whole lot stops
working ...

If you have a slowish leak and empty the reservoir, then ... bump.

    Sorry to hear about your experience Barrie and pleased that you're ok.
    
    What did Citroen say about this ?
    
    Roy

.10

 We're very sorry !

 I guess there is not much else they can say. The Citroen dealer that I had
the car taken to in Ascot was very helpful, providing us with a car to continue
our journey in.

 Citroen UK did say that they will let me know exactly what happened as soon as
they find out. If I haven't heard from them by the end of the week I will chase
them up and post the results here.

	Barrie.

    .105�them up and post the results here.
    
    Yes please. Happy to hear that you escaped OK but frightened that this
    could happen to any of us anytime.

 Well Paul Daulson from Citroen UK just called me.


 Aparrently a small piece of flint had bcome trapped between the underside of
the car and the flexible bit of hose that connects the main brake lines to
the caliper. With constant movement of the pipe caused by the movement of the
suspension/steering the flint had cut through the pipe.

 Sounds like a good case for fitting steel braided hoses to me, or at least 
designing the braking system so that pieces of stone cant lodge themselfs behind
flexible pipes and proceed to cut their way through them.

	Barrie.

    Also raises the question as to the effectiveness of dual circuit systems.
    
    
    An earlier reply did point out that with a shared master cylinder,
    fluid loss from one circuit will result in the cylinder emptying.
    
    I thought that there is usually a 'divider' between the two pistons
    of the master cylinder, so when one side runs very low there is
    still enough to cover the top of the other piston.
    
    Worth checking to see if the reservoir design does incorporate
    something to prevent one system draining the fluid so far that
    it causes the other side to fail.  If you find it does not, then
    write a letter claiming that this is a dangerous design fault...
    
    J.R.

    
    
    re - can't remember
    
    " I tried out the Citreon ZX 2.0I , which was roomy with FIVE doors"
    
    I thought the new Zx 2.0I was only a 3 door ??? I may be wrong can
    anyone clarify.
    
    
    Mac
    
    P.S. Glad you are ok..

re .109;

there is very soon to be a three door model; the first version is to have
the 16V engine, and no doubt more variants will be coming....

I think it's due for announcement this month, maybe at the motor show?

Peter.

What kind of performance has the 2.0i ZX got?

Does it still look euro boxy, or have they added some body styling?


Greg

.111

>> What kind of performance has the 2.0i ZX got?

 From CAR magazine:

   0-60 9.3 Sec, 127 mph Top speed.

 On the road the cars performance was more than adequate with good overtaking
abilities.


 The cars styling has not changed.

	Barrie.

    The 2.0i with CAT replaced the 1.9i without CAT to compensate for the
    loss in power of the CAT it's still the standard Volcane. As said in
    previous, there is a 2.0i 16v due. 
    
    Also due if not already, a 1.8i to replace the current 1.6i I think for
    the same reason.
    
    Richard

Aha! 

So perhaps the 16v will get some body styling. Still 9.3 sec's looks fairly 
sluggish.

Greg

    
    The 16v has been around in France for some weeks/months.
    
    Pretty -- the 3 door gets rid of the horrible rear quarterlights of the
    5 door. The one I saw was in Camel yellow. No body kits or anything
    silly -- just a clean, quick, motorcar. I'm very keen .....
    
    
    Colin

    I got the Citroen bi-monthly mag yesterday, and they had details of the
    16v ZX.  Very pretty, imho, but it does have a body kit, similar in style
    to the 205 GTI. IE colour-keyed wheel-arches and a black fat strip
    along the centre-line of the doors.  Also a bigger spoiler decorates
    the top of the hatchback.  I can't remember performance figures but it
    wasn't much better than the 8v.
    
    		Jon.
    

    To arrange a test drive of a ZX (or any other Citroen) I followed
    the instructions on VTX, and rang Paul Dulson on 0753 - 822100.
    
    He asked to fax him some details, so you can just bypass the phone
    call and fax him direct on 0753-511866, giving your name,
    location, and car required.
    
    Your request goes into the queue, and when the model is available,
    you get a call. Test drives are usually for about four days.
    
    Peter.
    

    I did this a while back and got a BX TZD TURBO. Had it for a week,
    which gave me the chance for a good long run upto warrington and back.
    
    the car I got was in excellent condition and came with a full tank. 
    
    when the guy came to collect it he was surprised that I'd bothered to
    re-fill it , i did'nt like to tell him that I'd tested it so thoroughly
    that I'd had to re-fill twice!
    
    A good service , shame more companies don't do it

I've had a 4 day test drive in a BX Turbo Diesel (which ended up being six days,
as the origional four days were supposed to finish on the Saturday!), and was
about to order one when they announced the ZX Turbo D. I called Paul @ Citroen
and got yet another test drive for 4 days.

Ended up with the ZX, so it looks like giving extended test drives works for
Citroen.

Steve.

    
    
    
       I have got the performance figures for the ZX Volcane 16v.
    It is a 2.0i with a cat and ABS as standard, it has  155 bhp unit with
    a top speed of 137 (conditions permitting!) and has a 0-60 of under 8
    secs.
       The price is about 1300 pounds more than the standard manual Volcane
    (2.0i) around 14995 pounds.It does come complete with full sports bodykit,
    alloys,remote locking/alarm and electric sunroof. Citroen are taking
    orders but they could not give me a guesstimate of delivery times.
    
    
    Paul...

    re .117
    
    >fax him direct on 0753-511866, giving your name,location, and car
    >required.
    
    Further to Peter's note, use company headed paper on your fax as well.
    
    I've also used this service and tested a ZX Aura Turbo D like Steve.
    
    It is an excellent service. I also wish other manufacturers offered a 
    service like this.
    
    Roy

    
    Firstly is there any ZX 1.4 drivers out there ?
    
    If so, has anybody experienced any Flat Spots / Sluggish performance
    once restarting the engine from hot ?
    
    Cause I am, and the Citroen Garage up here in Ayr has tried to fixit
    4 times now without success. It's back in again today, and I've told
    them that I don't want it back until its fixed.
    
    The only good thing about it is that they are always that nicey-nicey
    about things and you can't really get angry at someone who's agreeing
    with every thing your saying.
    
    Any inputs welcome.
    
    Gordon...
     

    Yep, my wife's got a 1.4 Reflex (I've got a 1.9 Volcane, so we're
    'Citroenfiles' now!!).
    
    Haven't encountered any flat spots or poor performance in the 1.4 --
    only thing that happens is that fuel consumption rockets when I drive,
    because I expect it go like my Volcane, and it doesn't!
    
    On one occasion, performance seemed to be down.... then I discovered
    the floor mat was preventing the accelerator going to its full extent!!
    
    Otherwise, can't help, I'm afraid.
    
    
    
    Cheers,
    stephen
                                                          

    
    Saw a ZX 16v at a local showroom saturday, looked very nice! better
    looks then the straight 5 door and I thought the 16v badges on the
    rear, rear flanks and front wings were very nice. Looks like one hell
    of a car to me but a bit on the small side for me.The one I saw was in
    red and they were taking test drives as far as I could see.
    
    Richard

Well, I got my ZX Aura Turbo D last Tuesday and after 600 miles, everything is
great.

The interior is fine. The seats make me realise how much the seats in the Orion
had sagged! Nice touches like the lights-on warning when you open the door, and
the courtsey lights (both front and back) triggered by all four doors make quite
a bit of difference. No heated front screen is a bit of a bugger (or is that
another note? 8-]) One thing which isn't too good, is the amount of space for
cassettes etc. Where do they expect you to put them?

The fuel gauge is a bit on the strange side! It seems to indicate one level when
idling, and at low speeds, but as the speed rises, so does the reading on the
fuel gauge! It's a bit difficult trying to guess how much fuel is left! Anyone 
else notices strange fuel gauge readings?

I've done about 600 miles in it so far, the majority of it on the motorway,
cruising at about 75 mph, and the worrying thing is that I filled up on Sunday, 
did about 160 miles, and the fuel gauge now reads just above half full
(sometimes!) I hope that the last half of the tank goes down slower than the
first half, or I'm averaging about 30 miles/gallon! 8-[ Anyone else out there
with the Turbo D got any comments about the fuel consumption when 'running in'
as opposed to when it's done a few thousand miles?

It seems to cruise happily at 75, slower than the Orion, so maybe I won't be
getting a photo through the post!

Overall, no problems at all. 

Steve. (looking forward to the next x thousand miles!)

    RE:Fuel guage goes up with engine revs
    sounds like a really useful feature...if your running low on fuel go
    faster to make sure you get home before you run out!!!8*)
    
    Seriously though could be a regulator problem. most cars have a
    regulator behind the dash to stabilise the voltage supplied to hotwire
    instruments such as the fuel guage. If this fails as revs go up from
    tickover the voltage across the battery goes up as the alternator
    increases its output to charge the battery..increased voltage on a
    hotwire makes the wire hotter increasing the reading. Just a
    possibility.
    
    However my BX fuel guage is not perfectly stable either.
    
    RE: only half tank on 160  miles.
    I don't know whether the ZX has the same sort of reserve setup as the
    bx but mine has about a gallon left when reading empty and the red
    light on.
    
    Hope this helps
    
    Richard

    I'm looking at getting an Advantage 1.9D and had a sit in one this w/e,
    although I've not yet organised a test drive. Has anyone with one got any
    comments on how they're finding it, especially for driver comfort &
    motorway driving?
    
    The alternative may well be a 3-door 1.8 Furio, which again sounds
    quite nice if I can presuade my wife that we don't really need a
    5-door!

    
    re .125
    
    Mmmm yes I've noticed that with the fuel consumption too. It is a 
    little worrying.....
    
    I took delivery of my 1.9TD Aura on the 6th Nov and have just cracked 
    1025 miles today. The majority of my driving is motorway and bar the
    apparently high fuel consumption I'm really pleased with it.
    
    My last lease-mobile was an Astra SRi so I was expecting to notice a
    big drop in performance and had hoped this would be compensated for by 
    the saving in fuel costs. As I travel from Swindon to REO daily, figures
    quoted at around the 40-50 mpg sounded quite attractive, I'll make
    sure the question is asked when I book it in for it's maiden service
    this week and post the news...
    
    Not having driven a diesel for any length of time, I was pleasantly 
    surprised at the performance. Accleration is quite astounding (and not that
    far behind the Astra) once you get out of 2nd and the turbo starts up
    it's really quite quick. 
    
    The book says keep it below 4000 revs, it'll do 75-85 well below that, 
    although I've been sticking around the 3000 mark.
    
    Another strange thing I noticed when filling up, diesel tends to
    'froth' and bar standing around wating for it to settle you tend to just 
    close the lid and be done. The fuel gauge shows full. Next morning, after
    'settlement' you're down a fair bit on what you thought was a full tank.
    
    The level of comfort is also much higher than the Astra, the only thing
    I miss is the seats. The suspension is soft and the ride very comfortable 
    yet nothing is lost on road holding, cornering was a completly new 
    experience with the passive rear wheel steer and found I was oversteering 
    at low speeds for the first few days.
    
    The engine looks like somebody has got a bucket of assorted nuts, bolts
    and pipes, shaken them all up and thrown them in, but hell, I can live
    with that :-)
    
    Overall very pleased with it...just this little nagging question of fuel
    consumption.....
    
    Gary.       
    

.128>The level of comfort is also much higher than the Astra, the only thing
.128>I miss is the seats. 
    
    Hiya Garry,
    
    	isn't it a bit uncomfortable having to crouch all the way from
    Swindon to DEC Park or do you put your head through the sunroof ? ;-)
    
    Terry

    Re: fuel consumption.
    
    I had an Aura Turbo Diesel for 4 days on the Digital test drive
    arrangement and averaged about 50mpg.
    
    Roy

re .128

I've been keeping the revs below 4000 when driving round town etc. and below 
3000 when cruising on the Motorway.

I do about 50 miles during the week and then at least 350 at the weekend
commuting to/from Nottingham from Basingstoke, so I was looking forward to the
40-50 mpg as well! It'll probably be going in for it's 1000/15000 mile service
next week or the beginning of the week after, so I'll make sure to mention the 
fuel consumption to them.

My old car was an Orion 1.6i and the ZX feels a lot faster. The 0-60 time is
supposed slower but the acceleration at higher speeds is *much* better.

I'll have to be careful at the pump next time I fill up, and make sure that I'm
filling it right up.

�The engine looks like somebody has got a bucket of assorted nuts, bolts and
�pipes, shaken them all up and thrown them in, but hell, I can live with that.

What? You mean that you've looked under the bonnet? 8-]

Steve.

Yeah, Gary had to check to see why that whistling noise occasionally stops!

Rob.

Every time I see this topic title, my mind wants to add 81 on the end...

    
    RE: .133
    
    Could this NISBETD be the Dougie Nesbit of CSS Ayr Mfg ( Training
    Agency Project ) fame ?
    
    
    Gordon.
    
    
    Also, reference my earlier entry .122, well the garage has since
    replaced the whole carb and almost a week later all seems well.
    
    GM...
    

>                  <<< Note 1347.134 by AYOV17::GMONTGOMERIE >>>
>                            -< NESBITD  Who ????? >-
>
>    
>    RE: .133
>    
>    Could this NISBETD be the Dougie Nesbit of CSS Ayr Mfg ( Training
>    Agency Project ) fame ?
 
Ah yes. Tell Stevie he missed a stoatar of a wedding; DECworld was nothing
compared to it. Are you allowed to eat chips yet? Are the machines still on
free vend over the weekend? Is his royal campness still working in the
American Express office? 

Tell Rab the Fat Controller is alive and well, and still living in
Basingstoke. 

Nostalgically yours,

Dougie

And remember, don't unscrew any bolts, no matter how interesting they
look...

Dougie

    
    Well, It's had the first service :-)
    
    I asked the service chap when booking it in about the apparently high
    fuel consumption and mentioned that at present it was not much better
    than my old Astra.
    
    "This is normal with diesels...you won't notice a difference until
    you've covered about 3k miles....."
    
    Again on arrival at the garage I asked the chap who took the keys at
    the service desk (yes, he was covered in oil)
    
    "Diesels take longer to 'bed in', you'll see the benefits after 3k
    miles or so...
    
    Bearing in mind I've now had three different people (one not so
    reliable source) telling me that it takes about 3k miles...I've only
    got one thing to do.....
    
    3k miles.
    
    
    Gary.
                       

    Having had the demo car for nearly a week, I thought I'd enter my
    thoughts on the ZX Aura 1.9D Turbo.
    
    The car was comfortable over a long drive (400 odd miles), fuel
    consumption I roughly calculated to be 45 mpg, plenty ofheadroom, 
    nice sounding stereo and plenty of power (for me!). 
    
    The only factor that may put me off leasing one is the one blade 
    winscreen wiper! Being quite tall, I found that approximately 25% of my 
    view (on the drivers side) was not being affected by the blade. This is 
    especially annoying if its raining or you haven't cleaned the (whole) 
    screen for a long time.
    
    Harvey
    

    .138�    The only factor that may put me off leasing one is the one blade 
    .138�    winscreen wiper! Being quite tall, I found that approximately 25% of my 
    
    I find one blade wipers a big problem under heavy rain. Even using the
    wiper top speed is not enough. 
    
    Now I understand the economics that manufacturers have to work with. As
    far as safety is concerned I think this is a serious issue.

    re .139
    
    To be fair, I didn't find any problem with the efficiency of the wipers when
    travelling in heavy rain - it was the lack of area that the wiper sweep
    took in. And yes, I agree, I think its a safety issue too.
    
    
    Rgds
    
    Harvey
     

    Well, tomorrow I've got to say goodbye to the ZX 16V demonstrator car
    Citroen Fleet lent me, and to be honest I'll be sorry to see it go.
    
    I must say I was very impressed with Citroen, the guy who delivered the
    car ran through everything before leaving, even down to how to get the
    spare wheel out !.
    
    Whilst I go on about the car, please bear in mind any comparisons I draw 
    are against the R5 GT Turbo, (my current car). 
    
    The interior is quite roomy, and I love the gadgets on the driver's
    seat, (height adjustable, side bolster adjustable, lumbar support,
    etc). Both front seats slide forward on their runners to maximise the
    amount of space you have to get into the back.
    
    I've read that the quality of some of the interior isn't up to the top
    of the class, (VWs, etc) but compared to the R5 it was an improvement.
    However, I did notice some of the soundproofing felt under the
    dashboard was hanging down. Some of the switches also looked a bit
    tacky. 
    
    Full instrumentation, (inc. oil level, pressure, and temperature). The
    speedo was a bit fussy with green/red numbers for mph and kmh. I guess
    I'd get use to it though.
    
    On the road...Fast, refined, comfy...very impressed. The engine is very
    willing to rev up to it's rev limiter, not only this but it never
    sounds harsh so it's a real joy to do so as well. (I've driven an MR2
    and the noise this thing made surprised me at first !). Apparently, the
    engine has some kind of 2 stage inlet manifold which helps to boost low
    down torque....which it does, it really goes, right from low revs.
    
    The handling is very impressive, especially in the wet. It just seems
    to grip and grip. If provoked it will understeer but it's very
    progressive and very easy to feel/control, (unlike the R5). The brakes
    are very good, (it comes with ABS as standard). I experienced no fade
    or spongy pedal feel during the 300+ miles I had it, and I wasn't
    exactly driving it gently !. It also has passive rear wheel steering
    which obviously helps it's road-holding.
    
    The looks of the car is the only question mark. I like the way it looks
    from the side and rear, but I think Citroen could've beefed up the
    front bumper/air-dam a bit.
    
    So, all I have to do now is submit a quote and see how much one of
    these things is going to cost me.
    
    Dave.
    

    Hi
    
    I've a Volcane 1.9 ZX and noticed that recently on a long journey the back
    wiper came on by itself. I had a chat with a colleague and he's had the
    same problem. Has anybody else suffered from this? Is it the automatic
    rain detector coming on :-). My views on the car are as follows:
    
    For:
    o Lots of Room and with 2 kids the 5 doors are really useful.
    o Good Performance (although could be better, I had a GTE 16V before).
    o Excellent smooth ride with good handling.
    o Build quality is very good.
    o Price.
    o All round visability (No blind spots as with the Astra).
    o Joyriders don't go for them !!!
    
    Against:
    o Fuel consumption seems on the thirsty side (approx 30 MPG).
    o Single wiper and automatic back wiper (See above problem).
    o Horn is hardly audible.
    
    Regards
    
    Eric Borkala
    
     
    

    Yep, agree with all that, although I haven't had the wiper-on problem.
    
    I also agree with you on the horn: it's pathetic!! You can see
    passers-by grinning if you try hooting anyone (that's if they notice in
    the first place you've even used the horn!)
    
    Funnily enough, I had an Astra SRi before my ZX, so our experiences are
    very similar.
    
    The one problem that's reared since the last service is for the
    engine-management system to misbehave itself. What happens is that when
    you start the car from cold, its revs will remain at 2000 rpm at idle,
    gradually declining to around 1000 rpm when the engine's warmed up (I'd
    expect some measure of increased revs due to the fuel-injection system,
    compensating for a cold engine, but this is much more than it used to
    do). Then when you drive the car around and come to a stop, the engine
    revs 'idle' at around 1100 rpm, but increase to a peak of 1500 rpm
    every couple of seconds. Occasionally the engine will behave itself and
    idle at 750 rpm.
    
    Any ideas as to what this is?
    
    
    
    Regards,
    Stephen

    Hi Stephen,
    
    I can't say that mine does the same, seems fine to me. I know once on
    the Astra I had engine Revs going to 4000 while waiting at traffic
    lights (had to switch the engine off to stop it), but I think all EMS
    have their own querks.
    
    Regards
    
    Eric
    

>>>    o Joyriders don't go for them !!!
    
    errrr Eric,
    
    I had a demonstration one for a few days and left it overnight in
    kelvin Close car park - it was broken into and totally wrecked 
    inside.... (on the plus side, they didn't actually steal the car)
    
    Paul

Watty,

Maybe they just knew it was yours!!!

Ian

PS Might see you next week when I'm up North for a day...

    Can anybody name the new 3 door model that has recently joined the
    ZX range.
    
    It has a 1.8i engine and delivers approx 105bhp.
    
    A recent car magazine should list it (I don't have one handy)
    
    What is it and how much is it ?
    
    Thanks
    
    Roy

    
    
    @ �11,500-12,500 I think
    
    
    
    Peter.

    Has anyone checked this model out. It should be low cost on 
    the lease scheme). Whats the 0 - 60 ?
    
    Roy

    
    
    @ the 8-9 second region me thinks, after reading some bumff about it
    
    
    
    
    Peter.

    Now that the Citroen ZX has been out for some while now, could anyone
    give an update on their opinion of this model. In particular, I read
    with concern the high wear rate on the rear tyres and wonder whether
    this is a reflection of the design, or driving habits.

    Secondly, any figures realistic feedback on MPG for both the turbo, and
    non-turbo versions of diesels?

    Thanking you in advance.

    -Keith-

    Have a look in the Citroen ZX note (13xx?) for my impressions given
    last year, but don't take notice of rear-tyre wear: it's the fronts you
    want to worry about!
    
    I drive a Volcane [spritedly...], and the fronts are around half-worn
    at 6000 miles. The rears look nearly new though, so I wouldn't say the
    passive rear-wheel steer has that much effect.
    
    
    Stephen

    
    Thanks Stephen.
    
    I have looked in the said note, which tended to relate to first
    impressions on the ZX. I currently have a front wheel drive and
    therefore find your half-worn figure of 6,000 miles rather surprising.
    (Even though driven spiritedly!!!) Had to change my two front ones this
    weekend for the first time after some 49,000 miles!
    
    Still interested in the MPG figures for the diesels. I see there is a
    Volcane Turbo Diesel now.
    
    -Keith-

    I have had a ZX Turbo diesel for about 4 months now, and I'm quite
    pleased with it. I get about 41.7 MPG calculated over 4465 miles using
    486.4 ltrs , but thats rowing it along and fast down motorways so I'm sure 
    it can return better if driven more  sedately. It performs well,
    like a petrol car of about 1600-1700cc and is a good motorway cruiser.
    It a bit nosiy at the higher motorway speeds, but for it price its
    acceptable. Its an Aura 5 door effort, but now the Volcane TD is
    available, better brakes and stiffer suspension, seat jack and fog lamps
    etc, which is a bit more sporty. 
    There are a lot larger and faster cars but when I refuel it with low
    cost (only just low cost) diesel I don't get envious. After my last
    company car which did 26 MPG on petrol this is a >60% cost improvement, 
    forgetting the car cost and a hatchback to boot, (excuse intended punn), 
    Overall I am very happy with the car. Can't comment on the petrol types
    though.
     

    Re -.1, out of interest, I used to have an Astra SRi, and used to drive
    it in the same manner and on the same route as I do my Volcane...
    
    I got 42000 out of my first set of tyres on that vehicle!!! Therefore I
    have concluded that the Volcane is much heavier on tyres than the
    Astra.
    
    [On the other hand, I could be driving it harder because of its far
    superior handling!]
    
    
    Rgds,
    Stephen
          

I've had the Turbo D (Aura) for 8000 miles now, and I'm getting between 40 and
42 mpg. This is doing about 500 miles per week, 50 of which is stop and start
driving where the engine bearly gets warm, and the rest is fairly fast
motorway driving. 

Steve.

    Interesting points regarding fuel consumption but its a bit of a stick
    the finger in the air job for most people. I've heard of a 130BHP
    Cavalier SRi giving 40 odd miles to the gallon, but no figures to back
    it up. Unless a concerted effort is made to check the fuel consumption
    and not just for the odd week when one decides to drive "gently" these
    consumption figures can be very misleading. Normal driving over a month
    would be a minimum, with mileage recorded at each tank filling, then
    the calculated MPG will be more realistic. After all if we are getting
    such wonderful consumption from petrol cars why are diesels selling so
    well?
    Mike
    

    Has anyone got details on the difference between the Aura and new
    Volcane turbo diesels. They are both very cheap on the car scheme.
    
    I drove the Aura TD some time ago and it felt very "ordinary".
    
    Presumably the Volcane TD has sports suspension and more supportive
    seats. Is it also available as a 3 door ?
    
    Roy
    
    PS Both the Aura and Furio that I drove had a distinctive "whistling"
       noise at speed. When I mentioned this to Citro�n they said it was a
       known "feature". Apparantly its the roof mounted aerial. Any ZX
       drivers noticed this ? Some people have found it so annoying that
       they actually changed the aerial to a different type.

	
	I've noticed the whistling noise as well, it can be very annoying. Mind 
you thats the least of the problems with my Volcane it drinks petrol at the rate
of 25mpg or slightly more on a run (28), is this also a feature ?
Citroen seem to think it should do more and just say I must be hammering it.

	What sort of MPG figures do you other Volcane drivers get ?

	I've only got mine for another day and I'm going to be very pleased to
see the back of it, it has cost me a fortune.

Andy

    Hi,
    
    I used to get the whistling aerial noise when I first got my car.
    After advice, I adjusted it, so it's almost parallel with the roof (with
    just enough space for the tilt sun roof to open) and it seemed to
    eliminate the problem. Try it.
    
    Regarding MPG, My 1.9 Volcane is returning about 5 MPG at the moment.
    Mind you, it's just gone into the garage because of a leak from the fuel
    tank (Second time). Before the leak I was getting on average about 30
    MPG (Mainly Urban driving).
    
    Everything about it says quality.
    
    Regards
    
    Eric Borkala

    I had a whistling aerial on my BX.  It was a trade-off between good
    radio reception and distant faerie pipes as far as tilting it back was
    concerned.
    
    Sometimes I stuck it up straight just to listen to it - quite musical
    at times!
    
    Richard
    
    

    
    Any comments from ZX 1.6 litre drivers? Aura or Avantage.
    
    
    Hannu

    
    Or... Any comments on the Reflex 1.9 D? Citro�n France 
    has a *very* nice offer for this model until 30 April.
    
    Thanks,
    
    -maarten.
    

    Somewhere in here, I'd mentioned that the air-con on my Volcane leaks
    all over the place in the passenger footwell.
    
    Well, thanks to the efforts of the garage, we've established that the
    reason it leaks is because the wonderful Vodafone routed part of the
    mobile phone installation through the drain pipe for the air-con
    system. Therefore, the moisture pulled out of the air in the car leaks
    out through the hole made by Vodafone, and is nothing to do with
    Citroen's ability to build a fully-functioning a/c system.
    
    Just thought I'd mention this in the interests of balanaced reporting!
    
    
    Cheers,
    Stephen

    I take it this is nothing to do with the hole made by the guy who
    nicked the phone....8*)
    
    Richard
    

    Has anyone got a roof-rack for a ZX I could borrow for a fortnight in
    late August/early September? I'd like to take our bikes on holiday, but
    don't want to shell out for a one-off purchase of a rack for about �70,
    or whatever Citroen rip you off for.
    
    
    
    Thanks,
    Stephen Delany
    REO D1, x2362

Does the base of the back seat in the ZX Volcane tip forward to allow the backs 
to lie flat and if so how ?

chuck...

All you can do - if my memory serves me correctly - is fold the back of the seats
on to the squab.

	Andy - who had a ZX volcane and tried to do this once 

    Have't got one to try, but from memory when looking at them when my car
    was due for renewal last year, the humblest model with the one-piece bench
    back only folded down onto the squab, the rest the seat pulled forward
    and tilted out and the back closed down into the well.
    
    This could be done independantly for the 1/3 or 2/3 parts, or both.
    
    Richard

    
    	On sunday I managed to blag a drive in a ZX 16v.What a smart car!
    The engine was responsive and punchy,the steering was  very stiff and
    there was no body roll at all.The interior was nicely styled, and the
    display and knobs were well placed and presented.I was also pleased
    with the FEMALE salesperson (a babe!),and the fact that she commented
    that people felt the compulsion to remove their clothes when sat in a
    16V.
    
    	I didn't oblige! But I think from a sales point of view that she
    should have,don't you!
    
    
    
    Andy.

    	Any ZX owners still with Digital who'd like to say how their ZX's
    are going now they've had them a while?  
    
    	I'm also interested if anyone's got any experience of the 3 door
    models to relate.
    
    Gwyn

    
    
    
    I'm on my 2nd ZX now and after 2 years ZX'ing, i would recommend the
    car.I had the 3dr 1.4 AVANTAGE for a year which was fine, my only real
    gripe being the huge doors on it, a bit of a pain when in a tight 
    parking space.I currently drive the REFLEX 1.9D......should've
    bought diesel years ago.The performance V economy is brill, i average
    50 mpg consistantly (give or take a mile or two either way) and it 
    handles well too.I suppose my biggest complaint is how useless the
    centre airducts are at blowing cool air , but i can live with that.
    
              ..andy