Highlights

• An increasingly rare example of the 1990 European Car of the Year
• Presented in range-topping Exclusive trim
• Imported from Japan in 2021 and hence seemingly well-preserved
• In refined 3-litre petrol and automatic guise for relaxed cruising

The Appeal

 
The Citroen XM was launched in 1989 to replace the long-serving and quirky CX model. It was made available with the refined 3-litre V6 engine making it the first Citroen to host a V6 since the Maserati engined SM. The XM was a critical success and picked up the prestigious 1990 European Car of the Year award, garnering more than twice as many votes as the second placed Mercedes SL. Over 300,000 were eventually built but today they remain a rare and intriguing sight on UK roads.
 
This example came to the UK from Japan in 2021. As with most Japanese imports this seems to be to the benefit of the XM’s bodily integrity and mechanical condition. Being a range topping Exclusive model, this XM blends a leather bound, sumptuous period interior with V6 petrol power and refinement and automatic transmission.
 

The History and Paperwork

• A very late model XM having been built in 2000 (last year of production)
• A 2001 model year, this Citroen was initially supplied to the Japanese Domestic Market
• The car was exported to the UK in 2021
• The first UK keeper acquired the car than year
• They retained it for a year until the current owner acquired it in October 2022
• At this point the XM had covered around 83,500 miles
• Around a further 13,000 miles or so have been added since then
• Today the XM is recording 154,973 kmiles
• Sadly, no paperwork was able to be photographed 
• We understand the current V5 in the name of the present keeper is on hand
• The car holds a valid, advisory free MOT until July 2025 
• The car’s MOT history back to its import in 2021 is available on the Government portal

 

The Condition

• The XM presents in its original Emerald Green livery
• Considering the car’s age the paintwork looks good
• Inevitably there are some scrapes, scratches and chips in evidence
• In places the paintwork has faded, and some lacquer peel has occurred
• Our photographer has aimed to capture these for your review
• The bodywork appears good too belying the age of the car
• The condition has likely been aided by a life on the salt-free roads of Japan
• The Citroen sits on its original set of 15-inch alloy wheels 
• These, also appear in good order but would benefit from a deep clean
• The XM Exclusive’s cabin treatment is a key highlight of the car
• It is a commendably spacious interior and sumptuously appointed in black leather
• The seats are extravagantly styled and well stuffed and padded with deep bolsters
• There is some minor age and use related fading and creasing to the driver’s seat
• The rest present very well with no issues noted or reported
• All four seats are multi-stage electrically heated
• This is a well-equipped car for the period with “electric everything” provided
• Air conditioning is also fitted as well as the unique XM feature of an “inner rear window”
• Carpets, headlining and door cards all appear in fine fettle
• The padded and ruched leather, combined with wood veneer accents is surprisingly luxurious
• The big boot is accessed via a large hatch making for a highly practical configuration

 

The Mechanics

• This XM is fitted with the range topping 3-litre V6 petrol engine
• This fuel injected unit was originally rated at around 190bhp
• Power is relayed to the front wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission
• Originally this configuration was good for 140mph plus and a sub 9 second 0-60mph
• The usual Citroen Hydractive suspension and braking system is present
• Being a V6 the respected “DIRAVI,” variable rate steering is also fitted
• The current owner rates it as “an excellent car to drive”
• As such, no known mechanical issues are reported
• The owner also has a spare engine and gearbox available

 

BEFORE YOU BUY