not surprising but as always with the common hidarulic system, only in 96 they did some changes but only regarding the steering at high speeds, they are the same from the 60´s till the early 2000´s or late 90´s, the BX sport or GT not sure now ,was my favorite ,i had a CX from early 80´s ,the car with all extras but a diesel engine 2.5 i believe
@@richardsmith5249 i had one GLX with vinyl top in black ,it had a 2.0L engine or 1.6 not sure now, as i had a taunus but van also GLX in red letters ,my family car at the time, i sold second hand cars as a third source of income, the reason why i had a lot of diferent cars from diferent brands from diferent years,my favorite Ford was a MKI Granada coupé not the fastback with 3.0L v6 engine bought to a german guy ,it was blue metalic and also black vinil top with a black interior and lot´s of wood trim in the dash ,not only and with especial iron wheels
I had a MK1 14 Leader as my first car 1998? And it was basic but great! For the size of the body it was soo light! 850kg I think. It had the old motor which was leaned backwards and it died suddenly with a broken Diff (Bamm! - no drivetrain) which was uneconomical to repair because other BXes were soo cheap those days. In total I had 4 of them: BX14 Leader in silver-grey, BX19Break in white with caramel interieur (trunk almost like Volvo Brick), BX16 TR sunroof in metallig blue, BX16(?) with ABS in silver. I loved the unique appearence and the simple but efficient hydropneumatic suspension, breaks and power-steering. The dash of the older Versions were great, reminded me of old space movies.
Brilliant humour as always, loved the 1.9 diesel I learned and carried my mates around in. It needed filling with water every journey towards the end but could drive up any hill in 4th and had a splendid bass output
I had one on loan in the early 1990s with the TU engine and wind up windows and I loved the “metallic” exhaust note. And the light weight made it fun to dive too! Great stuff!
I owned a LHD Venetian Red BX14RE in 2009. A great car and very reliable. After owning a 1990 LHD BX 16TRS 'Millesime' ( the top model in France) with power steering as standard, the BX14 with no power steering proved rather heavy. That's my only criticism. I drove from Kent to Morocco in the BX16TRS and back to UK with no problems at all. Surprisingly economical too for a petrol engine but then the weight of the car is only about 750 kilos.
I had a 1990 bx 1.7 diesel and I lived it, everyone said oh that will cost you a fortune when all that fancy pants suspension goes wrong but I maintained the car and was so impressed with brakes
the suspenction is common to all so anywhere mechanics can fix anything on it , the later XM and xantia had the same system from the DS, SM ,CX and GS only the Xantia´s kind of MKII they solved a problem ,well not a problem but some drivers always complained for a powered steering too soft at high speeds but it was solved but never was a problem , some do complain when more or less all cars started to have assisted power steering and when crashing they blamed the power steering, this in the 80´s
Nice vid, enjoyed it! There aren't many that would sing the praises of a car that never really got the respect it deserved. Early nineties I owned the 14RE (Image) with the old, canted, gearbox-in-the-sump layout. I was working as a mechanic at the time (when you didn't need a degree in computer sciences or advanced avionics for that job yet) and it was an absolute nightmare to work on. I went on record to say that as much as I loved Citroëns there wasn't enough money in the world to make me work for Citroën. At some point, the clutch gave out and I gave up. If I had gotten the TU engine, I'd probably still own it.
Had a BX14 TGE from 2004 - 2009. Really regret selling it. It was Triton Green. Fun to drive and so comfy! H49RAB where are you now? Only just occurred to me that all my subsequent Citroën's had the 1.4 tu engine (ZX, Berlingo, mk2 C3), well all except my current 2cv! Covered loads of miles with TU engine and found them completely reliable.
I got all excited after watching this video for a few minutes. I jumped on the national used car sales website here in Australia, and was immediately brought back to earth. There are literally zero used BX's for sale in the whole of Australia. There are 3 Xantias priced at $1500, $5500 and $14,000 so I guess there might be something to look at there, but sadly we don't have the choice that you have in the UK when it comes to used Citroens.
Unfortunately my budget is limited and shipping costs would double the cost of the thing. But if I wanted an AU like Hubnut's they are certainly cheap and plentiful here. There was a BA Tickford parked in my street the other day that sparked my interest.
I own a BX GTi and it's great to see so many views and people interested in this car, I thought it's not that relevant since my videos only get a few views. I guess it's not depend on the car itself but rather the content/channel.
My mechanic has a BX 14 RE with the fancy model name Mistral. I have driven it a couple of times while my Xantia was in for some work at his shop. It is brilliant! Very low gearing though, so even though it is a 5 speed you often find yourself in 5th gear already at 30-35 mph and when reaching motorway speed it is already starting to scream a bit. But very very charming 😃👍👍
First BX was a 16 diesel, bought it in '84 to go to Germany on posting. Drove it for three years, and then swapped it for the estate - another four years of that. Was NEVER let down once - for any reason. Crazy comfortable and economical, and with the dealer less than ten minutes away, servicing was a doddle. Not to mention our first Citroen, an acid-yellow 1015 GS, bought as an ex-demo car in '74, that totted up 92K miles....utter hoot. We loved it with its tan interior and the round dials by Veglia instead of the loony strip meters. And then, they lost their way. the XM was more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz we chose instead....a 240D estate big enough to hold our daughter's wheelchair. That was Citroen and us, over.
How the hell did my old car find its way to you? That's fantastic! I thought it disappeared for good! I don't know if its service history file was lost after I sold it as it's been through at least two owners since. It's had quite an eventful life for sure. I can send you a message with what I remember if you wish.
Well this is a surprise, it's in my ownership for just over a year now I believe there might be some of the paperwork still left but I'd love to know some more history about it.
I was given a lift from the ferry to Amsterdam about 25 years ago in a very early BX 14E with a 4 speed box. Rather busy on the dual carriageway but I remember the big, squishy back seat and cushy, floaty ride was wonderful. A short ride made a big impression.
For a couple of years at the beginning of the '90s, I had a 1.9 Turbo Diesel company car in that same red with a patterned grey interior and I loved it. When I left the company, I asked if I could buy it but being only 2 years old they said no!
The Citroen BX always reminds me of the Dutch film, The Flodder Family / a family to smooch. Thanks to the social worker Werner, the anti-social Flodder family is relocated to the noble Dutch district of Sonnenschein (Zonnedael = Sonnental in Dutch) as part of a “socio-political experiment” because the previous property is contaminated. The family consists of the single or non-parental alcoholic Gertraude, called Ma, her five wayward children Johnnie, Klaus (in the original Kees), the daughter Kees, and the younger Tina (Toet) and Holgie (Henkie), the one in the wheelchair sitting grandfather and dog whiskey. Within a very short time it becomes clear that they are simply out of place there. While Tina and Holgie let their grandfather race around with mother's whiskey as fuel and without brakes, Klaus is chatting up the women from the tennis club. The whole family is making life more and more difficult for the neighbors. So Ma Flodder causes a serious accident with a sales van on the highway. The grandfather dies after Tina leaves him alone at the railroad crossing. And after an attack on the family's car, they blackmail their neighbor for an expensive BX 4TC with some sexual photos. When asked how he wanted to pay, with Mastercard, Eurocard, in cash? He replied.. With Polaroid and put the photos down.
I unfortunately never got a chance to drive a 14. I drove a couple 16s and a GTi though. I fully agree with all the points in this video, and it made me interested in trying a 14.
My first car was a 1984 BX16 in 1991. I did rather enjoy it when it was working ok. The alternator failed when I was in Edinburgh, I had to drive 3hrs south non-stop whilst in total fear of getting stuck with no lights and a flat battery, no mobile phones in those days either. I just made it back home with the headlights on the power of one candle each. Car did go quite fast though. I think I turned it in because the carburettor got fiddled with and couldn't get it back working properly again. Since then I've owned nothing but the most blandest of cars. It was a quirky car even in it's day without great adulation. People are probably more curious about them now than when they were new.
The BX is the answer to a lot of older citroen quandries.. not a DS or SM but comfy, interesting, affordable, and reasonably simple. I do wish citroen had made a BX trim level with luxury door cards with softer arm rests, less blank switch centre console, and nicer pillar trims to better match the lovely velour seats available.
I got a C6, not doing the work on it myself but I got a guy who has the tools and knowledge. It has been pretty reliable car for the past 6-7 years. I've watched all of your C6 videos and those would definitely put a doubt in my mind for buying one if I hadn't got one lol. My first car was a XM, I'm really tempted to sell the C6 and try to get a V6 XM
The C6 is wonderful, but flawed. And that's not helped by Citroen's constant chopping and changing of their mindset; One minute they want to celebrate their heritage, the next they want to make cheap versions of Peugeots and forget everything great they've ever done. And then if they do remember it, they rebrand it as something else. They seem to be pretty bad at reading the room. Last year, during the BXs 40th anniversary they said they were going to honour the BX with a new concept version. That turned out to be the 'Oli' which was nothing like a BX in any regard, other than the fact it was angular and had some plastic panels. I honestly don't know what they're up to at times. I don't think they do, either.
@@UPnDOWN yeah, the 'oli' is not a BX, after the C6 there were no Citroen that I would want to buy until C5X rolled out, so I got it and now I have read that Citroen wants to axe the C5X because it is not what people want, Citroen has lost it for sure
5:26 Perodua Kenari. The one you saw was an earlier version with roof rails, which were deleted from the later versions. Perodua was/is part owned by Daihatsu and produced its own versions of previous-generation Daihatsu vehicles, hence its similarity to the ’Move’. The Kenari was the better looking of the two with its four, round headlights in place of the two rectangular lights of the Move. Had one as an hire car on holiday once. Brilliant little car, so small you could park it almost anywhere, easy to see out through its large glass area and I am convinced it was bigger on the inside than on the outside!
Loved my BX 1.9RD, changed it for a CX 2.5DTR Turbo when I swapped my caravan . The CX defined torque and smmoth ride. Plagued by rusty seans along the roof. Swapped that for a Peugeot 505 2.5 diesel when I bought a building plot and wanted something simpler. All great cars
Thanks for the mention my dude! I can't wait to get my Mk1 on the road & I'm so glad you've made this video on the 14s, I nearly passed on mine because I wanted to save up for a GTi 8 valve but I'm glad I have a 14RE & after owning a 1.6 Talbot Alpine for six years, I'm really curious to see how the two compare because on paper, the two should perform similar. Pretty sure the suitcase engine was a collaboration between Peugeot & Renault in the early seventies for the Peugeot 104 & Renault 14. The Simca poissy engine was canted back 42 degrees & had an iron block
Definitely worth getting yours on the road, it's a very rare and special car nowadays! I'd have it over a GTi 8v, for sure. You might be right with the engine, I always get muddled up on the XY!
I had two BX16RSes. The first had the original blue plastic dash with the drum speedo and powerless steering. The second had the later dash, power steering and an enormous electric sunroof. Both were red. I loved the shape and the colour, and used to pretend I was driving a five-door Countach. This has me toying with the notion of replacing my lovely, practical Xsara Picasso.
Well done making bonkers films for bonkers people.....my daily driver just happens to be a red F reg 14RE and for whatever reason its honesty gives me total pleasure and respect for what it does. Thankfully I have a superb specialist nearby and its been my daily ( I'm retired) coming up 8 years to compliment my CX and Dyane. ......and thats somebody whos owned 3 Xantias including a V6 Exclusive ! Yes Id like power steering like I had on my 19RD twenty years ago but I'll manage.
I can imagine a 14RE still makes a semi-decent DD, if you're not worried about tech or safety! For comfort and frugality, they're still pretty good even today!
I had a few of these back in the day. I had a 1984 1.6 (I think?) and I remember the clutch pedal breaking due to the spot welds breaking off. A simple job to fix. I then had a 1.9 diesel - two of these and finally a virtually unused 2L Auto belonging to a church with about 15K miles on it. They were all amazing cars and I have the best memories of all of them. My 1988 F reg 1.9 diesel in a light blue colour was my favourite. Nowadays, here in Australia, I drive something else highly innovative - a BYD Atto 3 EV. Completely different cars but also pushing technology to produce vehicles that are fun to drive. Thanks for the review.
Had a BX 1.9 GT Digit I think it was called. Super comfortable, suspension problems wasn't anymore expensive than 'normal' suspension. Great ' courting' car at the time! Those were the days. I remember mind had a plastic bonnet and tailgate and the LCD dash was fantastic at night. Would be a good future classic.
I bought a new 14RE in 1988. It had the earlier engine. Absolutely loved the car. It felt posh at the time, compared with Fords and Vauxhall's. Well equipped - first car I had with 5 speed gearbox, electric windows and central locking 😀. It was a bit noisy, but comfortable and reliable. I replaced it with a Mazda RX7.
We bought a 1989 G plate, 1.6 . Terrific family car for us All electric , including power steering and sunroof. The engine went after a few of years of faithful usage 😂❤❤❤❤. I'd love another one and now looking around
I've had 3 BX14's-really nice cars to drive.Very comfortable with loads of room.Never had any problems with the suspension, but the engines did have a tendency to 'pink'
I basically daily my BX diesel at times. It's been more reliable than some of the modern cars I've had. Despite being essentially a former abandoned car, and time throwing its worst at it, it's still able to pay its way as a useful car just as it was designed to be. I haven't owned a BX 14, but I have driven one. They're fine cars. TUs do last well. They do all need looking after now but once you know what does what, it's not a particularly difficult car to work with in any form. For a car that was left in a hedge for a decade, I've done over 10k in mine now, been all over Holland across as far as Germany and down through to Normandy, and several trips all over England. Previous owners seemingly gave up on it when it had a lot of life still. As with all old cars, rust is the real killer. Everything else is fairly easy to fix, but the rot is a problem if you can't weld, or have access to someone who can.
BXs are indeed pretty easy to work on and the engines are strong and flexible as well. Had two in the past, a 14 Cannes and a 16 Chic, the 14 Cannes had a blown headgasket and 5 totally worn HP-spheres which made the suspension rockhard. I fixed it on my driveway without a torquewrech or having skimmed the head and replaced all the spheres, just remember to depressurize the system otherwise you will get green. The car's still going to this day 💪🏻. The 16 Chic had to pull 3 tons of dirt once. No issues at all, the engine didn't moan and the self-levelling suspension worked like charm.
Had an early Mk2 Renault 5 as my first car, and I still have it. But what do i have now instead of the Renault as my daily? A 1987 BX19TRS! Its been a huge learning curve, but i primarily wanted to learn how the hydropneumatics worked because im geeky like that. Having done typical 37 year old mechanical part replacements, ive now done 11k in the last year. The novelty of the suspension is just part of my love for it. The other half comes from the way the car handles under braking and in corners. My saying is, "it defies the laws of physics." Its perfectly compliant over bumps, but under braking it hunkers down flat, in corners, it rolls until the mechanical slack is taken up, then its really well composed, whilst still remaining a soft ride. Its genius. By comparison to my renault 5, it takes away the elements that annoy me, with the anti dip/dive and the 80s build quality, which is definitely better. You cant easily remove interior trim from an 80s Renault without making it look like the dog chewed it. Bx, on the other hand, it survives really well! I got my BX as a "grandad had a xantia and i always wanted to learn how the hydraulics worked" Its turned into my dependable daily driver and its swallowing the mileage with a yawn! Highly recommend a BX as a starter into hydropneumatics!
Lol, when I took the dashboard out my Mk1 Renault Trafic last autumn, it litteraly fell apart as I was dismantling it, I ended up with a "pile" of dashboard on the floor🤣
Had 2 BXs first one I used was a Turbo Diesel for Private Hire, always complimented for the ride and handling despite whatever I was carrying, I did get myself locked out at Birmingham airport because a passenger locked the door after I had unloaded the boot and closed the tailgate with the engine running, airport police not amused. I bought a 1.4 RE as a backup vehicle but ended up renting it out to another driver who put many hard miles on it for 6 months, he expected me to give it to him saying it was knackered (it wasn't) so I sold it to a Citroen fan and I believe it is still running, not just good cars, great cars if the rust was sorted, just like other makes of that era.
Hi, renaults never got the TU, on your 19s it was most probably the 1.4 Energy, which is basically Renault's version of the TU, they're very similar in design. I think the 19s got the Cleon-fonte engine aswell, but that is a much older design, but no less reliable.
I have to agree with you on the TU engine. Its such a lovely engine to work on as there is space to get to everything, even in an AX GT engine bay like mine. I have a BX 16 TRS as well, and its a slow cruiser but part of me wishes its was a 14 TU. I really like the look of the pastel coloured Mk1 14E's in opal fruit colours. One of those with a TU engine in would be minimalistic beauty personified. Cheers Steve
I used to own a BX 14 TGE estate. It was very cheap, but needed a lot of work and I couldn't keep it. As it was such a light car, it went really well and was very fun to drive.
Around 20 yrs ago i purchased a 2nd hand BX16 Gti and it was the most comfortable car ive had. Strangely though, everytime it rained i got a silhouette of the terminator on the rear screen, i washed AND cleaned it many times inside & out but it kept coming back.
I had the bx19 Rd diesel, loved it! I only sold it when I moved to the deep countryside and the rocky mud roads kept ripping the green gunk pipes off the bottom.
I had a GTi back in ‘99, it was 10 years old at that point and cost me £400 which tells you what condition it was in, however it was huge fun, quick and importantly the suspension worked flawlessly. Oh and let’s not forget the BX was designed by the guy that designed the Muira.
I read a letter in a magazine from someone who'd driven back from the south of France to England in his Aston in the '80s. He passed the same BX diesel three times, it kept passing him when he was filling up.
I had two BXs. The second was a 14 St Tropez. It might even have been one you pictured, I can't remember the reg, but it went to another BX fan. I did miss power steering when I was recovering from an arm injury. I also found it a bit low geared and busy on the motorway. The other irritating thing was that the folding rear seat was not as versatile as on the BX19 I'd owned previously.
Thanks Richard, enjoyed it again! A lot of work to edit this one I assume. I own a 14RE XY engine, I can confirm what you are saying, however it hurts a bit😅 and if you ask me, the phase one is the better looking one. Thanks again for the video
I don't dislike the XY, but from a maintenance POV they're a bit of a pig. It was already old tech when the BX came out. No hate on it, though. In fact, they probably handle the best of all the BXs.
@@UPnDOWN yes you are right! got the same engine (different Carb) in my Peugeot 205 CT. And that engine has been out, for two times already :p but is now almost honda beat-fun to drive again, thanks for the video
Sold! It's a good point. love the torque of my Turbodiesel, but after squirreling my hands & arms through the density of the engine bay doing jobs, a 14 would be a dream. Nice sound when it revs too. A good friend had one years ago: "really nippy". I've had 2 x 16s & a Gti, Petrols suit the BX, it was designed that way. I'm becoming more convinced it's best to have 2 to rotate. I'd be curious what rpm it does in 5th @ 70mph. Probably 3.5k?
One of my first cars was BX 14 Premiere. Fuel injected and something like 75-80 hp. Only thing I missed was an extra gear. It was a comfortable ride and very reliable, but my ears were bleeding at >100 km/h. It had 5 speeds but gear ratios were very short (to compensate lack of torque of course). Short gear ratios could be one reason why people avoid 14:s I think. Still I miss that simplicity and loads of room under the hood.
My Dad had a BX, I used to drive it while blasting Jean Michel Jarre and playing around with the suspension and setting it on 'moon buggy' mode 😂 Good times. Unfortunately it spontaneously combusted while parked in the drive! Think there was in issue with that and Citroen were aware, but for some reason my dad's VIN wasn't included in any recall/compensation as far as I remember.
Massive Citroen fan . Have owned a CX prestige c6 2cv ds21 . I would like a BX one day, but alway put off by the fact they look like they are made from folded cardboard, and like a say I have owned and loved a 2cv !
You forgot to mention 2 things: 1. The fiber bonnet which does NOT rust, 2. the humongous cargo space, especially with the back seats flattened. Yep, I have a 14TGE with injection from 1993, my late fathers car.
I'm owner of Citroen BX 14 TGE (1992) and I have similar opinion. This car is less problematic than my older BX (16 TGI 1990). Of course, in this case, most important is car condition, but simpler hydraulic system in my newest BX can be advantage (lack of powered steering wheel). Also, in my opinion BX that's not exactly equivalent of cars like Ford Sierra or Volskwagen Passat. BX that's a car located between C-segment cars and D-segment cars. For me, 1.4 engine (75 PS) is good enough for BX, due small weight of a vehicle (below 1000 kg).
I bought a BX 1.4RE in Venetian red identical to this one in 1990 it was registered E410NSC it was my first car bought with my own money after the Allegro I was gifted by my grandmother when she died. I loved the car but it did not love me it was plagued with gremlins , central locking and electric windows had a life of their own and would activate and deactivate depending on the mood they were in that day, I had an after marked alarm fitted to it and on a hot day after a drive with the ignition off and the car parked the cooling fan would switch on and trigger the alarm, my neighbours hated me. Car only had 75hp but it felt quite quick I am guessing because the bonnet and boot were plastic which reduced weight, it was fantastic in deep rutted snow, living in rural Scotland it was easy to drive on deep rutted snow covered roads and because I could raise the suspension I could clear the deep snow the standard Michelin MX tyres were perfect for the job and the car rarely got stuck the only thing I disliked about the car was the notchy graunchy gearbox that shared the same oil as the engine, so in the freezing winter the gearbox would not loosen up until the car had been driven for sometime to warm up the oil, car failed every MOT for some reason MOT testers really went over that car and found the smallest thing to report and failed it the car had less than 40,000 miles. The car gave up in 1993 for some reason one of the con rods let go and punched a hole in the block the car had plenty of oil and had not long had its service. I have not gone back to French cars since but it was an interesting car with lots of quirks and character.
A Series 1 Xantia is a pretty good shout too. But the BX is more fun to drive. Here in Sweden we only got the 75Hp fuel injected TU engine due to to catalyst requirement. I had a 19GTI 8V, great fun!
A sierra must have beeen an ascona copetitor surely. And the taunus/scorpio was the rekord/omega mk1in opel terms. The bx was touted as a golf/escort competitor here I think, it always felt bigger though like you say. But real citroens never fit in to the normal class system employed by other makers though.
I have the 1.6GTi 115HP and the 1.7 TRD Turbo Tecnic and they are indeed a little more complicated than a 14 , both work fine ... unless something broke's down , but never had one that stranded , normally a electric power window , a electric door lock fail , ruptured sphere membranes , steering rack /suspension /HC Hub ruptured dust covers, the usual on 30+ Years old cars .
I bought new BX in 1987. The top gear slipped out on the over run at 400 miles and Citroen refused, after 3 rebuilds to replace the gearbox. The garage replaced the gearbox after it selected two gears at once. At 3 years old it failed its MOT on rusty suspension pipes and brake pipes. Then the drivers door hinge rusted through shortly afterwards. Surprisingly, I have never owned a Citroen since.
I had my dad's 1991 BX as my first car. Something broke down on it every 300 miles on average during my tenure as owner. Leaking pipes, door falling off, clutch cable snapping on a hill in heavy traffic, starter motor packing in at 3am when I had to go home. And yet it was my favourite car ever.
I had a red BX14 RE back in the early 90s. I bought it as a low mileage two year old. It was very cheap even then as everybody wanted the bigger engines. Their loss. I watched it for two months sticking on a main dealers forecourt and then went in with a very low offer which was with teeth sucking accepted. It was a great car, comfortable, smooth, reliable (gasp) economical, light with the plastic panels. Worth avoiding a Mk1 as the unprotected suspension fluid pipes along the tunnel corroded with UK salted roads. The Mk2 and Mk3 BXs has the pipes plastic coated. Problem solved.
The tu is a great engine, I owned one of the last ones made in a 2013 peugeot 207 estate It was odd as peugeot/Citroen sold the same cars with a 1.4 engine, base models got the tu engine and higher trims got the newer 1.4 engine....they were the engine shared with the new mini that crap themselves at low mileages Never bought a new psa car after that, all their new engines seemed flawed
Vitz is the domestic market (Japan) name for what we know as the Yaris. They are/were exported in large numbers as ‘grey imports’ to certain RHD markets such as NZ & Australia as well as Cyprus where they are often used in the holiday car rental sector.
i have some citroens but the BX was kind of a boxy car but a friend bought the GT(graphite metalizedpaint alloy wheels a litle spoiler in the back with leather sport seats or Citroen confortable and looking sporty seats and what a drive but it looked strange as i had some citroens earlier and later and nothing related , only the quality of driving is there , no doubt in that
I do like "Citroën---yness". ^^ Who mounted the "fish-and-chips bar"? In Europe, the "Leader" livery was available on silver and light blue BXes, not on white ones.
I had several BX in the 80's as company cars. They were quite reliable, and yes, this 1.4 petrol is sufficient, as the 1.9 Diesel also, no need for the turbo version. But there is a drawback: the fantastic road manners of the previous Citroën cars were already gone. Avoid the motorways when it rains a bit much with side wind (quite an hazard!), and when overtaking a lorry, hold the wheel strongly with both hands ! Caming from a GS, I was more than surprised, rather shocked. Be very, very careful with this car. I forgot to mention the strong reactions in the steering when there are bumps in a bend...
I had a bx 14tge had headgasket isuess bought another with good engine and swapped the engines every other day as couldn't decide which one i wanted white or green lol very easy work on
I always liked the shape and style of the BX and chose one as the replacement for my first company car, a Sierra. Irritatingly, between choosing it and the delivery date, my company did a dodgy deal with Vauxhall and I ended up with Cavalier instead 😏
The initial version is the best way to own a car designed by iconic designer Marcello Gandini, as Citroën did not have the money to modify his initial design, and the car really has his handwriting on many details.
Cool story, Kitch; thank you. There is a big car show in my neighbourhood this weekend. When I see a BX in Porsche-and-Mercedes-Land, I’ll let you know… Take care, see you » Martin (C1 low spec) 🚗💨🇫🇷
My first car was a white series 1 BX14E. The engine was however very agricultural (same oil in the gearbox as in the rest) and the general BX built quality is a bit nag (rust being the enemy, especially because it becomes visible so late). I still pine a bit after it but owning XM’s since then is a good enough plaster. 😉
After watching your video and the episode of "Flipping Bangers" where Gus Gregory describes it as "this most perfect of cars," I sure would like to own a BX, but they are fairly rare in the States. By the way, I appreciate your choice of intermittent background music (an unpretentious organ rendition of "Thou Swell" by Rodgers and Hart -- nice!).
@@UPnDOWN NOW I do, now that I've watched Jack's (of channel "Number 27") videos about the car. So Jack's BX is the 16v from Flipping Bangers, which he subsequently sold to JayEmm. Small world! Thanks for pointing it out.
I've got the TU 1.4 engine in my ZX. Unfortunately it's knocking now, possibly the bottom end. So it will need to be replaced or rebuilt. Goes well enough still.
I'm just here the number plates. Gorgeous Serck font! BX 14s are nice. Bit busy on the motorway but they go surprisingly well.
You need to buy one now. Or, even better, a BX11 with an international collection caper. You know you want to.
I'll help!
@@RGChandler That's laying down the gauntlet. A Hubnut challenge. BX11 or bust!
not surprising but as always with the common hidarulic system, only in 96 they did some changes but only regarding the steering at high speeds, they are the same from the 60´s till the early 2000´s or late 90´s, the BX sport or GT not sure now ,was my favorite ,i had a CX from early 80´s ,the car with all extras but a diesel engine 2.5 i believe
I think Mrs hubnut would suit an ax..
for the full new driver experience 😁
...and maybe to reach the pedals..
"Racing beige", there are no two words that go less well together.
Back in the day, MkIII Cortinas came in a colour that was known as West London Racing Bronze. Unofficially, obviously.
🎯😁
that is a colour i never heard of...beige is a strange colour but i remenber it, at least the Beige cars if it was Racing? i can´t tell
@@richardsmith5249 i had one GLX with vinyl top in black ,it had a 2.0L engine or 1.6 not sure now, as i had a taunus but van also GLX in red letters ,my family car at the time, i sold second hand cars as a third source of income, the reason why i had a lot of diferent cars from diferent brands from diferent years,my favorite Ford was a MKI Granada coupé not the fastback with 3.0L v6 engine bought to a german guy ,it was blue metalic and also black vinil top with a black interior and lot´s of wood trim in the dash ,not only and with especial iron wheels
In 47 years of driving, the BX is the only car I caught myself falling asleep on a long drive. SO comfortable !!
I had a MK1 14 Leader as my first car 1998? And it was basic but great! For the size of the body it was soo light! 850kg I think. It had the old motor which was leaned backwards and it died suddenly with a broken Diff (Bamm! - no drivetrain) which was uneconomical to repair because other BXes were soo cheap those days. In total I had 4 of them: BX14 Leader in silver-grey, BX19Break in white with caramel interieur (trunk almost like Volvo Brick), BX16 TR sunroof in metallig blue, BX16(?) with ABS in silver. I loved the unique appearence and the simple but efficient hydropneumatic suspension, breaks and power-steering. The dash of the older Versions were great, reminded me of old space movies.
Brilliant humour as always, loved the 1.9 diesel I learned and carried my mates around in. It needed filling with water every journey towards the end but could drive up any hill in 4th and had a splendid bass output
@Turnipstalk That was likely it, nice find, but ours was sold on with faults to a private taxi firm so we never found out.
I had one on loan in the early 1990s with the TU engine and wind up windows and I loved the “metallic” exhaust note. And the light weight made it fun to dive too! Great stuff!
I owned a LHD Venetian Red BX14RE in 2009. A great car and very reliable. After owning a 1990 LHD BX 16TRS 'Millesime' ( the top model in France) with power steering as standard, the BX14 with no power steering proved rather heavy. That's my only criticism. I drove from Kent to Morocco in the BX16TRS and back to UK with no problems at all. Surprisingly economical too for a petrol engine but then the weight of the car is only about 750 kilos.
Driven an AX, 2cv and Xantia, never a BX, great video, well explained, enjoyed
I had a 1990 bx 1.7 diesel and I lived it, everyone said oh that will cost you a fortune when all that fancy pants suspension goes wrong but I maintained the car and was so impressed with brakes
the suspenction is common to all so anywhere mechanics can fix anything on it , the later XM and xantia had the same system from the DS, SM ,CX and GS only the Xantia´s kind of MKII they solved a problem ,well not a problem but some drivers always complained for a powered steering too soft at high speeds but it was solved but never was a problem , some do complain when more or less all cars started to have assisted power steering and when crashing they blamed the power steering, this in the 80´s
Nice vid, enjoyed it! There aren't many that would sing the praises of a car that never really got the respect it deserved. Early nineties I owned the 14RE (Image) with the old, canted, gearbox-in-the-sump layout. I was working as a mechanic at the time (when you didn't need a degree in computer sciences or advanced avionics for that job yet) and it was an absolute nightmare to work on. I went on record to say that as much as I loved Citroëns there wasn't enough money in the world to make me work for Citroën. At some point, the clutch gave out and I gave up.
If I had gotten the TU engine, I'd probably still own it.
I love your work! Witty, informative, loaded with humour.
Now, I want a Bx 14
Had a BX14 TGE from 2004 - 2009. Really regret selling it. It was Triton Green. Fun to drive and so comfy! H49RAB where are you now? Only just occurred to me that all my subsequent Citroën's had the 1.4 tu engine (ZX, Berlingo, mk2 C3), well all except my current 2cv! Covered loads of miles with TU engine and found them completely reliable.
Nice video. 3:43 will have generated smiles all round!
My first two cars where Citroens and honestly loved them and wish I was still driving them today. Had so much fun in them plus they never left me down
Fascinating history and helpful advice on what to go considering all models they made. Great video as always.
Cheers Ian
I got all excited after watching this video for a few minutes. I jumped on the national used car sales website here in Australia, and was immediately brought back to earth. There are literally zero used BX's for sale in the whole of Australia. There are 3 Xantias priced at $1500, $5500 and $14,000 so I guess there might be something to look at there, but sadly we don't have the choice that you have in the UK when it comes to used Citroens.
This is, being that you use RHD too, surely you could have one shipped over from here to there? Do a reverse HubNut?!
Unfortunately my budget is limited and shipping costs would double the cost of the thing. But if I wanted an AU like Hubnut's they are certainly cheap and plentiful here. There was a BA Tickford parked in my street the other day that sparked my interest.
I own a BX GTi and it's great to see so many views and people interested in this car, I thought it's not that relevant since my videos only get a few views. I guess it's not depend on the car itself but rather the content/channel.
I will go check your video now as well... I love those old Citroen.
Great cars. I had an F reg GTi in metallic blue.
@@stuwhite2337 sorry but what is a f reg?
@@DIY-Mechanic sorry! 1988 model year in the UK
My mechanic has a BX 14 RE with the fancy model name Mistral. I have driven it a couple of times while my Xantia was in for some work at his shop. It is brilliant! Very low gearing though, so even though it is a 5 speed you often find yourself in 5th gear already at 30-35 mph and when reaching motorway speed it is already starting to scream a bit. But very very charming 😃👍👍
First BX was a 16 diesel, bought it in '84 to go to Germany on posting. Drove it for three years, and then swapped it for the estate - another four years of that. Was NEVER let down once - for any reason. Crazy comfortable and economical, and with the dealer less than ten minutes away, servicing was a doddle. Not to mention our first Citroen, an acid-yellow 1015 GS, bought as an ex-demo car in '74, that totted up 92K miles....utter hoot. We loved it with its tan interior and the round dials by Veglia instead of the loony strip meters. And then, they lost their way. the XM was more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz we chose instead....a 240D estate big enough to hold our daughter's wheelchair. That was Citroen and us, over.
How the hell did my old car find its way to you? That's fantastic! I thought it disappeared for good! I don't know if its service history file was lost after I sold it as it's been through at least two owners since. It's had quite an eventful life for sure. I can send you a message with what I remember if you wish.
Well this is a surprise, it's in my ownership for just over a year now I believe there might be some of the paperwork still left but I'd love to know some more history about it.
I was given a lift from the ferry to Amsterdam about 25 years ago in a very early BX 14E with a 4 speed box. Rather busy on the dual carriageway but I remember the big, squishy back seat and cushy, floaty ride was wonderful. A short ride made a big impression.
Great vid, man. So enthused, detail, encouragement, the wry take on it all. Want one now. But alas, I have enough cars...apparently...
For a couple of years at the beginning of the '90s, I had a 1.9 Turbo Diesel company car in that same red with a patterned grey interior and I loved it. When I left the company, I asked if I could buy it but being only 2 years old they said no!
The Citroen BX always reminds me of the Dutch film, The Flodder Family / a family to smooch. Thanks to the social worker Werner, the anti-social Flodder family is relocated to the noble Dutch district of Sonnenschein (Zonnedael = Sonnental in Dutch) as part of a “socio-political experiment” because the previous property is contaminated. The family consists of the single or non-parental alcoholic Gertraude, called Ma, her five wayward children Johnnie, Klaus (in the original Kees), the daughter Kees, and the younger Tina (Toet) and Holgie (Henkie), the one in the wheelchair sitting grandfather and dog whiskey.
Within a very short time it becomes clear that they are simply out of place there. While Tina and Holgie let their grandfather race around with mother's whiskey as fuel and without brakes, Klaus is chatting up the women from the tennis club. The whole family is making life more and more difficult for the neighbors. So Ma Flodder causes a serious accident with a sales van on the highway. The grandfather dies after Tina leaves him alone at the railroad crossing. And after an attack on the family's car, they blackmail their neighbor for an expensive BX 4TC with some sexual photos. When asked how he wanted to pay, with Mastercard, Eurocard, in cash? He replied.. With Polaroid and put the photos down.
Nerd moment. The XY suitcase engine was a joint development between Peugeot at Renault, no Simca input. As always a great vid
I unfortunately never got a chance to drive a 14. I drove a couple 16s and a GTi though. I fully agree with all the points in this video, and it made me interested in trying a 14.
My first car was a 1984 BX16 in 1991. I did rather enjoy it when it was working ok. The alternator failed when I was in Edinburgh, I had to drive 3hrs south non-stop whilst in total fear of getting stuck with no lights and a flat battery, no mobile phones in those days either. I just made it back home with the headlights on the power of one candle each. Car did go quite fast though. I think I turned it in because the carburettor got fiddled with and couldn't get it back working properly again. Since then I've owned nothing but the most blandest of cars. It was a quirky car even in it's day without great adulation. People are probably more curious about them now than when they were new.
That engine startup for the test run was very reminiscent of the lets off-road clips from the fast show. 😂
The BX is the answer to a lot of older citroen quandries.. not a DS or SM but comfy, interesting, affordable, and reasonably simple.
I do wish citroen had made a BX trim level with luxury door cards with softer arm rests, less blank switch centre console, and nicer pillar trims to better match the lovely velour seats available.
"Commiserations" 😂😂 good man
I got a C6, not doing the work on it myself but I got a guy who has the tools and knowledge. It has been pretty reliable car for the past 6-7 years. I've watched all of your C6 videos and those would definitely put a doubt in my mind for buying one if I hadn't got one lol. My first car was a XM, I'm really tempted to sell the C6 and try to get a V6 XM
The C6 is wonderful, but flawed. And that's not helped by Citroen's constant chopping and changing of their mindset; One minute they want to celebrate their heritage, the next they want to make cheap versions of Peugeots and forget everything great they've ever done. And then if they do remember it, they rebrand it as something else. They seem to be pretty bad at reading the room.
Last year, during the BXs 40th anniversary they said they were going to honour the BX with a new concept version. That turned out to be the 'Oli' which was nothing like a BX in any regard, other than the fact it was angular and had some plastic panels.
I honestly don't know what they're up to at times. I don't think they do, either.
@@UPnDOWN yeah, the 'oli' is not a BX, after the C6 there were no Citroen that I would want to buy until C5X rolled out, so I got it and now I have read that Citroen wants to axe the C5X because it is not what people want, Citroen has lost it for sure
5:26 Perodua Kenari.
The one you saw was an earlier version with roof rails, which were deleted from the later versions.
Perodua was/is part owned by Daihatsu and produced its own versions of previous-generation Daihatsu vehicles, hence its similarity to the ’Move’.
The Kenari was the better looking of the two with its four, round headlights in place of the two rectangular lights of the Move.
Had one as an hire car on holiday once. Brilliant little car, so small you could park it almost anywhere, easy to see out through its large glass area and I am convinced it was bigger on the inside than on the outside!
Loved my BX 1.9RD, changed it for a CX 2.5DTR Turbo when I swapped my caravan . The CX defined torque and smmoth ride. Plagued by rusty seans along the roof. Swapped that for a Peugeot 505 2.5 diesel when I bought a building plot and wanted something simpler. All great cars
Thanks for the mention my dude! I can't wait to get my Mk1 on the road & I'm so glad you've made this video on the 14s, I nearly passed on mine because I wanted to save up for a GTi 8 valve but I'm glad I have a 14RE & after owning a 1.6 Talbot Alpine for six years, I'm really curious to see how the two compare because on paper, the two should perform similar. Pretty sure the suitcase engine was a collaboration between Peugeot & Renault in the early seventies for the Peugeot 104 & Renault 14. The Simca poissy engine was canted back 42 degrees & had an iron block
Definitely worth getting yours on the road, it's a very rare and special car nowadays! I'd have it over a GTi 8v, for sure.
You might be right with the engine, I always get muddled up on the XY!
The Suitcase Engine was a collabo between PSA and Renault but wasn't used for long by Renault
Yes Austin Rover did put the 1.3 A series in the Montego with a VW gearbox
I had two BX16RSes. The first had the original blue plastic dash with the drum speedo and powerless steering. The second had the later dash, power steering and an enormous electric sunroof. Both were red. I loved the shape and the colour, and used to pretend I was driving a five-door Countach. This has me toying with the notion of replacing my lovely, practical Xsara Picasso.
Well done making bonkers films for bonkers people.....my daily driver just happens to be a red F reg 14RE and for whatever reason its honesty gives me total pleasure and respect for what it does. Thankfully I have a superb specialist nearby and its been my daily ( I'm retired) coming up 8 years to compliment my CX and Dyane. ......and thats somebody whos owned 3 Xantias including a V6 Exclusive ! Yes Id like power steering like I had on my 19RD twenty years ago but I'll manage.
I can imagine a 14RE still makes a semi-decent DD, if you're not worried about tech or safety! For comfort and frugality, they're still pretty good even today!
I had a few of these back in the day. I had a 1984 1.6 (I think?) and I remember the clutch pedal breaking due to the spot welds breaking off. A simple job to fix. I then had a 1.9 diesel - two of these and finally a virtually unused 2L Auto belonging to a church with about 15K miles on it. They were all amazing cars and I have the best memories of all of them. My 1988 F reg 1.9 diesel in a light blue colour was my favourite. Nowadays, here in Australia, I drive something else highly innovative - a BYD Atto 3 EV. Completely different cars but also pushing technology to produce vehicles that are fun to drive. Thanks for the review.
Thanks!
Had a BX 1.9 GT Digit I think it was called. Super comfortable, suspension problems wasn't anymore expensive than 'normal' suspension. Great ' courting' car at the time! Those were the days. I remember mind had a plastic bonnet and tailgate and the LCD dash was fantastic at night. Would be a good future classic.
I bought a new 14RE in 1988. It had the earlier engine. Absolutely loved the car. It felt posh at the time, compared with Fords and Vauxhall's. Well equipped - first car I had with 5 speed gearbox, electric windows and central locking 😀. It was a bit noisy, but comfortable and reliable. I replaced it with a Mazda RX7.
We bought a 1989 G plate, 1.6 . Terrific family car for us
All electric , including power steering and sunroof.
The engine went after a few of years of faithful usage 😂❤❤❤❤.
I'd love another one and now looking around
I've had 3 BX14's-really nice cars to drive.Very comfortable with loads of room.Never had any problems with the suspension, but the engines did have a tendency to 'pink'
I basically daily my BX diesel at times. It's been more reliable than some of the modern cars I've had. Despite being essentially a former abandoned car, and time throwing its worst at it, it's still able to pay its way as a useful car just as it was designed to be. I haven't owned a BX 14, but I have driven one. They're fine cars. TUs do last well.
They do all need looking after now but once you know what does what, it's not a particularly difficult car to work with in any form. For a car that was left in a hedge for a decade, I've done over 10k in mine now, been all over Holland across as far as Germany and down through to Normandy, and several trips all over England. Previous owners seemingly gave up on it when it had a lot of life still.
As with all old cars, rust is the real killer. Everything else is fairly easy to fix, but the rot is a problem if you can't weld, or have access to someone who can.
My first car was also a BX14, with the suitcase engine 😅
Bought it for £300, it ran forever. Had so much fun with it.
BXs are indeed pretty easy to work on and the engines are strong and flexible as well.
Had two in the past, a 14 Cannes and a 16 Chic, the 14 Cannes had a blown headgasket and 5 totally worn HP-spheres which made the suspension rockhard.
I fixed it on my driveway without a torquewrech or having skimmed the head and replaced all the spheres, just remember to depressurize the system otherwise you will get green.
The car's still going to this day 💪🏻.
The 16 Chic had to pull 3 tons of dirt once. No issues at all, the engine didn't moan and the self-levelling suspension worked like charm.
Had an early Mk2 Renault 5 as my first car, and I still have it.
But what do i have now instead of the Renault as my daily? A 1987 BX19TRS!
Its been a huge learning curve, but i primarily wanted to learn how the hydropneumatics worked because im geeky like that.
Having done typical 37 year old mechanical part replacements, ive now done 11k in the last year.
The novelty of the suspension is just part of my love for it.
The other half comes from the way the car handles under braking and in corners. My saying is, "it defies the laws of physics."
Its perfectly compliant over bumps, but under braking it hunkers down flat, in corners, it rolls until the mechanical slack is taken up, then its really well composed, whilst still remaining a soft ride. Its genius.
By comparison to my renault 5, it takes away the elements that annoy me, with the anti dip/dive and the 80s build quality, which is definitely better.
You cant easily remove interior trim from an 80s Renault without making it look like the dog chewed it.
Bx, on the other hand, it survives really well!
I got my BX as a "grandad had a xantia and i always wanted to learn how the hydraulics worked"
Its turned into my dependable daily driver and its swallowing the mileage with a yawn!
Highly recommend a BX as a starter into hydropneumatics!
Lol, when I took the dashboard out my Mk1 Renault Trafic last autumn, it litteraly fell apart as I was dismantling it, I ended up with a "pile" of dashboard on the floor🤣
@mr.slaphappy3794 that was my Renault 5 2 years ago. Dash shattered and left all the fixing attached to the car.
Had 2 BXs first one I used was a Turbo Diesel for Private Hire, always complimented for the ride and handling despite whatever I was carrying, I did get myself locked out at Birmingham airport because a passenger locked the door after I had unloaded the boot and closed the tailgate with the engine running, airport police not amused. I bought a 1.4 RE as a backup vehicle but ended up renting it out to another driver who put many hard miles on it for 6 months, he expected me to give it to him saying it was knackered (it wasn't) so I sold it to a Citroen fan and I believe it is still running, not just good cars, great cars if the rust was sorted, just like other makes of that era.
Had two Renault 19s with that very engine. Quiet, economical, but still fairly quick, and easy to work on. I did like them.
Hi, renaults never got the TU, on your 19s it was most probably the 1.4 Energy, which is basically Renault's version of the TU, they're very similar in design. I think the 19s got the Cleon-fonte engine aswell, but that is a much older design, but no less reliable.
Back in the early 90's I had two BXs and then a Xantia. They were lovely cars - but they were only 4 or 5 years old when I bought them!
I’ve always been a fan of the BX as I remember them when they were new. The 1.4 makes so much sense.
I have to agree with you on the TU engine. Its such a lovely engine to work on as there is space to get to everything, even in an AX GT engine bay like mine. I have a BX 16 TRS as well, and its a slow cruiser but part of me wishes its was a 14 TU. I really like the look of the pastel coloured Mk1 14E's in opal fruit colours. One of those with a TU engine in would be minimalistic beauty personified. Cheers Steve
I used to own a BX 14 TGE estate. It was very cheap, but needed a lot of work and I couldn't keep it. As it was such a light car, it went really well and was very fun to drive.
Around 20 yrs ago i purchased a 2nd hand BX16 Gti and it was the most comfortable car ive had. Strangely though, everytime it rained i got a silhouette of the terminator on the rear screen, i washed AND cleaned it many times inside & out but it kept coming back.
I had the bx19 Rd diesel, loved it! I only sold it when I moved to the deep countryside and the rocky mud roads kept ripping the green gunk pipes off the bottom.
I had a GTi back in ‘99, it was 10 years old at that point and cost me £400 which tells you what condition it was in, however it was huge fun, quick and importantly the suspension worked flawlessly.
Oh and let’s not forget the BX was designed by the guy that designed the Muira.
Great, funny and informative. Never ridden or drive one but now i want to.
You are looking good, "Clark Kent" 👍👍
Great video on a car I have no real will to own, but you are an entertaining bugger.
The 18 diesel must have been a beautifully comfy long distance cruiser. The Visa was squashy enough, with that ectra space? Lovely.
I read a letter in a magazine from someone who'd driven back from the south of France to England in his Aston in the '80s. He passed the same BX diesel three times, it kept passing him when he was filling up.
I had two BXs - a 16RS and a TRS Break automatic. Loved both of them.
I had two BXs. The second was a 14 St Tropez. It might even have been one you pictured, I can't remember the reg, but it went to another BX fan. I did miss power steering when I was recovering from an arm injury. I also found it a bit low geared and busy on the motorway. The other irritating thing was that the folding rear seat was not as versatile as on the BX19 I'd owned previously.
13:00 here in sweden, cars that are more than 30 years old are exempt from road tax. You only pay around £4.90 every year in vehicle register fee.
A great video, thanks. I love BXs anyway and I also loved the music - "Thou Swell" by Richard Rodgers.🎶
Thanks Richard, enjoyed it again! A lot of work to edit this one I assume.
I own a 14RE XY engine, I can confirm what you are saying, however it hurts a bit😅 and if you ask me, the phase one is the better looking one.
Thanks again for the video
I don't dislike the XY, but from a maintenance POV they're a bit of a pig. It was already old tech when the BX came out. No hate on it, though. In fact, they probably handle the best of all the BXs.
@@UPnDOWN yes you are right! got the same engine (different Carb) in my Peugeot 205 CT. And that engine has been out, for two times already :p but is now almost honda beat-fun to drive again, thanks for the video
There was a point in the mid 90s where my mum and dad had a white 16 TRX estate, I had a grey 19GTI and my sister had a white 14RE
Sold! It's a good point. love the torque of my Turbodiesel, but after squirreling my hands & arms through the density of the engine bay doing jobs, a 14 would be a dream. Nice sound when it revs too. A good friend had one years ago: "really nippy". I've had 2 x 16s & a Gti, Petrols suit the BX, it was designed that way. I'm becoming more convinced it's best to have 2 to rotate. I'd be curious what rpm it does in 5th @ 70mph. Probably 3.5k?
It was about half-past 5 at 70mph if memory serves!
One of my first cars was BX 14 Premiere. Fuel injected and something like 75-80 hp. Only thing I missed was an extra gear. It was a comfortable ride and very reliable, but my ears were bleeding at >100 km/h. It had 5 speeds but gear ratios were very short (to compensate lack of torque of course). Short gear ratios could be one reason why people avoid 14:s I think. Still I miss that simplicity and loads of room under the hood.
My Dad had a BX, I used to drive it while blasting Jean Michel Jarre and playing around with the suspension and setting it on 'moon buggy' mode 😂 Good times. Unfortunately it spontaneously combusted while parked in the drive! Think there was in issue with that and Citroen were aware, but for some reason my dad's VIN wasn't included in any recall/compensation as far as I remember.
Dalton from Pole Barn Garage has a twin? Super channel!❤😂
Massive Citroen fan . Have owned a CX prestige c6 2cv ds21 . I would like a BX one day, but alway put off by the fact they look like they are made from folded cardboard, and like a say I have owned and loved a 2cv !
0:29 still like the " Im going for 1st" John Cleland T shirt
11:28 Kitch, my Nan says can you pick that up? It'll be lovely for her roses 🌹🥀
Haha! It might still be there...
You forgot to mention 2 things: 1. The fiber bonnet which does NOT rust, 2. the humongous cargo space, especially with the back seats flattened. Yep, I have a 14TGE with injection from 1993, my late fathers car.
Dammit Rich, I've just spent a fortune on my 205 and now I really want one of these!
Haha! I did tell you...
I had a BX 19 TZI and maintained it fastidiously and it rewarded me with problem after problem
I'm owner of Citroen BX 14 TGE (1992) and I have similar opinion. This car is less problematic than my older BX (16 TGI 1990). Of course, in this case, most important is car condition, but simpler hydraulic system in my newest BX can be advantage (lack of powered steering wheel). Also, in my opinion BX that's not exactly equivalent of cars like Ford Sierra or Volskwagen Passat. BX that's a car located between C-segment cars and D-segment cars. For me, 1.4 engine (75 PS) is good enough for BX, due small weight of a vehicle (below 1000 kg).
Used to drive a BX turbo diesel as a Cab. Best cab to drive and I don't recall any serious reliability issues either.
Wonderful cars the BX is sadly missed nothing they have built since has really hit the spot like it did ❤️
I bought a BX 1.4RE in Venetian red identical to this one in 1990 it was registered E410NSC it was my first car bought with my own money after the Allegro I was gifted by my grandmother when she died. I loved the car but it did not love me it was plagued with gremlins , central locking and electric windows had a life of their own and would activate and deactivate depending on the mood they were in that day, I had an after marked alarm fitted to it and on a hot day after a drive with the ignition off and the car parked the cooling fan would switch on and trigger the alarm, my neighbours hated me. Car only had 75hp but it felt quite quick I am guessing because the bonnet and boot were plastic which reduced weight, it was fantastic in deep rutted snow, living in rural Scotland it was easy to drive on deep rutted snow covered roads and because I could raise the suspension I could clear the deep snow the standard Michelin MX tyres were perfect for the job and the car rarely got stuck the only thing I disliked about the car was the notchy graunchy gearbox that shared the same oil as the engine, so in the freezing winter the gearbox would not loosen up until the car had been driven for sometime to warm up the oil, car failed every MOT for some reason MOT testers really went over that car and found the smallest thing to report and failed it the car had less than 40,000 miles. The car gave up in 1993 for some reason one of the con rods let go and punched a hole in the block the car had plenty of oil and had not long had its service. I have not gone back to French cars since but it was an interesting car with lots of quirks and character.
A Series 1 Xantia is a pretty good shout too.
But the BX is more fun to drive. Here in Sweden we only got the 75Hp fuel injected TU engine due to to catalyst requirement. I had a 19GTI 8V, great fun!
A sierra must have beeen an ascona copetitor surely. And the taunus/scorpio was the rekord/omega mk1in opel terms. The bx was touted as a golf/escort competitor here I think, it always felt bigger though like you say. But real citroens never fit in to the normal class system employed by other makers though.
I concur. My 3 BXes were great.
(Also had GS, 2xCX, DS, 2xXantia)
I have the 1.6GTi 115HP and the 1.7 TRD Turbo Tecnic and they are indeed a little more complicated than a 14 , both work fine ... unless something broke's down , but never had one that stranded , normally a electric power window , a electric door lock fail , ruptured sphere membranes , steering rack /suspension /HC Hub ruptured dust covers, the usual on 30+ Years old cars .
get the bx diesel with the bosch feul pump when you get one change the cambeld and the waterpump
I bought new BX in 1987. The top gear slipped out on the over run at 400 miles and Citroen refused, after 3 rebuilds to replace the gearbox. The garage replaced the gearbox after it selected two gears at once. At 3 years old it failed its MOT on rusty suspension pipes and brake pipes. Then the drivers door hinge rusted through shortly afterwards. Surprisingly, I have never owned a Citroen since.
I had my dad's 1991 BX as my first car. Something broke down on it every 300 miles on average during my tenure as owner. Leaking pipes, door falling off, clutch cable snapping on a hill in heavy traffic, starter motor packing in at 3am when I had to go home. And yet it was my favourite car ever.
My colleague owned a BX 1.7 TZD. 450.000 kms and never any issues with it
I had a GTi and a 16trs. Never had any trouble with them
So you bought a new car and let it rot away
Yeah, that would probably put you off!
I had a red BX14 RE back in the early 90s. I bought it as a low mileage two year old. It was very cheap even then as everybody wanted the bigger engines. Their loss. I watched it for two months sticking on a main dealers forecourt and then went in with a very low offer which was with teeth sucking accepted. It was a great car, comfortable, smooth, reliable (gasp) economical, light with the plastic panels. Worth avoiding a Mk1 as the unprotected suspension fluid pipes along the tunnel corroded with UK salted roads. The Mk2 and Mk3 BXs has the pipes plastic coated. Problem solved.
I heard you say octopus that brought back memories of me changing octopus pipe on my tzd turbo on my drive in the early 2000s
The tu is a great engine, I owned one of the last ones made in a 2013 peugeot 207 estate
It was odd as peugeot/Citroen sold the same cars with a 1.4 engine, base models got the tu engine and higher trims got the newer 1.4 engine....they were the engine shared with the new mini that crap themselves at low mileages
Never bought a new psa car after that, all their new engines seemed flawed
14:10 the Vitz Jewela is indeed a Yaris by any other name. Found myself following one the other day.
Vitz is the domestic market (Japan) name for what we know as the Yaris. They are/were exported in large numbers as ‘grey imports’ to certain RHD markets such as NZ & Australia as well as Cyprus where they are often used in the holiday car rental sector.
i have some citroens but the BX was kind of a boxy car but a friend bought the GT(graphite metalizedpaint alloy wheels a litle spoiler in the back with leather sport seats or Citroen confortable and looking sporty seats and what a drive but it looked strange as i had some citroens earlier and later and nothing related , only the quality of driving is there , no doubt in that
I do like "Citroën---yness". ^^
Who mounted the "fish-and-chips bar"?
In Europe, the "Leader" livery was available on silver and light blue BXes, not on white ones.
I had several BX in the 80's as company cars. They were quite reliable, and yes, this 1.4 petrol is sufficient, as the 1.9 Diesel also, no need for the turbo version. But there is a drawback: the fantastic road manners of the previous Citroën cars were already gone. Avoid the motorways when it rains a bit much with side wind (quite an hazard!), and when overtaking a lorry, hold the wheel strongly with both hands ! Caming from a GS, I was more than surprised, rather shocked. Be very, very careful with this car. I forgot to mention the strong reactions in the steering when there are bumps in a bend...
I had a bx 14tge had headgasket isuess bought another with good engine and swapped the engines every other day as couldn't decide which one i wanted white or green lol very easy work on
I always liked the shape and style of the BX and chose one as the replacement for my first company car, a Sierra.
Irritatingly, between choosing it and the delivery date, my company did a dodgy deal with Vauxhall and I ended up with Cavalier instead 😏
The initial version is the best way to own a car designed by iconic designer Marcello Gandini, as Citroën did not have the money to modify his initial design, and the car really has his handwriting on many details.
Right - from the get go you have made me want a pea green BX 14 - in poverty spec please
Who doesn't?!
Cool story, Kitch; thank you. There is a big car show in my neighbourhood this weekend. When I see a BX in Porsche-and-Mercedes-Land, I’ll let you know… Take care, see you » Martin (C1 low spec) 🚗💨🇫🇷
My first car was a white series 1 BX14E. The engine was however very agricultural (same oil in the gearbox as in the rest) and the general BX built quality is a bit nag (rust being the enemy, especially because it becomes visible so late). I still pine a bit after it but owning XM’s since then is a good enough plaster. 😉
After watching your video and the episode of "Flipping Bangers" where Gus Gregory describes it as "this most perfect of cars," I sure would like to own a BX, but they are fairly rare in the States. By the way, I appreciate your choice of intermittent background music (an unpretentious organ rendition of "Thou Swell" by Rodgers and Hart -- nice!).
You know the one in Flipping Bangers is Professor Tomato, right?
@@UPnDOWN Afraid not! In fact, I don't know who Professor Tomato is (when I do a search, I get nothing).
@@UPnDOWN NOW I do, now that I've watched Jack's (of channel "Number 27") videos about the car. So Jack's BX is the 16v from Flipping Bangers, which he subsequently sold to JayEmm. Small world! Thanks for pointing it out.
I've got the TU 1.4 engine in my ZX. Unfortunately it's knocking now, possibly the bottom end. So it will need to be replaced or rebuilt. Goes well enough still.
I'm finding the BX 11 intriguing. I wonder what's it like to drive? So far, I can only find walk around videos from abroad.
There's a weird part of me that wants one, or at least to try one.