Xsara Vts

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Looking at getting a 2002 Xsara VTS to break, mainly for its engine TBH,

 

Am I likely to make any money back selling off any of the other parts or is it just a case of call the scrap man once engine and box are removed??

 

Is there anything else actually worth keeping?

 

Cheers

[Anthony 1,003]

Engine, box, steering rack, beam and brakes are all worth keeping. Wheels and CAT will sell for reasonable money on eBay.

 

Most of the Xsara specific trim and bits are pretty much worthless as so many are broken.

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Thought as much

 

800 quid too much to pay?

 

cheers

Edited December 2, 2011 by stu8v

[Anthony 1,003]

Only you can answer that, and clearly depends on other factors like mileage.

 

Would I personally pay that if I only wanted to break it for the engine? No.

 

At that sort of money, I'd argue that you'd be better off getting an engine already out of the car from a known, reputable source - a Phase 2 Xsara engine is less saught after than a Phase 1 VTS / 306 GTi-6 because you need to source management, ECU etc if you're not running it on aftermarket management and 'bodies, and hence prices reflect that.

 

The advantage with buying a complete car is that you know exactly how the engine runs and you can drive it before hand.

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

Ill be running management and bodies I think so Phase 1/2 doesnt really matter to me, its done 75k

 

Plus I need beam axles (assuming they are ok), the quick rack would come in too I guess.

 

Not really seen many engines that I'd actually make an offer for TBH

[Baz 421]

Personally i think they've had their day, don't get me wrong some may still be worthwhile but values of them have crept back up a little and parts have gone down.

 

I generally buy them to use as a cheap run about for a while if they're cheap enough, when their time's up, pull apart to recoup some funds.

 

Rear beams are a PITA as they seems to be under-greased IF at all, mileage means nothing when it comes to the condition either, it just seems to be hit & miss, as is the size of the TB's & ARB on the later ones.

Edited December 2, 2011 by Baz

[dcc 855]

save your money, ive broken a Xsara for bits, I broke even (just) and that was buying the car at £450.

[stu8v 68 1 Cars]

So what you guys saying?

 

Gti6 engines are worth 300-400 complete? with reasonable milage.

[dcc 855]

Well I sold an old J4RS with loom, for £350. Depends If somebody needs it, wants it or is willing to pay for it.

[shalmaneser 26]

i bought a non A/C converted engine (+loom and ECU) and gearbox @ 70K for £500, was pretty pleased with that.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Its a bloody shame IMO that they have been reduced to this, I had a Xsara VTS (1999 Ph 1) in 2003 for a couple of years, it was a bloody good car, and having driven lots of 306 GTI6 I personally prefer the Xsara, the pointy steering and slightly stiffer rear bars made it a real back road monster, and as opposed to the obstrutive horrible change and narrow ratios of the 6 spd box, the 5 speed in the Xsara was a joy to use, and the engine has more than enough grunt to pull the bigger gaps between cogs.

 

In addition, and this may suprise some of the Citroen haters, in the 2 1/2 years I think I had it, I replaced the grand total of a centre exhaust box, a central locking motor, 2 tyres and a set of front pads. Aside from the central locking motor, nothing ever went wrong with it, my current Audi probably beats it now, but otherwise its one of the most reliable cars I have owned.

[Anthony 1,003]

They're the new BX 16v - worth the square root of f**k all as a car but has an engine that's sought after by 205 owners.

 

Shame, because like you say they're actually a nice car to drive and other than aesthetics I too prefer them to a 306 GTi-6.

 

Phase 1 VTS's seem to be getting quite thin on the ground now, their numbers seemingly decimated over the last couple of years

[S@m 156]

I wholeheartedly agree about the xsara vts being a better car than the 306 gti6. Having used a 306 as a daily car for 7 years (admiteddly its not a gti6, although i have driven a few) i've now had my vts for 3 months, and even on standard suspension (my 306 is on spax all round and has an s16 rear beam/frt arb), the xsara turns in like the 306 never did and is far more willing to get its tail out, plus the steering is so much more direct -i really understand the steering rack being so sought after now. I am puzzled by the huge difference in price between the xsara and the 306, but it just seems to be badge snobbery and (unfounded imo) rumours about reliability issues.

 

Sam

 

Will probably automatically have my 306gti6 forum account closed for that one......what i really want to try is a ZX 16v (well the french one with the RFS engine, dakar was it?)

[Alastairh 47]

I've had a few (18). As Baz said, they use to be a better buys 2 years ago. The market seems to be flooded with phase 2 engines when the sellers have half a clue stating they engine drop straight into 205's. This isn't true, like Anthony says, hence ecu's, looms, exhaust manifold need changing etc. The prices of these engines seem to lower the market, but if you don't need any of that lot, then you could get a good bargain provding its from a trust worthy seller.

 

To put it in perspective, the last three phase 2 vts i bought were all sub 300 quid, even with the scrap pricess being high. Be patient, its a good time of year to buy one.

 

Al

Edited December 3, 2011 by Alastairh

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

I would say the demand for 16v engines is decreasing in general as you can pick up a Clio 172 for not much now if you want something small and nippy. Also the value of standard 205's is increasing so you'd be a bit nuts to pull apart a good original car now

[Masekwm 2]

I hope to be looking for a low mileage engine in the near future, where is best to look for Xsara's being broken? CXOC?

[24seven 104]

I picked up a P2 VTS in January this year and used it temporarily on the road while my 309 was out of action. I was going to just take the engine and bits I wanted from it straight away but driving it home it was a real joy, despite only having half an exhaust. They're really quite ugly things, especially at the front end, but I'd definitely have one again, certainly over a 306!

[Baz 421]

I hope to be looking for a low mileage engine in the near future, where is best to look for Xsara's being broken? CXOC?

 

Nope, i'd probably still say here!

 

Me, specifically!!

[Anulfo 22]

I would say the demand for 16v engines is decreasing in general as you can pick up a Clio 172 for not much now if you want something small and nippy. Also the value of standard 205's is increasing so you'd be a bit nuts to pull apart a good original car now

 

Slightly OT sorry guys,but does this mean that already Mi 16'd/GTi-6'd pug 205's are going to become a fair bit cheaper now??

[Anthony 1,003]

Slightly OT sorry guys,but does this mean that already Mi 16'd/GTi-6'd pug 205's are going to become a fair bit cheaper now??

Relatively speaking, they already are - a good standard car has risen in value, whereas a typical 16v converted one has not.

 

However, I'm not convinced that there are less people doing 16v (or other) conversions now than there was - Mi16 conversions are getting less popular sure as the supply of engines dries up, but a look at the forum suggests that GTi-6 and Turbo conversions are still extremely popular and common, especially with both being so well documented now.

[Phil H 16]

I have a Phase 2 VTS that I bought recently for not a lot as I wanted a throw away car to track and as you say values of good ones are well under £1000. Small outlay to get an MOT.

It goes well, but looks so ugly from the front with it's great long nose, so I understand why people prefer the 306 (me included) hence if a good offer comes in for mine it goes. Also when you look at the mechanical parts list, like the big brakes, the beam, the engine etc you can see why they are broken up. Agreed that the interior and trim is worth nowt.

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

I would say the demand for 16v engines is decreasing in general as you can pick up a Clio 172 for not much now if you want something small and nippy. Also the value of standard 205's is increasing so you'd be a bit nuts to pull apart a good original car now

 

I use my 172 Cup as a daily, and the 205 GTi6 for the occasional run and trips away.

 

I must admit, since I have had the 205 finished, I do appreciate my 172 more than I used to.

 

As for Xsara's, I recently bought one to use a workhorse because the 172 boot area is too small (especially to get things in), and I can rip it apart in the spring when I have finished with it. It's low mileage, and I will know what works and what doesn't. I can even use the rack and gearbox in my 205 if I want to.

 

It's odd to be able to say I own all 3 cars mentioned in this thread. The donor, the outcome and the 'competitor'

[Masekwm 2]

Nope, i'd probably still say here!

 

Me, specifically!!

 

The multiplexed one you have in for sale would be perfect as I have everything else, but it is too early as I can't afford the charger kit atm

[chipstick 382 1 Cars]

Masekwm, il be breaking mine in the spring, ph1, low mileage. So if you are looking around then after saving then you may be in luck

[DaveW 6]

Id blame Alastair for the rareness of them now