1989 Citroen BX 14 RE 1.4

Summary:

Total bargain motoring-smoother than a Merc or Jag!

Faults:

Radiator blew up-faulty fan.

Ball joint and CV joint at same time.

Ignition module.

Squeaky brakes.

Starter motor.

That's it!

General Comments:

It was my first car. I was 17 and it seemed better than Nova's etc. And it was. Very well equipped for a base spec, quite quick for the engine size. Magic carpet ride, very comfortable, cheap to run.

The list goes on! Its gonna be a classic one day. I'd recommend one to anybody-I'm getting a GTi16Valve version hopefully.

Very very underrated car with bags of potential. Only real problem was the colour-beige with a brown interior! can't work out why someone would buy that brand new! avoid them-the blues and reds are nicer and worth more when selling. But lovely car and well worth £375.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th December, 2002

12th May 2003, 10:50

Smoother than a Merceredes? I think not. I have owned in the Past a BX1.9D and have since owned a few Mercedes. The BX may have a better ride than the A Class (what car doesn't) but my 300TE is just superb. The problem with BXs is the complex suspension. If not kept on top of it just keeps going wrong, and costs a lot. The build quality was rubbish and the seats diabolical, but the chassis was OK. Comparing Citroen BX to a Mercedes is not really fair. One is just a French car, the other an engineering masterpiece!

In reply to 12th May 2003, 10:50

5th Nov 2020, 14:28

Mercs are not trouble free. They can and do give plenty of problems. Costly ones too.

In reply to 5th Nov 2020, 14:28

5th Nov 2020, 20:38

The commentor's Mercedes is a 300TE - not a modern one. They're one of the last properly-designed and built Mercedes which were built to last and were reliable. Can't say the same for Mercs post around 1995.

1989 Citroen BX RD 1.9 diesel

Summary:

Unloved by many... Their Loss! :-)

Faults:

Had to change windscreen wiper...

And that's it!

General Comments:

Well this car is never going to have been owned by an "Max Power" reader! :-)

If you are looking for a reliable, predictable car where performance is certainly not an issue, then you could do a lot worse than this! Especially at the prices these go for.

People seem very cautious about the hydropneumatic setup. It is like anything else, keep it looked after, and it is reliable. Neglect it.. and prepare for large bills!

Economy wise, this runs on vapours!

I cover 500 miles a week & it always averages 55mpg! Truly amazing on fuel for something of this size.

All I would recommend is to avoid the base RD model as the seats are awful! (I am now sourcing some seats from a higher specced model).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2002

17th May 2006, 10:50

Ace comment at least some people like the bx!!

1989 Citroen BX 16RS Estate 1.6

Summary:

Cheap to buy but not to maintain

Faults:

Timing belt broke and damaged valves - this was due to a failing tensioner.

Front spheres failed at 100,000 miles.

Rear suspension problems started at 130,000 miles involving spheres twice, new arms and radius arm bearings.

Automatic choke failed at 160,000 miles.

Electric window switches tempremental.

Clutch cable failed.

Clutch juddery which caused me to have it replaced.

Suspension problems cause early tyre wear.

Air filter frequently clogs with oil emulsion from the breather.

General Comments:

Front seats uncomfortable.

Suspension is both the cars best quality and its worst.

Engines good and long-lived (change belts every 50,000 miles or sooner and not 70,000 miles as Citroen recommend, also check the tensioner).

If the suspension fails it is difficult to push over any sort of rise (e.g. my driveway).

Oil filler cap is a horror.

Quite quiet at speed and will cruise at 90mph OK for long periods. Have travelled happily from the UK to Tuscany and the South of France.

Despite all the faults and dodgy build quality I still quite like the car but just don't want to continue to rely on it as main transport due to increasing uncertainty over reliability. However will probably keep it for local trips and for lugging heavy/bulky loads. Second-hand value is now negligible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th September, 2000

25th Jan 2001, 11:53

I've read that the timing belt in a BX14 should be changed every 36,000 miles. Changing this is a fairly easy on the 14, but unless you understand all the pitfalls around this job (I mean really) then leave it to Citroen dealer. It's expensive if you get it wrong (most mechanics shrink in horror from changing the timing belt of BX16 - nasty job). Both the 14 and 16 are great on petrol and this makes up for the extra attention they need. They do not take abuse or neglect.

30th Dec 2003, 08:39

Classic suspension should be replaced every 50000-70000 miles depending on the car and its use. Spheres in Citroën last about the same mileage. Your complaining that your front spheres were dead after 100000 miles and the rear ones started to have problems after 130000 miles. As the other commentator already said the question is not reliability, but neglect, your own the introduced the problems you mentioned.

31st May 2005, 04:39

OK, the spheres fail after a certain mileage. That is nothing out of the ordinary. Also, regular shock-absorbers will age and need replacement. This, however, is more expensive and also more difficult to do.

18th Jan 2007, 16:05

Spheres are cheaper than any shock absorbers I've ever priced, and so easy to fit! Unscrew the old ones, screw the new ones in!