Faults:

After purchasing the car, the next day the battery was flat as a pancake. The garage came out and replaced the battery.

ABS warning light came on once, briefly, I've heard the lights are a mild concern with the XM.

Electrically adjustable mirrors don't work, checked the fuse and it is OK, probably just loose wiring.

The passengers side rear window refuses to open, again, probably loose wiring, will check soon.

Remote key fob for alarm seems to be non functional, handbook says it needs CR2025 3v batteries, previous batteries were different type, maybe needing new batteries in fob.

General Comments:

This car seems to pull away very quickly, the automatic box changes very smoothly, and Ayr, where I live is a bad place for roundabouts and heavy traffic, this car seems to handle them no problem.

The full leather interior is extremely comfortable and a pleasure to sit in, this is the most comfortable car I have ever been in.

The all round view is excellent, the glass gives a good view, which is handy for parking in Ayr where it is at a premium. However, the car is bigger than my previous Cavalier so it will take some getting used to.

Seems to have a very good quality radio/cassette player.

The vast array of buttons can be a little intimidating at first.

The unconventional handbrake also takes a little getting used to.

Insurance wasn't as bad as I thought, only £77 higher than my previous bog standard Cavalier.

The suspension gives a very smooth ride, this is extremely important in Ayr where the potholes and bumps have bits of road attached. :)

I got mine for £990 with a full service history (and a fresh service just under its belt) and a new MOT.

Faults:

Clutch very heavy. Dealer recommends new clutch assembly - 675 pounds.

Suspension pipe leaks.

Driver's electric window regulator has failed.

Three ABS sensors have failed at different times.

Windscreen washer jets keep blocking up.

Key alarm has failed.

General Comments:

I'm trading my beloved XM in for a C5 this weekend, although having read some of the horror stories on the web about this marque, I wish I hadn't been so hasty!

I much prefer the spaceship looks of the XM to the dumpy blandness of the C5. However, my XM needs over a thousand pounds' worth of repairs and, at 1500 pounds value as a trade-in, it's not worth it.

This is my second XM and I certainly would have had another one, say a 'T' reg, if I could have found one for sale.

The handling is superb and the driving experience one of the best I have experienced.

The brakes are excellent, except the wearisome foot handbrake.

The luxury and comfort of this car are arguably unparalleled in the executive car sector.

The engine's as game as a woodcock and as lusty as a Somerset barmaid. All it needs is regular servicing and care and affection.

There is a tremendous cachet in owning an XM, whereas owning a C5 is like owning a Toyota Avensis - dull as soap.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Brilliant piece of machinery. Still does 120mph. Has never used any oil, water, H.L.M, or transmission fluid.

Seating is great.

Drivability is good.

Have not yet found a fault worth moaning about. Must get a newer one!!

Faults:

Apart from the normal wear (tyres, brake pads....), absolutely nothing wrong.

General Comments:

My third XM and not my last. This car will last forever if the service shedule (9,000 miles) is done properly.

The hydraulic oil must be kept top quality, if not the very complex computer controlled suspension will wear very quickly and cost a lot to put right. There are very few garages or specialists who understand the hydractive suspension.