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Citroën Cx Prestige

Started by s class, 25 December 2017, 06:30 AM

s class

So, I've long been tempted by the idea of a large Citroën.  I've become rather obsessed with the Cx models.  They are very few and far between here in south Africa,  and after a year of searching, I eventually bought s non runner.

Its a CX Prestige, auto, carb, aircon. It hasn't run for nearly 20 years, but it appears to be nearly all there, and very straight, I can't see any sign of accident or rust, and the interior seems very good indeed.

I found it lying flat on its belly, with flat tyres, on soft ground.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class

Setting out for the rescue mission



[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class



[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class

Trying to get air in the tyres



[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class





Suspension all correctly blocked up as per the advice of the guys on the aussiefrogs forum




[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class

Two hours with the kartcher gave me this







[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

s class

So, a couple of days ago I thoroughly cleaned out the spark plug tubes in the valve cover, and removed the plugs. They looked good, indicate that the engine was healthy last time it ran. Lots of penetrating oil in the cylinders, and the engine turned easily (manually). I did discover that the ring gear is in a poor state, with lots of chipped and missing teeth.

Happy Christmas to me...


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

rumb

Looks like an interesting project.
'68 250S
'77 6.9 Euro
'91 300SE,
'98 SL500
'14 CLS550,
'16 AMG GTS
'21 E450 Cabrio

s class

It's a fascinating car, everything is so unconventional, yet logically executed.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

floyd111

#9
I absolutely worship the CX..  For all the known, obvious reasons.
The W116 system was taken from Citroen, but due to the corruption coming from Detroit, Mercedes was not allowed to use the Citroen system as it was originally. MB had to strip down, dumb down 75% of the original system to end up with something that was only a fraction as good as the Citroen.
So, if you are used to the 6.9 suspension this does not mean you will be able to grasp the Citroen system. Beware!
On that note.. I mean this from the bottom of my heart.. Run for your life! Walk away! Yes, the metal is often horrendous, but can be fixed or bought. The pressure balls can be found on ebay. But, there are hydraulic pumps all over that car. Depending on the model, 3 or 4 or them. Prepare to not find anyone to refurbish them, except for some obscure address in France, or pay insane top dollar for new/NOS. Then there are miles of hydraulic hoses that rot and will wipe out your system if they go.
Worst of all.. the steering wheel column. It's the most complex hydraulic/electric contraption ever to be put in a car. Everything important depends on it. I could find only 1 company in France that can refurbish them, and 3 years ago it cost 3500 euros before shipping and taxes. That unit needs to be mint, or all kinds of mayhem will break lose.
Then there is the instrument panel that is either broken or will break the moment you are done fixing things. The electronics all over that car will be rotten, or about to go. Nearly all the interior coverings will be lose, shaking, just about to break off when you fiddle with them.
Did I mention the rust, that keeps coming back faster then you can fix it? Places you could not dream of can be gone, through and through. The windows leak, almost always, especially the rear. The list is long..
It's a fantastic car, and boy do I want one, but I walked away from a Prestige only 2 years ago, sold by a Citroen dealer, drivable without warranty.  Much better looking then yours, in and out, the Executive version in dark blue with all the extra chrome.
For once, I did my homework, and checked every spot and item on the many checklists that are available online.
It still hurts, but the alternative would have hurt much more.
Having a CX is possible if you have refurbished hydraulic parts available to you, and a mechanic that knows the hydraulic system in and out. -and the electricals.
Ah well, you're not gonna listen anyways, haha! It's a fantastic machine..

s class

Thanks for all the negativity.  I have however done my homework.  Availability of basically all parts is on a par with Mercedes, and as a reasonable comparison I would consider the cost to be similar to that of say a 108 280s.

I assure you I am totally capable of dealing with the hydraulics. They are less obscure in their operation than the 6.9 system for example.  And skills to deal with them are far more widespread than is the case with the 6.9. 

The DIRAVI steering system is unique, but not as horrible as you make out.  There are reasonable resources on the Internet of people who have diy'd them with less facilities than what I have. 

I have been inside, under, everywhere in that car, door cards off, and there is very simply put, no rust.  The car has never lived closer to the sea than about 1000km.  Oh, and those door cards are in excellent condition, interior trim in general better condition than I am accustomed to seeing on 116's.

The Citroën community here is very enthusiastic about my project, on account of the good solid basis and excellent trim and interior.  Sure, we will start with overhauling the ZF3hp22 transmission and the engine, simply because they have stood so long, but it's going to be enjoyable light duty work compared to the Mercedes V8 s I do day in day out.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

marku

A truly great car from every respect. Some time ago had a neighbour abandon the one with the Maserati engine. Tried all ways to get hold of it but no luck. The metal was in poor condition but just having it would have made up for a lot.
1974 450SE silver green/bamboo velour/green vinyl roof

s class

The SM with the maserati engine is just gorgeous in every way, but out of my price range.


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

daantjie

From my time in SA I fondly remember the Pallas as one of my friend's family had one.   So futuristic looking.  But I am done with exotic systems on exotic cars myself thank you very much :D
Daniel
1977 450 SEL 6.9 - Astralsilber

robertd

Merry Christmas Ryan,

looks like a challenging project, but I'm sure you are the man for the job. keep us posted along the way.

cheers
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet