Puissance Cachée

In September 1989, the year of change, Citroën introduced the XM. Its predecessors were the CX, the DS, and the Traction Avant, which had already appeared in 1934. This makes the XM only the fourth generation after the Traction Avant, which speaks to the timelessness and technical concept of the vehicles. By today’s standards, such model cycles are almost unimaginable. But let’s be honest, does there always have to be something new, or doesn’t the flood of models degenerate into a certain arbitrariness? As a classic car workshop, this can only be a good thing for us, because the model policies of the car manufacturers bring us customers. In any case, the XM once again boasted a number of innovations. The already legendary hydropneumatic suspension was further developed into the Hydractive suspension in the XM, making the vehicle the first production car with an electronically controlled suspension. Citroën had now also decided to include a tailgate in this upscale segment, and by using two rear windows positioned one behind the other, refuted the anti-tailgate argument of “it’s drafty when you open the trunk.” This way, the inner rear window remains open when the tailgate is opened, preventing the car’s interior from cooling down quickly in winter. Of course, this window can also be folded up to allow full cargo space flexibility when the rear seat is folded down. In 1990, the XM was voted Car of the Year, and in 1991 and 1992, readers of “Auto Motor und Sport” magazine voted it the best imported car in its class. Production ceased in 2000, and a worthy successor didn’t appear until 2005 with the C6, which was discontinued in 2012. Since then, Citroën has not introduced a successor to a luxury sedan. The DS 7 is recommended as a successor, but it’s not a comfortable sedan with a hydropneumatic suspension, but just another SUV with conventional steel suspension, like every car manufacturer builds. An SUV that’s supposed to do everything and, in reality, can’t do anything particularly well, except dilute the brand’s image.

This XM, with its robust 12-valve Euro V6 chain-driven engine from 1990, had three previous owners and a backlog of repairs when it was gifted to our customer by a neighbor in 2004. Today, it’s technically virtually perfect, with a seamless 21-year maintenance and repair history. In a former Citroën workshop specializing exclusively in CX and XM models, the exhaust, on-board computer, brake discs, strut mounts, suspension spheres, transmission, heater core, Hydractive control unit, catalytic converter, clutch, alternator, engine, engine cooling radiator, wishbone bearings, water pump, rear wiper motor, and central locking motors were replaced or repaired. The car was originally delivered from the factory with rare Zender spoilers all around and Zender alloy wheels. Discreetly positioned daytime running lights and a third brake light embedded in the rear spoiler, as well as a concealed large oil cooler, were retrofitted. In 2023, we sold the car to a customer in Berlin and only installed a new clutch in 2024. The customer currently has family matters to attend to and therefore no time for the car. Since we have known the car since 2018, he entrusted it to us for marketing. The original “La Puissance Cachée” sticker from Citroën – the hidden power – is still stuck to the rear window.

We subject each vehicle to a systematic inspection and then create three offers.

Economie – €9,400
Operating and roadworthy vehicle with a H-certificate, but its general inspection expired in 2025.

Standard – €11,500
Including an inspection with oil change, a new exhaust front silencer, new tires, and a new MOT.

Supreme – €14,500
Plus a new headliner, as well as new cavity and underbody wax protection.

We’ll be happy to send you the details of the three proposed offers. Or you can simply call us and we’ll explain everything to you personally.