Many/most of the problems are minor electrical ones, though as the one
you're looking at is a Series II these are not usually as bad as they
were on the Series I.

A thorough check of everything electrical is a good idea though, e.g.
electric windows, sun-roof, mirror motors, etc.

Obviously also a look at and listen to the hydraulics is a good idea,
does the pump run frequently and/or does the valve tick frequently?
Does the car pump itself up quickly?  In fact, being a Series II it
should have an 'anti-sink' valve so it should stay up overnight.

If reasonably well cared for the engine will go a lot further than
this.  The real problem with automatic XMs is the gearbox, these are
reputed to last only about 100k/120k.  If (and only if) the auto oil
is replaced frequently and religiously they will last longer.  Since
it's actually impossible to replace the oil this is rarely done! (The
way to do it apparently is to replace a little every few thousand
miles to keep it reasonably clean, I don't have an auto).

Not scintillating but OK.

Pretty good for such a big car.

Come and join the XM list, xm-l@yahoogroups.com and you will find lots
of owners who know more about the 2.1 auto than I do (I have two
2.5TDs).

My son who is 6'6" fits in the XMs OK.

Erm, that should just about be run in by now.  Another 50k and it should be
just loosened up nicely!

I think the term is "bearable".  I don't know though, I've only got a brace
of V6's...

Very good by all accounts - 40+.

The autobox is past its sell by date, they have a tendancy to lunch
themselves at exactly 120k.  This one is either a good one that isn't going
to go pop, a replacement for one that has gone pop or just one that is
holding out a bit longer than most before going pop!

To be honest I'm not sure what happens to the autoboxes, I suspect it's just
the brake bands - you should be able to get these done for the price of the
equivalent number of manual gearbox clutches for the miles (120k = what?
3-4 normal clutches? couple of hundred quid each...)

You should find that the XM suits Sir's needs perfectly...

...what does the VSX come with comforts wise?  Remember that XMs are mega
bargains at the moment and anything that doesn't have a 2.5TD or 3.0 V6,
Leather, Climate Control and the rest is making peanuts (really - my current
S1 V6 came with no price tag...)

One does know of one of the "hens-teeth" XMs for sale, a 2.5TD estate...

Welcome to the wonderful world of XMing!

CAS

Had one as a company motor - most comfortable car I've ever been in, and it
saved my life.  I had a front NS tyre blow at 85, and it just felt like
gust of wind hit it - drove for 40 miles to a motorway services and it was
only when I got out I realised I had a flat!

Returned 38mpg thrashed senseless, but performance was what you might
describe as "acceptable" - lets face it, it does weigh nearly as much as an
aircraft carrier.  It would have been even better were it not for a bit of
incompetent (main-dealer)servicing which caused it to siphon oil back into a
cylinder through a reversed breather valve one day.

I'd buy one now if it wasn't for the potential servicing/spares costs and
the apparent insatiable appetite for front tyres.  I was getting under 15K
miles per pair.  Fine when the company is paying......

Other than that - I loved it.

The Xantia I had after that was dulldulldulldulldull  (but still more
interesting than a Vectra....)

TonyF