I got back into "BXing" in September 2004, when I was short of a car, and also money whilst I waited for an Insurance payout on a written off Xsara HDi. I spotted a K reg BX TZD Turbo on Ebay, and although the maroon colour looked pretty dreadful, I decided to bid and buy the car. Having worked for a Citroen independent garage some years ago, I knew my BX's pretty well, and was looking forward to the challenge of putting a decent car on the road quite cheaply. I've always enjoyed BX's, and in the past have owned a 19GT, a 19GTi, a 16 valve and a turbo diesel.
To cut a long story short my Ebay car was a bit of a nightmare, and I ended up replacing just about everything. In March 2005, I decided to spend my final money on the car, and had XRN in Bracknell pressure test and flat the head, which was then rebuilt by PTS Developments. I ended up with a terrible looking car that had a sound engine and gearbox (I'd recently also fitted a new clutch) plus new parts like spheres all round, plus all 3 braided hoses replaced (ouch).
I received a phone call from Tom Sheppard who had a tidy 91 TZD turbo on his drive, with almost immaculate body and interior, and lots of the hard work (e.g. rear arm bearings) done. Problem was, that the engine had a nasty knock. Unfazed, I bought the car, which was all I had hoped for and more, and drove it slowly from Southampton to Swindon. That Friday I was filled with enthusiam, and pulled the engine and gearbox out of the BX in my garage.

Dave Bamber travelled down from Fleetwood, and we then removed the engine and box from the other (burgandy)BX. This was the unit mentioned above, and after the engineering work had received a new head gasket and bolts plus the 3 braided hoses. A new timing belt and clutch were also recent additions. Before the lump was fitted to the grey BX we fitted a new octopus, and swapped the steering racks over. New diff seals, exhaust sealing ring and engine mount were also fitted before the powerplant was lowered into place. With new LHM fluid, gearoil and antifreeze to complete the job, she ran perfectly straight away.

To get the car 100% right I have also done the rear brakes, fitted new 16v rear spheres, new TD front spheres and an accumulator, plus changed the LHM. I also fitted a temperature guage. The car is fitted with graphite 16v wheels with 185/60/14 Michelin Pilot Exalto directional tyres. The car was ready and driving by the Sunday afternoon, and on Monday I took it for an MOT test which it passed immediately.

Since putting the car together in April, it has done about 10,000 miles, including a trip to France, plus other journeys as far afield as Darlington and Cornwall. There have been no major issues with the car, I have fitted a recon hydraulic pump as the original was a bit weak in cold weather, and also replaced the pressure regulator with a second hand unit.

Recent work on the car has involved upgrading to BX 16v front calipers with grooved vented discs. I have a few minor electrical problems to resolve, nothing serious. In August 2006 I drove my BX TZD from Swindon to Peurto DuQuesa in Southern Spain, a round trip of over 3200 miles, covered at high average speeds and with no problems whatsoever.
In October 2006, I decided to embark upon other projects, and sold my car. I am presently driving a J reg 19TGD estate, and hope to be purchasing a late TZD estate as well, the estates being more suited to my current circumstances.