RE: SOTW: Vauxhall Omega 3.0 MV6
Discussion
ITech said:
Weak auto gearbox (I think it was also used in some Saabs, and known in Saab cirlces as a bit iffy). Headgasket not that unusual either. So 2 major potential problems that the e38 and x300 do not suffer from, along with the others you mentioned and the flimsy cheap plastic trim.. Then theres the fact that you have to do the Cambelt and tensioners, quite a job I believe, which of course isn't a problem on the x300 or e38 as they have chains..
I expect they really like to rust also, as all the other Vauxhauls of the time do
How does one fit a rear wheel drive gear box in a front wheel drive Saab? And by the way, GM supplied BMW with the same ar35/l40e(?) gear box. In some applications the two Marques use the exact same REAR WHERL DRIVE auto box.I expect they really like to rust also, as all the other Vauxhauls of the time do
Head gaskets where massively wrongly diagnosed on the v engines due to mayo forming in the extended oil filler neck, which wasn't needed on the front wheel drive engines mounted transversely, as the oil filler was easy to reach on front wheel drive applications. Some 98's failed with a composite head gasket true enough but these where very rare. Later 2.6 and 3.2 engines got metal hg, and where bullet proof.
So there's 2 problems you've wrongly diagnosed, then gone away and paid over the odds for a badge.
Interior is a matter of taste IMO. Later models got the same rubberised tactile finish on plastics that was common on many makes at the time. I find BMW interiors bland beyond belief.
Cam belts (sigh) are arguably more reliable than chains. And I have personally seen two jag lumps with failed cam chains, they are a massive under taking to fix. Engine out, strip everything down, massively complex chain drive system. Cam belts may have a shorter service life, but it's about 4 hours work with correct tools, and far easier on a rear wheel drive as the engine faces you.
Rust, they do have a problem with rear wheel arches catching the crap and rusting, and top edge of doors bubbling up, so I'll give you that one.
Overall though, I'd suggest more factual posts rather than guessing. Dear oh dear.
Edited by chrisgixer on Saturday 21st January 11:13
strange how some people slag off the quality of the omega"s dash,when its 12-20 years old,and the cars under a grand. The dash is better than most new cars costing under £15,000.Was at auctions couple of days ago and some 3 yearold Nissan,peugueot,etc look like the dash cost £5 to make
12-20
12-20
tomoleeds said:
strange how some people slag off the quality of the omega"s dash,when its 12-20 years old,and the cars under a grand. The dash is better than most new cars costing under £15,000.Was at auctions couple of days ago and some 3 yearold Nissan,peugueot,etc look like the dash cost £5 to make
They probably did.My wife runs a 2003 3.2 Elite, it is also often used as the family car, we've had it for a few years now.
It had done about 20k when we bought it and is on about 75k now, other than a couple of central locking motors it has been reliable. I like the car and have no plans to replace it for at least another two years.
I remember when we bought it, in 2007 I think, it cost me £5,000. At the same time I had a 53 plate 530D on the drive that had done about 70,000 miles which cost £13,500. The BMW was a better drive, but didn't have anything like the same specification and seemed poor value in comparison.
I have been struggling to think what to replace it with really, I don't want a BMW or a Mercedes, so it will either be an A8/S8 or more likely a Jag XJR.
It had done about 20k when we bought it and is on about 75k now, other than a couple of central locking motors it has been reliable. I like the car and have no plans to replace it for at least another two years.
I remember when we bought it, in 2007 I think, it cost me £5,000. At the same time I had a 53 plate 530D on the drive that had done about 70,000 miles which cost £13,500. The BMW was a better drive, but didn't have anything like the same specification and seemed poor value in comparison.
I have been struggling to think what to replace it with really, I don't want a BMW or a Mercedes, so it will either be an A8/S8 or more likely a Jag XJR.
chrisgixer said:
ITech said:
Weak auto gearbox (I think it was also used in some Saabs, and known in Saab cirlces as a bit iffy). Headgasket not that unusual either. So 2 major potential problems that the e38 and x300 do not suffer from, along with the others you mentioned and the flimsy cheap plastic trim.. Then theres the fact that you have to do the Cambelt and tensioners, quite a job I believe, which of course isn't a problem on the x300 or e38 as they have chains..
I expect they really like to rust also, as all the other Vauxhauls of the time do
How does one fit a rear wheel drive gear box in a front wheel drive Saab? And by the way, GM supplied BMW with the same ar35/l40e(?) gear box. In some applications the two Marques use the exact same REAR WHERL DRIVE auto box.I expect they really like to rust also, as all the other Vauxhauls of the time do
Head gaskets where massively wrongly diagnosed on the v engines due to mayo forming in the extended oil filler neck, which wasn't needed on the front wheel drive engines mounted transversely, as the oil filler was easy to reach on front wheel drive applications. Some 98's failed with a composite head gasket true enough but these where very rare. Later 2.6 and 3.2 engines got metal hg, and where bullet proof.
So there's 2 problems you've wrongly diagnosed, then gone away and paid over the odds for a badge.
Interior is a matter of taste IMO. Later models got the same rubberised tactile finish on plastics that was common on many makes at the time. I find BMW interiors bland beyond belief.
Cam belts (sigh) are arguably more reliable than chains. And I have personally seen two jag lumps with failed cam chains, they are a massive under taking to fix. Engine out, strip everything down, massively complex chain drive system. Cam belts may have a shorter service life, but it's about 4 hours work with correct tools, and far easier on a rear wheel drive as the engine faces you.
Rust, they do have a problem with rear wheel arches catching the crap and rusting, and top edge of doors bubbling up, so I'll give you that one.
Overall though, I'd suggest more factual posts rather than guessing. Dear oh dear.
Edited by chrisgixer on Saturday 21st January 11:13
I did realise my mistake about the gearbox and explain in a more recent post, that I was thinking of the Vectra/Cavalier autoboxes, which were used in Saabs and were a bit weak.
I also agreed with another poster, that they were headgasket symptoms, which may or many not be caused by another problem.
I haven't paid over the top for any badge, I dont know what you mean by that really, but it seams BMW's make you upset.
Cambelt are most certainly not more reliable than chains. If you have seen an x300 with a failed chain, I am very surprised indeed. They are famous for doing very high mileages without chain problems. (The x308 is a different story, perhaps that is what you were thinking of).
Overall though, I would suggest you relax, it's only a forum after all.
I WISH said:
Bit of a cheek .... "TAX AT COST" ..... first time I've seen a car ad where the vendor is selling the Road Tax as an optional extra!
No it usually means the car has no road tax (SORNed) , but they will buy the tax for at cost if you want them to. Quite common in adverts for older cars that might take a while to sell.Strawman said:
No it usually means the car has no road tax (SORNed) , but they will buy the tax for at cost if you want them to. Quite common in adverts for older cars that might take a while to sell.
Also if he is insured on the car he can tax it whereas a potential owner may have to wait for a cover not to come through the post before he can tax it therefore drive it legallyITech said:
Oh Dear, sorry you are so cross. I wasn't knocking the Omega, if fact I conceeded it was a good car, I just don't think it's the best car of it's type for the money.
I did realise my mistake about the gearbox and explain in a more recent post, that I was thinking of the Vectra/Cavalier autoboxes, which were used in Saabs and were a bit weak.
I also agreed with another poster, that they were headgasket symptoms, which may or many not be caused by another problem.
I haven't paid over the top for any badge, I dont know what you mean by that really, but it seams BMW's make you upset.
Cambelt are most certainly not more reliable than chains. If you have seen an x300 with a failed chain, I am very surprised indeed. They are famous for doing very high mileages without chain problems. (The x308 is a different story, perhaps that is what you were thinking of).
Overall though, I would suggest you relax, it's only a forum after all.
Sorry but you did come across a bit like the usual beemer owner that seems confused by which wheels drive which end. I did realise my mistake about the gearbox and explain in a more recent post, that I was thinking of the Vectra/Cavalier autoboxes, which were used in Saabs and were a bit weak.
I also agreed with another poster, that they were headgasket symptoms, which may or many not be caused by another problem.
I haven't paid over the top for any badge, I dont know what you mean by that really, but it seams BMW's make you upset.
Cambelt are most certainly not more reliable than chains. If you have seen an x300 with a failed chain, I am very surprised indeed. They are famous for doing very high mileages without chain problems. (The x308 is a different story, perhaps that is what you were thinking of).
Overall though, I would suggest you relax, it's only a forum after all.
thunderbelmont said:
Other than that, a MV6 should be fine for 300K without any major work.
I still have a full sequential LPG kit for a Omega 3.0L up for grabs!!!
Could you send me an email with your contact details re' the LPG kit? It would be usefull for my towcar as it gets a bit thirsty being a 3.0 v6 auto. thanks.I still have a full sequential LPG kit for a Omega 3.0L up for grabs!!!
Top shed of the week!
My dad has ran 2 Omega's, 1st one was a green M reg 2.5 V6 CDX auto saloon, which he had for years and never had any faults with it other than routine servicing. In fact I cleaned it all up and sold it for him, and could've sold it 10 times over, such was the demand for tidy Omega's. And that was 4 or 5 years ago?
The one he has now i found for sale in a private ad in the local free motorweekly paper up here in Glasgow and it was a 53 plate 3.2 MV6 auto estate in dark met blue. Guy selling it had sourced it from Vauxhall's management team (as he had contacts within Vauxhall HQ) anyway he bought when it was just 6 months old and only put a few miles on it as he used it purely as a tow car for his single seater racing car. So when my dad bought it, it had only done 32k miles backed up by a full Vauxhall history.
I test drove it and also drove it back to my dad's (as he's disabled and needs hand controls fitted) and i was quite impressed with the drive. At the time I had a 51 plate 525i Sport auto, and although the Omega didn't handle quite as nicely, it was certainly quicker. Overall the 4spd auto box strangles the 3.2, it really needs a 5th gear, also the steering is too light and uncommunicative compared to an E39 sport.
Overall the 3.2 has been a reliable car, only major thing go has been the oil cooler pipes, so our mechanic fixed that and also changed the gearbox oil and filter, so nothing more to worry about there.
When i was looking for an auto estate late last year,i gave the Omega some serious consideration as VFM, they are cheap as chips and you can still pick up nice 2.6 and 3.0 ones in Elite or MV6 spec. However i decided on an A6 Avant 2.7T Quattro auto. But i'd still have an Omega! Damn good cars.
Someone asked about MV6 spec only being manuals? no they came in both auto and man.
My dad has ran 2 Omega's, 1st one was a green M reg 2.5 V6 CDX auto saloon, which he had for years and never had any faults with it other than routine servicing. In fact I cleaned it all up and sold it for him, and could've sold it 10 times over, such was the demand for tidy Omega's. And that was 4 or 5 years ago?
The one he has now i found for sale in a private ad in the local free motorweekly paper up here in Glasgow and it was a 53 plate 3.2 MV6 auto estate in dark met blue. Guy selling it had sourced it from Vauxhall's management team (as he had contacts within Vauxhall HQ) anyway he bought when it was just 6 months old and only put a few miles on it as he used it purely as a tow car for his single seater racing car. So when my dad bought it, it had only done 32k miles backed up by a full Vauxhall history.
I test drove it and also drove it back to my dad's (as he's disabled and needs hand controls fitted) and i was quite impressed with the drive. At the time I had a 51 plate 525i Sport auto, and although the Omega didn't handle quite as nicely, it was certainly quicker. Overall the 4spd auto box strangles the 3.2, it really needs a 5th gear, also the steering is too light and uncommunicative compared to an E39 sport.
Overall the 3.2 has been a reliable car, only major thing go has been the oil cooler pipes, so our mechanic fixed that and also changed the gearbox oil and filter, so nothing more to worry about there.
When i was looking for an auto estate late last year,i gave the Omega some serious consideration as VFM, they are cheap as chips and you can still pick up nice 2.6 and 3.0 ones in Elite or MV6 spec. However i decided on an A6 Avant 2.7T Quattro auto. But i'd still have an Omega! Damn good cars.
Someone asked about MV6 spec only being manuals? no they came in both auto and man.
gmackay2 said:
also the steering is too light and uncommunicative compared to an E39 sport.
The steering has variable assistance and gets lighter the slower you go. It can be adjusted using a TechII (omegaowners.com have a few) . I didnt like mine and found it was on the setting for most assistance. Now its on the lowest setting and has much better feel/control.^^^^ that's interesting to know about the steering? I'll say to my dad about it, but he only does about 5k miles a year and due to being disabled his days of spirited driving are long gone.
Thing i will add about the ride quality of the MV6 estates, is they are sensitive to tyre stiffness, e.g. cheap brand hard walled tyres make the ride very jittery compared to premium brand tyres.
Also someone else mentioned they couldn't get the 3.2 above 27mpg? exact same as my dad's he's never really bettered it? he once tried super unleaded in it (i think it was shell?) anyway the car ran like a dog on it? it hated it. So never again. bog standard 95 ron all the way. lol
Thing i will add about the ride quality of the MV6 estates, is they are sensitive to tyre stiffness, e.g. cheap brand hard walled tyres make the ride very jittery compared to premium brand tyres.
Also someone else mentioned they couldn't get the 3.2 above 27mpg? exact same as my dad's he's never really bettered it? he once tried super unleaded in it (i think it was shell?) anyway the car ran like a dog on it? it hated it. So never again. bog standard 95 ron all the way. lol
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff