320touring's 2001 Vectra SRi 150 daily beater

[320touring]

Jimmy Recard said:

The X20XER would have been a nice engine - 2.0 litre with 167bhp (not bad in 1999, I feel)

As far as I know, it was saved for left hand drive Opels. I think it's to do with tax on engines over 2000cc in plenty of European countries. Instead, we had nothing between the 2.2 here and the 2.0 turbos apart from the V6s

I wonder whether you could do a Saab 2.3 turbo setup install..

[Lugy]

Can't go wrong at that price (almost)! The timing chain kits available now should be the revised type, they use a better tensioner (from Saab!) and a bigger oil spray jet, a genuine kit used to be £120 on ebay and it's a fairly easy job to do.
A Saab conversion is 'reasonably' straightforward too with scrap yard parts, excellent sleeper potential too.
I had a V6 Supertouring with a 3.0 Omega engine, it was quite fun!

[Jimmy Recard]

320touring said:

I wonder whether you could do a Saab 2.3 turbo setup install..

Quite possible as far as I'm aware. The Vauxhall C20LET/Z20LET conversion would be easier as far as I'm aware though. I think a Z20LER or Z20LEH (mk5 Astra VXR engine) would be more difficult electronically but perfectly possible

I quite like these Vectras. I always fancied a V6 GSi but then they all disappeared!

[320touring]

Jimmy Recard said:

Quite possible as far as I'm aware. The Vauxhall C20LET/Z20LET conversion would be easier as far as I'm aware though. I think a Z20LER or Z20LEH (mk5 Astra VXR engine) would be more difficult electronically but perfectly possible

I quite like these Vectras. I always fancied a V6 GSi but then they all disappeared!

Suppose I better not get too far ahead of myself

will look at it at the weekend, see if it
is worth the keeping first!

[Mr Tidy]

What a bargain! It looks pretty good in the photos.

Years ago I had a 92 reg. Cavalier SRi and it was a great car.

I need to get the hang of this shedding business - I paid more for a set of wheels with used winter tyres for my E46 and thought I had got a good buy! Would have been cheaper to have just bought a disposable car!

Hope it turns out to be good one.

[320touring]

Mr Tidy said:

What a bargain! It looks pretty good in the photos.

Years ago I had a 92 reg. Cavalier SRi and it was a great car.

I need to get the hang of this shedding business - I paid more for a set of wheels with used winter tyres for my E46 and thought I had got a good buy! Would have been cheaper to have just bought a disposable car!

Hope it turns out to be good one.

Cheers chap! I kid myself that a cheap runner offsets the myriad of auld scrap I have lying aboot!

[320touring]

Part two of the exciting journey hame..

From Tunbridge Wells (after a fine repast for breakfast in a local Cafe), we headed north to Bletchley Park



This was a real eye opener for me- utterly fascinating and well worth a visit, albeit unable to come up with a solution to the puzzle of why I'd bought an old Vectra..
If you get the chance GO!



We lost several hours there, including having a good meal in the cafe on site, which set us up nicely for a run up to the bustling Northern Metropolis of Leeds - a virtual pint if you can guess where I was suppin stout..



The car sat for 2 days in the car park outside the hotel, as I set about having a small libation, including meeting up with my brother for a boozy (if well behaved) dinner.

Thankfully she started up no bother after 48hrs idle, and we were soon on our way north. Arriving home at around dinner time, I decided it'd be rude not to take the Vectra to the regular car meeting/dinner we have about 40 mins north. I was comfortably the furthest travelled, but definitely not the most foolhardy- as can be seen below.



As I write, she's about 50 miles short of 1000 miles since purchase, and less than 1/2 way through her 3rd tank of fuel.

[Mr Tidy]

Bargain!

I've just realised that the pre-registered BMW 123d I had for 81K miles cost me about £200 per 1,000 miles in depreciation alone?

Still I am getting over that issue - my current daily is now 14 years old!

I hope it continues to serve you well - and I like that colour! Looks like an inspired choice.

[320touring]

Mr Tidy said:

Bargain!

I've just realised that the pre-registered BMW 123d I had for 81K miles cost me about £200 per 1,000 miles in depreciation alone?

Still I am getting over that issue - my current daily is now 14 years old!

I hope it continues to serve you well - and I like that colour! Looks like an inspired choice.

Given I've done 1000 miles in 2weeks in the Vectra, I'd hate to guess what depreciation I'd get on a new car. thats not to say I wouldnt have one, should my circumstances alter.

but as you say, for the minute, a bargain basement beater is the best plan

[320touring]

This threw up a "Check Oil level" warning today, so I thought I better actually have an actual check over it. After all, it has done over 1000 miles since I got it 2 weeks ago. 1.5L later and it was ok - something to keep an eye on. Likely culprits are either the throttle body housing/gasket or the rocker cover.

The poor grip in the wet was easily traced to the 2 major factors:

Crappy tyres

tread only being about 2.55 deep across the tyres. Happily the wear was even on both fronts- so I know that the arms and bushes/tracking seem ok



Turning the steering to check the brakes revealed that an overfilled power steering reservoir was pishing fluid out - all over the radiator/fans and down the engine bay.





I got it cleaned up, the excess fluid drained and then turned my attention to the brakes

Initial inspections looked ok, right up until I checked the inside pads:



So new ones are on their way - £49 delivered, and the sliders have been removed, cleaned and refitted. I'll get them fitted ASAP.

So far I have the following issues list:

Engine
Oil Leak
Power steering fluid level (resolved but must keep an eye on it)
Thermostat change/coolant temp sender fault?

Brakes
Front Discs and pads needing replaced (Ordered)
Handbrake needs adjusting
Rear calipers need stripped and cleaned

Tyres
Fronts could do replacing with items not made out of plastic

Interior
Drivers Door card/Handle needs repairing
Front windows have poor operation
Seats need cleaned
Interior plastics need cleaned
General clean/tidy needed


All in all, despite not being as dynamic as the Alfa 156, as frugal as the Pug 306 or as fast as the e30 335i I think this may prove to be a good basis for a reliable daily driver that I'll run for a bit.

[Jimmy Recard]

320touring said:

Suppose I better not get too far ahead of myself

will look at it at the weekend, see if it
is worth the keeping first!

I probably wouldn't bother. Just revel in having a car that's quick enough and you just don't have to worry about it!

The odd scrape doesn't matter and it's perfectly practical and usable for whatever you'd want to do. Perfect shedding! Vauxhalls for me have made perfect everyday cars for a while now. I started out needing a cheap car quickly and several Vauxhalls later, they've all just been pretty great for what I want.

[320touring]

Jimmy Recard said:

I probably wouldn't bother. Just revel in having a car that's quick enough and you just don't have to worry about it!

The odd scrape doesn't matter and it's perfectly practical and usable for whatever you'd want to do. Perfect shedding! Vauxhalls for me have made perfect everyday cars for a while now. I started out needing a cheap car quickly and several Vauxhalls later, they've all just been pretty great for what I want.

I'll get the brakes sorted and pap a service on it. Beyond that We'll see.

I certainly can't say i'm smitten with it - its almost like getting a taxi -you just arrive at your destination with little perceived input.

[Jimmy Recard]

320touring said:

I'll get the brakes sorted and pap a service on it. Beyond that We'll see.

I certainly can't say i'm smitten with it - its almost like getting a taxi -you just arrive at your destination with little perceived input.

To be honest, that's exactly what it's designed to do. You can't deny that they hit the brief

By no means are Vauxhalls the best cars that money can buy, but they always are exactly what they're supposed to be.

[Pacman1978]

I had a 12yr old 2.0sri 140 back in 2011? For what it cost it was not as bad as they were made out. Body coloured bumpers improved (!) its looks. Was very reliable, always started first time. The steering was erm.. not good! Always thought the B was nice looking, much better than the C. MPG was atrocious though! TC never did anymore than flash on and off whilst spinning the tyres.

[320touring]

After the OMGNAEBRAKEPADZ scenario discovered on Sunday, I ordered new discs and pads.

they arrived tonight, and I took the decision to fit the pass tonight- I have a 230mile work trip to do tomorrow, and need to be on the road by 8am.



The discs can wait til the weekend - when I have time for the swearimg it'll likely involve. 15yr old caliper bracket bolts are never fun..



Old and New



40 mins from start to finish. good times!

[320touring]

Somehow I seem to have managed 41.8mpg from the last tank on this, and the current one is showing 38.8odds after 240 miles.

this despite major hoonage on the backroads in the sun yesterday- empty backroads and dry tarmac= new pads well bedded in!

Edited by 320touring on Thursday 12th May 10:26

[Superchickenn]

How's the vectra holding up 320touring ?

[320touring]

Superchickenn said:

How's the vectra holding up 320touring ?

funny you should ask!
Not much to report on this bugger as yet, still not done the discs as have been out and about a lot this week.

another tank of gogo done, giving 38.9mpg over 444 miles.

mildly annoying just how blandly competent it is!

I reckon I'll try to break it at the weekend for something to do;)

[Superchickenn]

Excellent news...

That's a pretty impressive from a 2ltr petrol... Sounds a worthy investment so far...

I'm only managing 45ish mpg from my Volvo 1.9 d.. That is 50% WEO

[stewjohnst]

320touring said:

a virtual pint if you can guess where I was suppin stout..

Looks suspiciously like The Adelphi to me...