Vauxhall 3.0 CDTI

[junglie]

1. £4500 to spend.
2. 340 motorway miles per week.

I like the sound of the Vectra / Signum as you get a newer car than a MB, BMW or VAG for the same price.

I don't want to buy a 4 pot as I have had the joy of BMW 6 cylinders - I appreciate that the 4 pot will be cheaper on servicing and more economy but the V6 sounds better and is more powerful.

What are your experinces with these cars?

[HellDiver]

It's the same Isuzu engine as used in the Renault Vel Satis and Saab 9-5. They're an OK engine, but the fuel pump can die if the engine is tuned and run on st diesel. Belts are a fortune to get changed, and the oil filters are a bit dear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMAX_V6_engine

[LayZ]

This is a duff engine. Lots of broken SAAB 9-5s with this one, I think it munches swirl flaps or something. Its not even that powerful compared to more modern 4 cylinder diesels.

[Welshbeef]

Series 1 330d "only" had 184bhp very comparable to this unit. Clearly today 3ltrs are near on 250bhpbut that's a decade on.

Go for the 2.2tiid Saab or vectra instead cam chain 115bhp job done expect 400k without any issue these are old school diesels. Not fast but economy and reliability.

[Munter]

I think even Plod decided they were too thirsty and didn't offer the required performance.

You'd be better off with a 1.9 150 and the associated EGR problems.

[junglie]

This does not sound promising!

I think a new plan may be in order.

[DennisTheMenace]

The 150ps Cdti is just as quick and will return very good mpg , i have had 2 vectras with this engine and neither gave issues on he engine front , 2nd one an SRi (only vectra i would recommend) had 113000 on the clock when i parted company with it , brilliant car for covering huge miles .

[OllieWinchester]

Not a particularly inspiring drive, but I did once have an indicated 150mph on the speedo of one, probably works out to about 70-75mph.

[fathomfive]

Welshbeef said:

Series 1 330d "only" had 184bhp very comparable to this unit. Clearly today 3ltrs are near on 250bhpbut that's a decade on.

Go for the 2.2tiid Saab or vectra instead cam chain 115bhp job done expect 400k without any issue these are old school diesels. Not fast but economy and reliability.

Doesn't the 2.2TiD break quite regularly though?

[Welshbeef]

fathomfive said:

Welshbeef said:

Series 1 330d "only" had 184bhp very comparable to this unit. Clearly today 3ltrs are near on 250bhpbut that's a decade on.

Go for the 2.2tiid Saab or vectra instead cam chain 115bhp job done expect 400k without any issue these are old school diesels. Not fast but economy and reliability.

Doesn't the 2.2TiD break quite regularly though?

Father in law has one - he has it up to not far off 400k miles.
Problems.
1 new clutch

[BadgerBill]

Nope, unfortunately not. Mine looks like it is going to go on forever , leaving me with one less reason to convince the current Mrs BB that I should flog it for a quicker smoker

BB

[HellDiver]

fathomfive said:

Doesn't the 2.2TiD break quite regularly though?

Only if you attempt to stick to the 20k service intervals. Service 10-15k then it'll literally go forever.

[Welshbeef]

My F in law only services it per Saab's schedule i.e. the 20k odd miles, that said he covers that distance ever 12 weeks so he really doesnt want to be spending any more time than necessary with car in workshop.

His tyres last about 6-7 months for a full set and he goes through discs & pads once per year.

Exhaust I believe is original (well car is still under 10 years old) he hasnt replaced it.