Insignia 2.8 V6 4x4 Estate
Discussion
Great cars, the engine from the previous gen Vectra VXR if I'm not mistaken. If it's the same engine however, although chain driven, they tend to stretch over time, and can be identified by the dreaded chain slap sound.
Unfortunately, replacing the chain is not a DIY job - there's someone on the VXR forums who does this for a little over £1500. Not many garages are willing to touch them, but this information was back from 08 when I was interested in buying a VXR.
[EDIT] Just to add, I currently own a 2.8 Saab 9-3 which has the same engine, albeit some modifications from Saab so they don't suffer the same chain issues. 19mpg around town, and around 33mpg on a run. A full tank (£57) nets me approx 220 miles, and I drive like a saint.
Mine makes 250bhp standard, but can easily be remapped closer to 290 just with an ECU upgrade. A lot of engine for the money, whatever model it comes in.
Unfortunately, replacing the chain is not a DIY job - there's someone on the VXR forums who does this for a little over £1500. Not many garages are willing to touch them, but this information was back from 08 when I was interested in buying a VXR.
[EDIT] Just to add, I currently own a 2.8 Saab 9-3 which has the same engine, albeit some modifications from Saab so they don't suffer the same chain issues. 19mpg around town, and around 33mpg on a run. A full tank (£57) nets me approx 220 miles, and I drive like a saint.
Mine makes 250bhp standard, but can easily be remapped closer to 290 just with an ECU upgrade. A lot of engine for the money, whatever model it comes in.
Edited by Hazuki on Monday 23 July 15:38
Hazuki said:
Great cars, the engine from the previous gen Vectra VXR if I'm not mistaken. If it's the same engine however, although chain driven, they tend to stretch over time, and can be identified by the dreaded chain slap sound.
Unfortunately, replacing the chain is not a DIY job - there's someone on the VXR forums who does this for a little over £1500. Not many garages are willing to touch them, but this information was back from 08 when I was interested in buying a VXR.
[EDIT] Just to add, I currently own a 2.8 Saab 9-3 which has the same engine, albeit some modifications from Saab so they don't suffer the same chain issues. 19mpg around town, and around 33mpg on a run. A full tank (£57) nets me approx 220 miles, and I drive like a saint.
Mine makes 250bhp standard, but can easily be remapped closer to 290 just with an ECU upgrade. A lot of engine for the money, whatever model it comes in.
The 2.8T Saabs also suffered the stretched chain issues, the chain issue for both makes was sorted in 2009 so a 2010 onwards car is fine the issue didn't affect all the cars it's a similar issue to what the V engined VAG cars suffer with.Unfortunately, replacing the chain is not a DIY job - there's someone on the VXR forums who does this for a little over £1500. Not many garages are willing to touch them, but this information was back from 08 when I was interested in buying a VXR.
[EDIT] Just to add, I currently own a 2.8 Saab 9-3 which has the same engine, albeit some modifications from Saab so they don't suffer the same chain issues. 19mpg around town, and around 33mpg on a run. A full tank (£57) nets me approx 220 miles, and I drive like a saint.
Mine makes 250bhp standard, but can easily be remapped closer to 290 just with an ECU upgrade. A lot of engine for the money, whatever model it comes in.
I have a few customers who have them, they're a very robust car with lots of pace I'd say handling wise they're at the same level as an Audi S4 one thing they do respond well to is a Map as the midrange torque Vauxhall took out to make it feel more like an N/A engine, is restored
The extra torque & BHP really adds to the cars character & fuel economy not by much but enough to get them into the mid 20's mpg wise.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 23 July 19:17
A friend of mine has an Insignia VXR estate. It has its good points (looks, space, handles well) - but it’s totally ruined by the engine in my opinion.
It’s supposed to make 320ish BHP, but it’s slow. I believe it’s torque limited in the first couple of gears. Looking at the Autocar review online, they couldn’t get better than 6.7s for the 0-60! Which is well behind the claimed book figure.
To make matters worse, you’ll only see an average of 20-25mpg.
Good car spoilt by an underwhelming, thirsty engine.
It’s supposed to make 320ish BHP, but it’s slow. I believe it’s torque limited in the first couple of gears. Looking at the Autocar review online, they couldn’t get better than 6.7s for the 0-60! Which is well behind the claimed book figure.
To make matters worse, you’ll only see an average of 20-25mpg.
Good car spoilt by an underwhelming, thirsty engine.
ZX10R NIN said:
The 2.8T Saabs also suffered the stretched chain issues, the chain issue for both makes was sorted in 2009 so a 2010 onwards car is fine the issue didn't affect all the cars it's a similar issue to what the V engined VAG cars suffer with.
Interesting, I've seen a few topics on the uksaabs forum where they say there was some modifications made to the assembly and stretch issues aren't nearly as prevalent as they are on the Vectra. Out of interest, do you know what was changed in 09/10?
I previously ran a 2.0T Petrol Insignia.
220bhp stock, I had mine mapped at Regal Autosports and it made just over 300bhp.
Fast car in a straight line, thats about it really. I liked the interior, had all the gadgets if thats what you're into.
Mine had a fair few issues, quite a lot of sensors packed up at £100+ each. I also had symptoms of a dodgy DMF, changed it, and the clutch – nearly £2000 and still didn't feel right to me after.
As for the 2.8 4wd ones, the only thing I can say is that lots of people had issues with the 4wd Haldex system that frequently ended up with £3-4000 bills, so make sure the Haldex has been serviced regularly.
Doubt its a bad car, nothing spectacular either. Like others have said, a lot of car for the money now but will definitely be worth next to nothing in a few years.
220bhp stock, I had mine mapped at Regal Autosports and it made just over 300bhp.
Fast car in a straight line, thats about it really. I liked the interior, had all the gadgets if thats what you're into.
Mine had a fair few issues, quite a lot of sensors packed up at £100+ each. I also had symptoms of a dodgy DMF, changed it, and the clutch – nearly £2000 and still didn't feel right to me after.
As for the 2.8 4wd ones, the only thing I can say is that lots of people had issues with the 4wd Haldex system that frequently ended up with £3-4000 bills, so make sure the Haldex has been serviced regularly.
Doubt its a bad car, nothing spectacular either. Like others have said, a lot of car for the money now but will definitely be worth next to nothing in a few years.
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