Vauxhall Signum 3.2l V6
Discussion
Following on from the below thread below I picked this up at the weekend.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
What lead me to even looking at these was that there was one on sale locally but the 2.2 lower spec model, so I widened the net to see what was around and had a punt at this one and won it. So 3 trains and about 4 hours later I was the proud owner of a 9 year old posh Vectra. Recently I’ve fell foul to winning a couple of cars on EBay and the seller going AWOL after likely not making what they wanted during the auction but not setting a reserve. I kind of expected this to go the same way. The guy picked me up at the station and my first impression was ‘he hasn’t even been arsed to give it a quick clean’ He still had his for sale signs up in the window for £2,500 ono so maybe that was why…..
Gave the car as good of an inspection as I could, admittedly I’m not hugely mechanically savvy but think I know enough to spot a absolute dog. He failed to mention a few things in his add and a couple of things were plain misleading. It basically needs 2 new tyres right off with the other 2 not far behind, that would be something I’d mention regardless if I were selling but at 2.5k is something you can negotiate down on but at 1k not so. It used to be a safety vehicle at a steel works so to the front bumper there are a couple of drill holes and in the rear interior, nothing noticeable, and a couple of redundant switches on the dash to control lights etc but no holes on the roof etc.
His ‘all books etc present’ in reality translated to a bunch of old MOT’s with no service book or history. I’m hopefully going to try and get some joy out of Vauxhall and try to piece some of its history together although he had a receipt for having the belt changed 6k miles ago.
Anyhow the drive home was a pleasure. When new Vauxhall seemed to think there was a demand in the market for a car that offered as much room and comfort in the back as the front. From what I know it didn’t sell well and I’ve only seen one other in the flesh while driving home and that was about 2 miles from home. The Elite was the top of the range model complete with some sort of faux wood trim which is interesting to say the least. Apart from this the interior is a nice place to be and hugely comfortable. The SatNav is antiquated by today’s standards but seems more accurate and functions better than my own standalone more modern system. On board computer monitors tyre pressure, fluid levels etc in addition to the usual stuff. Electrically adjusted drivers and passenger seats (drivers has memory function) a load of storage cubbies built into the interior roof. Stereo system is decent with a single CD in dash and an old school 4 disc multi-changer caddy built into the dash. In the rear there is loads of room, even with me at 6’4” with the drivers seat fully back there is still plenty of room in the back for me. I think they were marketed as a 2+2 and you could even spec a fridge and power points where the middle seat would be. There is a middle seat in mine that folds over to provide a tray table with cup holders etc. There is a seat belt for the middle seat, and it’s probably as wide as the middle seat in any other car i.e. will seat an adult but not in huge comfort on longer trips.
The rear seats fold completely flat to offer a pretty decent loading area, something which attracted me to the car for lugging loads. There are various anchor points all over the place to secure loads too.
Coming from a 2.5l 170bhp rear wheel drive E36 3 at first it felt on the sluggish/slow side, there’s no getting away from the fact it has a curb weight of slightly over 1.5 tonnes vs. about 1.3 tonnes and when you’re driving it feels like your driving a ‘big car’. I think the sound proofing and power delivery mask the performance a bit and it’s quicker than it feels, confirmed by looking down and the speedo and thinking ‘umm doesn’t feel like I’m going that quickly’. I think the 3.2 V6 24v makes around 210 bhp which is pretty lousy for the displacement at face value. The later cars got a 2.7 turbo which had similar figures but increased tune-ability that goes with a turbo. There is plenty of power for overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly strong form 50 up to well over 100 leptons. My drive back took in a mixture of dual carriage ways and single carriage A roads. According the computer I averaged 34.4 MPG which I’ll need to confirm when I fill up the tank. Since driving around town the average has slipped down to 27. It was hugely comfortable though, where I’d have aches and pains after an hour in the OH Astra I was fine after 3 hours.
So there you have it, complete overkill for a 20 mile round trip commute. But it will come in handy for longer trips. 2 new tyres possibly 4 today. The 323i has gone up for sale, it’s been a great shed but was getting to be too much of a shed to for longer term ownership despite being reliable over 12 months the drivers side window not working and the reluctance to take it on any longer trips due to what would have probably been unfounded worries about it breaking down. Will add some more photos and updates of ownership.
All in all very pleased, there are some examples breaking for spares or repairs on EBay for around what I paid so for a bag of sand seems like a good purchase.
Original EBay add with pics.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261080451354;jsessionid=...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
What lead me to even looking at these was that there was one on sale locally but the 2.2 lower spec model, so I widened the net to see what was around and had a punt at this one and won it. So 3 trains and about 4 hours later I was the proud owner of a 9 year old posh Vectra. Recently I’ve fell foul to winning a couple of cars on EBay and the seller going AWOL after likely not making what they wanted during the auction but not setting a reserve. I kind of expected this to go the same way. The guy picked me up at the station and my first impression was ‘he hasn’t even been arsed to give it a quick clean’ He still had his for sale signs up in the window for £2,500 ono so maybe that was why…..
Gave the car as good of an inspection as I could, admittedly I’m not hugely mechanically savvy but think I know enough to spot a absolute dog. He failed to mention a few things in his add and a couple of things were plain misleading. It basically needs 2 new tyres right off with the other 2 not far behind, that would be something I’d mention regardless if I were selling but at 2.5k is something you can negotiate down on but at 1k not so. It used to be a safety vehicle at a steel works so to the front bumper there are a couple of drill holes and in the rear interior, nothing noticeable, and a couple of redundant switches on the dash to control lights etc but no holes on the roof etc.
His ‘all books etc present’ in reality translated to a bunch of old MOT’s with no service book or history. I’m hopefully going to try and get some joy out of Vauxhall and try to piece some of its history together although he had a receipt for having the belt changed 6k miles ago.
Anyhow the drive home was a pleasure. When new Vauxhall seemed to think there was a demand in the market for a car that offered as much room and comfort in the back as the front. From what I know it didn’t sell well and I’ve only seen one other in the flesh while driving home and that was about 2 miles from home. The Elite was the top of the range model complete with some sort of faux wood trim which is interesting to say the least. Apart from this the interior is a nice place to be and hugely comfortable. The SatNav is antiquated by today’s standards but seems more accurate and functions better than my own standalone more modern system. On board computer monitors tyre pressure, fluid levels etc in addition to the usual stuff. Electrically adjusted drivers and passenger seats (drivers has memory function) a load of storage cubbies built into the interior roof. Stereo system is decent with a single CD in dash and an old school 4 disc multi-changer caddy built into the dash. In the rear there is loads of room, even with me at 6’4” with the drivers seat fully back there is still plenty of room in the back for me. I think they were marketed as a 2+2 and you could even spec a fridge and power points where the middle seat would be. There is a middle seat in mine that folds over to provide a tray table with cup holders etc. There is a seat belt for the middle seat, and it’s probably as wide as the middle seat in any other car i.e. will seat an adult but not in huge comfort on longer trips.
The rear seats fold completely flat to offer a pretty decent loading area, something which attracted me to the car for lugging loads. There are various anchor points all over the place to secure loads too.
Coming from a 2.5l 170bhp rear wheel drive E36 3 at first it felt on the sluggish/slow side, there’s no getting away from the fact it has a curb weight of slightly over 1.5 tonnes vs. about 1.3 tonnes and when you’re driving it feels like your driving a ‘big car’. I think the sound proofing and power delivery mask the performance a bit and it’s quicker than it feels, confirmed by looking down and the speedo and thinking ‘umm doesn’t feel like I’m going that quickly’. I think the 3.2 V6 24v makes around 210 bhp which is pretty lousy for the displacement at face value. The later cars got a 2.7 turbo which had similar figures but increased tune-ability that goes with a turbo. There is plenty of power for overtaking and acceleration is surprisingly strong form 50 up to well over 100 leptons. My drive back took in a mixture of dual carriage ways and single carriage A roads. According the computer I averaged 34.4 MPG which I’ll need to confirm when I fill up the tank. Since driving around town the average has slipped down to 27. It was hugely comfortable though, where I’d have aches and pains after an hour in the OH Astra I was fine after 3 hours.
So there you have it, complete overkill for a 20 mile round trip commute. But it will come in handy for longer trips. 2 new tyres possibly 4 today. The 323i has gone up for sale, it’s been a great shed but was getting to be too much of a shed to for longer term ownership despite being reliable over 12 months the drivers side window not working and the reluctance to take it on any longer trips due to what would have probably been unfounded worries about it breaking down. Will add some more photos and updates of ownership.
All in all very pleased, there are some examples breaking for spares or repairs on EBay for around what I paid so for a bag of sand seems like a good purchase.
Original EBay add with pics.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261080451354;jsessionid=...
Very underrated cars these and the 3.2 V6 is a nice engine. They do respond quite well to a remap too - gets rid of the slight clunk as the flaps in the inlet manifold open when you're pressing on. Might seem a little chavvy but drill 5 or 6 holes in the base of the airbox and throw a K&N panel filter in it. It'll breathe a bit easier and you'll get a lovely induction roar in the cabin if that's your thing. Silent cruising but stamp the loud pedal and it'll sound lovely.
It does feel pretty strangled in terms of airflow so I might have a look at what can be done. Few You Tube clips knocking around with the V6 with full stainless systems etc and sound more like a V6 should. The purr from mine is almost inaudible. There are plenty around so seem a decent steer for anyone after a comfortable cruiser with a decent load capability.
A lex said:
A serious amount of car for £1000 - and good on the seller for playing fair with the auction!
These were on my radar when my V70 T5 went kaput, but ended up in diesel V70 instead.
I was also looking at T5's but they were a bit ropey for what I was looking to spend. V70 load space will be much bigger I'd have thought load space wise but it's big enough with the seats folded down for my moutnain bike to be chucked in which is all I wanted.These were on my radar when my V70 T5 went kaput, but ended up in diesel V70 instead.
I think they're the same length as a Vectra estate but due to the slopping back don't have the same loading area.
I brought a 2.2 signum a little while ago, and so far it ok, nothing to set the world alight, bu ti have no real complaints about it either, better looking than a true estate and loads of room in the back for the buba and misses, plus plenty of boot space for all the baby stuff. Radio is absolute poop so that was replaced but thats all so far
djt100 said:
I brought a 2.2 signum a little while ago, and so far it ok, nothing to set the world alight, bu ti have no real complaints about it either, better looking than a true estate and loads of room in the back for the buba and misses, plus plenty of boot space for all the baby stuff. Radio is absolute poop so that was replaced but thats all so far
The one that was selling locally to me which put me onto these was a 2.2. Looking at it with 150hp and knowing how mine goes I wouldn't want any less power. What sort of MPG are you gettting? I'm getting around 27mpg 'around town figures'Just been and put 4 tyres on, so to look at it another way I've just spent 40% of my cars purchase price on new rubber!
Quick update. Had 4 new tyres last week 2 were borderline legal and the other 2 not far behind so just got them all changed.
First full tank of fuel and to be fair it seems fairly diabolical so far. Computer showing about 25mpg average so far on the first full tank after showing it to a mate and some spirited driving at the weekend…… Thoughts of being able to run a V8 with similar figures have already entered my head but for the mileage I do I still don’t expect to see a huge increase in fuel bills over the 323i……
It’s really comfortable and generally a nice place to be, It’s so quiet with next to no road noise even when pressing on, but I’d like to hear more of an engine note as the V6 is too muted IMO. I’m looking forward to a few upcoming longer motorway trips which will allow me to use it in the conditions it was designed for.
So far so good though.
First full tank of fuel and to be fair it seems fairly diabolical so far. Computer showing about 25mpg average so far on the first full tank after showing it to a mate and some spirited driving at the weekend…… Thoughts of being able to run a V8 with similar figures have already entered my head but for the mileage I do I still don’t expect to see a huge increase in fuel bills over the 323i……
It’s really comfortable and generally a nice place to be, It’s so quiet with next to no road noise even when pressing on, but I’d like to hear more of an engine note as the V6 is too muted IMO. I’m looking forward to a few upcoming longer motorway trips which will allow me to use it in the conditions it was designed for.
So far so good though.
Edited by a311 on Tuesday 28th August 10:25
A lex said:
25mpg sounds fine to me. Big, heavy, square shaped car with a V6 engine. Par for the course, not diabolical by any stretch.
Glad its still working well for you
True. In reality I expect it's no worse than the 323i just having the real time MPG on the computer vs the old analogue gauge on the 3 series will take some getting used to! Best I've had on a 10 mile commute so far is slightly over 30 with trying and worst slightly over 20 with trying! Glad its still working well for you
Huge amount of car for the money. Really like them and supposed to be better screwed together than the equivalent Vectra.
Think the 3.2 V6 doesn't do to bad power-wise for the age of engine. Engine tech has moved on a lot since then. You only have to look at V6 Mondeo's of the same age or even the W8 Passat as a comparison. Meant to be quite reliable too and silky smooth.
It's a lazy V6 and seemingly a lightened flywheel does them a huge amount of good. Some of the V6 engines were used in the US market and had to cope with low idle rpms's for emissions so they were stuck with a heavy flywheel. It'll rev it's nuts off with a lightened one.
Think the 3.2 V6 doesn't do to bad power-wise for the age of engine. Engine tech has moved on a lot since then. You only have to look at V6 Mondeo's of the same age or even the W8 Passat as a comparison. Meant to be quite reliable too and silky smooth.
It's a lazy V6 and seemingly a lightened flywheel does them a huge amount of good. Some of the V6 engines were used in the US market and had to cope with low idle rpms's for emissions so they were stuck with a heavy flywheel. It'll rev it's nuts off with a lightened one.
Deano_BMW said:
just done the same and picked up a 2004 Signum 3.2 V6 with only £850 quid. needs a bit of work (brakes,alternator and vambelt kit) but im pleasantly surprised by it. Its a nice barge. mines on LPG so makes the fuel a little bit more stomachable.
LPG would be good if someone else had went to the expense to install it. There aren't any stations local to me and noticed at the weekend in one garage it had crept up to over 80p a litre.I've been up and down the motorway allot in mine these last couple of weeks and for those trips has been awesome. I've yet to see north of 35mpg on a run though but not too concerned as they were mostly company paid for miles.
Mines due a service and MOT in October.
Just had it's first MOT under my ownership so seems a good time for an update.
Most expensive MOT I've ever had to shell out for, needed ~£375 in parts and repairs plus the test fee. Looking through the old MOT history the last MOt they're were no advisories so seems like a few bits and bobs wore out at the wrong time for me. So this goes to show how the 1K car can quickly nearly double just in wear and tare items.
Other than todays bill I'm enjoying the ownership. Had a couple of 700ish mile round trips with work and have used it instead of getting a hire car. It's great for lugging loads withthe rear seats folding totally flat.
In 4000 odd miles I've averaged 31.1 MPG with a mixture of driving.
Most expensive MOT I've ever had to shell out for, needed ~£375 in parts and repairs plus the test fee. Looking through the old MOT history the last MOt they're were no advisories so seems like a few bits and bobs wore out at the wrong time for me. So this goes to show how the 1K car can quickly nearly double just in wear and tare items.
Other than todays bill I'm enjoying the ownership. Had a couple of 700ish mile round trips with work and have used it instead of getting a hire car. It's great for lugging loads withthe rear seats folding totally flat.
In 4000 odd miles I've averaged 31.1 MPG with a mixture of driving.
MPG seems pretty much bang on to be honest. Unless you sit at 60 on the motorway you'll not see more than 35-37mpg with normal motorway driving. Take a 12mm drill bit to the base of the airbox! It'll sound lovely whilst still retaining the proper panel filter. They have a lovely induction roar.
a311 said:
Just had it's first MOT under my ownership so seems a good time for an update.
Most expensive MOT I've ever had to shell out for, needed ~£375 in parts and repairs plus the test fee. Looking through the old MOT history the last MOt they're were no advisories so seems like a few bits and bobs wore out at the wrong time for me. So this goes to show how the 1K car can quickly nearly double just in wear and tare items.
Other than todays bill I'm enjoying the ownership. Had a couple of 700ish mile round trips with work and have used it instead of getting a hire car. It's great for lugging loads withthe rear seats folding totally flat.
In 4000 odd miles I've averaged 31.1 MPG with a mixture of driving.
Good news then. At least that is 400 quids worth of stuff sorted now, won't be going wrong for quite some time.Most expensive MOT I've ever had to shell out for, needed ~£375 in parts and repairs plus the test fee. Looking through the old MOT history the last MOt they're were no advisories so seems like a few bits and bobs wore out at the wrong time for me. So this goes to show how the 1K car can quickly nearly double just in wear and tare items.
Other than todays bill I'm enjoying the ownership. Had a couple of 700ish mile round trips with work and have used it instead of getting a hire car. It's great for lugging loads withthe rear seats folding totally flat.
In 4000 odd miles I've averaged 31.1 MPG with a mixture of driving.
What were some of the items, out of interest?
Thanks, stuart.
TheLordJohn said:
Good news then. At least that is 400 quids worth of stuff sorted now, won't be going wrong for quite some time.
What were some of the items, out of interest?
Thanks, stuart.
Don’t have the fail sheet and invoice handy but will list once I’m home. Front discs and pads and allot of niggly bits, new wiper blades, CV boots, rod arm (I think).What were some of the items, out of interest?
Thanks, stuart.
Nothing huge that I couldn’t have done myself to save on the labour by I usually weigh up the time it would take me and decide whether it’s worth it or not. In this case I needed the car back sharp-ish so just let them do it.
Thread resurrection!
All stories need an ending and my time with the Signum has come to an end after taking delivery of a lease car.
I enjoyed owning the Vauxhall and it's as if it knew it was going-exhaust fell off and the wife bumped it the week before my new car arrived.
It's been a comfortable reliable car and served me well. As a purist shedder a couple of things failed that I didn't bother fixing such as the central locking key fob, just went manual and the electric drivers seat seems to have stopped working-just a fuse I think.
On top of fuel and tax I reckon after a quick calculation it's cost me around 800 quid to get it through 2 MOT's. A part of me will miss shedding but after taking it to what turned out to be a useless garage for it's MOT I was without a car for 3 weeks which brought on the idea of getting a new car.
It doesn't really owe me anything but is too good for the scrap heap-has MOT till November so will have to try and flog it which means the joy of trying to sell on Ebay and the like. Tempted to keep it as a workhorse for tip runs etc but don't really have the room for it.
All stories need an ending and my time with the Signum has come to an end after taking delivery of a lease car.
I enjoyed owning the Vauxhall and it's as if it knew it was going-exhaust fell off and the wife bumped it the week before my new car arrived.
It's been a comfortable reliable car and served me well. As a purist shedder a couple of things failed that I didn't bother fixing such as the central locking key fob, just went manual and the electric drivers seat seems to have stopped working-just a fuse I think.
On top of fuel and tax I reckon after a quick calculation it's cost me around 800 quid to get it through 2 MOT's. A part of me will miss shedding but after taking it to what turned out to be a useless garage for it's MOT I was without a car for 3 weeks which brought on the idea of getting a new car.
It doesn't really owe me anything but is too good for the scrap heap-has MOT till November so will have to try and flog it which means the joy of trying to sell on Ebay and the like. Tempted to keep it as a workhorse for tip runs etc but don't really have the room for it.
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