Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 15:17:36

Title: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 15:17:36
Hi there,

I've picked up an Omega Elite 3.2, 2001, for a piddling £900. Bargain or what? :P

It's done just over 102k miles and I'm thinking, since it was so cheap, maybe I should throw some money at it.

I'm taking it in at some point this month for an oil change (somewhere..) and probably a fuel filter - the other filters I can easily do myself.

Does anyone have an idea of costs involved in renewing all the worn bushes? Would it be extreme to pay for that to be done - I'm not made of money! :D

I searched the forums but didn't find anything for a total cost estimate. I'm not all fingers and thumbs but I have no real collection of tools and not much free time, so doing it myself is just not going to happen.

Any advice appreciated!

Tony.
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2013, 15:56:11
My advice would be to hold off before parting with any money... There is a member who lives not far from you who may offer to help out/do work for you for a sensible contribution to his tool fund ;) :y

He's got an obsession with suspension setup so will certainly look at this thread ;D

Oh... And welcome to the forum :y
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tunnie on 03 February 2013, 16:07:55
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 17:09:30
Thanks Lazydocker, that would be awesome!  :)

Tunnie... You cwaazzzyyyy  :D :D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: TheBoy on 03 February 2013, 17:28:31
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D
Only, having driven yours, I can confirm there is no connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Actually, I reckon your car is missing 4 track rods, as each wheel goes in a random direction ;D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2013, 17:29:57
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D
Only, having driven yours, I can confirm there is no connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Actually, I reckon your car is missing 4 track rods, as each wheel goes in a random direction ;D

Another clown car... Must be something to do with the roads around there :-X ::) ;D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: VXL V6 on 03 February 2013, 17:34:28
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: omega3000 on 03 February 2013, 17:35:19
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D
Only, having driven yours, I can confirm there is no connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. Actually, I reckon your car is missing 4 track rods, as each wheel goes in a random direction ;D

 :D ;D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Broomies Mate on 03 February 2013, 17:39:28
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

Never thought I'd see "Great Handling" and "Omega" in one sentence, unless the work "Unlike" was between the two.

I openly admit, the three I have had have all been 3.0 Elite's, but I have driven plenty of 2.0GLS and 2.5TD's and all are pretty horrendous. 

Most FWD Shit boxes will make roundabouts at greater speeds than an Omega......... I still wouldn't have one though!
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 February 2013, 17:44:22
Properly set up, with a proper engine, they keep up with most things :-X
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 17:44:53
I have yet to see any car make a roundabout at the speeds my Omega can. But maybe that's just my lead foot and general sideways slant on life...  :y  :o
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2013, 18:13:19
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

Never thought I'd see "Great Handling" and "Omega" in one sentence, unless the work "Unlike" was between the two.

I openly admit, the three I have had have all been 3.0 Elite's, but I have driven plenty of 2.0GLS and 2.5TD's and all are pretty horrendous. 

Most FWD Shit boxes will make roundabouts at greater speeds than an Omega......... I still wouldn't have one though!

I disagree... Set up properly, which involves binning the wallowy elite setup, and on reasonable tyres (oh no, I said it again ::)) it is very capable :y

Even on elite suspension it will keep most cars honest ;) As long as you're willing to corner twice... Once for the body roll and once for the chassis to go where you want ;D ;D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2013, 18:15:01
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

You have to remember that Tunnie's driving style doesn't make many demands on the car ;)
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: 05omegav6 on 03 February 2013, 18:16:13
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

You have to remember that Tunnie's driving style doesn't make any demands on the car ;)

Fixed :y
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: feeutfo on 03 February 2013, 18:19:00
Hi there,

I've picked up an Omega Elite 3.2, 2001, for a piddling £900. Bargain or what? :P

It's done just over 102k miles and I'm thinking, since it was so cheap, maybe I should throw some money at it.

I'm taking it in at some point this month for an oil change (somewhere..) and probably a fuel filter - the other filters I can easily do myself.

Does anyone have an idea of costs involved in renewing all the worn bushes? Would it be extreme to pay for that to be done - I'm not made of money! :D

I searched the forums but didn't find anything for a total cost estimate. I'm not all fingers and thumbs but I have no real collection of tools and not much free time, so doing it myself is just not going to happen.

Any advice appreciated!

Tony.
Hi Tony.
A well trodden path this one now. Couple of options. But it depends on your personal taste.

Generally people are happy to pay a small trade off in harshness of ride, for a more accurate handling and stable car. Elites are comparatively soft and wallowy in the suspension dept. compared to the rest of the omega range. This in pursuit of comfort almost above all else. Hence the trade off with poly is worth it, if you're a progressive driver.

If you prefer comfort though, then fitting like for like is the way. Although the life of oe parts is limited, as rubber wears and fails much quicker than poly ever will.

...? :)

Depends how you feel the car drives too. Any issues with it?
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Broomies Mate on 03 February 2013, 18:19:29
The car handles perfectly well for what it is, which is a big wallowy old hector.  It was designed and built to sit on the Motorway/Autobahn at Motorway/Autobahn speeds, and that is does exceptionally well, in great comfort.

I stand by my comment that it is far from a great handling car.  :y
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: feeutfo on 03 February 2013, 18:22:40
The car handles perfectly well for what it is, which is a big wallowy old hector.  It was designed and built to sit on the Motorway/Autobahn at Motorway/Autobahn speeds, and that is does exceptionally well, in great comfort.

I stand by my comment that it is far from a great handling car.  :y
Depends on preference. If your happy, why fiddle?

 If your not happy with it, there are solutions. :)
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: VXL V6 on 03 February 2013, 18:25:21
Sorry, would be better if I kept my thoughts to myself next time.
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tunnie on 03 February 2013, 18:32:42
Just don't bother changing them, I highly suspect mine are original, so that makes them 161k old  ;D

Still pass MOT, so good enough for me!  :D

I just don't follow this thinking, why bother having a great handling car like an Omega and not have it set up correctly? May as well drive around in some cheap to run FWD shitbox IMHO.

You have to remember that Tunnie's driving style doesn't make many demands on the car ;)

Yup. Does what I want of it, big, comfy, cheap to run, goes well enough for me. (2.2 that is)

Don't use 3.2 currently due to fuel cost, 80% of my miles are motorway, 15% town on average. Don't see point in spending big bucks to make car stiff and handle for the very, very few times it would get driven in that way.
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: feeutfo on 03 February 2013, 18:33:56
I have yet to see any car make a roundabout at the speeds my Omega can. But maybe that's just my lead foot and general sideways slant on life...  :y  :o

Guessing the poly route then. ;D :y
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tunnie on 03 February 2013, 18:44:37
Should add the 3.2 handles a lot better, Lemforder wishbones just 4k old. But I actually prefer way the 2.2 goes  ;D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tunnie on 03 February 2013, 18:49:26
Oh and MrsT has told me off once or twice for being "Mr Speedy"  ::)

It's actually just laziness leaving cruise set to 80mph at slip roads  :D  ;D

Shocks are actually fairly new, maybe 20k old? brand new still in my book!  ;)
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: feeutfo on 03 February 2013, 18:50:23
Should add the 3.2 handles a lot better, Lemforder wishbones just 4k old. But I actually prefer way the 2.2 goes  ;D

All things are relative Tunster. ;)
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 19:21:09
Hi Tony.
A well trodden path this one now. Couple of options. But it depends on your personal taste.

Generally people are happy to pay a small trade off in harshness of ride, for a more accurate handling and stable car. Elites are comparatively soft and wallowy in the suspension dept. compared to the rest of the omega range. This in pursuit of comfort almost above all else. Hence the trade off with poly is worth it, if you're a progressive driver.

If you prefer comfort though, then fitting like for like is the way. Although the life of oe parts is limited, as rubber wears and fails much quicker than poly ever will.

...? :)

Depends how you feel the car drives too. Any issues with it?

Hi Chris,

If I'm honest, I don't find it too wallowy - not for such a big car. And the roads around here... well... I think there are only a couple I drive down that don't have potholes! :o

Body roll never bothers me, you just have to compensate. And most of the time I drive casual anyway. Do poly bushes really make that much difference to the ride quality? The only experience I have of them is from having them on my E30 - and that had sport springs/shocks and a 30mm drop, so it was harsh anyway ::)

Also, some joker put directional tyres on the front so the handling's all shot to pieces anyway.

I just figured that, after 100k+ miles, it might be worth freshening up the bits that bear the burden of making it go in a straight line and round the curvy bits. How long would OE bushes last me - I only do about 3k miles/yr in the car?

There's a slight clunk-sensation sometimes when turning the wheels, when stationary. I can't find any steering leaks so I just guessed it's likely something in the suspension warn - ball joint maybe? If it is then I might as well refresh some other bits.

T.
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: feeutfo on 03 February 2013, 19:25:39
Ok there's a bit more too it by the sound of it.

Your welcome to pop over if you want to pm me some idea on dates...? :y
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: Lazydocker on 03 February 2013, 19:29:45
I used to live in Basingstoke... They aren't potholes, they're mortar damage :-X ::) :D
Title: Re: Suspension bushed, cost of
Post by: tOnYoYo on 03 February 2013, 19:33:54
Ok there's a bit more too it by the sound of it.

Your welcome to pop over if you want to pm me some idea on dates...? :y

Thanks Chris!  ;D :y