Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jabe]

Hi,

In the next few months I will be going abroad and have been looking at what cars I could buy once I get there.

I eventually rounded it down to an Omega seen as they are the closest things you could get to in terms of comfort without hanging yourself financially. The reason being, taxes over there caused the value of vehicles to stay extraordinarily high. So a £1,000 omega here costs around £7,000 over there. (Yes, you read that right. )

Because of this, owners rarely buy new cars which means mileage tend to exceed well over 300,000km's (200k+ miles) on most cars.

I've been browsing the equivalent autotrader and almost all omega models are peaking 300,000km’s. Most of them are automatics, and most of them have been converted to LPG.

In terms of reliability, is there much to be expected from an omega after it hits 200k miles?

I know this is a U.K forum so 200k to someone here means a prep for the scrap yard lol but seen as parts are fairly priced over there, owners tend to keep good care of their cars.

However this still would not excuse the fact that it’s a 15 year old car with 200,000 miles on the clock. So my question is, would an omega happily push another 50,000 miles with basic maintenance or would I simply be buying a ticking time bomb?

I'm currently looking at a pre-facelift 2.5 V6 auto. It has 310,000km's and had LPG fitted @ 120,000km's.

All the advice I can get is appreciated.

Thanks!

[Webby the Bear]

Hi,

I've seen lots of omegas with 200k plus and that's over here.

I would say check the specific omega trouble hot spots (no oil in plug wells, proof of cambelt etc) and then give it regular oil changes/breather cleans and i believe it will be all good

[TheBoy]

Obviously, parts wear out - suspension, steering etc.

Keep on top of fluid changes, and it should be OK, if it hasn't been previously abused.


Over here, rust and prangs is what kills Omegas. Plus, maybe, a little bit of 'keep up with the Jones' and wanting BMW/Merc/Audi

[the alarming man]

Hi,

In the next few months I will be going abroad and have been looking at what cars I could buy once I get there.

I eventually rounded it down to an Omega seen as they are the closest things you could get to in terms of comfort without hanging yourself financially. The reason being, taxes over there caused the value of vehicles to stay extraordinarily high. So a £1,000 omega here costs around £7,000 over there. (Yes, you read that right. )

Because of this, owners rarely buy new cars which means mileage tend to exceed well over 300,000km's (200k+ miles) on most cars.

I've been browsing the equivalent autotrader and almost all omega models are peaking 300,000km’s. Most of them are automatics, and most of them have been converted to LPG.

In terms of reliability, is there much to be expected from an omega after it hits 200k miles?

I know this is a U.K forum so 200k to someone here means a prep for the scrap yard lol but seen as parts are fairly priced over there, owners tend to keep good care of their cars.

However this still would not excuse the fact that it’s a 15 year old car with 200,000 miles on the clock. So my question is, would an omega happily push another 50,000 miles with basic maintenance or would I simply be buying a ticking time bomb?

I'm currently looking at a pre-facelift 2.5 V6 auto. It has 310,000km's and had LPG fitted @ 120,000km's.

All the advice I can get is appreciated.

Thanks!

amba has an omega with that as that sort of mileage on it,and same sort of age and it looks great,i know amba uses his car as his only means of transport and his car is in daily use,i know he has to carry out running repairs but nothing too major

[Jabe]

If it's only general wear and tear (suspension etc) that would be no problem for me

Was rust an universal problem with all Omega's or was it simply due to the colder/wet climate here in the U.K?

I've already read through most of the common problems/things to look out for, I was just curious to see if they still apply when the vehicle is running this kind of mileage.

I want to use it for at least 3 years (roughly 40,000 miles) for it to be worth buying it. I'm trying to cut costs over buying a new car on finance when I get there.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

[amba]

Thanks for your kind vote of confidence ,Mark.

My car does get used daily in excess of 100 miles and that is quite often 7 days a week and has been doing that for the past 6 years.Yes mileage is now getting on but I would not be in any great hurry to get rid of my Elite in favour of a more desirable badge.

I am not a cabbie but do carry a far bit of stuff around and I can honestly say where ever I go I never get out of my car and feel uncomfortable or like I have aches/pains.

Trick with all these things is regular maintenance and if something needs doing get it sorted quickly before it becomes a further problem.Keep it clean and remove built up dirt and grim before it can get hold of the body work as problem areas are wheel arches/bottoms of doors which are areas where mine is starting showing its age.Mileage should be no issues with these cars however having them from new or past history can put your mind at rest as hate saying but some of these cars have had a not so carefull life or service regime.

[Jabe]

Thanks for the reply amba,

Taking a few things into consideration, i.e, the autobox's durability and the fact that most Omega's are all LPG converted, would there be anything out of the ordinary I need to look out for under these circumstances?

Thanks again.

[dbdb]

I scrapped by old V6 2.5 omega last month, had it from new and did 200K.  She knew her time was up and wanted to be put down.  By 200K she had had new front disks (though not convinced she needed them, I don't brake), new mid exhaust, usual rocker cover leakingoil into spark plug holes, heater not working, sun roof not working and leaking, alarm failed, air con failed, rust only where it had been repaired, door catch strap knackered, glove box lock gone, coolant level low warning light falsely on, alleged play in track rods. Final straw was that and o/s handbrake.  I thought handbrake would be simple to do but when I looked up the work involved  I scrapped it instead.  She had been going so long some things had stopped working and then fixed themselves like the central locking.

[dbdb]

forgot some things: a cheap exhaust back box had once rusted inside and partially blocked the exhaust with wool, causing EGR to leak and engine warning light on spasmodically.  Fan belt failed once not long after Vaux put it back on backwards following a cambelt change. Water cooling leak from oil cooler matrix but fixed with radweld. I changed the spark plugs once, a real pain on the 2.5 but fixed a rough idle.  Can't think of anything else.

[amba]

All things do wear out and at 14 years old you do start weighing up the cost to repair against cutting your losses.

I tend to view it that it is better the devil you know and after all the usual culprits as listed above have been either replaced with new or good quality second hand its really down to the individual.

Mine has had a fair amount dealt with over the years shocks/discs numerous times/springs/wishbones/cam cover gaskets/air con condensor and evaporator/heater matrix /auto box/ and the list goes on but I doudt much worse than many other second hand cars and I just like the style and comfort it provides.

Maybe I am the exception but I tend to buy and keep so am hoping for several more years use and hoping for another 100k before mine reaches the end.  I hope 

[Jabe]

Mine has had a fair amount dealt with over the years shocks/discs numerous times/springs/wishbones/cam cover gaskets/air con condensor and evaporator/heater matrix /auto box/ and the list goes on but I doudt much worse than many other second hand cars and I just like the style and comfort it provides.

As I said, things that are general wear are not an issue to me seen as (if they are due/not been done) I'll only have to replace them once in my ownership.

You mentioned cam gasket / autobox / air-con etc, what went wrong and where they expensive to fix? As long as I know a rough estimate of things to come, then I'll know if it would be worth buying in the first place.

Thanks!

[amba]

Cam gaskets etc worked out about £80 all in but thatw as using genuine GM parts as dubious quality issues with other makes.I would say that after around 5 years they would be a service itme as they would loose their " spring " so if done properly expect atleast 5 years from them.

My air con developed a leak around 4 years ago which was traced to the compressor.As I intended keeping the car I decided to have a new unit fitted which had a 2 year warranty and from memory that worked out around £200 fitted although second hand etc would be much less.The evaporator also had a leak caused by probably a stone and that was just bad luck,again costing new about £100 but ever since I have had perfect air con and even on the hottest days internal temp gets down very low.Factor in a re-gas  every 2 years or so just to ensure refrigerant is at full volume again cots vary but £ 50 should see that done..again I would call that normal running costs.

Autobox developed the " hanging " in gears and thumping when changing down despite servicing the box with new Dex III and filter couldn,t get it to work properly.I think it had just got tired so I went down the replacement with second hand route for that as new or recon just too expensive.At the same time I managed to get the AR35 inplace of the original AR25 so drive train is less than 100k old and in efffect uprated.Costs vary dependant on your ability to do the work yourself but would imagine around £200 - £250 should see that sorted so still much cheaper than replacing the entire car.

As said these cars are not too expensive to maintain as long as most things you are willing to attempt yourself as garage costs and quality is just not an option.Given the availibility of a ready source of second hand parts on this forum and decent discounts with trade cards for genuine GM parts I still think they represent a good value ,high spec car.

[Jabe]

Thanks for the very detailed reply Amba, you've been great 

I take it you did the cam gasket yourself? How much would labour have cost on something like that?

My idea is to keep £1,000 aside for repairs (excluding servicing) and hope to keep repairs within that budget for 3-4 years. If it works out like that, then it will be worth buying an omega over an equivalent car on finance. (plus I've always had a 'thing' for Omega's....)

In regards to dbdb's post, is it usual for all that to happen on an Omega @ 200K? If so, then I'm in for a big surprise. For example, is it possible to prevent the oil in spark plugs if it hasn't happened yet?

[amba]

As with most jobs on a V6 Omega access is the biggest problem due to the design and location of certain parts.

Providing you take your time and carry out carefull research on how to do the task before starting,have a pretty good tool kit and are prepared to get quite frustrated at the limited working space you have,I am sure you will be fine on most jobs that will need attention.Obviously having facilities like undercover working space and a safe means to get underr the car is very helpfull although again with basic tools..good 3 ton trolley jack and stands /ramps and comprehensive socket set you can deal with nearly all eventualities.

From my experience getting the best parts available has been the key to keeping the car working and in good condition so I tend not to skimp on parts/oil etc as they are the difference between a long healthy cars life and not.

If you are reasonably competant with car repairs your budget should be fine.Remember this forum is filled with very helpfull ,knowledgable guys who are more than happy to give advise.

[albitz]

Thanks for the very detailed reply Amba, you've been great 

I take it you did the cam gasket yourself? How much would labour have cost on something like that?

My idea is to keep £1,000 aside for repairs (excluding servicing) and hope to keep repairs within that budget for 3-4 years. If it works out like that, then it will be worth buying an omega over an equivalent car on finance. (plus I've always had a 'thing' for Omega's....)

In regards to dbdb's post, is it usual for all that to happen on an Omega @ 200K? If so, then I'm in for a big surprise. For example, is it possible to prevent the oil in spark plugs if it hasn't happened yet?

Most,if not all of the common problems on the Omega can be prevented with regular basic maintenance.For examplr,the oil on plug wells issue you mention - that wont happen if the breathers are cleaned properly once or twice per year.Oil cooler leaking into the coolant is caused by lack of coolant maintenance.The coolant should be replaced every two years.
Imo its worth taking your time to find a car which has been maintained properly (not by Vauxhall) and then keep it well maintained.If you buy one which hasnt been well maintained you will be playing catch up and need to spend time & money to bring it up to standard.