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[Colin_B]

Hello - I own a V6 Omega CDX which I bought from my dad. He gave it to me for a song (with only 26k on the clock!) and it is a pleasure to drive - I look forward to the trip home after a day's work. My problem is that, in my view, the suspension feels very soft and the car wallows in corners, to the extent that if I encounter a sudden dip in the road, the mudflaps bottom out, as if the shocks/springs are tired. My dad is a very careful (retired) driver and never abused the car so the car has had a very easy life with a FSH to match, so I can't believe the shocks/springs have deteriorated with such a small mileage. Are the shocks of the 'gas' type that need re-priming or am I missing something else? - otherwise car is a peach.
Colin.

[Andy B]

What are you comparing the Omega to? It was designed for overall comfort & not throwing around corners so the suspension does tend to be soft-ish especially compared to FWD Vectras etc

[Colin_B]

Fair point - I am comparing it to my wife's Peugeot 406 which has firmer/precise handling, but in all other respects is rubbish. I don't expect BMW M5 handling, but I am a little concerned that it grounds out on sudden dips - the noise a a bit alarming - not what I expect from an exec. saloon. The ride height/level seems fine - all tyre pressures are to spec.

[Colin_B]

Also wondered are there any quality suspension kit upgrades out there that Omega owners would recommend - I'm not looking for a 'slammed'/lowered look - getting too old for that caper...

[Entwood]

Some Omega's - Elites definately, not sure about CDX's - have air operated self-levelling suspension, if this leaks or the compressor is faulty the suspension will be much softer and lower IIRC.

To check for self levelling look for tell tale thin air pipes to the top of the suspension unit. If you have these then the compressor should run for about 30-45 seconds on start up, the compressor is in the front right (drivers) wing.

If you don't have self levelling .. please ignore this post ......  

[albitz]

mv6 suspension firmer ? :-/

[Colin_B]

thanks for the comments - I'll check it out.

[Marks DTM Calib]

The Omega has dual rate springs so they start soft and tighten up as you lean it, it will out handle most standard front wheel drive cars yet does not suffer from the horrid over firm ride of modern front wheel drive cars.

As for the mud flaps, the facelift ones sit a little low in my opinion and are easily grounded, the ones on mine have 'self adjusted' to the correct height!

[Colin_B]

Thanks - it seems this is a feature of the model. Thanks for the advice.

[Matchless]

Check the rear springs, look / feel for the end turns spiraling in to about 2" dia both ends. The springs have a habit of breaking at the last turn.

A rolling wallowy ride will be due to poor damping from the shocks, try to compare it with another Omega to confirm it is softer than normal. If you change the shocks then budget for all 4, changing the rears only tends to highlight problems with the fronts.

[mantahatch]

Personally I love the soft and saggy ride my Omega gives me. I used to drive an Opel Manta daily to and from work. Whilst it could put a huge smile on my face because it cornered like it was on rails, I also felt every bump and hump in the road.
Now my soft and saggy omega glides over virtually any road round here and I don't feel a thing.
You either buy a car for comfort or handling, there is virtually nothing in between without forking out ££££ for adjustable suspension.

Just my 2p worth

Mike

[Matchless]

You either buy a car for comfort or handling, there is virtually nothing in between without forking out ££££ for adjustable suspension.

Mike

Er... Omega with new shocks and full geometry checked will out handle any FWD and most other cars but without the teeth rattling hard suspension that seems so common these days.

[TheBoy]

Just to reiterate what others have said, RWD can be much softer than FWD for more comfort, and still outhandle FWD.  The Omega is very capable in the bends as standard, both the standard setup, and the slightly firmer MV6 setup

[Rich_v6_Estate_Elite]

Catching up and having read this post my suspension seems to be very stiff and gives quiet a bumpy ride.

Any suggestions? is this a sign of failed adjustable suspension (Mines an elite).

How can I tell if the compressor is running is it audible as cannot recall having heard anything like a compressor running after starting.

Thanks in Advance

[mantahatch]

You either buy a car for comfort or handling, there is virtually nothing in between without forking out ££££ for adjustable suspension.

Mike

Er... Omega with new shocks and full geometry checked will out handle any FWD and most other cars but without the teeth rattling hard suspension that seems so common these days.

As much as I love RWD, even the best sorted Omega will not out corner the old Mini.
We have a stretch of road near me it is exactly 3 miles long and quite twisty almost all the way so horsepower is not really important, but cornering is very important. Every car I have ever owned I have tried to do 60mph minimum for the entire length of it. The only car I have owned that managed it was the Manta, even my old GSi Carlton could not do it.