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[mrcnc53]

Hi,  I've recently changed my 1997 3ltr MV6 for a
2001 3.2 Elite and it seems a lot more sensative to
lumps and bumps in the road, causing it to wander
off line more than the MV6 did.  I've changed the
front wishbones and drop links and checked
everything else and all seems ok.  Its also just had a recent MOT.  So is it the wheels ?
The MV6 had 15" steel rims which were thinner than
the 17" on the elite or could it be the elite has softer
spring rates.  Has anybody else noticed found this a
problem.   :-/

[Jimbob]

hmmm

the MV6 should have had the same size tyres.....235 45 17's
wide tyres DO tramline more than narrow ones.

wander could be...

elites ARE softer than MV6 ride
tyres - different brands, some better than others, esp when low (directional v non directional too)
could be steering idler or wishbones too.

or.....all of the above 

[Gaffers]

I would put money on the steering idler, not a difficult job.

[feeutfo]

well.... directional stability, as i call it. My personal pet hate, or the lack of it, in the Omega. Or any other vehicle for that matter.

 You can have the most mechanically sound car in the world, and have it drive like jelly on a plate if it has the "wrong" tyres fitted.

Whats the wrong tyres? Whats the right tyres? Falken 912s are the wrong tyres, i'll spare you the story for once. But after a long battle, i was able, with help of another member on here, to swap a pc.pair wheels for a week with Dunlop sports max fitted. A marked improvement.

I was also lucky enough to drive his car with them fitted as well. An mv6 customer spec 3.2 of same year as my 3.2 Elite with very similar miles. His mv6 was a joy to drive, tracked perfectly, suspension rode the bumps instead of deflecting round them, and transmitted what was under the wheels by the suspension, and not the stearing wheel. "It can be done" i thought, what a relief to drive that car. It is possible to get an omega to drive straight.

Trouble with tyres is they are a very individual thing for people. Some, dont notice issues that others do, just doesnt bother them or they simply do not notice. Or, due to price, they will swear blind a tyre is better, purely because its cheaper. Feel good factor can take over and defy all reality.

 Sometimes just a quiet tyre can convince you its better, only to find it has less grip in the wet or dry, wears out quicker, and the car degrades into i wobbly pile of pooh....

The manual does state, that not all tyres are suitable for the omega, as i recall. Trouble is, it does not state what tyres ARE suitable. Interesting to note, the omega left the factory with michelin primacy i'm told. Possibly the most expensive tyre available?

And speaking to Tony at Wim. Tyres that work well on one car, can be appalling on another. Something i know to be very true on motorcycles. Seems small cars work quite well with the above mentioned Falken 912s for instance. Front wheel drive may very well have an affect as well.

Of course, mechanical issues are the first place to start. Hth

[Boracic]

I noticed the same thing on my 2.6 FL, its not as good as my old 97 Elite, wonders about more and it not a smooth, I've had it checked out and all is well, they have the same size tyres and wheels but the tyres all almost ready to change on the FL so hopefully new tyres will help, get rid of those old P7’s

[Pete Elite]

I've got Khumo's on the rear and Pirelli P6000's on the front of my 3.0 Elite and notice that when i hit a small bump or pot hole when cornering(long sweeping)it tends to skip across the surface of the road a bit, most disconcerting at speed .

 It may be the rear self leveling shocks that cause this but won't know for sure until i can change them :-/.

[mrcnc53]

Thanks for everybodies ideas, off to check the
steering idler, what does it do and where would I find
it.  The Old MV6 (ex plod) had 205/60/15 Dunlops on
the Elite has 235/45/17 Michelins on with some
mileage left on them,  can anybody recommend a
good tyre to replace them with when the time comes.