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[kev_akas]

Hi everyone, found this forum after doing a bit of research! I'm currently on page 48 of the Omega General Help Guide!

I'm currently driving an 04 VW Bora Highline 130 TDI and because of the 'credit crunch' and redundancy, I can't afford to keep it anymore so it's going back to the finance company!

This brings me onto the Omega, I've been offered a 99plate Omega 2.5 TD CD from a family friend. It's the one with the BMW engine, and the couple of times I've been in it it's been pretty comfortable.

I had a couple of questions about these, and filtering through 48 pages hasn't really cleared it up.

1. Timing Belt
These appear to have chains instead of belts for the timing? Am I right in guessing this should in theory never need to be changed? Is there something that needs opposed to replacement, to keep the chain in good nick?

2. Servicing/Oil Changes.
What is the servicing timetable on these? I think I read you can get 5L of synthetic oil from Vauxhall on here for under a tenner? That was just a random observation!

3. General Car Info
I'm new to RWD, do they eat the tyres? My Bora currently gives me about 15k on tyres with traction control.

I know this model has the BWM engine, what's the pro/con of that?

What are the brakes like on these? I understand it to be 130bhp, how often do brakes/discs need changing?

Are there any general things to look out for?

4. Headlights
It looks like it has the projection lenses, does anyone know what kind of headlights these have? Is it the white light with the blue tint from a distance? What is the visibility like with them?

I think that is all! I've been a V-Dubber for 5 years, and part of a VW owners forum, now looking to find a Vauxhall one to get some knowledge up there too!

Kev

[tunnie]

Welcome, is it a manual? If so chip it to bring it back to full BMW spec. (it was de-tuned for Vauxhall) If its an auto you will need to upgrade the gearbox.

1) Yes its chain, keep on top of oil changes you will be fine.

2) Oil changes every 3k MAX, use Vx 10/40 Semi Synth its cheap on trade.

3) No, they are actually better, weight distribution is much better. I got 45k from my set of boots.

4) H1 Bulbs, Nightbreakers are good upgrade.

BMW Diesels really can take the miles, smooth too. Bit old in the tooth now though.

[kev_akas]

Ah my bad, it's the manual.

Thanks for the tips above, I thought RWD would eat the rubber for some reason. I've read I might take a hit on MPG (Bora is great all rounder) but the money I save I can afford the extra tenner a week in diesel.

What's the going rates for chipping? It gets it upto about 170BHP doesn't it? Does this have a negative effect on other parts of the car (turbo/clutch)? Will I need to put better brakes on it or will stock Vauxhall brakes handle the extra BHP?

Not sure what old in the tooth means? As in there's better out there?

[Elite Pete]

The brakes will be fine so long as they are in a good condition, they are the same as the 3.0 which is good for 150mph.

[Turk]

Send a PM to The Boy re: Chipping. More oomph and more mpg 
3k mile oil changes are a bit over cautious, but having said that, a couple of short mileage changes now and then is never a bad thing. After that, 4k miles will be fine.
As for the lights, Nightbreakers are defo an improvement. The blue tint lights you're thinking of are called High Itensity Discharge (HID) and have a totally different set up to H1, H4 type etc. 

Miggy brakes properly maintained are as good as you could ask for. EBC Greenstuff pads if you want a little more stopping power.

[zirk]

Ah my bad, it's the manual.

Thanks for the tips above, I thought RWD would eat the rubber for some reason. I've read I might take a hit on MPG (Bora is great all rounder) but the money I save I can afford the extra tenner a week in diesel.

What's the going rates for chipping? It gets it upto about 170BHP doesn't it? Does this have a negative effect on other parts of the car (turbo/clutch)? Will I need to put better brakes on it or will stock Vauxhall brakes handle the extra BHP?

Not sure what old in the tooth means? As in there's better out there?

About 75 quid, BM spec was 143Bhp iirc, but it does make the Miggy more drivable and better Mpg when driven normal.

[zirk]

Ah my bad, it's the manual.

Thanks for the tips above, I thought RWD would eat the rubber for some reason. I've read I might take a hit on MPG (Bora is great all rounder) but the money I save I can afford the extra tenner a week in diesel.

What's the going rates for chipping? It gets it upto about 170BHP doesn't it? Does this have a negative effect on other parts of the car (turbo/clutch)? Will I need to put better brakes on it or will stock Vauxhall brakes handle the extra BHP?

Not sure what old in the tooth means? As in there's better out there?

Think what Tunnie means is its old tech compared to modern Diesel Engines.

The BM 6 pot 2.5TD where good lumbs in my book, I still rate them.

[tunnie]

Ah my bad, it's the manual.

Thanks for the tips above, I thought RWD would eat the rubber for some reason. I've read I might take a hit on MPG (Bora is great all rounder) but the money I save I can afford the extra tenner a week in diesel.

What's the going rates for chipping? It gets it upto about 170BHP doesn't it? Does this have a negative effect on other parts of the car (turbo/clutch)? Will I need to put better brakes on it or will stock Vauxhall brakes handle the extra BHP?

Not sure what old in the tooth means? As in there's better out there?

Think what Tunnie means is its old tech compared to modern Diesel Engines.

The BM 6 pot 2.5TD where good lumbs in my book, I still rate them.

Yes should have made that more clear, nothing wrong with them, just an point of view from me.

Its much smoother than the modern 4 pots, i just meant its quite old in its design now. (goes back to early 90's)

More modern, smaller cc'd lumps get bigger torque.

[Stevie-blunder]

My 2.5td is brill, mpg not too good but yours being a manual should be better. Watch out for poor starting when hot, a "hot start fix" off fleabay cures it for around £30.
You've chose a good car there, enjoy it 

[damage consultant]

great fun in the wet minds me O the capri days many years ago

[diesellover]

I have an Omega with the BMW diesel engine and the usual hot start problem. My sparkie wired a resistor in following the advice on a Landrover P38 forum. I am wondering if someone has a wiring diagram for the Omega or can confirm the wiring colour of the wire which tells the ECU the car is hot?  Just want to double check?

[Martin_1962]

Well it will be a good upgrade.

Chipping is well worth it.

Keep on top of any little issue and it will last you well

[Seth]

As fitted in the Omega, the 6-pot BMW M51D lump is detuned to 128BHP.
Chipping it sends it back to 'pure BMW' spec of 143BHP. The 'plus 5' chip that many OOFers have fitted means an extra 5%, so your motor'll then be close on 150BHP. Well worth doing, though you'll notice a tad of black smoke on initial acceleration, and mine passes it's annual emissions test with no problems. The chip costs around £70 - 'PM' TheBoy for details. Using standard Vx discs/pads will not compromise your stopping power either.

Fuel consumption on mine is a pretty constant 33mpg around these parts.

Servicing: Mine's done every 2500 miles religiously, given that it does loads of short hops, and usually covers a modest 5000 miles annually. Personally, I'd never let it go beyond 4500 miles absolute max.
Vx 10/40 semi-synthetic is always used.

'Old in the tooth': probably should have been 'long in the tooth'.
Basically, this engine's a bit 'old hat' and been superceded by a newer unit. (Technology and all that!).