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[Rusty Spanner]

Hello everyone, complete newbie advice required, I'm afraid .

I'm in need of a new car and a colleague has a Y reg 2.2 chain cam diesel for sale for a very reasonable £350.00.

My only worry is that the car has covered 250,000 miles!
It has been looked after by a very well respected local garage and serviced on a very regular basis.
I know the vendor very well and he has cherished the car.

Is this high milage without serious issues common with Omegas? I believe the car had a complete new injection system fitted at 170,000, but is still on the original clutch.

I'm aware that any car of this age and milage is a potential timebomb, but wondered if any one else has covered so many relatively troublefree miles and if there are any serious issues I should be aware of.

I also need to carry two mountain bikes plus camping gear on a fairly regular basis, and am wondering if these can be accomodated inside the car (I believe the rear seats fold) without recourse to a towbar mounted bike rack?

Many thanks in advance,
Pete.    
 

[TheBoy]

Obviously suspension/steering could be in any condition.

Engine - if its been well serviced (ie, NOT the hopeless 20k service interval that Vx recommend) should be OK, but chains could need doing at some point. Looked after, seems to be a resilient little engine. I'm sure members here have high miler 2.2DTi's.

Gearbox/diff etc are normally pretty robust. Clutch, depnds on abuse its had.

[VXL V6]

Clutch isn't overly expensive on the DTi, Mine had a new one in at about 120K (Before I had it) and the Mrs Estate is still on the original (albiet the bite point is quite high) at 130K.

Suspension is cheap enough for non-Elites as long as you get the shocks on Tradeclub from VX and obtain KYB springs from wherever is cheapest.

Oil / Oil filter / Fuel filter changes are the key to longetivity of the engine.

[Rusty Spanner]

Cheers for the advice.

General service items have been replaced on schedule, vendor has a sheaf of garage service reciepts that would choke a donkey, so will check tomorrow as to the frequency of oil changes.

No previous experience of this type of engine, but it's not noisy or smokey, all fluids clean and to correct level.

Vehicle was owned by a main Vauxhall agent up to 60,000 miles, then used by a cab firm till 170, 000, when the injection system was renewed.

Has one very slightly rusty replacement door panel, but at this price and  milage bodywork is in amazing nick, as is the interior.

Has been used to tow a caravan, but clutch still bites well and doesn't slip under hard acceleration.

I should be able to speak to the servicing dealer, so will have a chat with them in the morning and see what they say.

The tyres are good and I even like the colour .

Once again, thanks for the help.
I'm sure I'll be back for more advice if I do splash out my lifetime savings on Vauxhalls finest. 

[henryd]

£350 is not a lot of money for any car and if it blows up next week you could weigh it in at the scrappy and get most of  your money back
good luck if you buy it and happy motoring

[Webby the Bear]

hello mate, welcome

im in no way an adviser on whats wrong with cars and how to fix them but you'll get the help you need on here.

what i can say though is ive seen loads and loads of omegas advertised (just check autotrader) that have a lot of miles on them.

obviously in an ideal world you'd want to get your omega as young and as few miles as pos. but for 350 squid and a million pages of service history why not

i bought mine two years ago. w reg and had 69000 miles. sounds great but cos it didnt have proof of a cambelt change that was 430 squid straight away so i spose my point is to check what should be up to date and if its had it done.

i guarantee though if its a good runner and you buy it youll love it

 

[Agemo]

The "high" miles, plus it being an ex Taxi would put most people off, not on here. If you get get good feedback from those that serviced it, then you have nothing to lose.

[Lazydocker]

At that price... I'd have it

As said... They can go forever (nearly) if well maintained... I'd buy a V6 with that mileage if it was well maintained

Equally... You need to budget for replacement suspension and geometry ASAP. It may need it, it may not. Just be aware of it

[Rusty Spanner]

Once again, thanks everyone.

I'm only used to Mountain Bike forums (fora?) so the lack of abuse and helpful attitude is a welcome change. 

Just waiting for a reply from the insurance people and hopefully pick the car up tomorrow.

Will post pictures when I've got the keys.   

This will be the nicest car I've ever owned (even with this mileage) and I'm really looking forward to driving it.

[Boditza]

 you will love it as soon as you will drive it (assuming suspension is ok). change oil and filters as soon as you get it then hope for the best. my previous astra f (1,7 isuzu diesel engine)had 400.000km(~250.000miles) on the clock and it never had any intervention on the engine or starting problems,only changed oil at every 10.000km(~6000miles)

[hercules]

you will love it as soon as you will drive it (assuming suspension is ok). change oil and filters as soon as you get it then hope for the best. my previous astra f (1,7 isuzu diesel engine)had 400.000km(~250.000miles) on the clock and it never had any intervention on the engine or starting problems,only changed oil at every 10.000km(~6000miles)

from what ive heard that 1.7 isuzu engine was excellent,my uncle had a cavalier with it in and kept saying he was gonna get a new car and i told him i want your old one(i never got it cos he just kept on running it)

[2woody]

personally, I only buy cars when they have at least 150,000 on the clock....>!

oh and welcome along MTBer

[Vamps]

At that price... I'd have it

As said... They can go forever (nearly) if well maintained... I'd buy a V6 with that mileage if it was well maintained

Equally... You need to budget for replacement suspension and geometry ASAP. It may need it, it may not. Just be aware of it

Oi, back off....   Rusty Spanner, If you do not want it i will have it...

[Lazydocker]

At that price... I'd have it

As said... They can go forever (nearly) if well maintained... I'd buy a V6 with that mileage if it was well maintained

Equally... You need to budget for replacement suspension and geometry ASAP. It may need it, it may not. Just be aware of it

Oi, back off....   Rusty Spanner, If you do not want it i will have it...

Might be nearer me than you

[albitz]

If you buy it, get a Trade club card and change the oil and filter every 3- 4000 miles imo. If your lucky it might go on forever and a day. If your not (as said) you weigh it in at some point and you havent lost much.
Plenty of knowledge and helpful advice available on here if you need it.