Topic: Understanding the Omega! (Read 6173 times)

kemjvm · « **on:** 16 July 2006, 10:17:27 »

Hi all - 1st post, so be nice

I'm looking at buying an Omega in the near future, and have been looking round to see what's out there, costs, models, service/maintenance intervals etc and have a couple of questions I'd like help with

1. I've seen that VX say to get a service every 20K, but I've also seen people (mainly in that "other" VX forum) mention a "Major Service". When would the car need one and what's the difference? Also, what would be the rough prices for a service/major service at a local or VX garage?

2. I've seen a few Omega CDX's, but have seen the odd MV6. From what I can see, the differences seem to be you get better seats, no "wood" effect on the dash, different alloys, some more BPH (comparing a 2.5/6 CDX to a 2.6 MV6). I assume the suspension will be more sporty too, and the MV6 would have a boot spoiler. Am I missing something "amazing" here? I like the look of an MV6, and from what I can tell the running costs would be about the same as a CDX from a fuel & insurance point of view, but do they cost a whole load more to maintain?

btw - I'm looking at getting a face-lift estate (2000 onwards). Also, I'm not a mechanic so would not do the service myself - I would do the odd little jobs like air filter.

Thanks in advance.

Markie · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:23:36 »

Be nice us....we are always nicE

Welcome to the forum.

Servicing - everything you need to know is on here at ...

http://omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152655082
]Major is timing, tensioners, spark plugs etc ( every 40k) minor more oil and filters

Theres also a buyers guide for omegas.

As an MV6 fanatic id always go for an MV6, looking to change mine at some point to a post facelift silver 3.2 03 plate estate - nothing like being specific eh??

Markie · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:25:16 »

oh and heres the forums buying guide

http://omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152602457
If you find one you like, come back ad tell us so we can offer some support re what to look for and if the price is right

Taxi_Driver · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:33:08 »

Hiya and welcome

Taking it for a service at vx dealer every 20k miles for service is ok......except if you want the engine to last a long time.....the oil needs to changed sooner.....10k is pushing it....others would recommend every 5k.
You need to budget poss £300-£400 for a cambelt/tensioner change every 40k if you get vx dealer to it.
Im sure ive missed a few things here....but sure others will help out.

Cheers

kemjvm · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:34:03 »

Thanks for your help and support. Have read these posts already (which I think are priceless!) and will have another look over them, to make sure I'm absorbing all of the info!

I'll let you know if/when I find something and need advice.

Cheers

kemjvm · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:36:09 »

Thanks Taxi Driver for your help too! (I think I was replying to original reply when you were also posting).

This is all great info - I had also read about the oil change, so had that on my radar.

Support appreciated

Taxi_Driver · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:36:18 »

I see Markiec already has

kemjvm · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 July 2006, 10:37:47 »

Ha ha! I think we're all trying to talk/reply at the same time!

Thanks again

JasonH · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 July 2006, 19:45:31 »

I got a feeling that although the service interval is 20k, it is recommended that an interim 'oil change' should be carried out between services.

TheBoy · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 July 2006, 20:29:58 »

Regular oil changes are probably the single most important thing to look after the engine. It takes around 20m, and costs around £10 if you do it yourself and have access to Trade Club. I tend to change the oil on mine every 4 - 5k (about every 3 months for me). This is without doubt an overkill, but I wouldn't want to do 10k between oil changes...

markey mark · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 July 2006, 20:33:46 »

welcome mate !! i would go for the mv6 every time !! thats what im after next

markey mark · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 July 2006, 20:35:33 »

oh forgot if you are any good with a spanner the omega is not that bud to work on !!

and as the boy says regular oil changes and motor will last forever

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:41:28 »

The MV6 is CD spec with sports suspension, the engines have no more power....

TheBoy · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:44:04 »

Quote

The MV6 is CD spec with sports suspension, the engines have no more power....

I would say CDX spec minus the cruise, but with HIDs...

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:48:55 »

No....CD spec with HID

No cruise, no sunroof etc etc

TheBoy · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:51:18 »

I have a sunroof, as did the other MV6 I looked at when I was looking at buying mine. Dunno about facelift ones though.

Markie · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:57:45 »

ooh i think its that old chestnut again - police spec of real after market mv6.

Mine has everything apart from cruise and electric heated rear seats - i think thats about all i am missing thats major...depends really what was specified when it was ordered new,

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 July 2006, 21:59:15 »

Sunroof was an option on the MV6.......

Sir_Mixalot · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 July 2006, 00:41:21 »

My CD ('97) has Cruise Control

Admin · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 July 2006, 08:20:05 »

Aside of the trim differences the main thing anyone will notice when driving the MV6 as opposed to any of of the other models is the ride!

The MV6 has a lower and firmer suspension setup. This is what sets it apart.
Very much more involving to drive but you do lose some of the extra comfort offered by the other models.

Oh, and welcome Ken, good to have you here.

kemjvm · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 July 2006, 10:31:28 »

Thanks to everyone for their replies and for their "Welcome" messages.

Looks like it depends on the original owner then, as to what extra's they paid for. Don't think I'd want to be without cruise tho!

So it looks like we're saying the MV6 doesn't cost any more to maintain etc.

Can I ask what HID is? (someone said the MV6 doesn't have HID).

Thanks again - glad I've got a 2 page debate going in my 1st thread!

nixoro · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:19:08 »

Welcome to the site Kemjvm

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:30:22 »

HID .....High Intensity Discharge lighting, often incorrectly called Xenon (very much a marketing name which many ordinary incandesent light manufacturers have jumped on the back of).

This lighting system does not have a filament lamp and uses a dscharge bulb which in principle operates similar to a florry tube. It uses many 10's of Kv to strike and then runs at a few thousand volts, the results are:

Much more light output.
Whiter light
Only 35W consumed rather than 55W per bulb.
Long life, should last the life of the car.

kemjvm · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:34:31 »

Cheers mate. Now I get it!

So many things to consider, so many things to look out for....... gonna be fun!

TheBoy · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:44:18 »

All (real) MV6's have HIDs, as do Elites from 98 onwards.

Be aware, there are 2 types of MV6 - the real retail version, and a (normally) lower spec Police version. Also be aware, some sellers may sell ex-plod MV6 as Elites because that what it says on logbook (long story)

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:46:41 »

My log book says MV6.....

TheBoy · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 July 2006, 11:51:04 »

I know a lot of earlier logbooks say Elite. This was because plod wanted 3.0l (obviously) and only 3.0l was Elite. So they bought stripped down Elites, called them MV6, but still kept Elite name on logbook.

sounds2k · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 July 2006, 18:16:04 »

a quick way to spot a lot of police spec elites/MV6's is wind-up rear windows - although this isn't fail-safe (eg diplomatic service etc. would probably have leccy rear windows) it's typical on most of the "normal" police spec miggys ... AFAIK, all civvy spec omega's had electric windows all round.

kemjvm · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 July 2006, 18:20:55 »

Wow! So much learnt already! You guy's are like the oracle!

Possibly should rename the site to omegaoracle.com

Markie · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 July 2006, 21:50:11 »

and you will probably find its lacking 17" alloys, lip spoiler on boot, and has holes everywhere, in fact the wrong MV6 cop car in the wrong part of the country wont just have holes inside it may have bullet holes outside

Seriously - to complicate matters, theres not just two kinds of mv6, theres also two kinds on one of those kinds.

The police spec may be driver training college or pursuit car and therefore basic or it may be the commisionaires car - in which case can you see him using his elbow power to wind down windows?

good thread this!!

Elsheepo · « **Reply #30 on:** 18 July 2006, 00:29:55 »

Quote

My log book says MV6.....

Mine too..!

kemjvm · « **Reply #31 on:** 18 July 2006, 10:29:44 »

Quote

good thread this!!

I'll second that! Thanks again to everyone who's contributed so far.........

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Author Topic: Understanding the Omega! (Read 6173 times)

Taxi_Driver

Taxi_Driver

Sir_Mixalot