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[GaryB]

Hi all,

Good forum- I have read most of the stuff, but still have a question.  I have a 2 l (X20XEV) GLS on a P and am looking for something newer.  Having had the fun of changing DIS pack, crank sensor, head gasket (plus of course timing belt etc ), I am fairly comfortable with the 4 cyl, and have been looking at late 2.2 cd/cdx.  Should I be widening my thinking to the 2.6, or are there any real downsides to the V6 (or am I just being worried about things going wrong?)  How do running costs compare (auto box)?
I would welcome any advice/ideas/opinions.

Many thanks

Gary

[TheBoy]

the v6 engine bay is much more cramped - the 4 pot engines look lost in the omega engine bay but sounds like you'll be ok

fuel wise, i do not believe 2.5 v6 is much worse than 2.0l if you're steady with it. v6 have the power to pull the heavy omega effortlessly.

[Markjay]

V6 every time for me... fuel bills are a little higher for sure, especially with autobox, but not other running costs e.g repairs etc. A bit more time consuming for DIY because the engine is a tight squeeze (the 4-pot sits more comfortably in the middle of the huge engine bay), but not too bad really. Worth it in my opinion. On the other hand Auto_Addict has a 2.2 and seems very happy with it...

EDIT *** TheBoy bit me to it...

[Del Boy]

V6 cope with the weight of the heavy car a lot more but nothing wrong with a 2.2  

[tunnie]

having a 2.2 manual for 6 months then having a 2.5 v6 auto as a project car i can safley say the v6 does drink more... but it depends what you do in terms of millage.

If you do 90% motorway use then a V6 would be better, however if its town use... then maybe stay with the 2.2.

On a run back from Swindon my 2.5 V6 Auto averaged 27.2 mpg... mixed town and country roads and me taking it easy. On the way down my dads 2.2 auto averaged 32.4 mpg.

V6 does make a brilliant noise though  

As TheBoy says the V6 bay is a lot more cramped.... you can have a small party in the 2.2 engine bay!

[GaryB]

Thanks all,

most of the short journeys will be dealt with by the corsa, and we don't eat as many miles since moving to Middlesex, but still need to fit in a fair few trips to Leeds and Plymouth, so the bulk of the miles will still be on the motorways.  I won't rule out the 2.6 yet, but will have to make sure that the wife wears her light shoes whilst driving!  

Will let you know how I get on.

[Admin]

No question. Get the V6.

2.5/2/6 should return mid 30s on decent runs. It is the best balance of power and economy across the range.
Tunnie, you need to check that engine mate!  

Also, V6 is not too bad to work on really, once you get used to it.

[Marks DTM Calib]

My 2.5 manual sita at an almost constant 26mpg at the mo (lots of town driving), it happily does 35mpg average on a good run (i.e. here to the lakes) at the national speed limit.

The auto box reduces this a few mpg and the 3.0 a few mpg more.....

Got to see that I am V6 all the way, particularly for longer runs....but the 2.2 is also a good lump.

[tunnie]

Tunnie, you need to check that engine mate!  

Project A is not in the best state i will admit...

After driving it and getting back into my 2.2 i was pleasntly supprised at the power, i thought it would feel like bus after driving the v6 for the weekend.

The 2.2 will shift just have to push it harder than a V6, and runs out of puff after 75/80.

The 2.2 is perfectly capable of sitting @ 80 on the motorway all day long. Sit at the national speed limit and it will return 37 mpg...

If i was looking for another megga i would prob go 2.5/2.6, buts cause i would like more pace - the 3.0/3.2's are too thristy unless lpg or its not your main car.

[TheBoy]

After driving it and getting back into my 2.2 i was pleasntly supprised at the power, i thought it would feel like bus after driving the v6 for the weekend.

The 2.2 will shift just have to push it harder than a V6, and runs out of puff after 75/80.

The 2.2 is perfectly capable of sitting @ 80 on the motorway all day long. Sit at the national speed limit and it will return 37 mpg...

If i was looking for another megga i would prob go 2.5/2.6, buts cause i would like more pace - the 3.0/3.2's are too thristy unless lpg or its not your main car.

Your 2.2 is a manual, whereas your v6 is an auto iirc, so your 2.2 has advantage of shorter gears, which helps enormously.

3.0l thirsty? Tell me about it! I'm currently averaging 23.4 (mega accurate, as adjusted with tech2) in my MV6 auto. I guess at the moment, the aircon is working harder than normal, as this seems to have dropped in the last 2 or 3 weeks...

[tunnie]

i did find myself screaming at the autobox to "change gear" when i wanted it to....

[RonaldMcBurger]

...........Also, V6 is not too bad to work on really, once you get used to it.

That's because you have a couple of mates up the road who help! Then again, you did change not one, but two gearboxes with me so I suppose the odd spark plug lead in return is fair.

[GaryB]

Thanks again for all the advice and info - in the end I went for a 2.2 CD with service history (right price, with full history and dealer receipts including recent cam belt & water pump change).  Had a run down to Portsmouth this week and still happy, but thinking about changing the autobox fluid shortly (last owner was caravn club member  )  and will get the geometry checked when I put new front tyres on after another 1000 miles. ......
 Will let you know how it goes.

GB

[Kev]

Thanks again for all the advice and info - in the end I went for a 2.2 CD with service history (right price, with full history and dealer receipts including recent cam belt & water pump change).  Had a run down to Portsmouth this week and still happy, but thinking about changing the autobox fluid shortly (last owner was caravn club member  )  and will get the geometry checked when I put new front tyres on after another 1000 miles. ......
 Will let you know how it goes.

GB

Well done and good luck.  

[hotel21]

Sounds like a fair deal, Gary, provided the purchase price was not too high.  

Would agree with the autobox fluid change.  If it hauled a heavy 'van through windy uphill/downhill lanes, then its earned a change and a drink!!

B

[tunnie]

Thanks again for all the advice and info - in the end I went for a 2.2 CD with service history (right price, with full history and dealer receipts including recent cam belt & water pump change).  Had a run down to Portsmouth this week and still happy, but thinking about changing the autobox fluid shortly (last owner was caravn club member  )  and will get the geometry checked when I put new front tyres on after another 1000 miles. ......
 Will let you know how it goes.

GB

Well Done  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Good luck, you will find working on the 2.2 in a facelift easy!! loads of room.

Although the 2.2 is not as quick as the V6, you will be smiling at the pump!  

[Taxi_Driver]

Thanks again for all the advice and info - in the end I went for a 2.2 CD with service history (right price, with full history and dealer receipts including recent cam belt & water pump change).  Had a run down to Portsmouth this week and still happy, but thinking about changing the autobox fluid shortly (last owner was caravn club member  )  and will get the geometry checked when I put new front tyres on after another 1000 miles. ......
 Will let you know how it goes.

GB

Nice one  

Only thing i would say about a CD....is get the headlamp bulbs changed for Vx+50 ones.
CDX and better have HID's fitted, but CD's have ordinary filament bulbs......and you will find out if its got standard filament bulbs in it....its like driving with candels when dark   Vx+50's help a bit  

[GaryB]

Thanks for that - I know the headlights on my old P Reg were particularly dim on dipped beams.  Have not driven the new beast in the dark yet, but will defineitely think about the uprated bulbs.  My Bro has HIDs on his CDX and is very pleased with the output!

btw, I changed the engine oil on Friday evening, just hit 45k, following the dealer service at 40k - like many on here, I do not really see the point of 20k or even 10k between changes, when it is such a simple job.  The parts guy at the local Vx dealer even gave me trade discount on the oil and filter .  However, it took me about twice as long as it should have done because the previous dealer's monkey must have used his big bar to tighten up the sump plug and the filter.  I needed foot power on an extension bar to undo the sump plug (luckily no distortion on the sump) and a pair of stilsons to loosen off the filter - what do they teach them these days?

GB