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751

General Car Chat / Re: Very low mileage 2.5 CD saloon

« on: 27 September 2016, 18:33:01 »

I spoke with the garage, who'd taken it in PX for an MX5, about it last week, and decided I wouldn't go for it. Mainly because if you check the MOT history, the advisories for the past 5 years are for corrosion. 

And I've done enough welding on our MX5 to know that if there's an advisory for corrosion it'll be like the bottom of an old boat underneath.

752

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 26 September 2016, 18:17:35 »

Blimey, such angst. 
Right then. Should be MOT'd tomorrow.

It will need retrofitting with cruise control and the air con will need a regas -here's hoping 
Bloke at work (in Derby) has offered to give me a lift as it's on his way home .  Car is near Middlesbrough, and he lives in Tynemouth.

If it's really shit, I'll come back to Derby on the train, and pick up my astra.

If it's as described, I'll drive it home to miseryside, and then on Saturday drive it to Cardiff for a half marathon on Sunday.

753

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 22 September 2016, 23:02:40 »

Only one question...

Why haven't you bought it yet?

I am awaiting the owner MOTing it.   

He is moving house, preparing his old house for rent and selling some surplus cars including a Triumph Toldeo, an Old 7 Series, a 2.2 Omega (much lower miles, but failed MOT on Emissions I think), an old Cherokee, and a 309 Diesel. 
And giving away an knackered Escort Van

Unfortunately I don't think made him aware of my impatience. 

754

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 22 September 2016, 21:54:49 »

The problem with the 3.2, is its sh*t. The 3.0 engine is far, far better on fuel. The 3.2 offers no significant difference in performance to compensate for this appalling fuel use.

The drive by wire V6s also idle like a bag of spanners, the old valve setup on the 3.0 is far smoother.

Performance is good, not great, not amazing. Just good. A modern 6 pot diesel will make mince meat out of the 3.2, the long gearing really does not help. 8 speed auto diesels will easily keep pace.

I would never buy a 3.2 again, prefer a 3.0 auto or 2.5 manual. That said the 3.2 will be my last Omega, its days are numbered.

One of my 3.2's has done 236.000 miles and still runs like a Rolex,remapped it seems a bit better on fuel,and still pulls like a train when given the beans. Cambelt history is an obvious and if you are piling on the miles that will come around a bit quicker.

Might the words I've marked in Bold be the problem and the solution ?

755

Omega General Help / Re: Peculiar leak.

« on: 22 September 2016, 21:50:30 »

Having worked as a Manufacturing Engineer, for various automotive and aerospace companies, including  (in the last millennium), Honeywell Engine Boosting Ltd (or Garratt Turbos if you prefer), I'd hazard a guess that spring hose clips are ALOT cheaper (being one peice, they have 100% design parts count efficiency), probably most consistent, and take a couple of seconds to install with the correct tool.  We fitted two on the house from Actuator to the compressor housing. Probably 200 clips an hour across the Skem Factory (RIP - alll work moved to Romania and Italy and Mexico and France.)

756

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 22 September 2016, 21:31:41 »

Thank you all for the interesting opinions.
For some reason, I'm not too fussed about Fuel consumption*, and Unlike some other cars I have owned, there is clearly a reasonable amount of knowledge out there (here), should I need to tap into it.

In the event that It breaks down, we have a spare car (a mk1 mx5), which I can use to get to work, although it's not much good for taking 5 people and suitcases on a long journey. Wife's Bini is erm a 3 seater if I have to drive, but actually quite comfy in the back.

*I've estimated I'll spend an extra £1000 a year, but compare that to my peers who spend £350 a month to lease a merc diesel, I think that for a couple of years I want to scratch the V6 itch I've had since I had one as a hire car for work in 1995, (a V6 CD, that I managed to get to 9 mpg in the 12 miles between my house and the M58-cross country at 5 am. It eventually rose to 21 after a full week of use)

757

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 21 September 2016, 22:38:46 »

Y474UGW if that helps

Not sure how to put a picture on here. Off to bed.

758

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 21 September 2016, 22:21:51 »

At 15k a year, your biggest outlay by far will be fuel and a cheap Omega with 160k on the clock will soak up those miles more comfortably than it has any right to.

I have done some man maths on the fuel. 

To get what I want i.e. comfortable petrol car with auto, cruise control, 5 seats and a big boot, there are a zillion options.
So I compared my Dad's recent purchase of a 1.3 petrol automatic focus estate, and estimated the cost per mile over the next 3 years.
Because of depreciation, if it achieved 100mpg, I'd still be cheaper per mile.

759

Omega General Help / Re: Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 21 September 2016, 21:42:02 »

15k a year? That's a decent amount on an already high mile car, if you are handy with the spanners and happy to spend fair bit of time tinkering and sorting things out, you would be ok. But if you will rely on Garages for the work, I'd personally advise against purchase

I'm not sure what to make of that. I have some amateur experience of repairing cars, but as I get older, I realise that some things are worth paying others to fix. I don't automatically think "Oh, the car is only worth £600 and the repairs are £600, so I should get rid"  My natural reaction to car repairs is "If I scrap it now I'll need to spend £1000 on a car today, so I might as well spend £1200 on fixing this one, if it gets me another year of motoring, even if it's only worth £500"

760

Omega General Help / Encourage me to buy an Mv6

« on: 21 September 2016, 20:35:57 »

Tell me it'll be fine !!!B 
So Omegod (of this parish) frequents another car related forum where I saw an "Ideal" Mv6 for sale.
And he suggested in a private message that I might find this forum useful.
 
I've read pretty much everything that I can, but I'm having second thoughts about this particular car.
 
The guy that owns it is obviously very busy and has been moving house.

He needs to get it an MOT, but assuming it will pass, I was prepared to travel 4 hours on a train to either buy it or run away.
So In communication with owner I know the following

161K miles

Both heated seats work

Air con isn't blowing cold but the compressor is kicking in

He's looked through the service history but there is no evidence of the oil cooler being done, that's not to say it might not have done
 There are receipts for services carried out in a level arch file that previous owner gave him when  he bought it

There is a receipt stating the gearbox oil was checked for condition at 152k, no recommendation to change but then at 158k there is a receipt for gearbox oil & filter change (June 2015, car has now done 161k)

- Timing Belt & Water Pump was also done at 152k

- Other work carried out in the last 2 years includes new battery, new radiator, replacement windscreen,, 4 tyres, front anti-roll bar end links, water heater valve replaced, exhaust system replaced.

There is a dent in one door (Omegod has a door in the correct colour, so no real issue)

It has an Irmscher front grille, finished in petrol blue, and No rust on any of the arches

I'm thinking my going off this particular car is a) It's rather miles away, b.) The air-con has thrown me. If it stopped working 12 mins after I got the car I'd live with it. c) I'm impatient.  d) I'll likely put at least 15K on the miles every year if not more, so whilst high miles does not faze me, it will quickly go higher.

The price he wants for it is less than I've spent on repairs and servicing of the family fleet in the last month, so not exactly going to break the bank if it all goes tits up. 

I've justified it to my long suffering wife, who gets chronic back pain in my mk4 astra (so called sports seats are crap)

So encourage me to hold on in there. No second hand car under a grand will be perfect, and it'll all be fine.

761

General Discussion Area / Re: Mother Theresa and grammar schools.

« on: 19 September 2016, 21:41:43 »

I have a problem with change.  Whilst comprehensive education was not perfect, the old cse, o level, a level system kind of worked.  Yes some people fell through the cracks, and some were let down by the system of testing with exams.

But radical, fundamental change costs money and is risky, so we'd better be sure that whatever is next is better and not just different.

We perhaps should try to fix the things that are wrong. Like education for those with special needs for instance, which is something this society should NOT be proud of

762

General Discussion Area / Re: Its starting to get a bit...

« on: 19 September 2016, 21:34:10 »

Just been asked permission by my wife, if it's okay to turn on the heating.

I fear this is a trick question.  I'm some 110 miles away so why is she asking me? Perhaps if I say "no" she'll use it as a way of preventing impending MV6 purchase. Perhaps if I say "Yes" she'll use it as a way of preventing impending MV6 purchase.

I said "You don't need permission, my love"

 

763

Omega General Help / Re: I smell bull****

« on: 22 August 2016, 22:23:49 »

Post number 2 - first one to say hello. 

The last 3 cam belts I've done were on a mk3 astra (when i did the head gasket), a mk3 cavalier (when I did the head gasket), and a mk1 mx5 (just for fun)

In all cases, I've marked up the old belt with a paint pen (or liquid paper will do) on each pulley wheel and on the belt.

Then I've taken the old belt, and marked up the new belt the same, (counting the teeth in case) and made sure that when I've finished the new belt and marks line up with where I'd marked up the pulley wheels.

 

764

Newbie Welcome Area / New POD might stay awhile (or not)

« on: 22 August 2016, 21:29:07 »

Hi,
On different forum there is an 3.2 MV6 for sale that I'm procrastinating about.

Pro's
I need an auto in my life
I need RWD in my life
I need cruise control and leather seats
I seem to like vauxhalls - previously I've owned 4 mk2 cavaliers including a CalibrE, 3 Mk3 astras, a mk3 cavalier and my son has a mk4 astra which is very similar to my mk4 astra which my brother in-law will buy to replace his zafira.

Cons
I know nothing about what might go wrong, so I need to satisfy myself that I'm going to be able to deal with anything it might throw at me.

Hence I might just decide that it's a stupid idea    and get out quick or (and I see this as more likely), I'll buy one and become hooked.