Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 23 April 2021, 11:08:21

Title: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 23 April 2021, 11:08:21
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 April 2021, 11:13:42
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 23 April 2021, 13:25:26
1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green. :)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 23 April 2021, 14:40:30
1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green. :)
He's seen sense, at last.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 23 April 2021, 17:09:50
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?
I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed :y.  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels :o
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 April 2021, 09:04:38
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?

How did you guess? :-[
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 April 2021, 09:05:42
1.4 Astra?

Is it the one the gobby scouser owned?

The one finished in 'projectile vomit' green. :)
He's seen sense, at last.

 :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 April 2021, 09:06:22
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?
I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed :y.  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels :o

I don't get it till Monday.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 24 April 2021, 09:50:29
Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 April 2021, 10:58:06
Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 April 2021, 11:10:28
Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.

My thoughts when purchasing the XE. Only time anyone sits there is when they've scrounged a lift, so they can suck it up. ;D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 24 April 2021, 12:52:13
Rear legroom is poor, Barry, but with the back seats down there's plenty of space for camping trips and the like.

Not too bothered about the the rear legroom, there's only two of us.

My thoughts when purchasing the XE. Only time anyone sits there is when they've scrounged a lift, so they can suck it up. ;D
And a valid reason for always using the Westfield...   ...lift scroungers can get a taxi instead ;D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 24 April 2021, 12:52:58
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?
I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed :y.  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels :o

I don't get it till Monday.
I look forward to seeing some pics when you get it, Mr AA :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 24 April 2021, 18:30:15
....Merc & Caravan....Hello Astra K 1.4 Petrol Elite Auto Sports Tourer.

Sheerings holidays and Cruises for the future get aways  now then ?
I wonder if Saga have an upper age limit for members, and how our friendly Pikey Pensioner fairs....


So come on AA, pics needed :y.  Its been a long time since you've had a small car as your wheels :o

I don't get it till Monday.
I look forward to seeing some pics when you get it, Mr AA :y

 :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 27 April 2021, 08:33:30
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work.  :(
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: henryd on 27 April 2021, 10:57:40
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work.  :(

I bought this Andy to do my Saab's as my Snap on jobbie didnt and it covers all modules on the Saab's, will be as good on Merc I would imagine and you can add other makes for a fee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313022016634?hash=item48e190ec7a:g:R8gAAOSwxrJeZPin

The price includes one manufacturer :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 April 2021, 13:08:47
Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 27 April 2021, 15:03:30
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work.  :(

I bought this Andy to do my Saab's as my Snap on jobbie didnt and it covers all modules on the Saab's, will be as good on Merc I would imagine and you can add other makes for a fee

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313022016634?hash=item48e190ec7a:g:R8gAAOSwxrJeZPin

The price includes one manufacturer :y

Thanks .... I might look into one.  :y
I suppose I should go for a multi car reader .... for just in case. I already have a cheaper Autel, but it only does engine codes (though it can see the auto 'box on SWMBO's Citroen)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 28 April 2021, 07:16:45
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work.  :(

Sorry.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 28 April 2021, 08:15:24
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/icarsoft-md-ii-for-sale.188739/#post-1919707

Bugger! .... I missed that. I was busy at work.  :(

Sorry.

 ;) No worries Barry  ;)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 28 April 2021, 17:36:40
Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger  :y
You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised ;D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 04 May 2021, 19:05:47
(https://i.postimg.cc/x1YH5gFr/Vauxhall-Astra-Sports-Tourer-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 04 May 2021, 19:23:19

(https://i.postimg.cc/x1YH5gFr/Vauxhall-Astra-Sports-Tourer-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Very nice, Barry, and right choice of colour. The 1.6 diesel under the bonnet would have made it a perfect choice.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 04 May 2021, 20:49:40

(https://i.postimg.cc/x1YH5gFr/Vauxhall-Astra-Sports-Tourer-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Is that yours, or a library pic?
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 04 May 2021, 21:22:11
Looks like Birmingham to me.  ;D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 04 May 2021, 21:30:48
Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger  :y
You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised ;D

Just had the CCF file updated on the database so the new one will need plugging in
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 05 May 2021, 08:53:17

(https://i.postimg.cc/x1YH5gFr/Vauxhall-Astra-Sports-Tourer-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Is that yours, or a library pic?

Library pic, I'll post an actual pic. in a day or two,
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 06 May 2021, 18:07:54
Another reason why I have been staying with brand, access to FOC scan tools is very useful.......not that I have needed them in anger  :y
You will. Once all these shinnanigans are over.  So best get you SDD up to date and authorised ;D

Just had the CCF file updated on the database so the new one will need plugging in
I think it has to be reauthorised every couple of weeks to do certain stuff, hence I can't :(
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 06 May 2021, 19:37:32
Stylish design, like the Signum. :)

Petrol engine is the way to go. :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 15 May 2021, 07:32:04
Actual car, at TB's request.

(https://i.postimg.cc/nz8z0FJv/Astra-Elit.jpg)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 15 May 2021, 08:17:47
It looks very nice Barry.  :y

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 15 May 2021, 08:43:38
It looks very nice Barry.  :y

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\

Probably like a Dinky Car ;D

Wheels are a bugger to clean though :(
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 15 May 2021, 08:51:17
...
Wheels are a bugger to clean though :(

I used to think that of the cross spoked alloys of my Senator ..... a used tooth brush!  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 15 May 2021, 09:51:32
...
Wheels are a bugger to clean though :(

I used to think that of the cross spoked alloys of my Senator ..... a used tooth brush!  :y

So do I :) :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2021, 10:37:34

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\


We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 15 May 2021, 11:18:48
It looks very nice Barry.  :y

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\
I've parked my J next to an omega and the omega looked quite small.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 15 May 2021, 11:23:59
Having said that, the omega is far roomier inside. The astra J estate has very little rear legroom.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 15 May 2021, 11:40:14
That’s very red ;D

Nobody will drive into that


I quite like it, not sure about estate bit, but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.


Hope it serves you well
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Rangie on 15 May 2021, 12:09:56
Looks very nice & great in that colour one of our neighbours has one in metallic grey looks much better in red.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2021, 12:35:18
That’s very red ;D

Nobody will drive into that



Are you sure??
You've met my friend who drove into the side of a London bus that he hadn't seen.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 15 May 2021, 12:42:25

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\


We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.

... and they were a fairly big car in their day.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 15 May 2021, 12:44:14
....
 but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.
 .....

You need a 'shooting brake' then  ;D ;D Sounds a lot posher then 'estate'  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 15 May 2021, 12:47:27
That’s very red ;D

Nobody will drive into that


I quite like it, not sure about estate bit, but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.


Hope it serves you well

Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.

It's a Sports Tourer ;D

Thank you :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2021, 12:49:03

It also looks huge for what was originally a mid sized car .... I wonder what it would look like parked next to an Omega/Carlton/Senator  :-\


We've actually done something similar: a Triumph 2000 estate parked next to an Astra H estate is completely masked by the Astra.

... and they were a fairly big car in their day.


Exactly :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2021, 12:51:15
....
 but that’s down to my dislike of estates, despite their practicality.
 .....

You need a 'shooting brake' then  ;D ;D Sounds a lot posher then 'estate'  :y


They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 May 2021, 13:13:36
The Sports Tourer looks much cleaner than the hatch, which looks like a facelift Leaf in profile.  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: ronnyd on 15 May 2021, 14:34:55
Does that model Astra still have a 'proper' auto box and not the DSG/Powershift garbage?
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 15 May 2021, 14:42:22
Does that model Astra still have a 'proper' auto box and not the DSG/Powershift garbage?
It certainly does, Ronny. The J has a 2.0 165bhp engine, with a traditional slush box, and the K has a 1.6 135bhp engine with a traditional slush box. The K is a lot lighter so the 'performance' is about the same. However, the J has a cambelt and the K a chain. There are a lot of people worried about the noise the chain makes on startup, but Vx put this down to an engine 'characteristic'. I've seen pictures of a couple of the Ks, used for taxiing, that have done over 100K miles. The plastic guide at the bottom of the chain has disintegrated and fallen into the sump.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: ronnyd on 15 May 2021, 14:49:54
Thanks Steve.  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 15 May 2021, 15:22:45
Those are the diesel models I'm talking about, of course. I don't know anything about the ones that use that expensive petrol stuff.  ;D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 15 May 2021, 15:32:15
Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.
Twins ;D

Come on, piccy of them together :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 15 May 2021, 17:12:41
....
They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van
True .... but near enough.

Does the amount of doors actually make a difference?  Merc make a CLS Shooting Brake and that's just a slimmed down estate .... looks over practicality.
And a coupe should only really have 2 doors .. Coupe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupe) .... but Rover's P5 Coupe had 4 of them  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2021, 17:35:05
....
They're not quite the same. A shooting brake was used for carrying guns, and only has two doors - like an estate-based van
True .... but near enough.

Does the amount of doors actually make a difference?  Merc make a CLS Shooting Brake and that's just a slimmed down estate .... looks over practicality.
And a coupe should only really have 2 doors .. Coupe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupe) .... but Rover's P5 Coupe had 4 of them  ;) ;)


Coupe originally referred to the roofline being cut. The P5 had a lowered(chopped in American) roof, and so qualifies.


Many bodywork terms were far more specific than their current usage; roadster and  convertible weren't interchangeable. Lots of words have lost their precise meanings; the bloke who can't mend your washing machine isn't an 'engineer'


Mercedes  using shooting brake, BMW Touring or Audi Avant is just to avoid the common(and cheap sounding) 'estate', which is important when your business model is founded on pretentious marketing
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 15 May 2021, 17:48:21
Mrs AA has a Hatchback SRi the same colour.
Twins ;D

Come on, piccy of them together :y

I'm not going out in the rain taking piccies ;)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 16 May 2021, 18:23:43
Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

(https://i.postimg.cc/VvkYhXyy/Astra-SRi.jpg)[/url]bb image (https://postimages.org/)[/img]
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Andy B on 16 May 2021, 18:29:44
Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

(https://i.postimg.cc/VvkYhXyy/Astra-SRi.jpg)
 (https://postimages.org/)

I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch  :y
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 16 May 2021, 19:09:50
Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

(https://i.postimg.cc/VvkYhXyy/Astra-SRi.jpg)[/url]bb image (https://postimages.org/)[/img]
No, no, no.  We need to see the twins together.  Get out there!
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 16 May 2021, 19:40:54
Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

(https://i.postimg.cc/VvkYhXyy/Astra-SRi.jpg)


I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch  :y
 (https://postimages.org/)


It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2021, 22:03:58
At least the Ford interns had the nouse to seam both the rear windows to the tail lights :-X

Like I suggested previously, from the side the Astra K hatch looks like a Leaf in drag ::)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: STEMO on 16 May 2021, 22:15:23
Mrs AA's Astra SRi Hatchback

(https://i.postimg.cc/VvkYhXyy/Astra-SRi.jpg)


I like the 'floating roof line' of the hatch  :y
 (https://postimages.org/)


It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.
Remind me what it is you drive, Nick.  ::)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2021, 22:44:18
An Astra or Focus the Metro is not :P

Or should that be a '5 seat front engined MGF'  :D
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 16 May 2021, 23:35:19

It's like designers of the mk1 Focus reunited: lots of conflicting lines and finishes just because they could. Which is a pity because the rest of the car looks OK.
Remind me what it is you drive, Nick.  ::)


When have I ever said anything good about the Focus? While styling criticism is entirely subjective, my real dislikes are based on thousands of miles in the things. I wouldn't spend your money on one.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 17 May 2021, 09:03:46
Having had the misfortune to be the "proud" owner of a brand new Mk1 Focus, I can indeed confirm they are utter shite.  Particularly when it comes to handling.  But when you are stupid enough to use bushes that size, it is going to make handling unpredictable.  And the MK1's boot was far smaller than that of the Rover 25 that we owned at the same time, so it wasn't even practical - even the horrible Battlebus is practical, so has something going for it.

So, if it was between a Focus and an Astra, I'd take the Astra every single day of the week.  I care not about looks, remember I drive a modern XJ, which surely has one of the most hideous arses of any car....
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Nick W on 17 May 2021, 09:27:30
Having had the misfortune to be the "proud" owner of a brand new Mk1 Focus, I can indeed confirm they are utter shite.  Particularly when it comes to handling.  But when you are stupid enough to use bushes that size, it is going to make handling unpredictable.  And the MK1's boot was far smaller than that of the Rover 25 that we owned at the same time, so it wasn't even practical - even the horrible Battlebus is practical, so has something going for it.

So, if it was between a Focus and an Astra, I'd take the Astra every single day of the week.  I care not about looks, remember I drive a modern XJ, which surely has one of the most hideous arses of any car....


Using bushes to give a semblance of rear wheel steer was never going to end well. And rear-wheel steering is completely pointless on anything as short as a car. The ride is biased in favour of handling which is stupid in a family hatchback. The boot space is ridiculous; there's only room for one reasonable sized suitcase, as the suspension takes up the space.


The real problem with the styling is not that the exterior is hideous, but that they made the bits you can see when driving it match. Which they still do; the interiors of current Fords are just as brain meltingly ghastly.


The weird thing is that they got the mk5 Fiesta absolutely spot on: dialled back the design; losing the twitchiness and overly firm springs made the car a much better drive; it's only smaller than a Focus on the outside; improved the interior materials(although the leather trims are down to Ford's usual poor standards) and remembered that a car should be comfortable.
The XJ isn't hideous, but the transition between the rear pillar and the roof/quarter panel is very awkward, which has been a Jaguar characteristic for ever.
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 17 May 2021, 12:03:02
(https://i.postimg.cc/VN552fgJ/Twins.jpg)




Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 17 May 2021, 13:02:20
Fine looking brace of Vauxhall cars. :y

The last design triumph being the orgasmic Signum. :)

Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 17 May 2021, 18:03:48
(https://i.postimg.cc/VN552fgJ/Twins.jpg)
I'm now looking at the estates wheels, thinking, "that'll keep the kosos busy cleaning them"
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Auto Addict on 17 May 2021, 18:49:16
(https://i.postimg.cc/VN552fgJ/Twins.jpg)
I'm now looking at the estates wheels, thinking, "that'll keep the kosos busy cleaning them"

Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off. ;)
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: TheBoy on 17 May 2021, 19:58:30
Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off. ;)
Surely that's a Koso job?
Title: Re: Bye Bye
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 17 May 2021, 22:36:56
Spray them with bi-carb mixed with water, then hose off. ;)
Surely that's a Koso job?

What do the Koso's think about getting sprayed with bi-carb water?  :-\