Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: x25xe on 15 September 2006, 09:55:33

Title: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was improved
Post by: x25xe on 15 September 2006, 09:55:33
Hi all

Another thread asks about the engine in a suspected mini facelift car which reminded me of a question I have been meaning to ask for some time.  I did not want to hijack that so am asking here.  Hope that is OK!

How do you identify the mini facelifts and what was the list if improvements?

I would like to find out if my car is a mini facelift.

I read elsewhere that one way of identifying them was the solid headrests which my car has.  However, what other items were improved and how can you tell for sure??
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Martin_1962 on 15 September 2006, 10:39:40
Adjustable steering wheel, solid seat pockets, more air bags.
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Phil on 15 September 2006, 11:07:00
TC button moved from alongside radio to same bank as heated seats/ hazzard lights

Coin box next to radio

I think the longer 3ltr pleniums are only on mini facelift onwards

Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: mijfife on 15 September 2006, 11:11:26
If it's any help, mine is a november 1999 GLS and the other differences I've noticed are as follows: Grill part of bonnet, window switches on doors instead of centre consul, controls for aircon/ heater smaller, airbags on the sides of the front seats and of course the balance shafts in the engine!!!!!!

I'm no expert on Omegas but this is what I've noticed so far  :)

Cheers Jim
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Phil on 15 September 2006, 11:33:06
Quote
If it's any help, mine is a november 1999 GLS and the other differences I've noticed are as follows: Grill part of bonnet, window switches on doors instead of centre consul, controls for aircon/ heater smaller, airbags on the sides of the front seats and of course the balance shafts in the engine!!!!!!

I'm no expert on Omegas but this is what I've noticed so far  :)

Cheers Jim

Thats a full face lift not mini face lift, youll also have a double din radio, different steering wheel, different arm rest and the head rest adjustment isnt as much

Theres loads more differences, boot lid, windscreen and headlamp washers and bumpers are all different to name but a few
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: mijfife on 15 September 2006, 11:44:29
Thanks Phil, it's true, you learn something new every day ;D

cheers Jim
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: TheBoy on 15 September 2006, 12:33:53
Quote
TC button moved from alongside radio to same bank as heated seats/ hazzard lights

Coin box next to radio

Not necessarily. Most mini facelifts still have old TC button. mini f/l Elites tend to have the newer button
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Phil on 15 September 2006, 12:55:44
Quote
Quote
TC button moved from alongside radio to same bank as heated seats/ hazzard lights

Coin box next to radio

Not necessarily. Most mini facelifts still have old TC button. mini f/l Elites tend to have the newer button

My MV6 (mini facelift) has the coin pocket and relocated TC button, plus the buttons on the dash changed from 'stippled' to more tactile 'smooth' finish, not obvious till you have a fondle  :)

Thought the Elites had the sat nav screen where the coin box is??

I was under the impression the TC button was moved because they stopped doing the rear door de-mister so had a spare space on the dash board and changed the wireing at face lift time??
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Andy B on 15 September 2006, 15:36:30
Quote
.....Theres loads more differences, boot lid, windscreen and headlamp washers and bumpers are all different to name but a few
Different tail lights, "Astra" looking bonnet. The differences between the 2 cars are obvious!
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: jonny2112 on 15 September 2006, 16:29:57
The differences are obvious between the pre and post full facelift, even externally, but the exterior appearance didn't change for the mini facelift, really just the interior. Mine is a Reflection though, which is I suppose a special edition. Like many specials these could have been manufactured prior to a major facelift, and may include options not found on like models. Looking through the Reflection brochure, I wish the original buyer had opted for the Recaros!
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: tunnie on 15 September 2006, 16:35:26
one way to tell if you have a mini-facelift is steering wheel controls.

If you don't have them, pre-facelift, if you do have them mini-facelift
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: TheBoy on 15 September 2006, 16:35:49
Quote
Quote
Quote
TC button moved from alongside radio to same bank as heated seats/ hazzard lights

Coin box next to radio

Not necessarily. Most mini facelifts still have old TC button. mini f/l Elites tend to have the newer button

My MV6 (mini facelift) has the coin pocket and relocated TC button, plus the buttons on the dash changed from 'stippled' to more tactile 'smooth' finish, not obvious till you have a fondle  :)

Thought the Elites had the sat nav screen where the coin box is??

I was under the impression the TC button was moved because they stopped doing the rear door de-mister so had a spare space on the dash board and changed the wireing at face lift time??
My 98 MV6 mini facelift has larger TC button, hence no coin tray...
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: sounds2k on 15 September 2006, 19:23:56
quickest way to tell the difference is solid head rests and side airbags are present on mini-facelift and not before then. Sat Nav (and display) was only fitted to 3.0 elites as standard - optional on 2.5's (petrol and diesel)
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: RonaldMcBurger on 15 September 2006, 19:36:26
SatNav was standard on TD Elite too.
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: Phil on 15 September 2006, 22:37:58
Quote
My 98 MV6 mini facelift has larger TC button, hence no coin tray...

But the silver MV6 that R McB ripped apart had the coin tray and repositioned TC button.

Doesnt make much sense!!

Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: jonny2112 on 15 September 2006, 23:25:24
Makes no sense at all....I have the solid headrests, repositioned TC button, but no side airbags!!! [smiley=shocked.gif]
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: CaptainZok on 15 September 2006, 23:33:00
Quote
Makes no sense at all....I have the solid headrests, repositioned TC button, but no side airbags!!! [smiley=shocked.gif]

Looks like the reflection was a real mix of parts mate, mines the same.
Title: Re: Mini Facelift- how do you tell & what was impr
Post by: x25xe on 16 September 2006, 00:25:00
Thanks for all your replies!

It looks like I have a mini facelift then :)

My TC buttin is the older style one BUT I purchased a load of switches from e-bay as some of the legends on mine had worn so I swapped them out (the "soft feel" switches are very bad for this apparently).  In the batch of switches I have a new style TC switch so I will investigate swapping them round.  I prefer the look of the TC switch being in the same bank.

By the way, ignore what the Haynes manual says about removing the switches.  I found it best to remove the heater / climate panel and press on the top clip thereby releasing the switch.  As one of my "new" switches does not light up >:( I will be doing this again in a while and will do a how to at the same time.

If I swap the TC switch, I will do a how to on this as well.