Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 20:00:01

Title: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 20:00:01
Well after a short bout of ownership, the Omega is going. Need something with less miles on it to do what it's going to start doing. I'll stick some info up on here in the next few days. It'll break my heart to have to strip it so hope it goes to a good home. It's being replaced with this - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-VAUXHALL-VECTRA-1-9CDTI-150-16V-no-swap-px-/200792427974?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D670804897755082363%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

Know the guy that owns it and I took some of the photos a while back for him. It's a lovely well looked after car.
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: cam2502 on 17 July 2012, 20:10:10
Can't say I'm a fan of the vectra, but that is the smartest I have seen. :y. Really like the wheels, and the grille makes a huge difference. :y
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: waspy on 17 July 2012, 20:49:16
Is it my eyes or have the front & rear seats in that Vectra got a different pattern ???
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: noel on 17 July 2012, 21:07:28
Is it my eyes or have the front & rear seats in that Vectra got a different pattern ???
i think you may be right on that :y
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: Sam Burton on 17 July 2012, 21:10:15
Defiantly is hmm how odd
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 22:13:28
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 22:38:09
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 22:41:11
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 22:55:08
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: joshwyatt on 17 July 2012, 23:01:16
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D

I've just taken one in P/X, it's black and does look rather nice. I've had a few of the ex police 2.8 V6's, but this is the first proper VXR...I quite like it. The front grille and a few bits are a bit too chav for me, but overall it's not bad. If you're passing, come and take it for a drive  ;D
The handling does leave a lot to be desired though, as I found out  :-[
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 23:02:50
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D

They really are a good drive. They get a lot of stick for being a boring hum drum rep mobile and crap FWD handling but they're really not bad at all! Obviously you have to respect it for what it is and it'll never be an Aerial Atom but for a FWD family car it's really not bad. Yeah they do seem to get a little lose. Seems to be a bit hit and miss though. Got a mate with a 3.2 Signum and that has full leather. Looks new even after 120k miles. Little word of advice. When the suspension springs snap, which they will because the VX ones are made of chocolate, stick 30mm Eibach springs on it. Looks great, only drops it 15mm on an SRi and handles so much better. Not much harder either.

Don't think I'd fit in the VXR ones.  :'(  The SRi ones were about the limit I could fit in comfortably. Even then I was lying on the seats a little instead of in them. Think VXRs would be a no go.

Oh yes, 2.8 turbo estate. His to be in that Arden Blue though!
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 23:10:32
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D

I've just taken one in P/X, it's black and does look rather nice. I've had a few of the ex police 2.8 V6's, but this is the first proper VXR...I quite like it. The front grille and a few bits are a bit too chav for me, but overall it's not bad. If you're passing, come and take it for a drive  ;D
The handling does leave a lot to be desired though, as I found out  :-[

Josh, if you tell me it's an estate, I'm going to be in alot of trouble!!  ;D
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: joshwyatt on 17 July 2012, 23:21:21
It actually is an estate  :D
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 23:26:08
It actually is an estate  :D

Ah fack it!!  ::)

I suppose you had better PM with all the details then mate!   ;D
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 23:32:05
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D

They really are a good drive. They get a lot of stick for being a boring hum drum rep mobile and crap FWD handling but they're really not bad at all! Obviously you have to respect it for what it is and it'll never be an Aerial Atom but for a FWD family car it's really not bad. Yeah they do seem to get a little lose. Seems to be a bit hit and miss though. Got a mate with a 3.2 Signum and that has full leather. Looks new even after 120k miles. Little word of advice. When the suspension springs snap, which they will because the VX ones are made of chocolate, stick 30mm Eibach springs on it. Looks great, only drops it 15mm on an SRi and handles so much better. Not much harder either.

Don't think I'd fit in the VXR ones.  :'(  The SRi ones were about the limit I could fit in comfortably. Even then I was lying on the seats a little instead of in them. Think VXRs would be a no go.

Oh yes, 2.8 turbo estate. His to be in that Arden Blue though!

I bought it from a fella at work, where we have bloody speed bumps all the way along the approach road.  He'd had it for 5 years and it needed 2 front springs for the MOT he had done before I bought it.  Like you say, they are like chocolate.  I've always wondered whether they actually fitted SRi springs, as it does seem to sit a little higher at the front than at the back, although this could just be because they are new and still need to settle.  In either case, as soon as I get a wiff of another one snapping, I'll be following you advice.  :y
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 23:46:31
Correct. Has the comfier seats from the Design spec in the front. Less grippy than the SRi ones but comfier in the long run. SRi ones in the back. It's going to start doing Falmouth in Cornwall to Liverpool once or twice a month so it's perfect for it.

Think I'd have to disagree with you there mate.  I've got a Vectra C 2.2 dti SRi, and I have to say the front seats are some of the best I have sat in.  Very comfortable on a long run, and incredibly supportive in the bends.

Just my opinion though, no offence intended.  :y

None taken! I loved mine. I had a 2.2 DTi SRi before the Omega and I loved it. Had done 200,000 miles and caned every day but she never gave up. Made 135bhp with a bad turbo actuator too. 10 more bhp than standard even after all those miles. I'll see how they go. If I decide I want the SRi ones back it won't be hard to get some with there being so many Vectras being broken on Ebay.

Elite leather.... No, stop it.

I bought mine for the wife but I have to be honest, now that I've sorted out all of the knocking suspension parts, I think it it a cracking car to drive!  :y

Like you say, SRi seats should be a doddle to find.  I've never been a big fan of the leather in the Vectra.  Have you noticed how the big square section in the centre of the seat base always seems to be loose and laggy, even on the back seats?

Now, what you really want is some gorgeous Alcatara ones from a VXR!! Hmmm....  8)

Twiglet has just reminded himself that one day, he will have a Vectra VXR Estate....  :D

They really are a good drive. They get a lot of stick for being a boring hum drum rep mobile and crap FWD handling but they're really not bad at all! Obviously you have to respect it for what it is and it'll never be an Aerial Atom but for a FWD family car it's really not bad. Yeah they do seem to get a little lose. Seems to be a bit hit and miss though. Got a mate with a 3.2 Signum and that has full leather. Looks new even after 120k miles. Little word of advice. When the suspension springs snap, which they will because the VX ones are made of chocolate, stick 30mm Eibach springs on it. Looks great, only drops it 15mm on an SRi and handles so much better. Not much harder either.

Don't think I'd fit in the VXR ones.  :'(  The SRi ones were about the limit I could fit in comfortably. Even then I was lying on the seats a little instead of in them. Think VXRs would be a no go.

Oh yes, 2.8 turbo estate. His to be in that Arden Blue though!

I bought it from a fella at work, where we have bloody speed bumps all the way along the approach road.  He'd had it for 5 years and it needed 2 front springs for the MOT he had done before I bought it.  Like you say, they are like chocolate.  I've always wondered whether they actually fitted SRi springs, as it does seem to sit a little higher at the front than at the back, although this could just be because they are new and still need to settle.  In either case, as soon as I get a wiff of another one snapping, I'll be following you advice.  :y

That's normal, they never do sit perfectly level. If it had standard none SRi springs on the front you'd know about it. Front would be pointing upwards quite a lot. It's usual to have a slightly bigger gap at the front compared to the back though.
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 17 July 2012, 23:52:42
That's normal, they never do sit perfectly level. If it had standard none SRi springs on the front you'd know about it. Front would be pointing upwards quite a lot. It's usual to have a slightly bigger gap at the front compared to the back though.

Ah ok, that's good to know.  :y

The other thing I need to do is get the alloys refurb'd.  I'd be interested to know how the ones on your new car were done, with the black in the spoke spilts.  If nothing else, it saves breaking your fingers trying to clean the brake dust off!  ;D
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 17 July 2012, 23:59:21
I'll ask him when I pick it up on Sunday if you like. I remember him telling me ages ago but for the life of me, can't remember who did them now. If you have a spare set of wheels I can really recommend City Powdercoaters in Birmingham. They did a wonderful job on my mates Irmscher wheels for his Vectra. Only £20 a wheel too if you can get the tyres off yourself. £30 if they're on.

(http://www.ex-vecs.com/pictures/wheels%20back%20on%20007%20(Small).jpg)

These are the Vectra XP2 wheels they did for someone else.

(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t173/ben_summers/68ee982e.jpg)
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: joshwyatt on 18 July 2012, 00:02:58
Those wheels have certainly come up really well  :y
That is the one thing I struggle around here with, someone who does full wheel refurbs and has consitent quality.
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: twiglet on 18 July 2012, 07:47:15
They do look fantastic, and that's a hell of a good price too!  I've used a company in Norwich before, and they do an excellent job, but it's more like £50 a wheel without tyres!!  ::)
Title: Re: Bye bye Omega
Post by: tgm147 on 22 July 2012, 14:53:40
That's normal, they never do sit perfectly level. If it had standard none SRi springs on the front you'd know about it. Front would be pointing upwards quite a lot. It's usual to have a slightly bigger gap at the front compared to the back though.

Ah ok, that's good to know.  :y

The other thing I need to do is get the alloys refurb'd.  I'd be interested to know how the ones on your new car were done, with the black in the spoke spilts.  If nothing else, it saves breaking your fingers trying to clean the brake dust off!  ;D

Twiglet,

After a close look at the wheels I can tell you they were done by spraying the wheels with a base of gloss silver, left to dry then the front areas and all the silver bits you can see very well masked up. Then the rest of the wheels were sprayed gloss black, left to dry then the tape removed. They must have then be flatted down and buffed because there's no step in the paint.

Hope that helps!