Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Andy H on 16 September 2013, 21:25:42
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Following on from TBs thread about whether to stick with Vauxhalls I am going to face the same question in a few months time. My saloon is one of the youngest at 10 years old and it will hit 200k miles sometime next year.
There are times when I need to carry something that won't fit in my saloon (even after removing that stupid Bose shelf). 26mpg is painful with prices rising continuously but I don't want to drive a car with less performance & comfort or higher sound levels.
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It can't .......... it's a stretched Vectra estate ;) ;)
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It can't .......... it's a stretched Vectra estate ;) ;)
If you need space in the boot buy a veccy estate, if you need a really spacious 4 seater then the Signum is ok :y
Doesn't come close to an omega estate for space although not much does.
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It doesn't :y
Vectra estate has an almost identical boot, with flat sides, same height and depth of the Omega estate boot, but a touch narrower, mostly because the Vectra is narrower :y
Seats fold flat as well :y
It can't .......... it's a stretched Vectra estate ;) ;)
Er no. ::) Signum and Vectra estate share the same lwb floorpan :y
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Here's a TG video with the
plank Jeremy Clarkson driving the Siggy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phm6fREnK-A
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It can't .......... it's a stretched Vectra estate ;) ;)
Er no. ::) Signum and Vectra estate share the same lwb floorpan :y
Do they? I'd always thought the Signum was stretched in the rear footwell area :-\
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As is the Vectra C estate ::) visually the only clue is the length of the rear doors :y
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It can't .......... it's a stretched Vectra estate ;) ;)
Er no. ::) Signum and Vectra estate share the same lwb floorpan :y
Do they? I'd always thought the Signum was stretched in the rear footwell area :-\
The rear seats slide to give a choice of big legroom / small boot or vica versa.
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Here's a TG video with the plank Jeremy Clarkson driving the Siggy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Phm6fREnK-A
I remembered him driving a car from the back seat, but I'd forgotten it was the Singum ;D
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As is the Vectra C estate ::) visually the only clue is the length of the rear doors :y
Signum's don't exactly stand out from the crowd though do they ...... ;) ;)
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I have fond memories of a couple of Astra hatches I drove 20 years ago. They had more headroom in the back, and could carry larger loads (eg fridges or washing machines), than the Cavalier hatches that more senior staff drove.
The two I had were quiet and economical. I just wanted more power and more brakes.....
Does anyone have any knowledge of the engines and gearboxes? From what I have read henryd seems to have picked the optimum combination (Isuzu 3.0 V6 diesel, 6 speed auto, elite trim) but there are other intriguing options (2.0 petrol turbo and 2.8 petrol V6 turbo for example)
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Having persoannly owned and driven a signum (still own parked on drive) the omega estate beats it hands down. When I have to change again I would have a. Veccy estate. Fuel wise I got average of about 25mpg only short journey on mixed long short was getting about 35mpg. The boot is good but no where as near as flexible as a proper estate. I agree with Mr Clark son about the indicators having a mind if there own the number of times I have had to jiggle the wheel to get them go off I some times though of becoming a BMW impressionist and not using them
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V6 Turbo is in the top tax bracket, so post 2006 is knocking on the door of £500 :-\
2.2 petrol well avoided, as fuel pump is engine driven and prone to failure, 2.0 turbo is not that powerful, 170bhp, but guess its a lower boost version of the Astra VXR lump...
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..... I agree with Mr Clark son about the indicators having a mind if there own the number of times I have had to jiggle the wheel to get them go off I some times though of becoming a BMW impressionist and not using them
I've never driven a Signum, but if they're like the Astra H (?) they're good once you get used to them
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
Cheap to buy though, so surely would be good enough for 'normal' use...... :y :y
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
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Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
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Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
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Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
Did you watch the video? ::) In the middle of the base model'' you get a sort of drinks tray, an arm rest or nothing at all'' and ''in the more expensive models ........ you get a fridge & a DVD player'' :y :y
Although in the video it does look like a seat in the middle ;)
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Vectra. Begins with S ends in t and it isn't soot. :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=acUuvnuycMw
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
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Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
Did you watch the video? ::) In the middle of the base model'' you get a sort of drinks tray, an arm rest or nothing at all'' and ''in the more expensive models ........ you get a fridge & a DVD player'' :y :y
Although in the video it does look like a seat in the middle ;)
And in many photos of other cars, thinking a child / temp seat......... :-\ :-\ Not a problem, and given the price seems a pretty good car, if you don't want to rag it around.... ::) ::) Love my Jeep but could do with reducing my fuel spending, a little tempted by a Vectra 1.9 diesel auto at the moment, that I have been watching in a garage where I would get a good PX......... :-\ :-\
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I have fond memories of a couple of Astra hatches I drove 20 years ago. They had more headroom in the back, and could carry larger loads (eg fridges or washing machines), than the Cavalier hatches that more senior staff drove.
The two I had were quiet and economical. I just wanted more power and more brakes.....
Does anyone have any knowledge of the engines and gearboxes? From what I have read henryd seems to have picked the optimum combination (Isuzu 3.0 V6 diesel, 6 speed auto, elite trim) but there are other intriguing options (2.0 petrol turbo and 2.8 petrol V6 turbo for example)
Mine is 5 speed auto but they did a 6speed as well :y,mine does low thirties. To the gallon locally and around forty on a run,never driven ahem sensibly on a run to see what it could do though :-\
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
.....
Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
Did you watch the video? ::) In the middle of the base model'' you get a sort of drinks tray, an arm rest or nothing at all'' and ''in the more expensive models ........ you get a fridge & a DVD player'' :y :y
Although in the video it does look like a seat in the middle ;)
Mine has the “travel assistant ”,fridge,tables and dvd player stand,it does come out and leaves either a tray and cup holders or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
.....
Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
Did you watch the video? ::) In the middle of the base model'' you get a sort of drinks tray, an arm rest or nothing at all'' and ''in the more expensive models ........ you get a fridge & a DVD player'' :y :y
Although in the video it does look like a seat in the middle ;)
Mine has the “travel assistant ”,fridge,tables and dvd player stand,it does come out and leaves either a tray and cup holders or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
Thanks....... :y :y
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or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
is there a seat belt for the middle seat then?
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or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
is there a seat belt for the middle seat then?
Yep proper inertia belt,retracts into the roof when not in use
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Are they a 4 or 5 seat car? Auto traders says 5, Clarkson says 4 but photos seem to suggest an option with the rear middle..... :-\ :-\
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Autotrader details are only as good as the half wit that puts the advert together ;) ;)
Is that code for you don't know........ :D :D :P
Trouble with any car ad is that the dealers either don't look into the car at all, or just tick all the option boxes that might go on a model. A few years back I went to see a few Astras that were advertised as having ABS, but when you went to see it, they didn't. The dealers blamed Autotrader. And how many cars do you see advertised as having a heated windscreen? In fact the button they're looking at is the front screen demist ::) ::)
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or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
is there a seat belt for the middle seat then?
Yep proper inertia belt,retracts into the roof when not in use
A proper 5 seater then
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or an excuse for seat(child only and not for very far) :y
is there a seat belt for the middle seat then?
Yep proper inertia belt,retracts into the roof when not in use
A proper 5 seater then
Technically yes,but the seat is narrow and frankly shite :-X
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I've got a facelift 1.9CDTi Signum Elite and think it's great as a family motor. 2 very comfortable kids in the back - proper reclining seats (instead of the traditional 'bench' approach) and they slide back and forth. If you occasionally need to move a 5th person around one of the kids are quite happy in the centre seat with it's proper 3 point belt - officially it has a 75kg limit, and it sits high so not really suitable for an adult.
Boot space is good because you can slide the back seats forward - so you either have a cavernous back seat space and a good size boot, or a masive boot and less back seat leg room. Not many hatches around that offer that flexibility. I don't have the travel assistant thing but they pop up regular on ebay for £50. Mine does have sat nav, auto lights/wipers etc. On a run I get about 45-50mpg.
It's not as well built as an omega (what vauxhall is these days?) and it has it's issues but I've been pleased with mine.
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Signum is 5" shorter than a Vectra C estate. They are exactly the same to the back of the rear doors, but the Signum has a smaller bum.
Ive had my 3.2V6 for over 4 years now its a fully loaded Elite - NCDC 2015, CID & telematics, HIDs, full heated leather, electric folding mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, TPMS, auto dimming mirrors, travel assistant, dual circuit climate control and sun roof so no celery holder, etc etc blah blah blah.
Later ones have AFL and after mid 2004 are full CAN so have the 'CD' prefix stereos but alot of the bits found in mine became optional extras.
The 2.8 V6 turbos are only 230bhp not the 255 or 280 found in the VXR and some were built before the £500 RFL date, so can be taxed for £280 and there was NEVER a VXR Signum
Its built every bit as well as an Omega - this was bought to replace my prefacelift 3ltr MV6, still got my 2.5V6 facelift saloon, but a few hours ago just bought a 3.2V6 02 plate estate, which will replace the saloon, so can compare like for like if anyone wants.
As for space I do know for a fact with the rear seats folded down in the Signum you can fit a full set of leather seats and door cards from an Omega saloon in it without too much bother.
You can nearly get the same amount of stuff in an Omega saloon boot as you can in the signum with the seats right back. Seats do slide a bit and recline BUT the middle one doesn't slide and its only really a child sized seat, but as said above does come with a proper belt not a lap strap. It does flip over to give you the drinks tray or seat, mine has the travel assistant, as i very rarely have 1 passenger in it let alone 4 its not a problem. TA does pop out in few seconds if needed
The 3.2V6 Signum is definately quicker off the mark than the 3.2 Omega even though it has a few less BHP :-\.
Biggest issue is the auto box on early ones, they are an Aisin-Warner 5 speed 'triptronic' box, they suffer from dodgey heat exchanger seals and as the heat exchanger is in the main rad you end up with water in the box that kills it - Replacements go from £1500 for a rebuild to £2500 for replacement IF you can find one! Search AF33 gearbox problems and it will throw up all sorts of horror stories!
Apart from that it suffers from usual Vxl broken spring drop link crap damper problems. Diesels suffer from same issues as every other Vxl diesel.
There are also oddities with the way they are wired up, mine has TC/ESP but no on/ off switch or wiring for it in the dash, where other cars have no TC/ ESP but have the wires or have TC/ESP, have the wires behind the dash but no switch - some just plug and play with a switch, some need TECH2, same thing goes for TPMS & park pilot - But guess thats down to the Germans who built all of them being 'quirky'
Oh and I did the cam cover gaskets on the Signum in under half the time it takes to do on the Omega, oddly with the engine round the wrong way there is a shed load more room!!
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Personally I don't trust front wheel drive autos. If I had fwd it would have to be manual. So the rest of the car would need to be pretty good to suffer a manual round these parts. Even if it was a good manual box.
Interesting post though Phil :)
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Later ones have AFL and after mid 2004 are full CAN so have the 'CD' prefix stereos but alot of the bits found in mine became optional extras. ....
In simple terms ..... ::) does this mean that an aftermarket single DIN radio will NOT just work if you connect it up to the original loom via a conversion loom? :-\
Asking on behalf of a lad at work that's recently bought an 04 Signum :y
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Aftermarket will work just fine, but don't expect the trip computer to work :y
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Aftermarket will work just fine, but don't expect the trip computer to work :y
A big selling point of CANbus to car manufacturers was that they could lose half the wires in the wiring loom. Just take a permanent feed and a CANbus to everything. If you want sidelights then send a command for 'sidelights on' for example. No need for a separate wire for every function.
Without separate switched feed, aerial amplifier feed, speed signal, dashboard illumination etc the in car entertainment goes back to being a dumb wireless receiver. The question is whether VX left the old fashioned wiring in place for old fashioned radios. You can get CANbus emulators that connect to the CANbus and then provide switched feed, illumination and speed signal but it all adds to the hassle & expense.
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Aftermarket will work just fine, but don't expect the trip computer to work :y
that's the problem ........ a known to work head unit doesn't work in the car. At some time before h bought it, the original loom to the head unit had been butchered - a plug was missing (guessing it'd gone to the TID/GID/whatever it is in a Signum). He sourced another car, cut out a section of radio loom, grafted it to his car & the after market radio still doesn't work. I'm only taking his word for it because I've not seen his repairs ..... but he's no numpty.
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Aftermarket will work just fine, but don't expect the trip computer to work :y
A big selling point of CANbus to car manufacturers was that they could lose half the wires in the wiring loom. Just take a permanent feed and a CANbus to everything. If you want sidelights then send a command for 'sidelights on' for example. No need for a separate wire for every function.
Without separate switched feed, aerial amplifier feed, speed signal, dashboard illumination etc the in car entertainment goes back to being a dumb wireless receiver. The question is whether VX left the old fashioned wiring in place for old fashioned radios. You can get CANbus emulators that connect to the CANbus and then provide switched feed, illumination and speed signal but it all adds to the hassle & expense.
All that says that the answer to my question is ..... no ;)
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Earlier cars are only part Canbus :y if the loom was from a later car that might explain that :-\
Buttons on the steering wheel, 3 each side iirc, is not full Canbus, if the controls are anything else the it's full Canbus, late '04 onwards iirc :y
Best bet might be to source the complete audio loom for that exact age/model and fit it in one piece... those Vectra C dashes come apart fairly readily :y
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Earlier cars are only part Canbus :y if the loom was from a later car that might explain that :-\
Buttons on the steering wheel, 3 each side iirc, is not full Canbus, if the controls are anything else the it's full Canbus, late '04 onwards iirc :y
Best bet might be to source the complete audio loom for that exact age/model and fit it in one piece... those Vectra C dashes come apart fairly readily :y
I've only have a brief look at the car s no idea re the radio controls
As far as I know, that's what he's done with the radio loom ..... :-\
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Dave DND mightbe able to shed some light on it :-\
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Dave DND mightbe able to shed some light on it :-\
Maybe :-\
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Buttons on the steering wheel, 3 each side iirc, is not full Canbus, if the controls are anything else the it's full Canbus, late '04 onwards iirc :y
Basically correct, buttons for half CAN, scroll wheels for full CAN.
All facelift Signums are full CAN, some prefacelift ones are full CAN as well, thats where the confusion starts
Just check its not a prefacelift with a facelift front end as this is a very easy and often carried out 'modification' - the wheel controls will be the first and possibly the only visual giveaway.
You can put an aftermarket stereo into a full CAN car with just the autoleads adaptor and an aerial adaptor, but if the looms been chopped then good luck!
However an NCDC head unit form an Omega will plug straight in and work (if coded) in a half CAN Signum (and Vectra C for that matter!) so that could be a basis for sorting the wires if it is half CAN
One thing is for sure the displays are not interchangabe, apart from no adjustment buttons for time etc on the Signum display, they are also slightly bigger so dont fit the dashboard
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Facelifts are late '05 onwards :y have seen a few '54 cars with the scroll wheels, started with the Astra H iirc :-\
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Buttons on the steering wheel, 3 each side iirc, is not full Canbus, if the controls are anything else the it's full Canbus, late '04 onwards iirc :y
Basically correct, buttons for half CAN, scroll wheels for full CAN.
All facelift Signums are full CAN, some prefacelift ones are full CAN as well, thats where the confusion starts
Just check its not a prefacelift with a facelift front end as this is a very easy and often carried out 'modification' - the wheel controls will be the first and possibly the only visual giveaway.
You can put an aftermarket stereo into a full CAN car with just the autoleads adaptor and an aerial adaptor, but if the looms been chopped then good luck!
However an NCDC head unit form an Omega will plug straight in and work (if coded) in a half CAN Signum (and Vectra C for that matter!) so that could be a basis for sorting the wires if it is half CAN
One thing is for sure the displays are not interchangabe, apart from no adjustment buttons for time etc on the Signum display, they are also slightly bigger so dont fit the dashboard
Thanks Phil ...... I'll let him know :y
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Tail light warning on display , got soaked fixing it :(
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Tail light warning on display , got soaked fixing it :(
Thats one bonus of the Vectra C/ Signum, it has one bulb each side for brake lights, one each side for tail lights, BUT if one stops working the other does both jobs so you can wait until its stopped raining to change it :)
Facelifts are late '05 onwards :y have seen a few '54 cars with the scroll wheels, started with the Astra H iirc :-\
A lot of 04 plate prefcelift Signums are full CAN