Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Andy A on 18 March 2015, 08:56:35
-
Looking to buy an estate. What should I look out for, rust wise etc?
2.5 or the 2.6 What is the better engine and why?
Is the cam belt the same DIY job on the 2.5 and the 2.6 or is one harder than the other and why?
Thanks
-
Horses for courses
2.5 has secondary air pipes to remove for Cambelt whereas 2.6 doesn't, but the 2.6 requires plenum removal, 2.5 doesn't
Much of a muchness IMHO :y
-
Newer models will have less rust by age so your probably best off looking for a 2.6 in that reguard.
2.5 stopped around 2000 iirc, 2.6 replaced it up to mid 03. Although there are some 2000 plate face lifts with a 2.5. Maybe someone has the exact cut off dates if needed.
Rear arches and doors are the main rust culprits on any omega, preface lift doors especially, with the rust spot on the esates tailgate below the wiper being very common.
-
2.5 is the better engine with slightly better mpg but, older. :y
-
Early 2.6's suffered from GM's penny pinching, so have cheaper valve stem seals meaning blue smoke on start up. Later 2.6's would be better bet.
Personally not a fan of the 3.2's and 2.6's, I think the 2.5/3.0's are the better engines in almost every regard. I guess the 2.6/3.2's engine bays look a little tidier, less crap in there.
The 3.2/2.6 V6's are feking shit on idle though, bloody lumpy and horrible.
I'd get a manual 2.5 V6 if buying again :y
-
I have both...2000W ( may ) 2.5 Estate and a 2001Y ( june ) 2.6 Estate.
Both had/have the rust under the rear wiper.
The 2.6 is more responsive. The 2.5 feels 'tighter'. Easier to work on the 2.6. Throttle pedals are very different on mine, the 2.6 being electronic. The 2.5 needs physical pressure .
I could not say which is best, as once I get behind the wheel of whichever, I prefer it.
To be honest, I am looking for a saloon, and I would 'prefer' the 2.6, but would not turn my nose up at a good 2.5.
Both mine are Elite's btw
Its a shame you are not nearer, or you could have seen and tried both :y
-
As always, thank you all for your input. :y
I am going to see an estate this weekend. Lets hope it's a good one. :)
-
I have found a 2001 estate and I am going to look at it this week. Unfortunately its a 2.2i but I have been told its in very good condition, so worth a look.
I've never driven an auto before. How do I test and how do I know if the auto gearbox is good?
-
I can only respond as to mine....
Both gearboxes change smoothly and do not 'jolt' at all. I have been told on here , that in cold weather, the gears will hold longer before changing up. I had a Laguna a while back and a serious mechanic said my gear changing was one of the best he had been in. When I got the Omega, he said the changes we as good as the Renault.
There are no rattles, shakes, bangs etc. If you try kickdown, be prepared for a momentary delay...then hang on ;D Again, should not be any other noises except the engine revving up.
I don't suppose the above will be any help...but if its quiet, does not jolt but glides through the gears, then you have a good one :y
-
I can only respond as to mine....
Both gearboxes change smoothly and do not 'jolt' at all. I have been told on here , that in cold weather, the gears will hold longer before changing up. I had a Laguna a while back and a serious mechanic said my gear changing was one of the best he had been in. When I got the Omega, he said the changes we as good as the Renault.
There are no rattles, shakes, bangs etc. If you try kickdown, be prepared for a momentary delay...then hang on ;D Again, should not be any other noises except the engine revving up.
I don't suppose the above will be any help...but if its quiet, does not jolt but glides through the gears, then you have a good one :y
Shame it's not a 2.5 or higher but if it's in good condition it will do me. Thanks for the info. :y
-
Using an auto box when stooped at traffic lights etc. do I leave it in drive with my foot on the brake or do I shift it into neutral each time?
Thanks
-
Using an auto box when stooped at traffic lights etc. do I leave it in drive with my foot on the brake or do I shift it into neutral each time?
Thanks
Neutral/handbrake is better for it...
At amber, into D, handbrake off then foot off brake. Allow the car to begin to move and gradually accelerate :y
-
Oops...I have been driving Auto's wrong for37 years.
Unless I have to stop on a steep hill, when I start up, I never touch the stick again, till I get where I am going.
Brake and throttle only for me. ???
-
Oops...I have been driving Auto's wrong for37 years.
Unless I have to stop on a steep hill, when I start up, I never touch the stick again, till I get where I am going.
Brake and throttle only for me. ???
Eventually kills the clutches, but shorter term it's one of the things that trashes the fluid iirc :-\
-
Yep, a prelonged stop, pop it in neutral. Esp if on an incline.
Might even be mentioned in the manual. (Book not gear box ;D )
-
Drove the car yesterday and fell in love with the auto gearbox straight away. Specially when in sport mode. :y The Omega is very suited to an auto box. My next car will defiantly be an auto. :y
Only trouble is the estate stunk of damp and mold in the boot section. So I turned it down on price and smell. Its one of those smells that you could never really get rid of.
Are the estates prone to smelling like this?
Where would the rain water be getting in from?
-
Not sure about the boot section. Common fault is damp in the footwell, caused by blocked air filter - if not traced and cured then this could start to cause 'damp' smell. There are of course various internal channels which guide rainwater away from the body, which may become blocked, as with any car. But Omegas are not 'prone' to smelling of damp. A smell is the easiest way of being put off something, a car, house, anything - the reverse being true, why supermarkets pump baking bread smell into their stores for promote spending :y
I know you're always going to be limited to what car you can get, but have to say aim for a V6, the 2.2s aren't 'bad' but you're not realistically going to do more to the gallon (in spite of what the brochure tells you), and you just get everywhere a bit slower :y
Personally love my auto box, and find the Omegas an excellent one. Had several people compliment me on the smoothness of my gear changing before they realised my hand hadn't left the wheel for a period of minutes and they realised it was an auto!
-
Checked the front carpets and underlay and all was dry. The smell was defiantly coming from the back of the car in the boot area some where.
I would much prefer a V6 if I could find a good estate. A couple of times going up hill on the motorway yesterday I could of done with a little extra power for safety reasons.
-
This is what I couldnt understand - the damp carpet issue is in the passenger front footwell, not the rear. All I can think is that, as with any car that has a well for the spare wheel - that's got water in it which hasn't dried out, and gone stale. Anyway, move onward and upward - not all Omegas smell funny ;D
V6 with an auto the way to go. :y :y
-
Oops...I have been driving Auto's wrong for 37 years.
Unless I have to stop on a steep hill, when I start up, I never touch the stick again, till I get where I am going.
Brake and throttle only for me. ???
Not according to the handbook you haven't. :y
Quote from handbook:
Stopping the vehicle
The selector lever can be left in the chosen gear with the engine running.
When stopping on gradients engage hand brake or depress brake pedal. To prevent overheating of the transmission, do not increase engine revolutions to ensure smooth idling while standing if a gear has been selected.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level crossings.