Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Hudson on 01 September 2016, 22:16:02

Title: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Hudson on 01 September 2016, 22:16:02
Would you ever buy a 2000 3.0 elite without any service history at all, no idea if cambelt has been done or annything else, car is cheap for the miles but a big risk i suspect. Experiences.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Lazydocker on 01 September 2016, 22:20:38
I would buy it on condition alone and budget for full service, cam belt and suspension rebuild :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: tunnie on 01 September 2016, 22:24:25
Look at it's condition, how it drives. At this age, bodywork is key. If it's clean, scratch, rust and dent free go for it.

I'd change the cambelt on one where it was listed anyway, so easy to get a tooth out.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: terry paget on 01 September 2016, 22:35:50
The MOT history gives a clue to its past. If it's near enough and cheap enough you may think it worth a punt. It helps if you enjoy servicing and minor repairs. If its obviously rusty, avoid it.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: YZ250 on 01 September 2016, 22:39:09
Agree with both of the above replies regarding condition.  :y Strictly speaking, my car doesn't have any service history either as I do all the work on it myself, but I have no proof of that if I sell it, apart from scraps of paper with notes of things like oil changes, cambelt change etc.
Oh, and I've had mine from almost new, so lots of notes in the folder where I keep all of my MOT's.   :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 01 September 2016, 22:48:19
Agreed with all above, especially the MOT history check, it's free, and invaluable  :y

Car was offered locally, last MoT a couple or three years ago suggested a cracked chassis rail as the least of it's issues...
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Tick Tock on 01 September 2016, 23:01:09
The service history doesn't cover how well the car has been looked after, or whether it's a big pile of rust underneath. Factor in cam belt kit for the purchase of any unknown car regardless of history (some have been known for forgeries) and there's nothing better than a good look over it by yourself or someone knowledgeable  :-\
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 September 2016, 00:30:45
Judge any car on its merits, irrespective of service history.


Not that any car with a comprehensive service history has ever been faked, of course....


Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Kevin Wood on 02 September 2016, 07:50:15
Even a service history only indicates an oil change every 20k miles on a later Omega.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Lazydocker on 02 September 2016, 08:28:43
Even a service history only indicates an oil change every 20k miles on a later Omega.

And look at mine ::)

To the OP... I purchased a low mileage 2003 Estate with full main dealer history (bar one service at an independent) and it needed a lot doing. In contrast, my MFL that it replaced ran better at 177k than the new one did at 65k.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 September 2016, 08:56:38
In a way a 'FSH' is a bit like an MoT, in that many people perceive it is 'guaranteeing your car is 100% tip top' when it really isn't  :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Kevin Wood on 02 September 2016, 09:42:51
Even a service history only indicates an oil change every 20k miles on a later Omega.

And look at mine ::)

To the OP... I purchased a low mileage 2003 Estate with full main dealer history (bar one service at an independent) and it needed a lot doing. In contrast, my MFL that it replaced ran better at 177k than the new one did at 65k.

That breather modification was a stroke of genius, though. ;D
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 September 2016, 10:21:08
Oooh, do tell?  :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: EMD on 02 September 2016, 12:05:44
As most vintage omega owners know things can become
very costly buying a non service history car  ::)
Buy and fix to keep , cam belt change and service first .
It does have the superior engine in though  :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 September 2016, 13:08:56
Agreed, bulletproof MAFs, less lambdas to worry about if/when the cats are shot, etc.. than the 2.6/3.2s...  :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Lazydocker on 02 September 2016, 14:20:39
Oooh, do tell?  :)

Let's just say that someone has tapped the oil filler neck and connected it to the breather system.... Bagpipes were swimming in oil!
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 02 September 2016, 16:08:36
Thats.... unique!!  :o
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Lazydocker on 02 September 2016, 18:40:09
Thats.... unique!!  :o

I might add, that was all put right pretty quickly :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 02 September 2016, 19:07:51
Thats.... unique!!  :o


I bet it isn't.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: amba on 02 September 2016, 19:20:41
Service history is a usefull sales aid and a better bargaining tool come the day you intend parting with you car.

Lets be quite truthfull though...as even the newest Omega is now over 13 years old ,history isnt really going to fill you wallet much with notes given the residual value of these cars.

My Elite has very minimal service history .I have owned it for 3 years and bought it ,what I considered to be cheap but even in its current condition,which I think its pretty good,dont think I would get back what I spent ...incidently its not for sale. :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: ted_one on 02 September 2016, 19:42:17
I can't be arsed keeping service records and what's cost what.....cambelts excepted,if something needs fixing it gets done just to avoid a small backlog of minor jobs stacking up.You only have to read between the lines on some of the adverts on Ebay that appears to have been the case, and whoever is selling the car has probably allowed things to slide to the point that it's not financially viable to work through the car and put it right when the money could be better spent on the wide choice of late model used cars that are available in excess. :-\
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Hudson on 02 September 2016, 21:38:33
Thanks for all the info, the car i had been looking at went anyway, but i did have my worry hat on given a few ' issues ' the seller had mentioned. I will go on condition alone and if svc history is there then all the better. Just need to find the right one now, which is not so easy when the advert says ' mint ' but the MOT history on the DVLA site says something totally different !
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: STEMO on 02 September 2016, 22:10:36
Oooh, do tell?  :)

Let's just say that someone has tapped the oil filler neck and connected it to the breather system.... Bagpipes were swimming in oil!
Why?
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: tunnie on 03 September 2016, 09:09:44
Oooh, do tell?  :)

Let's just say that someone has tapped the oil filler neck and connected it to the breather system.... Bagpipes were swimming in oil!
Why?

At a guess, Mayo forming under the cap. They thought it needed air, but just needed good oil and longer runs.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 03 September 2016, 19:07:27
Or thought it would be a cure for blowing camcover gaskets, rather than cleaning the breathers ?  :-\
Moronic in either case.  ::)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 03 September 2016, 19:19:12
Or thought it would be a cure for blowing camcover gaskets, rather than cleaning the breathers ?  :-\
Moronic in either case.  ::)


I would put it down to simple laziness, with a garnish of stupidity.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 03 September 2016, 19:20:09
Fair enough.  :y :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 September 2016, 09:45:30
Because they were idiots? Because they were main dealer technicians spanner monkeys? Take your pick :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: ronnyd on 04 September 2016, 15:49:49
Thanks for all the info, the car i had been looking at went anyway, but i did have my worry hat on given a few ' issues ' the seller had mentioned. I will go on condition alone and if svc history is there then all the better. Just need to find the right one now, which is not so easy when the advert says ' mint ' but the MOT history on the DVLA site says something totally different !
Some owners/sellers idea of "mint" is often a hell of a lot of difference to what you actually see when you arrive to view it. ;)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 04 September 2016, 16:37:56
Thanks for all the info, the car i had been looking at went anyway, but i did have my worry hat on given a few ' issues ' the seller had mentioned. I will go on condition alone and if svc history is there then all the better. Just need to find the right one now, which is not so easy when the advert says ' mint ' but the MOT history on the DVLA site says something totally different !
Some owners/sellers idea of "mint" is often a hell of a lot of difference to what you actually see when you arrive to view it. ;)


When applied to a car, mint simply means that most of the visible bits are in roughly the right place and you can deduce what the original colour was. Full Service History means that the handbook was dealer stamped, and they've a couple of bills dated 4 years ago. Inspection will show that one was for a puncture repair, and the other is for a different car. Any Inspection Welcome needs if done by a blind man added.


I could go on, but I bet we've all answered that sort of advert.


This was a bad use of £300 and a drive to Reading about 12 years ago:


(https://www.dropbox.com/s/awfjplmmt0r387w/P5110004.jpg?dl=1)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: EMD on 04 September 2016, 17:12:46
I bought a Capri just like that yrs ago for £50 and it went straight through the MOT  :D ;D
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 September 2016, 17:46:03
Ford should make a modern retro Capri like VW did the Beetle, Jag did the S Type and Triumph did the Bonneville.  8)

They'd sell like hotcakes!  :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Tick Tock on 04 September 2016, 18:33:24
Ford Vauxhall should make a modern retro Capri Omega like VW did the Beetle, Jag did the S Type and Triumph did the Bonneville.  8)

They'd sell like hotcakes!  :y

Corrected that for you  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 04 September 2016, 19:33:13
Ford should make a modern retro Capri like VW did the Beetle, Jag did the S Type and Triumph did the Bonneville.  8)

They'd sell like hotcakes!  :y


I can't stand 'modern retro' as a phrase, design intent or finished product. The best thing Jaguar have done is bin the 45 year-old badly calibrated photocopier 'styling' and actually design stylish, modern, fashionable cars like those they used to make their name.


Capris have been gone so long that the long bonnet, short tail, RWD GT coupe styling no longer applies, and only backward looking middle-aged men have any interest in them.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: ronnyd on 04 September 2016, 20:58:47
Thanks for all the info, the car i had been looking at went anyway, but i did have my worry hat on given a few ' issues ' the seller had mentioned. I will go on condition alone and if svc history is there then all the better. Just need to find the right one now, which is not so easy when the advert says ' mint ' but the MOT history on the DVLA site says something totally different !
Some owners/sellers idea of "mint" is often a hell of a lot of difference to what you actually see when you arrive to view it. ;)


When applied to a car, mint simply means that most of the visible bits are in roughly the right place and you can deduce what the original colour was. Full Service History means that the handbook was dealer stamped, and they've a couple of bills dated 4 years ago. Inspection will show that one was for a puncture repair, and the other is for a different car. Any Inspection Welcome needs if done by a blind man added.


I could go on, but I bet we've all answered that sort of advert.


This was a bad use of £300 and a drive to Reading about 12 years ago:


(https://www.dropbox.com/s/awfjplmmt0r387w/P5110004.jpg?dl=1)
Does the sold sign in the pic refer to the car or the house? :D
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 September 2016, 22:40:10
Ford should make a modern retro Capri like VW did the Beetle, Jag did the S Type and Triumph did the Bonneville.  8)

They'd sell like hotcakes!  :y


I can't stand 'modern retro' as a phrase, design intent or finished product. The best thing Jaguar have done is bin the 45 year-old badly calibrated photocopier 'styling' and actually design stylish, modern, fashionable cars like those they used to make their name.


Capris have been gone so long that the long bonnet, short tail, RWD GT coupe styling no longer applies, and only backward looking middle-aged men have any interest in them.

Ouch!  :o  ::) 

I think a whole new generation of boy racers would love to hang their fluffy dice in a new Capri!  :y
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 04 September 2016, 23:08:53
Ford should make a modern retro Capri like VW did the Beetle, Jag did the S Type and Triumph did the Bonneville.  8)

They'd sell like hotcakes!  :y


I can't stand 'modern retro' as a phrase, design intent or finished product. The best thing Jaguar have done is bin the 45 year-old badly calibrated photocopier 'styling' and actually design stylish, modern, fashionable cars like those they used to make their name.


Capris have been gone so long that the long bonnet, short tail, RWD GT coupe styling no longer applies, and only backward looking middle-aged men have any interest in them.

Ouch!  :o ::) 

I think a whole new generation of boy racers would love to hang their fluffy dice in a new Capri!  :y


It does include me!
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 05 September 2016, 10:12:31
Wish I still had my MK1. Shite cars, but worth lots of nostalgia pounds.  :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Nick W on 05 September 2016, 10:21:47
I bought a Capri just like that yrs ago for £50 and it went straight through the MOT  :D ;D

That one did after fitting a new mastercylinder. But John must have been hungover, forgotten his glasses, been in a hurry, and felt sorry for me. I've owned some crap cars, but that was easily the worst. Even breaking it was a mistake.
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: EMD on 05 September 2016, 10:52:37
Capri is the only car i got stopped by the police in .. they had to
chase me a few miles in their lumbering 4x4  ;D My tax was out  :-[
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 05 September 2016, 13:44:03
Capri is the only car i got stopped by the police in .. they had to
chase me a few miles in their lumbering 4x4  ;D My tax was out  :-[
Escalating a simple, civil charge to a criminal one is insane, especially when failing to stop usually includes dangerous driving :o
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: EMD on 05 September 2016, 13:53:56
They just wanted to look at the car  ;D I was taking it for mot  :P
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 06 September 2016, 05:06:00
They just wanted to look at the car  ;D I was taking it for mot  :P
Even less reason to run :-X
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 06 September 2016, 09:45:44
Us older folk can remember when it was standard practice to try and outrun the police. It was considered sport by both sides, and if you got away from them they would shrug and mutter about getting you next time. If they caught you, all concerned would have a bit of a laugh, and then they would make damn sure they found several offences to charge you with.
However, in Belfast  (where I grew up) some caution had to be exercised, as, if they had some reason to believe terrorist activity may be involved, they would just shoot you.
The world was a simpler place in those days.  :)
Title: Re: Omega Elite with zero service history .......
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 06 September 2016, 14:58:27
They just wanted to look at the car  ;D I was taking it for mot  :P


If you own a black Omega, always assume people want to look at it, in my experience  :)


To the level that when I got my naughtyticket I was kind of hoping they'd waive the fine purely on the grounds that the Police used to use Omegas.  ;D I firmly beleive that if it'd been a 'propercopper' not a camera, they would have.  ;D