Omega Owners Forum
Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: jiffle on 07 November 2006, 21:07:13
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I am considering replacing my trusty 1998 2.0 16V Omega(185,000 miles, still going well but starting to act its age a bit, "touching wood whilst I am typing") with a newer Omega. By preferece I want to go for a 6 cylinder Elite as late a registration as I can find and afford which means either a 2.6 or a 3.2. I am only interested in auto boxes My question are:
Given that I can find either and actually do therefore have a choice which engine should I go for.
I assume that they will both have much more power than my 4 pot engine but will also use much more fuel? My current car has returned an average of 34.5 MPG over the 140,000 that I have driven it. How much less can I expect and is there a significant difference between the 2.6 and the 3.2.
Is there a noticeable difference in the power between the 2.6 and the 3.2?
I have not considered either a 2.5 or a 3.0 as I figure they may be too old, didn't the engines get upgraded about 99, and also I believe from what I have read that the 2.6/3.2 engines are easier to work on and more reliable?
I have seen ads for an MV6/Elite, is there such a beast I thought the MV6 had a CD spec?
Thanks in advance of any thoughts anyone may have on the above.
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2.6/3.2 introduced around 2001, earlier facelifts have 2.5/3.0
Yes, it will use more fuel, but 2.6 is good compromise. 3.2 will have noticably more power, but obviously less mpg.
Facelift MV6 is slightly about CD spec.
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I have averaged roughly 28MPG in my 2.6 and it definitely doesn't lack power. (When it works)
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insurance saving too - ive only ever had 2.5/2.6
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Facelift MV6 is slightly about CD spec.
As long as you get retail MV6. X Plod MV6 are very poor spec
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Facelift MV6 is slightly about CD spec.
As long as you get retail MV6. X Plod MV6 are very poor spec
Hmmm, a 2.2 Sport and an engine swap maybe? ;)
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...2.6 is good compromise. 3.2 will have noticably more power...
'noticably'??? Bah, Humbug!
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It is a question of how much fuel economy concerns you.
The 3.2 has a LOT more power than the 2.6, but also is a thirstier beast (expect overall average of 22-25mpg with 30+ on runs)
The 2.6 should give you 3-5mpg more.
Me, I'd take the 3.2 elite and waft around in absolute comfort and quiet. :)
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List of emotive topics:
Oil thread
Super-fuels thread
2.5/2.6 vs 3.0/3.2 thread...
Well I have driven the 2.5, 2.6, and 3.0 (though not the 3.2), they 3.0 is ever so slightly more powerful, and IMO you don't actually feel where all the horses and torque went to, but the 2/5/2.6 are much smoother! Fuel economy was not the issue for me, I just like to hear engines purr…
So there...
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List of emotive topics:
Oil thread
Super-fuels thread
2.5/2.6 vs 3.0/3.2 thread...
Well I have driven the 2.5, 2.6, and 3.0 (though not the 3.2), they 3.0 is ever so slightly more powerful, and IMO you don't actually feel where all the horses and torque went to, but the 2/5/2.6 are much smoother! Fuel economy was not the issue for me, I just like to hear engines purr…
So there...
having owned a 2.5 and a 3.0 at the same time, 3.0 is noticibly more powerful...
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having owned a 2.5 and a 3.0 at the same time, 3.0 is noticibly more powerful...
I have to agree, I test drove a 2.5 & then my 3.0, decision was easy.
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Sorry Isaac, you must have driven a duff 3.0 ;)
There is a very noticable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0. Oh and the 3.0 is just as smooth. :)
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Sorry Isaac, you must have driven a duff 3.0 ;)
There is a very noticable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0. Oh and the 3.0 is just as smooth. :)
My 3.0 was anemic when I first got it. After a week of giving it beans it gained at least 30hp. New plugs and cam cover gaskets took it the rest of the way to a believeable 200+hp, and smoother.
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Yeah i've had a 2.5 and a 3.0 and as jamie said there is a very noticable difference between the two
but a 3.0 manual will be quicker than a 3.2 auto
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Sorry Isaac, you must have driven a duff 3.0 ;)
There is a very noticable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0. Oh and the 3.0 is just as smooth. :)
My first omega was a 2.5 97R. It was pulling to the left (but that’s another story), and during my discussions with the technicians at Vx they suggested that I drive another car to see if it behaves the same – and off I went with their top techie in the Service Manager’s own 3.0 Elite – which had around 25,000 miles on the clock iirc. We went up and down the M1 from Brent Cross to J2, but I was not able to convince them that cars should go straight ahead. This was back in 98.
Later in 2001, when I was looking at replacing the 97R car, I test drove a 3.0L X-Reg Elite (early facelift), silver with black leather (my dream combination), with only 1,000 miles (!). It was a beautiful car, but the asking price was £24,000 which I thought was too high. I ended up buying a 2001Y CDX 2.6 with 6,400 miles for much much less.
On both occasions, the 3.0L cars did NOT feel substantially more powerful (though they were somewhat more torquey), but the 2.5 and 2.6 seem much smoother when accelerating steadily. This is my experience, anyway…
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Sorry Isaac, you must have driven a duff 3.0 ;)
There is a very noticable difference between the 2.5 and the 3.0. Oh and the 3.0 is just as smooth. :)
My first omega was a 2.5 97R. It was pulling to the left (but that’s another story), and during my discussions with the technicians at Vx they suggested that I drive another car to see if it behaves the same – and off I went with their top techie in the Service Manager’s own 3.0 Elite – which had around 25,000 miles on the clock iirc. We went up and down the M1 from Brent Cross to J2, but I was not able to convince them that cars should go straight ahead. This was back in 98.
Later in 2001, when I was looking at replacing the 97R car, I test drove a 3.0L X-Reg Elite (early facelift), silver with black leather (my dream combination), with only 1,000 miles (!). It was a beautiful car, but the asking price was £24,000 which I thought was too high. I ended up buying a 2001Y CDX 2.6 with 6,400 miles for much much less.
On both occasions, the 3.0L cars did NOT feel substantially more powerful (though they were somewhat more torquey), but the 2.5 and 2.6 seem much smoother when accelerating steadily. This is my experience, anyway…
Go on 3.0/3.2 owners, pelt me with eggs....
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..... Go on 3.0/3.2 owners, pelt me with eggs..........
During ownership of 24valves all in a single row ;) I test drove a very nice 2.5 Omega but was not impressed with the lack of grunt or power from it. The dealer was quite put out when I told him it was gutless! :o
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..... Go on 3.0/3.2 owners, pelt me with eggs..........
During ownership of 24valves all in a single row ;) I test drove a very nice 2.5 Omega but was not impressed with the lack of grunt or power from it. The dealer was quite put out when I told him it was gutless! :o
Well it suits me just fine! >:(
;D
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The 3.0/3.2 doesn't feel that much faster because the 2.5/2.6 is geared lower......my 2.5 manual will accelerate to 60 only fractionaly slower than the 3.0 Auto estate.
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........my 2.5 manual will accelerate to 60 only fractionaly slower than the 3.0 Auto estate.
You've got to compare like with like. :-?
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My 2.5 and 3.0 were both Autos. The 2.5 did feel noticably less powerful than my MV6. Additionally, due to the Tech2 stuff I do, I'm lucky enough to drive a lot of Omegas, and the 2.5/2.6 always seem a bit flat to me... ...maybe its because the 3.0 MV6 is my daily drive and I'm used to the extra power...?
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First of all I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my original; questions, a lot of very good info for which I am very grateful. Still undecided but going more for the 3.2.
However, just to complicate things, I have found 2 cars both for exactly the same price, one a 2001 2.6 Elite on a Y plate (first reg 28/3/2001) with 43,000 miles and a 2003 3.2 Elite on a 03 plate (first reg 27/6/03) with 102,000 miles. My inclination is that with a car like this the mileage is less important, but does any one have any thoughts, and does anyone know whether there are any major differences between a 2001 and a 2003 model.
Once again thanks for all your comments, this is a great site.
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Depends on how well previous owners have maintained it (and how competent the local dealers are).
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Depends on how well previous owners have maintained it (and how competent the local dealers are).
If the cars were serviced at A A Clarke's of Windsor i would stay well clear ;)
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An 03 3.2 Elite is going to be a VERY nice place to be. :)
Full colour Siemens 2015 system (keep Marks DTM away from your car ;)) and what should be a silky smooth engine.
If it has clear documented history then I would certainly go for it.
If you want comfort and refinement (and prodigous power), you will be hard pressed to get much better. :)
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With ref to your original question about mpg
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1162942859
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Just wanted to update everyone who has been so good as to offer their advice. First of all finding decent late model 3.2 elite is very difficult, like hens teeth one Vx agent told me.
So I had driven a couple of 2.6s which were very nice and noticeably quicker than my trusty 2.0 and as of last Friday had decided to buy one. ( if any one is interested there is one in Car Giant (www.cargiant.co.uk) not on their web a 02 I think 45k £6k yet but in preparation if you call then they should be able to give you info and a 2.6 MV6 in autoparc)).
However last Saturday I found a 02 3.2 Elite with all of the toys, phone colour screen etc etc in a main Vauxhall agent. Drove it and I have to say there is a very very noticeable difference between the 2.6s I drove and this 3.2. So I pick it up on Thursday. Best of all it comes with a full Network Q warranty (I know that means i have to speak to Vx agents but at least I don’t have to pay for the privilege or at least for a year). And the camshaft belt was done by the Vx agents 6k ago and I have asked for proof that a whole kit was fitted and it has a FSH. Won’t say where it is until I have the keys in my hands!
My missus says I am like a dog with 2 wotsits, and I must admit I am like a 10 year old at Xmas just 46yrs later!
I have a couple of questions for the wise old owls on the site:
1. Are the how 2 s on the site regarding things like cleaning the breathers and the plenum removal applicable to the 3.2 as well as the 3.0, what I mean by that is I know it is important to do this, but are the instructions the same.
2. Does any one know if it is possible to get a disk to update the Sat Nav (sorry did I say it had Sat Nav with a colour screen) so that it has the newer roads.
3. Does any one know whether it is possible to get 2 sim cards for a given mobile phone number so that one could stay in the car phone (did I say ….) and one in my mobile so that I don’t have to keep swapping them.
Once thanks to all for the very helpful and useful comments
Cheers
Mike (still very excited)
:) ::)
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1) Yes, still valid, and needs doing...
2) You can buy them from Vx or from mapping company. Not cheap. Please do not discuss ways of getting them cheaper, as this is copyrighted software, and cheaper options will most likely involve copyright violation
3) No, its not.
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Glad you found the car you wanted :y
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Isn't it possible to do a call divert for when you're in/out of the car?
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I try and get away from my mobile....
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I try and get away from my mobile....
I would love to, but, when you've got young kids at school, you're always frightened to miss any calls :(
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I try and get away from my mobile....
I would love to, but, when you've got young kids at school, you're always frightened to miss any calls :(
I'm in the same boat as u STMO123 m8 always have to have my phone in case son calls at lunch/break times or if he's been naughty or ill no naughty at school (well not that i know about ;) ;D)
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I try and get away from my mobile....
I would love to, but, when you've got young kids at school, you're always frightened to miss any calls :(
I'm in the same boat as u STMO123 m8 always have to have my phone in case son calls at lunch/break times or if he's been naughty or ill no naughty at school (well not that i know about ;) ;D)
My other half is in absolutely dedicated to the girls and glued to her mobile in case they call... she keeps it on (in vibration) in cinemas, hospitals, and even when were invited to the palace on some occasion she kept it on... She's Italian, and Italian mums are a special breed... :y
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I try and get away from my mobile....
I would love to, but, when you've got young kids at school, you're always frightened to miss any calls :(
I'm in the same boat as u STMO123 m8 always have to have my phone in case son calls at lunch/break times or if he's been naughty or ill no naughty at school (well not that i know about ;) ;D)
My other half is in absolutely dedicated to the girls and glued to her mobile in case they call... she keeps it on (in vibration) in cinemas, hospitals, and even when were invited to the palace on some occasion she kept it on... She's Italian, and Italian mums are a special breed... :y
Italian a? - Now your just showing off ;) ;D
Well guess who's chatting up a Brazilan bird tommorow :P ;D
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Well guess who's chatting up a Brazilan bird tommorow :P ;D
Gonna show her your crank sensor? ;D
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1) 3) No, its not.
Er, yes it is.....think they are contract based but, you simply enter a short code on the phone which you are using/near to tell the network which one to route calls to.
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Well guess who's chatting up a Brazilan bird tommorow :P ;D
Off to the zoo to talk to a Parrot eh...
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jiffle you lucky git! >:(
The colour screen must have been fitted too, cause even that was an opional extra on Elites!
Damn good find, look forward to seeing pictures.
Very important on the belt, if they can only say well just the belt was done get it done before you pick-up or, get them to nock something off. There is a good DVD you can get from here on how to replace the belt yourself.
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Well guess who's chatting up a Brazilan bird tommorow :P ;D
Off to the zoo to talk to a Parrot eh...
>:(
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jiffle you lucky git! >:(
The colour screen must have been fitted too, cause even that was an opional extra on Elites!
Damn good find, look forward to seeing pictures.
Very important on the belt, if they can only say well just the belt was done get it done before you pick-up or, get them to nock something off. There is a good DVD you can get from here on how to replace the belt yourself.
On the later 3.2 Elites the colour screen came as standard (optional extra on the 2.6).
Also, the cambelt change on the 3.2 is a little more challenging I gather and needs to be done a little differently (well so Mark tells me...)
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Its less of a challenge..... a bit easier because you cant set the cam timing.