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[mokancraig]

Hello! Craig the American here. An expat friend picked up a 2.2 5-speed 1999 wagon/estate/kombi/caravan for me to drive this summer while I'm in Europe. I had been in Finland this winter and a mutual friend let me borrow his Omega and I fell in love with it. That's a little odd because here in the US, I'm not a huge fan of GM vehicles (despite being raised in Chevrolet Suburbans). So I was excited to find another I can road trip with the family from Germany to Finland where it'll stay until next winter when I'll drive it to the arctic circle (near enough anyway). I'm mostly here to absorb the knowledge that only a forum can provide and post my nearly 4000km road trip this summer and any other future adventures with the car.

Here's a couple photos that he sent to me while checking it out this week.





It's a little rough around the edges, but overall a decent example that didn't cost us too much and is a perfect car for it's intended purposes.

Thanks for having me!

[STEMO]

Welcome to the forum. In the US, the equivalent vehicle was the Catera, but I don't think they did a station wagon.

[mokancraig]

That's correct STEMO, the Catera was only available as a sedan (4 door) and only the 3.0 V6 and 4 speed auto. They are becoming hard to find in decent shape in my area. May have to find one to satiate my Omega cravings when not in Europe.

That being said, I am going to try and bring a few Catera parts to class up the Omega while I am there. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Front grill and front bumper fog lights are about the only things you're going to be able to fit... Unless you fancy shipping over the chrome wheels too

[mokancraig]

Mostly looking at a grille and the badges for the hatch.

Though I did find Cadillac center caps for the wheels and that's close enough.

[BazaJT]

Welcome to the forum. All the information you could want on Omegas(and many other things)readily available on here. A thread on your road trip sounds as though it could be an interesting read.

[mokancraig]

Thanks, BazaJT!

Car has now been picked up from the seller and my friend says the car runs great drives nice (even at 160 kph/100mph on the Autobahn).

Now I have to wait until July to drive it, but he did forward along some nice photos of the car. Plates were my idea.













He did say that he thinks the thermostat might need replaced as it never stays at 90c, cooling off on the highway to about 80c. It also need a glove box latch and some window switches.

Overall I think we did okay and the car should serve me well in Europe.

[TheBoy]

Glovebox latch is "easy" but slightly fiddly and time consuming.  It's a common issue.  Pretty certain I did a guide if you/your mate is up for it, see Maint Guides section.

Thermostat on these V6 is a bit of a pain, due to a well known and cursed Bastard Bolt, and sometimes you break a cast aluminium "coolant transfer pipe". Again, sue I did a guide


The Omega is a great mile cruncher, and a brilliant car for European tours.  I've always had saloon Omegas, as they are just a little quieter, so slightly more relaxing on long runs, but can see the advantage of the estate version, and they can carry a huge amount of stuff and still have the parcel shelf hiding it all when parked up.

[mokancraig]

Thanks for the pointers. Found that glove box latch guide. Forwarded it to my friend in Germany.

Luckily it's the 2.2 four cylinder, so it's easier to do the thermostat.

Touring is why I wanted the wagon/estate/kombi/caravan. It'll be me, the wife and the teenager, plus our luggage. We have a Honda Odyssey mini-van here in the states to take on long trips and even with all it's space the wife can max it out. 

[TheBoy]

long trips and even with all it's space the wife can max it out. 

Yes, I know that feeling all too well!