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[chrisgixer]

As omega owners....

Is it worth buying a newer car, with a warranty, that means engaging dealers and their service dept.?

And why?

[05omegav6]

In my experience, not worth it.

1. The cost, not only buying the thing, but the servicing costs, and depreciation. Sure if it's diesel you'll get some back on the economy, but not enough to pay for the diesel bits when they break.

2. Whilst lying on your back in the persisting rain to change an oil filter is no fun, you know that it has actually been done properly. With a dealer maintained car, you'll be double checking everything anyway.

3. Any new car will be a compromise, is it will likely be wrong wheel drive, not as comfortable, less engaging and you'll never be quite happy with it.

4. You've actually covered most of the crap jobs on your 3.2, poly bushing what you can. It's worth noting that 80-120k is when alot of things on the Omega fail, and it's not that long a list tbh...

HBV
Camcover gaskets
Shocks
Wishbone/subframe bushes
Slushbox fluid/filter
Crank sensor
Coil packs

All in all if you like your Omega enough to wash it and put fuel in it, and it still puts a smile on your face inspite of everything then stick with it. You know it makes sense

Although, if you were to consider a new(er) car, then buy a VXR8 and LPG it, mechanically bombproof and a doddle to service.

[Kevin Wood]

Nope. Not for as long as I can avoid it.

The only outfit I would trust in any case is the local "under the arches" garage run by one of my neighbours because he's honest, competent and charges realistic labour rates. 3 attributes you won't find in a main dealer.

It would also be a serious PITA to take a car to a main dealer. The two that were close to me have both closed down and been developed for housing in the last couple of years. Had they still been trading I'd have had a choice of Peugeot or Ford. Would rather be on my bicycle, frankly.

[pscocoa]

Mine is still dealer serviced but we have an understanding. On balance it has worked well and as Omega is now not doing many miles we are taking a "view" on what servicing bits need doing and when. It passed MOT recently but has not been serviced in over a year.

Will probably just have an oil and filter change in New Year. It is running really well touch wood.

if it was main long distance drive I would take a different approach.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

As omega owners....

Is it worth buying a newer car, with a warranty, that means engaging dealers and their service dept.?

And why?

.........made up of spotty sixteen year old kids, and other assorted neanderthal  knuckledraggers.

[Webby the Bear]

after all i've learned on here and at school i couldnt think of anything worse than leaving my car with a dealer.

[Kevin Wood]

Mine is still dealer serviced but we have an understanding. On balance it has worked well and as Omega is now not doing many miles we are taking a "view" on what servicing bits need doing and when. It passed MOT recently but has not been serviced in over a year.

Will probably just have an oil and filter change in New Year. It is running really well touch wood.

if it was main long distance drive I would take a different approach.

If it's doing short, occasional trips it needs a couple of oil changes a year, IMHO. Probably not much else, though.

[jonathanh]

As omega owners....

Is it worth buying a newer car, with a warranty, that means engaging dealers and their service dept.?

And why?

Having just purchased a newer car than the omega as a second car, I doubt it will ever see the dealer again - never mind warranty, stamped service book and all that stuff. 

[TheBoy]

Having had a few lease cars, and of course the little Rover that I bought new, I've had mostly good experiences, esp with the Rovers. I guess a lot depends on the specific local dealer.

The Ford dealer treated us reasonably well, but couldn't resolve an ongoing engine issue. Mind you, whilst the dealer seemed OK, the car was utter crap - one of the very few cars I couldn't wait to get rid of.

[tunnie]

As above, nope.

I've had a taste with my BMW R1200 GS, being new when I bought it (56 plate in 2010) - It needed BMW service history, I've come out after paying a £300 service bill 

But it was a toy at the end of the day, with very small amount of miles covered. I just keep piling the miles on the 2.2, with just regular TLC, think service costs from a dealer on the car would be way too much.

It's big concern for me, what to replace the Omega with. Look at £10k Jags/A8's/Phaetons, then got to factor in service bills, as any of those will signal end of DIY service I think.

Take my 2.2 rear brake shoe replacement, I found that job a right PITA, but kept going, with a little check from fatty I was on right lines.  (which was just that, visual check) But I posted here when I got stuck, got help and encouragement and the job was done. Parts were very cheap, around £30 I think, just wasted one of my days off 

Worth it too, confident to attack 3.2 when the time comes for same job. With both done, parts combined, what £60? dealer job on both, easily 2 hours each? + Parts, fair to say I think I'd be £500 lighter 

£100hr labour x2 + £50 parts? then same cost again for 3.2?

Save £450ish? Buys me an Xbox One 

[TheBoy]

I found that job a right PITA, but kept going, with a little check from fatty I was on right lines.  (which was just that, visual check) But I posted here when I got stuck, got help and encouragement and the job was done. Parts were very cheap, around £30 I think, just wasted one of my days off 

That was all that was needed, as you had done everything right .  I suspect little more that a confidence issue allowed doubt to creep in.

You're more capable at all this than you believe 

[tunnie]

I found that job a right PITA, but kept going, with a little check from fatty I was on right lines.  (which was just that, visual check) But I posted here when I got stuck, got help and encouragement and the job was done. Parts were very cheap, around £30 I think, just wasted one of my days off 

That was all that was needed, as you had done everything right .  I suspect little more that a confidence issue allowed doubt to creep in.

You're more capable at all this than you believe 

Indeed, I felt it was right, but lacked confidence. 

[05omegav6]

There are only 6 (out of 7) things on my problem list for the Omega sure some items are a real shit to do, but they're once in 100k mile events, and wear and tear things such as brakes, shocks, exhausts apply to any car you care to mention.

So the instant you pay several thousand for a car that you feel has to be dealer maintained, every single item, be it wear related or unexpected, will cost you.

The other way to deal with it is to buy a thousand pound car with a years MoT, and when that runs out, simply buy another. £80 per month, job done 

[MR MISTER]

There are only 6 (out of 7) things on my problem list for the Omega sure some items are a real shit to do, but they're once in 100k mile events, and wear and tear things such as brakes, shocks, exhausts apply to any car you care to mention.

So the instant you pay several thousand for a car that you feel has to be dealer maintained, every single item, be it wear related or unexpected, will cost you.

The other way to deal with it is to buy a thousand pound car with a years MoT, and when that runs out, simply buy another. £80 per month, job done 

Minus what youget for scrap at the end.

[05omegav6]

That'll pay for the tax