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[chrisgixer]

Fair do's then.

[Terbs]

Just browsing through this thread, and sorry to bump it up again.
I was interested in Bigtimes comments on wishbones, and Chrisgixer will back me on this as he saw firsthand. I have posted this before, and its my opinion only....do not shortcut on your safety. A failed wishbone bush nearly cost me and Christine our lives on the M4.
After needing new bushes, I was fitted with some nondescript ones. After a short while the car was checked after I complained about wandering, Faulty wishbones, (spongy bushes) for which I was reimbursed. I then asked for Lemforders, but I later found, I was fitted with Delphi. They were only on for a period of months, when the bushes collapsed. Chris came over and took pictures of the bushes and published them on here.
I then had Poly front and GM rubber rear fitted, to the Delphi frames, with no problems at all since....and been through two MOT's.
I drive carefully...my boy racer days are long gone, and as Chris says in an earlier post...I bet my Omega's are still around long after most have been turned into bean tins

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Can only second that. Going from one car with completely knackerd bushes, to another with 'brand new' re-made ones (Poly front, GM rear, GM balljoints) I can honestly say that's the best day's work I've ever done on a car in my life, you feel it every time you drive. And as you say - it's safety. Considering the cost (I made mine for less than £50 a side) really really worth doing. 

[Steve B]

recomended with long term ownership in mind. Ie best reliability for the least cost.

(Tc) =  available on Trade club. http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=90491.0

Engine;

Sensors.
 Without exception, buy genuine. (Tc) There will always be the odd genuine GM item suffer early failure, that's the nature of manufacturing. Likewise there will be the odd report of pattern lasting a half decent amount of time. But without doubt, by far the most reliable results come from genuine. Don't be tempted by sensors listed as genuine by sellers on eBay. Normally Chinese shite, which is worse than just pattern shite.

Spark plugs
GM. (Tc) made by Bosch. By far the best value for money especially on trade club.
Ngk. But expensive when compared to the trade club price.

Filters.
GM. (Tc) By far the most reliable in oil filter fit. Greater area in the air filters. Do use the carbon filters to keep the face lift particulate sniffer happy. For the minimal extra cost of GM filters it's not worth messing about with. Plus they are cheaper than most other pattern parts on trade club.


Gaskets.
Cam cover gaskets and o-rings. Black goo.
Known quantity are GM. Reliably give the best life, compared to the factory fitted items. There are some pattern ones on test, courtesy of Dbug, for the v6's but until they fail we dont know their life span. Yet.

Auto box gaskets both sumps. GM or Jpat are cheaper.

Sumps are grey goo (Tc) , as is the oil cooler cover plate, and breather box behind pot 5. Part number in the oil cooler guide.


Steering and suspension;

Wheel bearings. Oe supplier are Fag, koyo available from All German parts. Link in parts section. Also comes with the all important dust cap. (Pattern do not) Mention Oof for discount.

Wishbones
Lemforder or Merle from Agp.
Atp via eBay. Cheaper option. But obviously cheaper construction. But they are the only cheapo eBay type pattern wishbone where the maker(or supplier)  is prepared to put their name on them.
GM are good, but considered very expensive given the life of alternatives.

Steering idler
GM only (Tc) Not cheap at £110 retail, but at the time or writing no other reliable part is known to the forum.
Lemforder used to be reliable but lately they have all failed within a couple of months. Although more recently there have been better reports. So maybe they had a bad batch. If it doesn't tighten up solidly and click off to 60nm send it back.
This part can play havok with the steering if it fails, not worth messing about with.

Bushes.
Front wishbone front bush.
GM, give best results out of the rubber ones ime. There are also Lemforder and Merle heavy duty from All Germamn.
However, by far the most reliable option is to fit poly by powerflex. Very slight increase in firmness, but by far the best improvement in accuracy in steering. But do need re greasing periodically.

Rearward wishbone bush. Again, best result from GM (£14 each) Merle HD and Lemforder fractionally less durable.

Roll bar bushes.
GM. Never fail. Never give trouble. Cost about £3
Poly by powerflex. Probably not worth the bother.especially as they need greasing. Minimal benefit.

Rear subframe bushes. (Donuts)
Lemforder or cheaper Febi for rubber ones. Links in the guide iirc
Pedders for poly. They are for Monaro, but fit, with rare reports of the bush tightening into the captive nut home. Link in parts section. Good upgrade. But does firm up the ride.
GM (Tc) are too expensive given the life of those above.

Drop links
GM (Tc) known to be most reliable, however
Merle HD and Lemforder also last well.
Atp cheaper option.

Track rod ends.(Tc)
GM most reliable.
Good results from Delphi. 60k so far.
Atp cheaper option.

Centre tie rod.
GM but very expensive. Nobody seems to make the ball joint boots. Used would be far better than the utterly appalling pattern items available.

Shocks
GM give best results. (Tc)
Bilstein. (B4 primarily. Take 30mm lowering)
Sachs. All German.

Springs.
GM (Tc) (mv6 Lsc na ) best results but expensive.
Sachs Agp
Irmscher or Eibach for 30mm lowering but add 10mm of cushion pads to bring the back up to 20mm lowering or the rear camber is excessive.
Kyb (only known self levelling supplier apart from GM ) cheaper but prone to rust and breakage.

Rear of rear subframe bushes.
No longer serviced by GM.
Please advise if you know of a supplier.
Pm Taxi Al.



Exhaust.
Cat back system.
Eternal via eBay shop. Face lift not listed but pre face lift fit with longer tips added.
GM (Tc) fit well but at £300 on trade club for a poor alternative to the clam shell design of the original, they really should not shed their packing and block the system.


Fluids;
ATF
Dexron III Fuchs Titan 4000

PAS
Dexron II

Coolant.
GM concentrate. (Tc)

Oil
GM (Tc) 10w40 semi synthetic. Dexos2 5w30 fully synthetic.


Brakes;
GM (Tc) front axle service kit includes 2 discs and 4 pads. (Paint the discs with heat resistant paint to get the best out of them.
Agp. Meyle do a pre painted option iirc
GM. Oe pads. (Tc) Expensive at £70 on Tc . But give less dust and better feel and life. Riveted shims.
Trade club pads. (Tc) £14 a set. Best value. Dusty slight squeal in some instances.

I see there is a member in Car Parts, bits For Sale & Wanted Looking for some springs.So is it a case of,us mv6 owners, Only choice is to use Main dealer 

[Diamond Black Geezer]

It's worse than that for MV6 springs - they're NLS, so no longer available.

So only option is second hand. Or Eicbach, or any other aftermarket sports spring.