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[qmc]

Hi all

I'm new here so apologies if this is in the wrong place! I've been a Saab man until now and currently have a 9-5 Aero estate of which I am very fond, but it has a terminal engine problem so needs to go to join its maker. I'm looking for a large, powerful and well-equipped petrol estate (or saloon with folding rear seats) to replace it with, and although I did set off looking for another Saab, nice ones are few and far between now, and a bad Saab is a crippling mistake. However I saw an Omega estate the other day and realised I had forgotten about them (forgive me....)

A quick bit of ebay and Autotrader searching showed I can get a final year 3.2 Elite or MV6 easily within my budget with some left over to do any sorting out. But I don't know anything about them so dropped in here. Basically I do about 15-18k miles per annum, sometimes on my own, sometimes fully loaded up, and need something that would last up to three years without too much complaining. The million pound question is would I be able to get a 3.2 Omega 02/03 reg that would happily do this, or in your experiences would that level of use on something that age and mileage inevitably result in visits to the garage every month to get something else fixed?

All collective wisdom gratefully received!

Thanks in advance

[tunnie]

Welcome. 

Youngest Omegas now are around 12 years old, so expect things of that age. As a rule, you would want to budget for:

Suspension Over-Haul: Wishbones, Droplinks, Front & Rear shocks.

Engine: Timing belt done correctly, 4years/40k but you never know what has been done before. Also budget Cam covers, and full breather clean.

You may want to consider LPG, as the 3.2's are shocking on fuel, yes they are big engines but the 3.2/2.6 are quite bad. Don't expect any more than 25 maybe 27 average out of a tank.

I love Omega's but if I was doing that kind of miles, I'd look at newer things these days. 

[tunnie]

It also highly depends on your spanner skills.

DIY stuff and you will be fine, cheap as chips all the above.

But if you rely on garage diagnosis and labour, then the Omega will prove expensive to run

[STEMO]

If you are looking for something to take you 15-18K miles per annum for three years, fully loaded then should you be looking at a 12 year old car? You would have to be exceptionally lucky to find something that would do it 'without complaining'.

[Steve B]

Looks like you've sold the idea Tunnie 

[STEMO]

Looks like you've sold the idea Tunnie 

He might as well have said "Don't.....they're shite" 

[qmc]

should you be looking at a 12 year old car?

Probably not ! However my thinking is if I can buy a good vehicle for about £1500 - which seems to be the going rate - then spend around £1k to overhaul various bits (thanks for the tips on the suspension), then that's value motoring if the core components (engine, gearbox, bodywork, interior) will continue to function happily afterwards. That's what I would do with a Saab. What I don't know is whether the Omega has that core strength, if that makes sense? I'm afraid I don't have the time or ability for DIY mechanics, and I want to try to avoid the scenario of something going wrong every month and it having to have repeated trips to the nice man with the spanners.....

[RobG]

Serek is near to you I guess for spanner work
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2655

[STEMO]

should you be looking at a 12 year old car?

Probably not ! However my thinking is if I can buy a good vehicle for about £1500 - which seems to be the going rate - then spend around £1k to overhaul various bits (thanks for the tips on the suspension), then that's value motoring if the core components (engine, gearbox, bodywork, interior) will continue to function happily afterwards. That's what I would do with a Saab. What I don't know is whether the Omega has that core strength, if that makes sense? I'm afraid I don't have the time or ability for DIY mechanics, and I want to try to avoid the scenario of something going wrong every month and it having to have repeated trips to the nice man with the spanners.....

I don't know but those on here with experience will tell you about garage costs. I do know it won't be cheap.

[Keith ABS]

  Have a look in the cars for sale section as Bigriffin is selling his estate. Most of the normal known problems are sorted. as for getting the car looked after once bought, Serek is second to none in expertise and quality of work

keith ABS

[tunnie]

should you be looking at a 12 year old car?

Probably not ! However my thinking is if I can buy a good vehicle for about £1500 - which seems to be the going rate - then spend around £1k to overhaul various bits (thanks for the tips on the suspension), then that's value motoring if the core components (engine, gearbox, bodywork, interior) will continue to function happily afterwards. That's what I would do with a Saab. What I don't know is whether the Omega has that core strength, if that makes sense? I'm afraid I don't have the time or ability for DIY mechanics, and I want to try to avoid the scenario of something going wrong every month and it having to have repeated trips to the nice man with the spanners.....

You are right that the core components continue to run, but engines good for at least 250k+

But at this age, doing miles you state, they would need fairly constant tinkering.

If you rely on garages you might as well get something newer, as overhaul costs at a garage could be considerable.

Serek would be your best bet, if you did want to go this route. 

[Broomies Mate]

You'll definitely miss the performance of the Aero.  I've had several Omega Elites, the last one being a 3.2 (all 3.0's before).  The 9-5 Aero is a completely different machine.

Engine failure means you haven't used (or your garage) proper fully synthetic oil.  Bad times.  The B235R engine is bullet-proof otherwise.

For your budget, I'd definitely be looking at another 9-5.

If not, get used to cambelt changes! 

[Lazydocker]

Once up together a decent example is easily capable of what you are asking... I would jump in mine to drive anywhere in Europe without hesitation (normally, it needs new rear pads doing first but you get my drift!)

Well serviced and it will treat you well. If you aren't capable of doing the spanner work (at least for basic servicing) then perhaps it's not as bright an idea

[qmc]

Engine failure means you haven't used (or your garage) proper fully synthetic oil.  Bad times.  The B235R engine is bullet-proof otherwise.

If only it were that simple....  it's had fully synthetic all its life. After much back and forth I appear to have either piston ring or valve stem oil seal failure. One of only two known examples that the specialist who looks after it has ever known on that engine.

Thanks for the honest views so far everyone!

[TheBoy]

IME, paying garages or GM dealers to do work on that engine results in it getting expensive. They are scared of it for some reason, including GM dealers, so either price jobs out so they don't have to do it, or take it on and make a pigs ear of it.

Frustrating, annoying, but true.  Hence, most on here rely on DIY *OR* known mechanics and garages that are properly capable of looking after it...  ...including member Serek in Huntingdon if that is near you.