Senator Reliability Vs Early Omegas

[tunnie]

As above really, got the chance of getting a Senator now.

Senator would be a '92 K 3.0 24v

Omega would be around the 1997-8 time, due to the limit of my budget.

Dave & Mark seam to run one fairly problem free around Europe, although i did hear something about the steam in the alps and hack saw the aircon bits off or something?  :-?

The Senators are getting on now, and for my 6k mile trip in the heat of summer would a Senator be any less reliable?

Plus points for the Senator:

* Cheaper Insurance (classic)
* One thats going, only bubbles on rear arch & heater matrix already replaced.
* Cheaper to buy
* Cheaper to fix up ?? - No cambelt
* Its a straight 6
* Its a senny!

Plus points for the Omega:

* Its newer
* I know them very well now
* Maybe more toys (HID's) ect if i get mini facelift

BUT would an Omega be more reliable? - Everything i hear about Sennys is the electrics are iffy but mechanically sound (apart from arches, heater matrix, air-con  )  :-/

[hotel21]

Took a 12 valve Carlton around Europe for 3000 miles in summer of 2004 over 3 weeks.  Was a 1988 (F) plate vintage with 140k miles.  Took absolutely all in its stride and gave 28 miles per gallon plus, with a full load, roof box and a keen right foot, despite being 16 years old.  

No reason why a well prepped 24 valve senny of similar age range should be any different.

B  

[tunnie]

Took a 12 valve Carlton around Europe for 3000 miles in summer of 2004 over 3 weeks.  Was a 1988 (F) plate vintage with 140k miles.  Took absolutely all in its stride and gave 28 miles per gallon plus, with a full load, roof box and a keen right foot, despite being 16 years old.  

No reason why a well prepped 24 valve senny of similar age range should be any different.

B  

Sounds like a trip that one mate  

These timing chains, i heard there was a 'bad' batch, do you know any more on them or the age this affected them?

A better question for this thread should have been, Senator 3.0 24v S6 Vs Omega 3.0 24v V6

[hotel21]

Re the chains.  Know there was an issue but its like the 'head gasket' problem the 'Meegas (allegedly) have.  Everyone knows someone who had a problem but reality is, if you play percentages,  most will have either expired spectacularly and are now spanish dishwasher material or been fixed on recall and ready for a road trip......  

In my limited experience, its storm in a teacup territory.

B

[tunnie]

Re the chains.  Know there was an issue but its like the 'head gasket' problem the 'Meegas (allegedly) have.  Everyone knows someone who had a problem but reality is, if you play percentages,  most will have either expired spectacularly and are now spanish dishwasher material or been fixed on recall and ready for a road trip......  

In my limited experience, its storm in a teacup territory.

B

Good to know, and good point they would have blown up by now if they were a poor chain. I believe its 100k for a chain? So most now must be on their second one.

[Nickbat]

Tunnie, check out my (disjointed) "Anyone fancy a used Jag?" thread. There's an ex-MoD Senator up for a bid. I reckon it's probably better maintained than a private car. The £350 is only a guide based on previous sales - I reckon you might get it for less..

[tunnie]

Tunnie, check out my (disjointed) "Anyone fancy a used Jag?" thread. There's an ex-MoD Senator up for a bid. I reckon it's probably better maintained than a private car. The £350 is only a guide based on previous sales - I reckon you might get it for less..

Just took a look ...

That looks a 'well used' senny! My main concern is it will be a manual... i'd like an Auto. Also i don't think you get a MOT's? Does not seam to mention it. Also ex MoD? Never seen an auction by them before, and from what I see on the news about the housing they supply to UK troops is anything to go by... IMO it won't have been well maintained!

The one i might be able to get is an auto and 12 months MOT... i also know the heater matrix has been replaced, and its going for less money than that auction. Sorry to be fussy but if I get a Senator i want it to be the all singing all dancing version

Cheers for the link though  

[TheBoy]

There does seem to be a lot of talk of chains and chain guides in some of the mags.  If you do have to do them, it sounds expensive for parts and a time consuming job.  I have zero experience in such things, so no idea if any of this is actually true, or just a rare occurance.

As to reliability, any well prep'd car should be reliable enough (obviously any car can break down)...

[Admin]

I await Big Rods comments on here...

Chains wear relative to how regularly the oil is changed.

If it rattles, walk away, otherwise it should be good.

Being a simpler design, there is less to go wrong.
Remember though, you won't have air con.

Change the viscous fan for an electric job, maybe remove air con radiator and wire in the air con fans for serious cooling!

Try it out mate. Buy it (assuming it is worth it) and run it for a while. If you don't like it you will be able to sell it easily enough.

[TheBoy]

Remember though, you won't have air con.

Is it unreliable then?

I don't fancy I'd fancy that trip without decen't A/C

[tunnie]

Remember though, you won't have air con.

Is it unreliable then?

I don't fancy I'd fancy that trip without decen't A/C

I think it uses the 'old' gas which is no longer allowed, and its generally not a good design...

Personally i think air-con has taken some fun out of driving, don't get me wrong its great in traffic. But some how driving though the French country lanes, and driving in Switzerland you got to have the window open and one hand hanging down  

[Marks DTM Calib]

Just remember that we did a lot of prep work on our Senator to get it through the rally.

Engines are probably about as tough as the V6 power plant with regular servicing....both have weaknesses, V6 is crank sensor, stright six is the dizzy etc.

Its the gadgets on the senny that are not reliable....

[tunnie]

I am not worried about the gadgets, those i can live without. Key thing is want the possibility of it breaking down, as low as possible.

V6 crank sensors i know about them, but sorry to ask a stupid question but the straight six its the 'dizzy' ?? :-/

[hotel21]

'Dizzy' would be distributor, as used in 'ye olde' days...  

[tunnie]

'Dizzy' would be distributor, as used in 'ye olde' days...  

Ah ok, remember i am a young student  

So what goes with them, they get clogged or just fail?