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[Ollie K]

Hi everyone..

So the day has come and im going to view an Omega 2.2 16v CD, 2003 (auto).  Its got 77,000 miles on the clock.  One thing which has caught my eye is its only got part service history.. :-/  Worrying?? 

I took a walk around the car the other day, bodywork is good, the odd scratch and one small trolly dent in the passengers door.  The colour is black so shows some other very minor scuffs..  The interior looks very good.. (could only see throught the windows, garage was closed   

When I take it for a test frive what should I look out for?  I dont mind the odd rattle with the interior (I own a freelander!!!    )  Im hoping the engine will purr the autobox will change gear with no hasty jumps and there should be some oomph when i put my foot down.

Sorry to be asking all these questions on a Monday morning!  But you guys are a helpful bunch!   

Ollie   

[mathewst]

watch out for tramlining, it will happen if the suspension is messed up.
Press the car on the front and the back to check the shocks.
Try turning it on and off couple of times to see does it have problems with sensors (dodgy camshaft sensor will cause problems with the ignition).
Also it would be goog if you had a code reader to check for possible stored errors.
Also check if the engine is dry from the outside.
If there is any oil it probably needs a cam cover gasket change (especially check the back of the engine, cause 2.2 likes to leak here but it is not easily visible)

[Welung666]

Are you local Ollie? Maybe someone who is local could go with you?

[Ollie K]

thanks for your your advise mate.  ok i will do these checks. when i press the car on the front and back im i wanting it to feel solid and not too bouncy..

Cheers!

Ollie

[Ollie K]

Are you local Ollie? Maybe someone who is local could go with you?

Hiya mate thats a really good idea, I live in Northfleet Kent...  Anyone local?   

[Welung666]

Are you local Ollie? Maybe someone who is local could go with you?

Hiya mate thats a really good idea, I live in Northfleet Kent...  Anyone local?   

That counts me out

[Ollie K]

Here is a link to the Omega - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/vauxhall/omega/postcode/da118rt/radius/1/quicksearch/true


Ollie

[Ollie K]

Are you local Ollie? Maybe someone who is local could go with you?

Hiya mate thats a really good idea, I live in Northfleet Kent...  Anyone local?   

That counts me out

hahaha yes ive just seen where you are located!   

[MaxV6]

i'd suggest not buying it on first viewing, unless you're accompanied by an Omega know it all....   



i'm not familiar with 4 pot engines at all, nor that familiar with facelift saloons....  having only bought my first facelift Estate on Saturday (but after having owned several Mini facelift Elite V6 estates)


so my limited experience says, make sure you drive it....      listen for knocking on front and rear suspension....   so make sure you drive it on a NORMAL road, not a billiard table ....     knocking and clunking is indicative of needing new bushes, drop links, wishbones, that sort of thing....


  drive with window open,   and listen ....   listen  to the brakes, both under proper braking, and when reversing, and in traffic....    clunks , grinding noises, rubbing sounds, are all pointers to needing work.... 


wobble under gentle to medium braking from 60 down to 40 odd, indicative of either warped discs, or suspension wear.... 



check EVERY electrical doohdad on the thing....    stuff like cd changer cartridges, , every light bulb, switch and toy....  as well as wipers, lights horn etc....   

check oil filler cap for residue, check coolant cap for likewise, and look at the coolant,  to check for oil...      any oil on the top of the engine is  a sign of needing work....   

as with the V6, check the documents and service records for Cam belt fitment....   and all other records to get a sense of how well it's been looked after.... 

some people are fond of 2.2, but for that money, you could as easily pick up a V6....   the difference in real world fuel economy when driven sensibly seems negligible,    and the extra toys and smoothness, and potential longevity,  are IMHO well worth it.... 


it's also a bit far from me, and besides i am a LONG way from an expert....       in facelift terms i'm an absolute Noob.

[Jimbob]

sounds like youve got some good pointers above...

I would add, when you put your foot down, dont expect miracles (depending what your coming from)  They are not exactly slow, but they are big and heavy, combined with the limited power that engine can deliver....

[tunnie]

don't worry about service history, at this age and value its not worth paper its written on. Just check it for cambelt history, as its 4 years or 40k, without fail. Use this as a bargaining chip if its its not listed / needs doing

[PhilRich]

Mate, for that kind of money (or indeed a lot less!) you could get a top spec minter! Just look in the Forum For Sale section to see what I mean!

[Proz]

Yep that is way over priced  :-?

[the alarming man]

yes have to agree way over priced i paid £ 1100 for a 2.2 sport about a month ago......there is a meet on saturday 16th october @ 11am down at the oakdene cafe wrotham come along i am far from an expert but i am hoping a few might appear even if you didnt buy the car at least you would get some idea at what you are looking at/for
cheers
mark 

[dragonlord]

yea i only payed 1100 for my elite 3l v6 when i got it

was imaculate full service history and 49k on the clock and had just had the cambelty done

did have to drive 180 miles to see it lol

but if you look around there some cracking high spec cars about for a good price

my personal view is as long as you age/can afford insharance

anything under the 2.5 v6 is  wast of time
if had a 2.5 and the 3.0 and much prefer the 3.0 lol