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[hotel21]

Had a 40 minute enthusiastic punt today over known roads (albeit slightly damp) and I am less than impressed, handling wise.

Power available was fine for a big lump of a car, brakes were sound, cabin comfort was acceptable but, begger me, handling was dire....

Moved about more than a well greased lady of the night on piece work!

Even accepting that the suspension is very much orientated to the american market it was very bouncy in an uneven sense and seemed to bounce about like a cork in a rough sea rather than be a confident drive of an 'executive' car.

OK, it was a trade in of a couple of years old and about 20k miles going for paintwork and not been through the workshop but, not impressed......

[Andy B]

Bugger! I'd always quite fancied them  , esp with the 'Bentley' grille.

[Entwood]

The suspension leaves a huge amount to be desired  

I know of a couple of folks who have tried these as a tow car.. due to the weight/power on paper they should make a good tug ... but they report "sea sick" inducing ride due to excessive fore/aft "bouncing" with any decent weight on the towbar.

I'm not sure if self levelling is standard or not, but the "softness" caused one friend to have problems with his nosewheel "touching down" intermittently on country roads.

Shame really as I rather like the look/comfort of the car otherwise ..

[tunnie]

Suspension can be changed though? B4 it up?

[hotel21]

Suspension can be changed though? B4 it up?

Probably.

On a 2 year old car with 20k miles?  I'd rather not......

[sticka_v8_init]

The suspension leaves a huge amount to be desired  

I know of a couple of folks who have tried these as a tow car.. due to the weight/power on paper they should make a good tug ... but they report "sea sick" inducing ride due to excessive fore/aft "bouncing" with any decent weight on the towbar.

I'm not sure if self levelling is standard or not, but the "softness" caused one friend to have problems with his nosewheel "touching down" intermittently on country roads.

Shame really as I rather like the look/comfort of the car otherwise ..

I saw one of the estate jobs on a site this year and literally thought "what a cracking towcar". P1ssed on my dreams.

[hotel21]

If you visualise driving an Omega along a country road such that the suspension on all 4 corners is working as it should.  Minimum body roll, suspension loads up squarely and evenly across the car as well as fore and aft, and evrything is quite happy, thank you very much.

The 300c seemed so disjointed, corner to corner, that I stopped partway through the journey to toe check tyre pressures as it gave the impression of a softy on one corner but, not so.

tread depths were quite acceptable and tyre make was premium and the same on all 4 wheels but cant remember the actual make.

Shame really as, like others, looks a likely contender for a good towcar.

pity about the american fascination for green 1980's LCD stylee instruments.  Spoils the car interior, in my mind...

[feeutfo]

Too much pimp going on IMO, even in standard form.

But came across a v8 version which didn't disappear that quickly, until the driver bottled it, and another being driven fairly sedately round a right hand bend with a body angle that suggested far more corner speed... and when the road then went left I swear the driver hit his head on the B pilar. Wakey wakey! 

[Marks DTM Calib]

What do you expect on a car with a merc front and rear suspension setup

[hotel21]

What do you expect on a car with a merc front and rear suspension setup

Interior controls are very Merc as well.  One left side stalk for indicators, wipers etc and extra small lever on left for cruise control.  Same left foot park brake/pull lever on right dash to disengage.

No, ta.....

[Nick W]

I was similarly disappointed with my boss' 05 Mustang when I tried it. Suspension doesn't work very well, and performance is lacking. I reckon the 2.8i Capri I had at the time(witha 2.9EFI engine from a Scorpio) was quicker across the ground, plus rode and stopped better.

The best bit of the Mustang is the lovely burble it makes as she leaves.

[Andy B]

....  Same left foot park brake/pull lever on right dash to disengage.

No, ta.....

An extra pedal for the 'hand'/parking/emergency brake should be made standard fit in all cars ............... they're rarely used when fitted alongside a proper 2 pedal gearbox anyway. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

I was similarly disappointed with my boss' 05 Mustang when I tried it. Suspension doesn't work very well, and performance is lacking. I reckon the 2.8i Capri I had at the time(witha 2.9EFI engine from a Scorpio) was quicker across the ground, plus rode and stopped better.

The best bit of the Mustang is the lovely burble it makes as she leaves.

Kin ell, the Mustang must have been REALLY bad then!

[sticka_v8_init]

What do you expect on a car with a merc front and rear suspension setup

Interior controls are very Merc as well.  One left side stalk for indicators, wipers etc and extra small lever on left for cruise control.  Same left foot park brake/pull lever on right dash to disengage.

No, ta.....

Totally agree fella, hate these foot operated handbrakes and then a bloody dash release - doesn't compute!

[Vamps]

If you visualise driving an Omega along a country road such that the suspension on all 4 corners is working as it should.  Minimum body roll, suspension loads up squarely and evenly across the car as well as fore and aft, and evrything is quite happy, thank you very much.

The 300c seemed so disjointed, corner to corner, that I stopped partway through the journey to toe check tyre pressures as it gave the impression of a softy on one corner but, not so.

tread depths were quite acceptable and tyre make was premium and the same on all 4 wheels but cant remember the actual make.

Shame really as, like others, looks a likely contender for a good towcar.

pity about the american fascination for green 1980's LCD stylee instruments.  Spoils the car interior, in my mind...

I did that with my Jeep.......