1999 Vauxhall Omega GLS from UK and Ireland - Comments

Water pump failed soon after delivery, fixed under warranty.

Door check arm failed.

Camshaft sensor failed, to be repaired under warranty.

Door locking button on driver's side occasionally sticking, needs lubrication (will repair myself at the same time as the door check).

Despite the initial teething troubles, this is one impressive car!

I was somewhat relieved to hear that the above faults are the most common on Omegas, and therefore should be quick to fix - and as long as the warranty takes care of them, that's fine.

The Omega is a joy to drive, and the automatic gearbox adds to the pleasure since the majority of my travel is in the city. Seats are like armchairs and the engine is almost silent!

One thing I do miss is rear head rests - not fitted as standard on the GLS. Easy enough to fit one's self, so that's a job for me in the near future.

In the first month of ownership, I took the car on an 800 mile round trip down to Cornwall and back - these cars just love a motorway! Covered the 6 hour drive down there and barely noticed it.

Ample interior and boot space is another great asset of the Omega, you almost get an echo in the back!

Fuel economy seems fair, considering the weight of the motor (auto box).

I also own a 1999 T reg Omega GLS auto 16V 2.0, and as you say simply scrumptious! I am surprised though that you don't have rear head rests, are you sure they weren't removed? Mine has 3, the middle one is removable, but must be there if you have rear passengers, as do the others.

Good to hear the common faults, mine hasn't glitched any probs yet and the warranty is nearly up (this june), so if its gonna go wrong, hope its before then!

Auto box though is silky smooth, mines nearly covered 96000 and its still like a new car! I might though have the auto box oil flushed and changed soon for safety.

Do you have air con or a sunroof? I have air con, but I don't find it particularly very cold, maybe its that way?

Anyway if you want to chat any time, email me on simon@svpworld.com.

Regards

Simon

SVPworld.

Thanks for your comments Simon, have dropped you a line.

Andy.

Review update - 11/05/2003.

Having now owned the car for about 4 months, I have managed to solve most of the major problems. A new cambelt kit seems to have cured the ECU light illumination, and the central locking now works perfectly (new motor fitted).

The door check arm needs welding, that's a job for another time, and a Vx dealer. Quite frankly, I can live with it anyway.

I have also added my own rear head restraints (thanks Simon for the helpful photos!!) - saved myself £300 labor to drill 4 little holes in hardboard (yep, that's what a dealer was asking!).

I've now covered just over 3,000 miles in the car since I bought it, and for the life of me I can't think where they went - miles just melt away in Omegas.

Q. Am I still happy with it?

A. Is the Pope a Catholic??

Ps. Many many thanks to the helpful members of the 'Omega Owners' Yahoo! group for all their advice and tips.

Andy (Titch).

I want my Omega to last forever.

Dear all, I have been driving Omega for the past four years, prior to driving Senator five years, towed with both vehicles all over the UK.

Only problem with the Senator was the electrics very poor, with the Omega one failed oil pump, head gasket replaced and the odd bush or two. Both cars had been purchased after the first four years of life so depreciation had taken it's effect on the as new price.

Anyway to finish just traded my 94 Omega for a 2001 model so we travel on. (once owned a Vauxhall Magmun, similar Fourth Bridge Construction)