1999 Vauxhall Omega Elite (old model) from UK and Ireland - Comments

Oil drip from new. New oil pump fitted because oil pressure relief valve screw was cross threaded during manufacture.

Engine stopping when slowing down. With an automatic the first you know of it is when you can't steer, and you can't start with your right hand until the shift is put into neutral with the left, while you're trying to steer.

Dangerous or what!

Letter away to dealer.

Ride is bloomin awful, and passengers have complained. Why stiffer springs from 1998? Had to pull fuse 27 to stop the self levelling from pumping the back of the car up too hard when going over minor roads, better now but much inferior to trusty Senator. Dealer looking into this.

Front seats - poor side and thigh support, also too hard and bouncy.

Steering far too heavy and non-linear, very tiring when countering camber changes on a straight road. Dealer says OK, but not.

Brakes dead for 20mm of pedal travel, then they go on so hard that passengers are thrown forwards, even when you are doing your very best to drive smoothly. Dealer says OK, but not.

Boot opens too far, luggage gets wet.

Good performance for big car, good auto box, reassuring drive, every extra, better styled than new model, super headlights.

Update 26/9/2000:

The suspension has 'run in' to become acceptable, but the self-levelling remains disconnected because it still pumps up and becomes rock hard when driving up hills or riding over bumpy roads when no load is being carried.

The engine ECU was *checked* by the dealer, and confirmed as being of the latest mod state. I know that they did more than just check it, because the petrol consumption has increased when cold. At least the engine now keeps running whilst the car is moving, which is vitally important on an automatic vehicle.

In spite of expert Vauxhall and dealer organised independent RAC reporting that stated my car test-drove satisfactorily, plus a simultaneous offer of an 'equivalent' vehicle because mine did not appear to meet 'my' expectations, I held firm stating that this car was the model I had chosen, but I remained concerned about its brakes and steering. Myself and friends, have been driving bigger cars for over thirty years, so we do know when things are not right.

The brakes were eventually pressure bled by the dealer at 4000 miles....... Yahoo!..... Finally I have the brake pedal that should have been provided when new. No dealer comment!! Manufacturer's quality control??

The power steering box was changed at 4500 miles. Previous workshop changes that had boosted the fluid pressure did not alleviate problems. The steering is measured as 25% lighter, but it is still too heavy for town driving, parking and when countering the cars tendency to drift off line due to road camber. It is much heavier than Escort/Golf cars that do *not* have power steering. There is also a shocking amount of steering box free play when the wheel is turned beyond 140 degrees. Thus to keep between the

hedges through bends on undulating country roads, or to keep from oversteering onto roundabout islands, you must constantly watch out for and be ready to reactively counter the car's own body-roll induced free-play direction changes: Dealers cannot correct such in-built problems, and Vauxhall are not interested because they say that these are 'characteristics' of the model. So do be warned; you would not normally be able to observe these aspects during a test drive on good roads around a dealer's showroom, or when tentatively driving a new car that has taken your fancy.

Even Jeremy Clarkson in the Sun on 28th July 2000 commented on woolly Omega steering that is very bad in corners. The previous Senator model had first class steering, so I cannot understand why changes were made; changes that spoil what is otherwise a competent rear wheel drive replacement model.

From my very recent experience of rebuttal, Vauxhall wilfully intend that their customers accept the Omega as it is. Thus I have bought, and I am stuck with, a brand new example of the worst steering of any post 1960s car that I have ever driven, without any hope for improvement.

Paul

Omega Elite 3.0i V6 24 V

It now has 78,000 miles and I've had it since new. Nothing whatsoever has 'gone wrong' with it and it's far superior to any other car I have driven or been a passenger in. It has every extra including a satellite navigation system and very comfortable leather seats.

Your main criticisms seem to be about the inherent handling characteristics of the model and not your specific car. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to thoroughly test drive one before parting with many thousands of pounds, any dealer worth their salt will allow a long unaccompanied test drive these days.

I have no sympathy with people who buy cars and then criticise inherent characteristics, if you can't be bothered to test drive a car properly then you deserve everything you get. The best way to satisfy yourself properly about your choice is to rent the same model for a week, it's well worth it before parting with a great deal of money.

I have encountered the same problems with the engine stopping. This is an extremely dangerous fault as you lose your power steering and servo brakes.

I intend to write to Vauxhall regarding this fault.

I really like the way my 2.5 auto CDX drives. It seems to hold the road extremely well, although there does seem to be a bit of 'brake pedal travel'. I guess its something you get used to. The first journey I made was a bit 'hairy' but as you get used to the feel of the brakes, stopping becomes a lot smoother.

I'm not sure if Traction Control is needed on the Automatic though, there doesn't seem to be enough power to warrant it, mind you wet or icy roads might be a different story.

I bought an Opel Omega 2.5 V6 CD with 110,000 miles and a full service history. The battery went flat and I dropped it into the garage to get it replaced as well as getting a full service including checking the automatic transmission fluid level.

About 3 hours after I picked it up, the multi-function display notified me of automatic transmission faults and the car reverted to manual mode. I stopped and restarted the car and the fault disappeared.

A week later after I washed the car with a power spray, the fault came back and never went away. The dealers checked the errors codes which said that 2 solenoids were open circuit. All they did was clear the codes and check the wiring loom. The fault is still there!

So I visited a few automatic transmission specialists for their opinion.

All of them suggested an overhaul at a cost varying between 1,000 and 1,700 pounds (Irish). To replace the solenoids alone (both working and broken ones) would cost 400. At this moment I am considering going for a complete overhaul considering the mileage on the car, but I am also going to insist that they verify that the 2 solenoids were indeed gone first just in case the problem lies with the control unit or the wiring. I will keep you posted.

I have a 2000 Elite and the cure for the wandering with the camber of the road is to set to toe in/toe out to dead straight. God knows why Vauxhall send them out with so much toe out, but this will cure it completely and reduce tyre wear too.

Traction control is a must have on a V6 Auto, without it roundabouts in wet weather are none too comfortable.

I have always been unhappy with the cars grip in the wet, however a recent tyre change to 245/45/17s has totally changed the car. I now have complete confidence in its ability to stick to the road.

Provided these cars have been looked after, high mileage is not a problem and I look forward to changing my 94 V6 to a more recent model.

Comparing this car to an equivalent non prestigious manufacturer puts it well ahead of the competition.

I have an automatic 2.0 16V omega gls 1999, now covered 91,000 miles and drives like a new car. Superb value for money as I bought second hand, less than the price of my equivalent age/mileage cavalier 6 yrs ago! My only worry is the automatic box, its fine now, but at such a high mileage I don't know how reliable it will continue to be. Vauxhall told me that the fluid shouldn't be changed, others tell me it should as otherwise could eventually overheat the tranny. Its very difficult to change, and costly, so I don't know whether or not I should.. on the other hand I can't afford 1000 quid to fix it if it blows! Otherwise fabulous car and a LOT of car for the money, 2 litre is a bit vocal when accelerating and needs to be driven smooth and calmy, kick down and sports modes are too stressful in my opinion for the engine (will accelerate to 6000 rpm sometimes to overtake!!). Tyres very important for a smooth quiet ride, I fitted Pirelli P6000 195/65/15 all round and they are near silent. Air con is ample provided in hot weather you use the recirculation most of the time, demisting is also a problem and frequently I have to use the air con to demist the windscreen, do I need to change my filter? Sluggish acceleration when cold, but I heard its better not to race it until oil warms up. Once it gets moving, its flies!

Simon

(simon@svpworld.com)

I own a 95 2lit, 150,000 miles on clock, I bought second-hand two years ago, a lot of car for the money. I had some problems with ECU and eventually had to replace with a second-hand one. I will be buying another.

I have a 1996 2.5i v6 which has covered 50,000 miles only. Known genuine history and ownership. Great motorway cruiser. Very comfortable. Cursed by premature cam belt guide failure 1.6k miles ago. This seems to be a serious, fundamental problem with these engines. Fortunately not terminal on mine and Vauxhall refunded £140 cost of belt and guides (not labour). Car goes into main dealer Monday as it has developed a major oil leak from the crankshaft pulley area at the front of the engine, saturating the crankcase, sump and exhaust. This is most possibly a bi-product of the cam belt failure. Most recent issue of Practical Motorist magazine indicates there was a recall for replacement because original tensioners prone to failure. Mine wasn't! Can anyone out there enlighten me? ianpetrie@lineone.net.

I have a January 1999 2.5 Elite estate. Fantastic car if not a little expensive - particularly on the tyres. It does have an intermittent starting problem though. I feel sure this is related to the security system and immobiliser. However, it cannot ever be checked as, as soon as it starts, the computer read out resets. Has anyone had a similar problem? If so, what was the diagnosis?

Phil M. Norfolk.

Have a 1999 2.5 V6 Elite now with 69k on the clock - a very good car, but I too have experienced the automatic gearbox warning problem after a "very dead" battery was replaced - switching off and on the engine seems to cure it, but I am getting it checked on the next service. Also, tyre wear has been excessive and you need to find a "good" Kwik Fit or ATS technician to get the wheel balance spot on and the tracking/camber adjusted to straight on. Only other major problems are the prices of the tyres (

Just a quick note for all those having gearbox ECU problems. I had a 3.0 Senator a few years ago and had the same very annoying problem, for no apparent reason the gearbox would go into safety mode and go straight into 4th, not good when pulling out onto a dual carriageway!!The car went to Vauxhall who diagnosed a faulty ECU and wanted the pricely sum of £750 plus VAT!! Decided not to sell a kidney to pay for it and drove around reseting it every time for about 6 months. Went into a Bosch auto centre with my brothers Montego and just happened to mention my problem to the staff-You are not going to believe the cause-non standard plug leads AND spark plugs. They are not shielded upto Vauxhall`s standards and trip the ECU. Changed them both for genuine items (not that expensive) and the fault never ever happened again. Hope this saves someone some dosh-plus you can pick up "faulty" senators and Omegas for peanuts!!

I am the owner of Opel Omega 2.5 TDS manufactured in year 2000. It has all the equipment, driving properties are awesome. Car is robust and for small money I have car that compares with A6, BMW5... However, there are several smaller problems with the car. When engine is cold it starts good, but when it is warmed up it starts very poorly. I think that I saw a thread on some forum... it has something to do with EEPROM. The other very annoying thing is that every 2000 miles I have to add 0.5-1 liter of oil. It consumes oil for no reason. Very frustrating thing when board computer starts to flash a sing - Check Your Oil Level!-... In our part of EU we have some more snow and last wheel drive is like not-wanted. A cars like Yugo and similar s*** passes by while I am waiting for snow to melt regardless having installed the most expensive winter tires. If anyone have any idea about my problem I would appreciate if mail was sent to me.

(dario@askpro.si).

Regards...

I own a 3.0 V6 Omega Irshimer Elite Y reg, and overall I find the car to be excelent. It awkwardly let me down with a crankshaft sensor failure... Dealer didn't have part, kept me off the road for 2 weeks. The car has a aftermarket gas conversion by AG. And although being a pain in the butt whist Idling on gas, it is great on long runs, returning £0.12 a mile on fuel, which for a heavy 3 Litre is excelent.

The car seems to loose some coolant occasionly, but never a great amount, and requires a look at every 3 weeks or so.

I have a long standing problem with fuse 15 blowing intermittatly, which no one can solve, seems to happen, whilst transmission engaged, usually after a fast bend whist accellerating, quite annoying... post a comment if you know the answer. On things electrical.. the drivers seat electrical adjustment fails, when the lead falls out! why not a click fit typesocket under the seat?

On the plus side - handling is at all times awsome. If you know how to drive a fast heavy rear wheel drive, this is the car for you, if you have always driven light front wheel drive cars, you will find it a handful. Power is smooth, and the deliver through the auto box is silky smooth. Traction control is a bit crude, working on a On/Off basis, which "just leaps in there" and turns the power off, momentarily before letting it back on again. That's a great thing (not) when turning on to a busy main road into a gap leaves you temprarily in the middle of the road! - I tend to turn it off, and the handling is improved.

The brakes are incredible, but pad wear is high.

Overall I would buy another Omega, but have a real long test drive, and pay much attention to electrical problems. Shame there are no service manuals, and vauxhaull dealers seemed to have disowned the car (yes we do keep them for more than 3 years!)