1998 Holden Berlina VT from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Power steering pump at 167`00klms.

Driver side power window dropped, due to a $5 dollar plastic window rack runner.

Starter motor wire deteriorated from the heat of exhaust manifold-common problem

keep ya eye out for that one. some mechanics think it`s the starter motor.

I don`t expect any car that`s done over 100`000 klm`s not to have minor problem`s, unless you want to pay $$$$$.

Every thing mechanical brakes down sooner or later.

There`s nothing better than a berlina 0nly a V8 one.

Hi Steven.

I have a 1998 VT Holden Berlina with factory FE2 suspension.

I have encountered the following problems:

The drivers door window rubber started to come out of the doorframe. The plastic runner is faulty I think. Don't do what I did and pull at it. It comes out easy enough, but try and get it back in. Eventually I pulled the door trim off and used silicone spray and or washing up liquid.

The left hand power mirror won't go.

Several illumination bulbs have gone out in the dash. The Speed alert and half the climate control. Bulbs.

The Horn fuse kept blowing and eventually shorted and melted the inside of the horn.

The ABS warning light sometimes comes on at random now, but not for a mechanic. (This cost me a speeding fine the first time it happened, as I didn't know if I should apply the brakes or coast down the hill I was cresting and Flash! you are on Transport Depts Revenue Camera.

The ABS still seems to work, I have now found out when the light is not on at least.

It chews juice like a V8 but only is a six. Average consumption 14.9 to 17 litres per 100klm round town.

The key head has failed twice. $75.00 thank you Mr Holden. You can't replace the key head Battery like a Ford remote.

The alarm / central locking sometimes fails (not for a mechanic though)

The CD player has swallowed a CD a few times. (I have found a way to get the CD/Radio player out with only removing the console Tbar faceplate trim and the lighter accessory socket).

The right rear passenger door speaker stopped working and had to be replaced.

I just discovered that I don't have a rear sway bar (I have known the car from new). I thought at least the FE2 pack (This is supposed to be the "S" "SS" suspension upgrade?) The VT2, VY, VX, VZ Berlina has one as standard.

It gushes water from the rear boot lid trim into the boot when you open the rear lid.

The passenger foot well, right rear foot well, boot gets wet after a good rain shower or carwash. But not when the mechanic hoses it.

Apart from the bugs and gremlins, it is the experimental series 1 of course; it's not a bad car to drive. Mostly. (I assume you know the trip computer extra functions?)

Any tips, solutions, fixes, advice, sites to visit etc would be welcome please.

Kind regards.

Mike Ford.