Anyone here ever had a vx Omega?

[pacman11]

Hi, thinking of buying an Omega to tide me over til the silly season is over and fronty prices go back down. Always fancied a big RWD barge, guess I missed the boat on having granadas/scorpios/Carlton/Senator new enough to be reliable for an everyday car.

I have just got rid of my last car, an automatic, hated it! thought I liked it then drove a mates manual and missed it.

So any of you frontera nuts ever owned an Omega?? Thoughts opinions?? which engine to go for?? I am going to join up on omegaownersforum and have a good idea on what to look out for, would like a 2.0 manual in elite or CDX trim but I think they only came in the 3.0 or 3.2. I would like a diseasal, the 2.5TD is the same as the old 5 series units (e3?) I would love a MV6 but the only come in GLS spec.. and the price to fill up scares me a little but if its sounds good and can shift I might be tempted to go with a v6.

Just thought I would ask here as you guys know your stuff and give good advice, be good to get a non specific forum's view.

(any other ideas for big cheap barges, I have seen a mobile mechanic who comes well recommended by omega owners prices for the usual stuff is pretty decent, just want cheap costs!!)

Thanks for any advice

[BoxCleva]

The 2.5TD is an awesome engine. Loads of power and very reliable. I used to have a 2.5V6 petrol estate , and my mate had the diesel. Whilst mine was obviously quicker, his wasn't far behind and very economical for an old bus. I loved mine (right up until the moment the cambelt snapped )

[Wilberforce]

Second what Si said, when I was contemplating the Omega route I'd pretty much settled on the 2.5 diesel jobbie.
I know it a BMW motor, but reliable and good on fuel and whatnot. Of course, the boyracer part of me said "buy an MV6" but I managed to tune that out, heh.

[pacman11]

Cheers for the replies, I only do local trips, schools runs ect, occasional run out, would the 2.5TD have a dpf thingy? I dont know if its down to that recent watchdog episode and everyone going on about particulate filters all of sudden.. Would it munch itself with the sort of usage it would get?? Then again for the low miles I could justify a 2.5 v6 or a 3.0 petrol.. Just peed me off putting 40-50 quid a week in a 2.2i frontera just to go the tesco/park/school! Taxis woulda been cheaper!

Would I be right thinking the 2.0 would be as gutless as an asthmatic pensioner smoking 30 a day? Just want something that means I don't have to consult a 2013 calender to safely pull out into traffic!

Suprised how nice and CHEAP omegas are going for, seems buying from owners forums brings in the cheapest cars, then gumtree..

Can the td pumps handle veg oil? I could make good use of me neighbours costco card! I couldnt be mithered with heating up to thin out, is it as simple as going the bio additive route?? There are a couple of chinese takeways mins from me.. Hmm that would mean I would defo NEED a fronty as well as another car! Simples..

I hear doing the rocker covers/cleaning the breathers are a right pig of a job.. could it be DIY'd on the driveway in one afternoon??

[James Bass]

I used to have a '99 S reg 3.0 MV6 Auto. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! Shame it was so heavy on fuel around town. Amazing on a long run, and even managed over 30mpg on one trip to Manchester.

[fynn]

pacman the x20xse ecotec is certainly not gutless.i had an automatic estate
which drove from ulster to here czech republic.had it for 6yrs, no bother.
but now i have to put up with a manual fronty.i miss the auto box.
the engine and auto box are velly tough as old boot

[pacman11]

How heavy are we talking around town for the MV6? Less than 20? I know wanting a big saloon with matching fair sized engine and watching the pennies dont really go hand in hand but.. I still want one (the wife stupidly thinks! "we" are getting something small and frugal! yer right!...) I may have to film her boat when I arrive home one lol, the youtube potential would be worth it alone..

Mv6 has the harder suspension right??

[Dannyboy]

Ive had 2 mate, mk1 2.0i cdx estate n mk2 2.0i cdx saloon, both good cars, nextdoors brother bought the later off me n he loves it it had 147k on when i sold it over 2yrs ago n still goin strong, all electric n not bad on fuel eather, you can pick em up for next to nowt too

[spookyman60]

i had the 2.5V6 i fitted leather, auto dip rear view mirror, vectra rocker covers as they ar alloy and had no oil leaks but the breather was cleaned out every 6 months its an easy job once you know how to do it, it was one the best cars i have ever owned in my oppinion its alot of car for little money i got about 28 to 30 around town if i drove like a saint and 35 to 40 on a run and single figures if i booted it common probs are rocker covers leaking, front wishbones and creaking cracking anti roll bar drop links they are like armchairs to drive

[James Bass]

MV6 is slightly lower ride than the others, and has standard 17" wheels, whereas the others had 15" or 16". Never found the ride a problem. Around town was probably about the 20mpg mark, which was very heavy for me...I was using it as a taxi at the time. lol

[crackpotterpig]

you are definatley better off with the v6,much more refined as long as the cambelt has been replaced properly,I saw too many chuck the belts and damage valves and heads due to incorrect cam belt fitment,adjustment or even the rubber seal around the cam belt cover get sucked in the belt and make it jump off while i was working at a vauxhall dealership in bedford many years ago.the 2.5 td is the bmw lump and if it has had regular oil changes will keep going forever,the 2.0 petrol is too underpowered for the size of car.I dont really remember them suffering from loads of recalls either like other vauxhall models!!

[pacman11]

Cheers for the help lads, got my eye on a 2003 2.2 (last year for em I think?) cant go wrong really at these prices.. Cannot believe how small the choices are when you look for a (not so) run of the mill big RWD saloon! I would love a 5 series but too scared of the potential for big bills! I can stomach the 20mpg in return for some RWD bargtastic fun! Annoyingly 90% of all the omegas I am looking at are auto's..

Cheers again for the advice will make a note of what to look out for!

[spookyman60]

most common on these engines are the idle control valve gumming up

[Krusher]

I had a 2.5 v6 and absolutely loved it. sold it because i thought it drank too much fuel and got a 2l sport only to find that was more thirsty than the omega. . Still I would never have found FOG if I hadnt