I own a 1995N 2.0GLS estate with 80k on the clock. Despite light use & regular servicing, it's had its fair share of problems in the 6 years I've had it (two complete breakdowns, failed alternator, heavy tyre wear, steering pulls to left, leaking auto box plus the usual Omega electrical gremlins). I had sworn never to buy another Omega.
However, on looking around for a replacement, it struck me that Omegas are cheap relative to the "prestige" competition (Volvo V70, Audi A6 Avant, BWW 5 series Touring). I was very surprised to see in the latest the latest "Which" magazine reliability report that Omegas up to 2 years old came out near the top, ahead of all the "prestige" marques above.
Is this just a statistical glitch, or has the Omega really turned over a new leaf??
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My Omega hasn't been particularly reliable (new engine & gearbox), but I have enjoyed owning it and have spent a lot of time and money on it (often voluntarily, often not :) )
I wont be replacing it with another however, after getting my calculator out I worked out that I would be over a thousand quid better off buying a £16000 BMW 528 that an £11000 Omega Elite after 3 years. I normaly take my car loan out over 3 years, which I would do for my Omega. However if I increase the term to 5 years I can afford the BMW and, with its considerably better residuals, afford to clear the loan after 3 years and still be better off than if I had bought the Omega!
That made my decision for me :)
(Figures based on a W reg Omega & T reg 528)
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The figures relate to the face lifted Omega launched in late '99. On the basis that I dislike both the external and internal looks of the facelifted version I won't be buying one - shame really as I really like the look of the pre facelift version.
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From what I have gathered its more the 5+ year old omega's that seem mainly to have problems. There are less reported problems on the 99 and later models though it might be just that the problems haven't materialised yet! Or could it be that it was neglected earlier in its life leading to premature failure of certain components? I guess its luck of the draw, some seem to be fine and others not. So far (touch wood!) mine's done 91,000 without a hitch (its also an automatic 2.0 GLS) and drives like a new car. They are certainly cheaper to run that say a 5 series or equivalent prestige brand, even if they lack the badge image (though that's what I liked about the omega).
As for your problems, the steering could be either that the wrong alloys have been fitted, the tracking is out or a combination of them. Premature tyre wear... what tyres do you use and how fast do you drive around bends? I have noticed the suspension of the omega is quite taught, it doesnt nose down when applying the brakes strongly which I like. Leaking auto box... again dont know if this resulted from overheating, was the fluid darkened and has it been replaced at all? I know the later models have the longer life fluid. And what were the 2 complete breakdowns? Its interesting to hear what major probs other omegas have encountered...
Simon
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SVPworld (incorporating PSRworld)
www.svpworld.com
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Thanks to everyone for the responses.
I had the steering checked out not long after I bought the car by an independent tyre specialist. They found that everything was within tolerance, but that one angle (can't remember which) was at one end of the range. This was something that could not be adjusted. The Vauxhall dealer said I could have the offending component (I think it was a wishbone) replaced, but there was no gaurantee that it would be any better. At that point I gave up. In any case, since I started buying cars designed and/or built in Europe (Renault 12, Vauxhall Cavalier, Volvo 240, Vauxhall Carlton) they have all pulled to the left. When I lived in Norway for 4 years, neither of my cars (Renault 19 & Ford Mondeo) pulled either way on the strongly cambered Norwegian roads. However, a friend of mine had a Japanese car that pulled to the right. I have come to the conclusion that cars are designed with a slight steering pull to counteract the camber in their country of origin. British & Japanese cars pull to the right; continental European cars pull to the left.
The auto box leak was diagnosed by an auto box specialist as a failed gasket on the sump pan. They replaced the gasket, but that did not stop the leak. I shall be taking it back to them soon.
The first breakdown was not really a breakdown, it was just that the rockerbox gasket blew, spewing oil over the exhaust manifold, hence making a lot of smoke. My Vauxhall dealer failed to find the root cause (blocked crankcase breather) with the result the the same thing happened as my wife was driving the car home. Needless to say, I don't go there again!
The second b/d was loss of coolant caused by a plug falling out of the cylinder block.
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Rick,
I think you bought the Friday afternoon car.
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