Test drive Opel Omega Sedan 1999 - 2003 sedan
Volgar's dream
A three-five-year-old Opel-Omega is a large rear-wheel drive German car for moderate money. What is not an option for someone who has grown out the Volga, but cannot yet afford a Mercedes or BMW? Everything costs your money
The attitude towards large opening houses took shape in the early 90s, when officers with the group of Soviet troops withdrawn from Germany dragged adult records from the landfills, like a shovel, unpretentious, but cheap ones. The first-generation omega (or omega-a) in technical terms from the record went far ahead, but outwardly remained a gray mouse.
But when Omega-B debuted at the Moscow Motorshow in 1994, it was not to break through the Opel stand. The car really deserved attention: an interesting design, a visually expensive interior of light gray leather and a richest equipment. An automatic box with electronic control, an anti -wings system or a complete set of electro -regulations of the front seats with memory, including lateral and even intra -sulfate mirrors, at that time even a Mercedes could not boast.
Of course, Opel cannot argue with representatives of the prestigious German three in terms of image. But his price is different. The 19981999, brought from Europe, model years, depending on the status, motor and configuration, costs $ 10,00014,000. And the conversation about E-class, five BMW and Audi-A6 starts at $ 17,000.
Omega has been holding on the conveyor for 9 years. It is clear that the cars of the first years of production and sores have more, and they cost cheaper from $ 6500. But today we are mostly interested in cars since 1998 of the model year, when the omega was subjected to the first easy restyling, completely getting rid of growth diseases. The last time Omega was significantly modernized in the 2000 model year. Such cars are about to appear on the secondary market, but there are practically no statistics on them. Although it is clear that Omega certainly did not become worse.
A roomy caravan Omega can be bought with a universal body, in the traditions of the company called the caravan. The station wagon is characterized by a huge internal volume and very competent use. You can fold not only the rear sofa, but also the back of the right front chair, receiving a platform 2.9 m long.
On some station wagons (sedans extremely rarely) there is a rear suspension with automatic leveling of the body through a compressor and pumped shock absorbers. There are no complaints about the operation of automation. Unless the rear shock absorbers cost $ 135 apiece.
What are they
Then, in 1994, in Moscow there was a top modification of MV6 with a 3-liter 211-horsepower V6 under the hood and a full list of custom equipment. Now MV6 from Europe is practically not imported due to the volume of the motor.
On expensive versions, there are chairs with a full set of electrical regulations and memory in three positions
However, the expensive version of the CD in configuration is not much different from it. You will also get a noble velor or leather interior with a tree trim, a decent electric package and pleasant little things like adjusting the lumbar seats and mirrors with backlighting in sunscreen visors. In addition, the CD almost always has air conditioning (and since 1998 and separate climatic), good factory music and a number of other options. For a long time, they will not have to search for Ci-Dishka almost half of them in the market.
Omega has a very spacious rear sofa. But sports front chairs (in the picture) is a rarity
The other half falls on the budget version of GL with a simple fabric salon, where even the windows can be manual, and, as a rule, a modest 2-liter engine. The condition of the machines performed by GL is very uneven. This is either a copy with a small mileage from a cordy grandfather, or a driven horse from a rolling office.
On the left shows the interior of the top version of MV6 with a leather interior, climate control and wood trim. On the right, the basic performance of GL with manual windows
Metalik is preferable
The main problem of the record and omega-A was low corrosion resistance of the body. Omega-B became better in this regard, although the situation has changed radically only after the 2000 restyling, when the guarantee from the through corrosion of the body increased from 6 to 10 years. On earlier copies painted with ordinary enamel, after 56 Moscow winters, traces of rust can appear on the doors at the bottom and on the windowsills, as well as on the front wheeled arches, if there are no mudguards. In general, Opelian servicemen recommend choosing a machine painted with metallic, more resistant to mechanical and chemical influences.
VIN is knocked out on the floor between the right front armchair and the threshold. Nearby on the middle rack, the identification plate (shown by arrows)
Pay attention to the headlights. Their disperflows are made of soft plastic. He holds stones well, but after 34 years he is wiped like a sandpaper flying from under the wheels of sand. If the glasses are already wiped, it makes sense to buy a 1998 headlight with round lenses. They shine much better and approach earlier models. And subsequently, never wipe the headlights on dry. If there are headlight washers, glue the nozzles in advance to the sliding rods. Otherwise, you will lose. The fog in the bumper, as usual, live up to the first ice puddle warmed up, crack from cold water.
Transparent headlights with round lenses are not necessarily xenon. This design appeared in 1998
In the equipment of the cabin, you should check the operation of the air conditioner and an electric hatch in the roof. If a rattling noise is heard from under the hood, which disappears when the air conditioner is turned on, this is the clutch. Usually it is enough for four years. The button on the hatch control panel is quite tender and does not tolerate bear paws. If it is broken, the remote control will have to be changed. It comes with an electric motor.
With age, other characteristic problems will probably appear in electrical equipment. But these are already trifles eliminated by little blood.
Electric glitches
Turned on the turn signal and the high beam caught fire? Change the left steering wheel switch. All fuses are intact, and the outer lighting does not turn on or goes spontaneously? The time has come for the central switch located on the left on the torpedo. It is more difficult to calculate the rotten wiring that rotted from salt. But if it starts to spare away any of the electrical appliances located behind the middle counter body (the rear lights are burning dimly, the central locking locks are twitched, etc.), first of all, see the tourniquet laid on the left threshold, next to the legs of the driver. But it is better to put in advance on the floor of the carrier-sized rug.
What is the price
Replacing the steering wheel switch $ 45
Replacing the central light switch $ 145
Replacing air conditioning couplings $ 280
Replacing Luke control unit $ 390
Head headlight of the 1998 sample (1 pc.) $ 200
Fog lights (1 pc.) $ 80
When replacing the salon filter, clean the drainage holes located next to it. When they are clogged, the filter after rain or snowfall begins to get wet, the glass fogs and water enters the salon.
The screen display screen fades after about 4 years. An ordinary display showing only time, radio station frequency and closing temperature costs $ 100, and the on -board computer display is $ 240.
Which of the engines is better?
To answer this question is not easy. The most reliable and unpretentious is a 2-liter 8-valve, which came from omega-a. In addition to planned service to himself, he practically does not require. But what is 115 forces for one and a half tons of equipped mass? In fact, only a former Volgar can find mutual understanding with such a motor.
A two-liter 16-valve eco-library with a capacity of 136 forces is somewhat more frequent, although it is noticeable only at high speeds. But in terms of traction for omega, it is also weak. In addition, ecototek is much more moody and more expensive in maintaining an 8-valve veteran.
According to the characteristics, a 2.5-liter 170-horsepower V6 is clearly the best. A powerful and noble working six, who perfectly copes with the automatic box what is needed for a business class. But he is also from the Eco -Teke family, only with a adjustment of two heads and 6 cylinders.
Opelian engines are extremely demanding on the replacement of the timing belt. In the instructions, the belt replacement interval can be determined at 90,000 or even 120,000 km. Do not believe your eyes. The belt is guaranteed to serve 60,000 km on 4-cylinder engines and 75,000 km on the V6. Then the lottery. But if on an old 8-valve motor the belt breaks without consequences, then on eco-coats, valves are found with pistons. In order not to fly to the repair of a destroyed engine, it is enough to change the belt immediately after buying the car and cut down its real resource on your nose. Another thing is that 60,00075,000 km for a foreign car is not enough, and $ 285 per belt and three videos for the V6 by the standards of Opel are expensive. But it is better not to contact a cheap non -original. If the native details do not differ in durability
In addition, the control of the control electronics regularly has a splash. You can accurately predict how much time or run is enough this or that element. If you are served in the profile Opel service, where the malfunction is determined in 15 minutes and not divorced by the engine control unit due to the penny sensor, the electronics will not ruin you. But still unpleasant.
Ecotecs also have other characteristic sores that will not let the owner be bored. One thing comforts: on many more prestigious German machines, engines are sick no less, only for their treatment you have to give completely different amounts.
Engines in operation Planned ones, including for engines, are carried out in Opel after 15,000 km. On every second, in our conditions it is necessary to change candles and it is advisable to rinse the injections of injection. If brown paths are visible on old candles insulators, it's time to change high -voltage wires, which are enough for three years. On cars 19971998, release with V6 engines along with wires requires replacement and ignition coil. Otherwise, new candles will soon be ordered to live long.
The timing belt must be changed, along with the rollers to the run of 60,00075,000 km, they wear out strongly. On the V6 engines, it is advisable to change the water pump with the belt, since it lives a maximum of 100,000 km. If you do everything in the complex, work on replacing the pump will cost only $ 15. Or $ 95 if the pump is changed separately.
There are no chronic diseases behind an 8-valve engine. Surprises can be expected from ecoteces. For example, leakage from under the valve cover after 100,000 km. In order not to have to change the candles and high -voltage wires flooded with oil ahead of schedule, the leak must be eliminated immediately after detection.
If eco -tech began to stall when gas reset or when switching to neutral, then the idle regulator has already worked for three years or 6080 thousand.
At a 4-cylinder eco-tech, about the same amount of camshafts and crankshafts serve. They report their death with a difficulty launch, worsening dynamics with increasing fuel consumption and sunbow bulb. The generator on this engine is also enough for three years. Attempts to reanimate a waste of time and money. On the V6, the camshaft sensor is eternal, and the crankshaft sensor flies out much less often. But with age, the heater crane begins to leak on it.
The Six -cylinder V6 engine is magnificent in characteristics, but in the operation of roads
Diesel omega is not the best choice Since the debut, an omega has been installed on the omega 6-cylinder BMW turbodiesel with a volume of 2.5 liters. In 1998, he was compiled by a 2-liter 4-cylinder Opelian engine. According to the characteristics of the diesel, good BMW are especially BMW. But the Bavarian motor was expensive in operation and very demanding on the quality of fuel. The cars equipped with it are usually sold to 150,000 km, when the replacement of drive circuits and, almost certainly, turbines is required. Opelian diesel was not supplied to Russia at all. Therefore, there is no diagnosis or specialists on it. Do you want to become a pioneer?
Mechanics or machine gun?
Which of the gearboxes to choose depends only on your preferences. Both are quite reliable and combined with any of the engines.
In the manual box, as in the rear gearbox, the oil is flooded for the entire service life. If some oil seal is leaking, only the branded Opel transmission is allowed to fill in both units. There are no complaints about the work of mechanics. The clutch usually serves more than 150,000 km and, of course, changes.
In the machine, it is recommended to change the oil after 60,000 km, and this must be done in strict accordance with a certain technology. Therefore, do not save on matches and go to a specialized Opel service. With proper circulation, the box resource is at least 250,000 km. But it happens that an electronic box of the box fails. Then a symbol of the rotary wheel lights up on the dashboard, and the box stops reacting to the movements of the lever. However, replacing the selector is a trifle.
Four rounds with buttons and displays instead of rotating handles is a climate control. The S button in the end of the automatic transmission lever includes a sports mode, and the snowflake on the right is winter
By the age of five, as always, ordinary transmission trifles begin to manifest the leakage of the boxes of the box and gearbox, cracks on the anthers of the drives. Nothing terrible gum should just be changed in time.
What is the price
Replacing candles (4-cyl./V6) $ 21/48
Set of candle wires (4-cyl./V6) $ 100/220
Generator (16 Clap.) $ 300
Ignition coil (V6) $ 125
Replacing the timing belt (8-valve/16-valve./V6) $ 135/200/380
Water pump (4-cyl./V6) $ 50/70
What is the price
Clutch replacement (set) $ 405
Replacement of the automatic transmission selector $ 320
Automatic transmission renovation $ 1500-2500
Ignition coil (V6) $ 125
Replacing the anthers of drives (all 4 pcs.) $ 140
Replacing the adhesive sector or manual transmission (1 pc.) $ 40-60
I wonder how the rear -wheel drive omega behaves on a slippery road? If the box is automatic, it provides a winter mode in which the car touches the place smoothly, in third gear. In addition, all machines with V6 engines have an anti -boom system. It would seem that she can only slow down the runaway wheel and strangle the engine. But in the snowdrifts with her you will sit much less often. Cars with 4-cylinder engines of the electronic assistant are deprived of. Well, if you get a copy with a differential of high friction. But this is a rarity.
Suspension? Strong enough For a heavy rear -wheel drive car, the omega suspension is quite hardy. In the new car, only the silent blocks of the front levers, steering rods with a pendulum, and a couple of times the front stabilizer racks have to be changed in the first 60,000 km. The five BMW and the previous Mercedes E-class by this time have much fewer native details in the suspension.
The back multi -stroke is generally trouble -free. So that she does not disturb you up to 120,000 km, it is necessary to remove, disassemble and lubricate the transverse rods in advance, for preventive purposes, with which the convergence/collapse is regulated every 30,000 km. Otherwise, after the first winter, the thread in them can acidify so much that a vise and a soldering lamp will go into operation. Even when over time the rear wheels stand up and a knock appears when driving irregularities is not a disaster. It is enough to change the supporting pillows of the rear levers.
Of other features, an approximately equal resource of front shock absorbers and their upper supports can be noted. When the time is suitable, it will be cheaper to replace them together. The same with the buzzing bearings of the front hubs. But here you have no choice of bearings, they are delivered with the hubs.
Not half -shoe on the belly
One of the serious problems of omega is low planting and long body overhangs. Okay, if the case were limited to scars on the front bumper and thresholds. On an 8-valve engine there is a risk of hinging a steel pallet. Usually it is deformed in the oil receiver and the engine begins to experience oil starvation. On eco -coats, the consequences of landing are aground not so disastrous, but also very unpleasant. From strokes of the reception pipe on the ground, they break off the studs of the exhaust manifold (on a two -liter eco -coating, the collector itself can crack in the middle). Contacts with the road do not pass without a trace for the catalyst. He crumbles and begins to rumble. But if instead of a catalyst for $ 800 (two catalysts for two) in the workshop for the repair of exhaust systems, you can install a flame arrester for $ 100, then the replacement of the stalks is very laborious and expensive.
In order not to play Russian roulette, it is better to immediately establish engine protection. The branded for omega is not provided, and the product of the company Sheriff is best suited from domestic. True, after installing protection, the road clearance will still decrease. But the car can be lifted by about 20 mm using a set of springs from a package for bad roads, which are equipped with omega supplied to Russia. Moreover, they are as standard, and yours will probably be sagging. It is cheaper to change springs along with shock absorbers. But if the latter are still alive, they can not be touched.
What is the price
Engine protection $ 50
Springs (4 pcs.) $ 410
Graduation collector (16-valve) $ 140
Replacement of the stud collector (16-valve.) $ 140-400
Replacement of final collectors (V6) $ 600
The brakes are all right too. ABS is reliable, and the discs withstand three sets of pads. Occasionally the front calipers wedge from the salt. In order not to have to blame the caliper replacement, make it a rule during the replacement of the pads to clean them of dirt and lubricate the moving parts.
In general, the omega chassis should not drive you into large expenses. Only the owners of the 19941997 of model years take risks at $ 10001,500 at a time if the steering gearbox flows.
What is the end?
Of all the cars of Opel Omega in operation, the most expensive. But if you need a large car, you will not even look at the vector or aster. And among other German classmates, there is simply no omega alternative to the price of the car itself, nor at the cost of the content of the alternative. Here is the cost of original spare parts and work from an official dealer, albeit inexpensive. With Mercedes, BMW or Audi, your expenses will be much higher, even if you are served in a garage workshop and use a non -original. Want even cheaper? Buy a new Volga.
Alexander Konov, photo Alexander Sadovnikov
Source: Magazine "Limousine" [11/02]
