Conference terri::cars_uk

    I saw the Omega in glass fibre and mock-up at the GM design centre some
    months ago with a group of other Vauxhall "deal" operators.  The car
    has an enlarged (over Carlton) passenger cabin and will be well specced
    in packages from 2 litre up to 3 litre.  There will be a saloon and a
    class leading (size wise as per Carlton) Estate.  If you want towing
    capability, the Estate comes with an integrated hook and electrics
    which folds away when not being used.  Some top end models will come
    with built-in phone.
    
    Overall we were impressed with a worthy successor to Carlton and
    Vauxhall promise that there will be adequate supplies available at
    launch.  Production for UK starts over Christmas in Germany.
    
    Doug

    There's a picture in this months (January) CAR magazine.  Seems an
    improvement over the old one - I always preferred  the look of the
    Senator, especially around the C posts, to it's cheaper brethren.
    Not very impressed by the new "corporate" grill though, I think it
    looks rather tacky - it seems to be a sort of large chrome "V" with a
    Vauxhall badge in the middle, personally I think  it's is tasteless as
    the Guppy mouths Ford put on the facelifted (?) Escorts.
    
    	_____________    ____________
    	             \  /
    	              \/
    
    
    .Stevie.

To me it looks the same as all saloons these days. The same
jelly mould shape with "a distinctive grille". 


	Ian

    According to the fleet sales manager at the Reading Vauxhall suppliers
    (one of the listed suppliers to Digital):
    - he has no news on Omega launch dates, except "April"
    - he doesn't expect to get specification details until 10 days before
    the launch
    - he doesn't expect to get prices until about 2 days before the launch
    - he doesn't expect there will be any delivery until May at the
    earliest.

    Jay
    

    I saw one of these beasts on the way to work last week, it looked
    OK'ish in a rather nice Dark metalic colour.

    
    Went to Whadams Stringers (sp) the reading garage for the fleet sales
    at the weekend and they said they would be getting some in on thursday
    21st April and have them on display the weekewnd after.
    
    No prices from car fleet yet though ?.
    
    Trev.

    I saw one on the M1 yesterday - family on board so it was a real one
    rather than demo etc.
    No prices from car fleet and I'm on the list... But no new cars for
    month I suspect.
    
    Andrew

    Chaps,
    
    Could someone please post the UK prices for the new range?
    
    Of particular interest are GLS 2.0 petrol and 2.5 diesel in both
    saloon and estate.
    
    many thanks
    
    peter

    
    Saloons
    
    Edition S 2.0i		15,995
    Select 2.0i 16v		16,600
    Select 2.5 TD		18,500
    GLS 2.0i 16v		17,550
    GLS 2.5i V6 24v		19,000
    GLS 2.5 TD			19,450
    CD 2.0i 16v			19,450
    CD 2.5i V6 24v		20,900
    CD 2.5 TD			21,350
    CDX 2.5i V6 24v		23,800
    CDX 2.5 TD			24,250
    Elite 3.0 V6 24v		26,950
    Elite 2.5 TD		26,950
    
    Estates
    
    Edition S 2.0i		16,500
    Select 2.0i 16v		17,350
    Select 2.5 TD		19,250
    GLS 2.0i 16v		18,300
    GLS 2.5i V6 24v		19,750
    GLS 2.5 TD			20,200
    CD 2.0i 16v			20,200
    CD 2.5i V6 24v		21,650
    CD 2.5 TD			22,100
    CDX 2.5i V6 24v		24,550
    CDX 2.5 TD			25,000
    Elite 3.0 V6 24v		26,950
    Elite 2.5 TD		26,950
    
    There is no description in the brochure of an "Edition S"
    
    Andrew

    Andrew,
    
    Thanks
    
    Peter

    After I wrote .10 I fell to musing about two grand for a diesel engine.
    Fuel figures are:-
    
    2.0 16v petrol 26.2,42.8,35.3 accumulated 2:1:1 gives 32.6
    2.5TD          31.0,50.4,37.2                         37.4 
    
    at 20,000 miles per year then petrol is 613.5 gal and diesel 534.8 gals
    
    78.7 gals saving, 357.8l at 50.9ppl then annual saving is 182 pounds.
    
    Our lease cost has the diesel at about 400 pounds per year dearer.
    
    Why should I choose diesel?
    
    The highest mpg seems to come with the 2.5TD 4 speed auto, 0-60 is only
    a sec off the manual.
    
    Andrew

    Chaps,
    
    Is anyone now running one of these and is willing to write a report?
    I'm particularly interested in the 2.5 diesel (saloon or estate).
    
    thanks
    
    Peter

    Just in case anyone is interested I obtained these from car fleet...
    
    Andrew,
    
    I have listed below the Omega extras and prices you require.
    
    
    Summer Pack             �187 per year
    Driver Pack             �91  per year
    Family Pack             �91  per year
    Weather Pack            �91  per year
    Automatic               �150 per year
    Towing Pack             �244 per year
    Exec Pack               �610 per year
    
    
    Kind regards,
    Lucy
    -
                                                                        

    Malcom,
    
    You're getting too cynical in your old age. I think the overlap is some
    passenger seat options ie Leather trim conflicts with fold flat.
    
    Other than that its OK.
    
    Andrew

	I was actually thinking that the same option might appear in more than
one pack.

	Old age - well, getting there, Cynical?  Me?  Never!  Couldn't possibly
be!

				Malcolm.

    I've just tried the 2.5 petrol Omega and (Ok it was an auto, which I
    don't want) it seems a completely characterless car. You wouldn't even
    know it was rear wheel drive - they seem to have engineered out any
    driving fun.
    
    Does the extra power efficency of the manual make up lack of handling?
    
    Is this a common view? 
    
    Has any one else tried one or got one?
    
    I'm desperate to like the car - since the cost of replacing my BMW
    318is is c�1200 a year more than I'm paying now - but it doesn't seem
    to have anything to like, apart from "loads-of-extras". 
    
    Rupert
                             

>replacing my BMW 318is 

Let's see, BMW 318is=> over engineered, smooth engine, poor handling for class.

Have you tried the V6 Cavalier?

Dave ;-)

P.S. What you really need is the new Saab 900 Turbo or V6

    Thanks for that considerd input Dave. 8^)
    
    BTW I lent just it to a colleague and he thought the same. 
    Very dead steering, little feedback from the road and hence 
    little involvement in the "driving" of the car.
    
    Rupert

    I've just ordered the 2.0 CD Estate. I'm no great driver of cars and do
    not expect it to be in the same class of performance as my wife's Saab
    9000 turbo. I drove the Diesel a little and it seemed OK but couldn't
    justify the cost.
    
    I think Dave had it about right. Isn't there now a Saab 900 with 3l V6?
    Should be fun enough for most of us.
    
    Andrew

    There is the new Saab 900 with the same V6 as Vauxhall's unit, if I
    remember correctly.
    
    I've only seen it listed as convertible, but I presume they do a
    hard-hatted version with the same engine...

    There doesn't seem to be a note on the Omega...
    
    Three questions:
    
    1. How do you pronounce it??
    	Oh-Mee-Ga
    	o-MEG-AY
    	Oh-MEG-a
    
    2. How comfortable is it to drive?? (Headroom and leg room for a 6ft
    6 inch driver)
    	
    3. Are the base models (Edition and Select) worth having, or do you
    need to spend the extra money and get the CD versions??
    
    Cheers, Chris

RE: <<< Note 2354.0 by LARVAE::JORDAN "Chris Jordan, UK S.E. PSC - Workgroup Solutions" >>>
    
�    1. How do you pronounce it??
�    	Oh-Mee-Ga
�    	o-MEG-AY
�    	Oh-MEG-a
    
    Oh-me-gah with a short 'me'.
    
    Helpfully, Laurie.

What is so special about the Omega that it needs it's own note?

Answer....nothing really, as it's just another boring big Vauxhall executive
express.

John

    So what's wrong with 2194 Chris?
    
    2 I'm not 6'6" and I don't yet have mine.
    
    3. I suffer from creeping feature syndrome so my order was for CD
    estate with aircon and cruise control. I'm sure one could be very happy
    with a standard one.
    
    Is it a boring executive...? Yes. But then Renault 5 turbos are boring
    to me, I can't get excited about Xantias or Pug 405s but there are
    enough words in here about those. That's why Omega has its own note.
    
    Andrew

    >> Is it a boring executive...? Yes. But then Renault 5 turbos are boring
    
    
    Oooooohhhhh. I can't let this one pass! Presumably, you've never owned
    a Renault 5 turbo, if you think they're boring. They are lots of
    things, but _NEVER_ dull!!!!!
    
    On the other hand, the Omega is a billion times better looking than 
    the Grandad (Did I really see those pictures of the new one!?!?!) and
    is a soundly built car which no doubt soaks up the miles like they
    weren't there.
    
    It's horses for courses and I don't doubt that the Omega is a great car
    for cruising motorways in. This seems to be Opel/Vauxhalls trump card 
    with their recent cars.
    
    I wouldn't want one, simply because I have no need for a big 4 door 
    saloon, but I can see it's virtue.
    
    Mark                              
    

    Re 2354.3
    
    Well spotted Andrew. I didn't even check as I thought a well seasoned
    noter like Chris had obviously done a dir/tit=omega by his
    comments in .0. 
    
    Explainations Chris ?
    
    Royston

Beaten by being too clever, sorry.....

I DID do a DIR/TIT=OMEGA - but I was out on customer site 
at the time, and rather than search the whole file, I added 
/SINCE=1-JAN-1994 (thinking: The cars weren't released before 
that, so there would be no note on them before then).... 

The 2194 note was created on 16-Decmeber-1993!

Cheers, Chris

    Chris - thinking is not something which is recommended these days.
    Brute force is the best approach.
    
    No I've never owned a R5GTT (is that right) I just find the notion of
    cramming me and my clutter into something which is so fast...
    
    But I won't bore you - I was being deliberately provocative.
    
    Andrew

    re .6
    
    Chris, excuse accepted :-)
    
    Royston

    Should have let you have a go in my R5 GTT when I had it, you may have
    changed your mind, Andrew.
    
    Greg

    Maybe he would have prefferred it if Renault had made a R5GTT Estate.

    
    I always thought they were estates ? why else have a lift up door at
    the back.... 
    

...or better yet an R5 GTTD Estate...
Chris

    Re R5GTT.
    
    Clutch Cables.
    
    I rest my case.
    
    Huw.
    
    P.S. anyone actually got an Omega yet? What's it like?
    I might be tempted as it's the only RWD car on the VTX list.
    

    I remember Tiff Needel doing doughnuts in one on an episode of Top
    Gear (with traction control turned off, of course).
    
    Sounds fun, but it is a repmobile so I don't the word "fun" really
    comes into the equation....

    The thing that bugs me about Omegas is that there are three headrests
    blocking the rear view of the driver. How many Omegas have you seen
    with three adults in the back ? 
    
    Royston

Not in mine there won't be - I can't afford that much

    I don't like the idea of three head restraints either, currently I have
    none in the rear of the volvo estate and I plan to do the same when the
    Omega arrives. I realise this is a slight risk if I suddenly have to
    give a lift to two  extra people but I'll chance that.
    
    Andrew

    i was stuck behind one of these in a queue yesterday. it has the
    brightest brake lights i have seen (except for Scandanavian cars). and
    the driver wouldn't put on his handbrake but sat there with footbrake
    on. 
    
    ric

    �brightest brake lights i have seen
    
    All brake lights should be the same brightness (is it 15w or 21w?).
    Volvos tend to have at 5 (includingg one in the middle) and
    consequently looks like something from Close Encounters from a
    distance.
    
    Royston

    I've noticed a lot of brake lights that seem a lot brighter (they tend
    to have a sort of purple hue to them, too). Newer cars in general. The
    lights definately look different.... they're probably not brighter
    bulbs, just a different form of reflector/refractor I imagine.... but
    it SEEMS brighter.
    
    Dan

    My experience of having a new car indicates that the lights are
    brighter on newer cars (15W 21W refers to wattage which may not be
    directly related to brightness, like watts in speakers don't relate to
    loudness, decibels do :-) ).  I frequently got flashed when driving
    a new car, but never in an old one.  The lights get dimmer as the battery
    wears out/ wires get worn out/contacts go rusty etc.
    
    tmp

The most likely is the film that develops on the inside of the bulb. Just
open up your light cluster and take a look at the stop-lights for example.

Richard

    >The most likely is the film that develops on the inside of the bulb.
    
    Wow really, I'll be out there this evening watching Red Sonja on the
    inside of my lights tonight :-)  Does this mean I get "Clockwork
    Orange" in the indicators and "The Fog" in the fog lights ?
    "Back to the Future" in the reversing lights and "Drowning by Numbers"
    in the number plate light...
    
    tmp

    .46
    
    yes that was a *very* silly reply !!!
    
    ric

Sigh, obviously the silly season is upon us already!

Richard who's outahere tonight!

   I'm looking to replace my SpaceWagon next month or so and have been looking 
   at the Omega estate. After doing my sums I thought it may be useful to go 
   for the TurboDiesel variant (I do 20K+ miles/year), but then I heard a 
   couple of horror stories about these being "problematic" and spending lots 
   of time in the dealers workshops etc. Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson was one who 
   commented along the lines of "nice car, shame it's spent so much time off 
   the road" or words to that effect...
 
   Does anyone out there have a TD ? 
   What fuel consumption do they achieve ? (I've heard some doing <35mpg !)
   Have you heard of/experienced problems ? 
   If so, what were they ?
 
   Rog

    Rog,
    
>>   What fuel consumption do they achieve ? (I've heard some doing <35mpg !)
    
    Ah but, BMW have sacrificed Fuel Consumption for Silence. 
    
    I would have thought that for a big car like the Omega Estate, 35 is
    pretty good.
    
    Stu

   I've had some feedback today form a TD driver that 30-31 mpg is quite the 
   norm for TD estates... Not so good ! 
 
   I hear that the 2.5 V6 petrol can beat that (well on a decent run anyway).
 
   Saloons report more like 38 mpg.
 
   On these sort of numbers it doesn't seem worthwhile going for diesel as the 
   cost difference of @�300 extra on the lease isn't made up by better mpg.. 
 
   Maybe I'll stick with a petrol lump after all.
 
   Rog

RE:    <<< Note 2398.2 by LARVAE::HARVEY "Baldly going into the unknown..." >>>

�   I've had some feedback today form a TD driver that 30-31 mpg is quite the 
�   norm for TD estates... Not so good ! 
 
    My Pug 405 GLDT estate consistently returns between 38 and 40 mpg, with
    my right boot in it. My wife get even better mileage. It does 0-60 in
    around 11 secs, and will do 115mph. I declined the omega because a)
    it's slower, and b) it's much thirstier.
    
    Cheers, Laurie.

    
    I know of 5 different drivers getting 30-31mpg from the Omega TD Estate
    and of two drivers getting 40-ish from the Omega TD saloon.
    
    regards
    John
    

    I've had an Omega 2.5TD CD Estate for 2 months and have covered about
    6000 miles. On a longer A road/ motorway run I get 37-39mpg (taken from
    the on-board info. centre) and around town or thrashing the car I get
    33-36mpg.
    
    The car is a delight to drive and is surprisingly quick. I have had no
    problems whatsoever and am quite happy with my choice. (except for the
    price of course)
    
    Tom.
    

Anyone got any experience of average fuel consumption on the Omega esate 
(or saloon) in 2.0 and 2.5 litre petrol variants?

Rupert

    
    somebody at our office (wlo)  has a 2.5 v6 cdx auto and I think he gets
    about 27-28 mpg.
    I've requested a long test from Vauxhall fleet demo in a 2.0I (8 valve)
    estate but they only have an auto in the estate, so I said I'd rather
    try a saloon manual, let you know how it goes!
    
    Richard

    I have a 2.0 petrol (I thought it was 16V, I'll go and count the
    badges) and since new (2,500 miles) the average is 30.9mpg. CD estate
    cruise control and air con, manual.
    
    I'd choose the same again.
    
    Andrew

    
    
    If its a CD it'll be 16valve its only the entry level "edition s" that
    has the 8 valve engine.
    
    Richard(young@wlo)
    

      I have a 2.0i (NOT 16v) saloon Edition (and for a "base model" it is
    exceedingly well equiped and comfortable).
    
    I have just filled it up for the second time (600 miles or so since
    new), and it is 32.75 miles per gallon....

I think it should have a very similar power/weight ratio to my Calibra,
so, although not the fastest thing on 4 wheels, it won't be a snail!  Er,
I think, anyway.

Chris.

    
    It may be a similar weight and power to the Calibra 8v, but it probably
    won't have the close ratio box which prevents the Calibra feeling like
    a snail.
    
    So...It'll probably be a fairly economical snail :^)
    
    Mark

I'm getting a serious case of dejavu with note .59...

You playing around, mods?

    9,000 miles in my 8v Omega (non Estate) Edition.
    
    Very happy. It s a very comfortable car, and looks very smart.
    
    I get between 33 and 35 to the gallon - driving at 75ish on motorways,
    and "fairly fast", but with little overtaking, on A roads.
    
    It is NOT a sporty car, but it is not a complete snail either, you just
    have to modify the driving style slightly as building up speed takes a
    little longer.
    
    I doubt if you will regret your choice (and if you want something
    faster, just think how much you are saving each month!).
    
    Cheers, Chris

    Dear Omega Drivers,
    
    Do you get a clunk from the steering? Not a huge clunk, but noticeable
    both in sound and through the steering wheel in general driving around.
    
    I do. The local Vauxhall dealer has replaced the steering box and it is
    no different. They say they took some Omegas from the for sale lot out
    and all of them do it - some worse than mine. Mine didn't do it when
    new. They are going to ask Vauxhall about it.
    
    Any thoughts.
    
    Andrew

    9,000 miles so far.....
    
    I haven't noticed it yet.

    My Calibra did something similiar (maybe) they tightened some
    suspension arm up which fixed it.

    Had a similar problem with my (soon to go - ah!) BMW 3 series and after
    numerous strip downs they found they universal joint in the middle of
    the column was faulty. Took them ages to find it.
    
    Rupert

    
    I had a similar sounding problem on my Frontera Sport - they replaced
    the steering column and the problem seems to have gone away although
    there is still some end-play in the column.
    
    Graham

    Hi,
    
    The new (1996) specification Omega's are due to start shipping sometime
    in October. Does anybody have any idea on what the changes will be? or
    know when we will find out?
    
    Obviously it would be worthwhile waiting a month or so if some
    enhancement is due out. I benefited by getting ABS as standard on my
    current lease car by waiting for the new spec 3 years ago. The salesman 
    at Wadham Kenning does not this information, I am sure he would like me 
    take delivery of the 1995 car as soon as possible...
    
    cheers
    
    Arun

    Arun just put air con on the spec it will put delivery out for at least
    3 months
    
    jt

    Cruise control available on CD and GLS at �85 pa.
    
    New supplier of radio/CD etc - don't know who.
    
    

Any drivers of the V6 care to add an update on V6
fuel economy?  I would love to get a V6 auto but the 
possible fuel bills are daunting.

Also, any sign of adjustable steering columns yet?

Thanks

Tim

    re .72>   Tim,

    I'm probably not the best qualified to answer this as I have only just
    done 3000 miles so far in the V6 auto estate but fwiw here are my
    observations to date.

    First off, Chris Jordan had it exactly right a few notes back, the
    critical factor is your adopted driving style and attitude. The economy
    figures for this car are more sensitive to both the type of driving, and
    where it is being done, than any other car that I have driven.

    As far as I can judge motorway cruising at ~80 mph returns 30+ mpg, but
    this drops as low as 25 mpg in stop/start urban conditions. Having said
    that, my overall running average to date is just over 27 mpg. This is
    however still steadily improving probably due to, a) the engine
    "loosening up" and b) the ratio of my motorway to uban driving
    returning to it's more usual level after the holiday period.

    Hope this helps,

    Pete      
    

    Hi Chaps,
    
    I tried an Omega 2.5TD last weekend and am very disappointed with the
    engine. Between 1,000 and 1,500 it just doesn't pull and between 1,500
    and 2,00 it doesn't do a lot better. At 2,000 or above it goes like
    fury.
    
    This may be ok for a small capacity sporty job, but for a large engined
    diesel with almost 30 mph/1000 revs in top it means too many gear
    changes in town or in country lanes.
    
    I wonder if it would be better in an automatic where this problem could
    be masked by a good gearbox. Has anyone got experience of the diesel
    automatic that they would comment on?
    
    thanks
    
    peter

    
    I recently took delivery of an Omega 16v Gls and I'm very impressed
    with it so far, it was a nice suprise too when it turned up with alloys
    on it, instead of the plastic wheel trims I was expecting - apparently
    new for this year. The CD autochanger is great, I do around half of my
    daily 80 miles on hilly, twisty country lanes and it hasn't skipped
    once yet - even whilst taking avoiding action down the grass verge,
    when an oncoming vehicle stopped in the middle of the road rather than
    drive on their own side.
    
    Having said that, I have a couple of small problems :-
    
    The steering column cover - the plastic bit that the stalks stick out
    of - seems to be catching on the back of the steering wheel, so there's
    a rubbing sound when the wheel is turned.
    
    The tickover seems a bit lumpy, the gearstick vibrates quite a lot and
    the car then needs quite a bit of throttle to pull away smoothly.
    Perhaps I was just spoiled by the higher torque and lower gearing of
    the Frontera I had previously but 600-700rpm seems a bit low for
    tickover.
    
    Has anyone else got the same problems ?
    
    Graham
    
    	Oh, and the steering wheel isn't quite straight, only by 1 or 2
    degrees, but enough to be annoying.
    
                               

    I have a 2.5TD Auto Estate which has done 7000+ miles and I am
    horrified by the fuel consumption. At 2000 miles I was getting 26mpg
    and this has crept up to 28.6.
    I chose the TD as I had a BMW 525TDS auto previously and was getting
    36-38mpg. I know the BM had an intercooler but it also had the
    aerodynamics of a brick (compared to the Omega). I expected (comparing
    published figures) around 10% less. A colleague with a manual Elite is
    getting 37, surely an auto box doesn't cost you 25% more fuel?
    
    The Vauxhall dealer has just checked the setup of the fuel system and
    everything is within spec. Does anyone else have the same problem?
    
    

    Someone earlier on in this string was getting very poor diesel
    consumption. My petrol does 31ish mpg. The rubbing steering wheel
    should be easily fixed. The gearstick does have a slight rattle that
    I'm living with.
    
    Andrew
    
    

    I talked to the sales guy at Wadham Kenning the other week. The TD is
    one of my options for the next car.  He said not to consider a TD just
    for its fuel consumption over a similar 2.0 petrol engine - the diesel
    was a good engine but just not fuel efficient!
    
    Whatcar shows them both to have similar MPG (BMW slightly better,  but
    it is a lighter car).
    
    Jc
    

    Hi,
    
    I currently have a Vauxhall Omega which developed a fault with the
    speedo cable thing! (some bit of plastic or other ). This was replaced
    by my garage  only to find that the air vent was broken. This was
    replaced only to find that the lights switch no longer illuminated at
    night. After waiting 18 weeks for the garage to get a new switch it
    fitted yesterday and still it did not light up.
    
    I spoke to the garage today and they say that the headlamp switch does
    NOT illuminate on the Omega. I was sure that it did before it went to
    the garage, and did sometimes with a bit of prompting afterwards.Can
    anybody confirm or deny this fact. 
    
    Regards Steve.
    
    P.S. Does anybody else have occasional problem in closing the
    sunroof mostly after it has been left open for a while.
     

    
    I have problems with the sunroof if I switch off the ignition with it
    open, if the sunroof control is then moved it 'forgets' the position.
    after switching the ignition back on again the only way to close the
    roof is to turn it to each of the intermediate positions in turn,
    progressively closing the roof - trying to close it completely in one
    go causes the roof to close, pause and then reopen again!
    
    Oh, also the control knob has fallen off, I'll have to get a
    replacement from PLP.
    
    What do you mean about the headlamp switch lighting up ? do you mean
    all the time, just when it gets dark, when the lights are switched on ?
    
    Graham

    My switch now does not light up at all, but I think that as a minimum
    it used to light up when the lights were on.
    
    Try and see, the switch is similar to that used in the cavailer and I
    guess the vectra ?
    
    Regards Steve
     

    RE: .0 My headlamp switch used to flash when the lights were on, it
    went in for a new switch to be fitted and it now doesn't light at all.
    The garage tell me it shouldn't light up, but I'm sure they're wrong. 
    
    RE: .1 I have the same problem with my sunroof despite repeated
    attempts by he garage to fix it. They keep telling me they've fixed it
    but when I try and use it later the same day it still has the problem.
    
    I think they must be either incompetant and repeatedly fail to fix 
    the problem, or they are lying and the problem can't be repaired - i.e. a
    design fault. 
    
    It looks like I might be about to suffer the same problem with my
    windows, as they don't always respond if you try and stop them when
    they're half way open, and I had one occasion when it took 3 presses of
    the switch to get the window to close.
    
    By they way, you can force your sunroof to close by setting the switch
    to the close position, then push it up and hold it there until it
    closes. I occasionally find it still doesn't quite close flush and you
    need to tilt it and close it again.
    
    It's a real shame because apart from these niggly problems, I like my 
    Omega. The V6 auto is bliss to drive, and for a big bus the handling's
    pretty good. It's just the response from the Vauxhall garages is so 
    hopeless.
    
    regards,
    
    Dave 

>>    By they way, you can force your sunroof to close by setting the switch
>>    to the close position, then push it up and hold it there until it
>>    closes. I occasionally find it still doesn't quite close flush and you
>>    need to tilt it and close it again.
    
    ...that's what I was doing when it came off in my hand! honest guv.
    
    Graha,

    I think the sunroof position stuff may be intentional. If the sun roof
    is open and the ignition turned off then it can be closed with the
    remote key button. Obviously the rotary knob is then "out of position".
    To reopen the sun roof it has first to be turned to closed and then to
    where you want it to be.
    
    I'll look at the headlamp switch - it is the original!
    
    Andrew

                                                    
    checked my headlamp switch - no lights, sorry.
    
    graham

I have the same sunroof problem - just once so far.

Rupert

    The headlamp switch lights up when the ignition is turned on.
    
    Andrew

    Not being a qualified vauxhall mechanic I resulted to the time honoured
    method of repairs, i.e give it a bash.  A tap to the side of the
    console returned to the light switch to its working state. I guess
    there is a bad connection somewhere, but whilst it is working I don't
    want the garage to 'fix' it.
    
    It now lights up with the ignition on. Thanks for the help.
    

    What do you mean by 'lights up' ? there's a faint glow from the panel
    just above the switch on mine, but none from the switch itself ...
    
    Is it just on certain models ??
    
    Graham

    My GLS is the same as .89 - there is a very faint glow from the piece
    with the pictures (off, side and beam) but nothing on the switch
    itself.
    
    Jc
    

    That is what I described as "lights up".
    
    Andrew

    
    Oh, I thought you meant 'lights up', you know, like the instruments !
    
    It took me a while to realise that there was a faint glow coming from
    the panel, being summer I haven't driven it much in the dark yet.
    
    Graham
    

    Does anyone know if it's possible to change the trip computer to read
    kilometers and litres rather than miles and gallons?
    
    If so, can they please let me know how it's done?
    
    Also, has anyone else seen any problems with the single CD player. 
    mine keeps ejecting CD's and flashing up 'error 4'.  After 6 or 7
    attempts, it usually accepts the CD.
    
    Also, for those with an interest in fuel consumption, a recent long
    distance sprint in my V6 manual recorded 26.5mpg at an average speed of
    86 mph.  I didn't think this was too bad given the high speeds, but
    around town, it's abysmal, 22 mpg seems about the par at an average of
    18 mph.  Figures are of course from the aforementioned trip computer,
    but the first ones seem to match the fuel consumed and distance covered
    over a 900 mile run.
    
    Chris

I get the same fuel consumption for my 
2.5 Omega:

26-27mpg on the motorway - cruising at 
90mph (but it can dip down to 24mpg).

22mpg around town.

I wouldn't call it good - it's not exactly a 
fast car - but I suppose there are worse 
cars?!

Rupert

    re .94
    
    Rupert when you say cruising at 90 is that a calculated average or you
    aiming to keep it at about that on speedo?  I ask this, as I was aiming
    to keep mine at about 110 mph, but with minor holdups, tolls,
    roadworks, and fuelstops, this averaged to 86mph.  I would expect
    better if I was aiming to cruise at 90.
    
    I also didn't mention that the engine;s still tight, and once again i
    hope for better once it;s loosened off a bit.  Perhaps a few more
    similar runs may do the trick!?
    
    Thanks for the feedback.  I don't suppose you know how to switch to
    metric units do you?                               
    
    Chris  

Chris - 110mph! No I was cruising using cruise control 
or a very steady foot at 90mph.

That's _very_ good consumption for that speed!

I do not have a computer onboard - I have the GLS 
model.

The car has done 13,000 miles since January.

Rupert

    re .-1
    
    correct, not in the UK.  mine has only done 3000 miles so far, and if
    it's anything like previous Vauxhalls, won't loosen up until about
    15 to 20,000 miles+.
    
    C
    

    I have a 2.0 8v estate which averages bang on 30mpg. Thats over a
    tankfull so it incorporates a lot of town driving...
    
    Re the sunroof, mine sticks too, I think it's related to air
    temperature. It sticks more on hot days! The roof heats up, the metal
    expands and the hole shrinks so the sunroof sicks and rewinds itself to
    the start. Giving it a shove seems to get it to pop back in again. I
    doubt if it can be "fixed" by any dealer, as it's likely to be a
    tolerance problem. You just need a smaller bit of glass.
    
    
    Dave
    

    re .98
    
    Why does the hole shrink ? Normally a hole in a piece of some substance
    will expand at the same rate as the substance itself.
    
    It is quite possible that the roof expands more than the hole (if the
    frame round the hole is in a different material, or the frame doesn't
    get so hot as the roof that fits in it)
    
    Andrew

	Re -.1

	Well I'd guess that the hole would be a good place for the 
	expanding material to go...hence the hole will shrink.

	Or am I on another planet?

	Kev.

    Re .-1
    
    Imagine a ring of metal.  As the ring gets hotter it expands, and the
    whole in the middle gets bigger.  The outer diameter of teh ring
    increases (which explains where all the extra metal goes to!)
    
    i.e. when the roof gets hot, the distance from one edge to the other
    gets bigger, but the hole in the middle gets bigger too.  As previous
    reply stated, the piece in the hole could expand by more than the hole
    though.
    
    And here endeth another useless reply by Chris Brown
    
    C
    

    Ah, but a ring of metal is under tension which is different.
    
    I'm in the 'roof expands, hole gets smaller' camp.
    
    Royston

    re .last...
    
    So who will be the first to offer up their Leasemobile to the man with
    the blowtorch and the tape measure :-)
    
    Jc
    

    Oh no an expanding rat hole (sorry about the lousy pun). 
    
    Interesting theory about the temperature with the sunroof - it might 
    explain why the garage never see it, as they will work on it under cover 
    where it's cooler.
    
    On the economy front, I've been calculating my consumption recently.
    I don't have a trip computer, so I've using the old top up the tank
    after a known mileage and see how much you used method, and have been 
    pleasantly surprised. On long journeys my 2.5 auto's been averaging about 
    29mpg - and I try and drive about 90 when I can - I've done about 27,000 
    so that would tend to back up the loosening up theory. 
    
    However the economy plummets on days when I've spent an hour going through 
    Birmingham.
    
    Interestingly, the economy figures in the brochure were better for the
    auto than the manual.
    
    regards,
    
    Dave    

    Re: hole size (ooo-err!)
    
    My theory is:
    
    If the metal is hotter, that means that the molecules in side are
    buzzing around with energy, vibrating, side to side, up down etc.
    
    Therefore direction is unimportant, so the outer rim of a metal ring
    will expand, as will the in rim of a metal ring.
    
    That's my theory, who agrees? 
    
    Idea for an experiment:
    
    On next seeing a parked bicycle in the street, preferably one with
    quick-release wheel nuts, remove the front wheel and take it home.
    Remove the tyre etc. Measure the diameter of the wheel, outer rim.
    Measure the diameter inner rim. Heat the wheel up with a blow torch and
    measure again. :-))
    
    AL.

OK,

To finally put the hole debate to rest:

When I want to put a new roller bearing into a motorcycle
engine's crankcase, (they are usually push fit into a circular
hole) I heat up the crankcase to widen the circular hole, so 
that I can just gently tap the (still cold) new roller bearing 
into place. 

So, when a car's roof is hot, the hole in the roof gets
bigger.

Sorted.

Huw.

    Huw,
    
    You didn't like my theory then??
    
    I thought it sounded quite good.
    
    Alan.                           

    re: Hole Size
    
    When the metal is heated the hole will get bigger. I remember from my
    sad childhood days watching Blue Peter who where at some British Rail
    works in York. The wheels on trains where two piece. The hub part was
    used throughout the trains life. The outer rims where replaced at
    regular intervals.
    
    The outer rim was made slightly two small to fit over the inner hub -
    the outer wheel was heated, and it expanded ( inside and outside
    circumference ) it was then placed over the inner hub and allowed to
    cool. Because of the size difference if gripped the inner hub tightly
    when cold - so it must get bigger when heated !!
    
    Just my Two Penneth
    
    Rick Barrett
     

                                           
    so are we saying that somewhere in the structure of the tin that forms
    the roof, there is something which tells it which way is out, and which
    way is in ? sort of like ferrous DNA ?? 
    
    I understand what Huw and Richard are saying about crankcases and
    wheels and bearings, but I think the behaviour has a lot to do with
    shape and structure of the thing being heated - a mass of metal with a
    circular hole cast or drilled in it isn't the same (to me anyway) as a
    piece of tin which has been cut, pressed and welded to form a rectangular
    hole with rounded off edges. Anything which just has a circular hole
    cut into it will (I think) behave diffferently, because to expand
    into that hole would exert some sort of force on the circumference of
    the hole.
    
    G.

    I remember in 1st yr science at secondary school we did an experiment
    with a flat piece of metal with two holes in it and a solid metal ball.
    
    The ball would go through one hole, but not the other. The experiment
    consisted of heating the metal plate. 
    
    The ball now went through both holes. 
    
    There was much entertainment when someone let the metal cool down such
    that it gripped the ball.
    
    Graham

    ... IF the hole got _smaller_ when heated, then that would imply that
    the "circle" got smaller. If there wasn't a hole then this would mean
    that the circle of metal that _would_ have been the hole would buckle
    under these conditions, but a flat sheet doesn't buckle like that.
    
    Ergo, the hole gets bigger,
    
    i think!
    
    er,
    
    mb

    Considering the amazing level of mental creativity displayed on the
    subject of an 'ole, I don't understand how Digital can fail to
    succeed!!
    
    I 

Object Linking Environment
-      -       -

???

:-)

    Perhaps the glass expands more than the metal then?
    
    Anyone got the coefficient of expansion of glass and metal ?
    
    Or shall we just leave at "the sunroof sticks on hot days !"
    
    Dave, whose Omega behaves like a bimetallic strip!
    
    

    
     Or....
    
       could it be that the rubberised seal between the sun roof and it's
    mounting frame becomes slightly tacky with heat.....
    
    
      Alan

    Mine's pretty tacky all the time.
    
    Andrew