Just been down to EH. There's a lovely veccy 2.2 there, spotless and very reasonable. As I was talking to the salesman something was going through my head about the 2.2.....couldn't quite remember.

So I came home and had a look on 'tinternet, then I remembered:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/watchdog/2009/01/vauxhall_cars_that_suddenly_lo.html

Back to the drawing board.

we have 2 x 2.2's and both did 100k easy, mines on 128k and not missed a beat!

I looked into this one earlier in the year (just before I bought the bus).

Some interesing extra info I got was:

All occurances were in a local area or linked to the South East.

It was affecting other cars from many different manufacturers, thes were also in that region.

Yu can draw an inference from those findings!

So nowt to really worry about i would say!

tunnie wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 15:50:

we have 2 x 2.2's and both did 100k easy, mines on 128k and not missed a beat!

A TOTALY different power unit.....absolutely nothing in common

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 15:55:

I looked into this one earlier in the year (just before I bought the bus). Some interesing extra info I got was: All occurances were in a local area or linked to the South East. It was affecting other cars from many different manufacturers, thes were also in that region. Yu can draw an inference from those findings! So nowt to really worry about i would say!

Cheers Mark.
It's a 2005 54 SXi estate, 50,000 miles not a mark on it inside or out. They want £4820 but I might be able to wangle something off. Reckon I'd get £2750 for my meriva, so £2000 to pay, maybe :-/

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 15:56:

tunnie wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 15:50: we have 2 x 2.2's and both did 100k easy, mines on 128k and not missed a beat! A TOTALY different power unit.....absolutely nothing in common

I thought it was just chain rather than belt  :-/  :-[ :-[

Agree a part-ex deal with a separate cash deal on the invoice in case you can sell privately and don't need to part-ex.

Get the Meriva valeted and park it somewhere very busy (supermarkets by the door are FAB for cars up to 3k!) during the time between you order the Vectra and collect it.  Simple ads work best-age, mileage, tax band, ins grp, extras, history.  I have sold a few this way and sweetened the deal by £400-500 by selling privately and doing a cash deal on the new one.

If you are worried about a particular defect, make sure this defect is absolutely covered under any warranty offered, or get the garage write an additional note to say that it will be covered.

PS-do you like the Vectra auto-indicator stalks?????
I HATE them.

Cheers  :y

cruisetopoland wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:17:

Agree a part-ex deal with a separate cash deal on the invoice in case you can sell privately and don't need to part-ex. Get the Meriva valeted and park it somewhere very busy (supermarkets by the door are FAB for cars up to 3k!) during the time between you order the Vectra and collect it.  Simple ads work best-age, mileage, tax band, ins grp, extras, history.  I have sold a few this way and sweetened the deal by £400-500 by selling privately and doing a cash deal on the new one. If you are worried about a particular defect, make sure this defect is absolutely covered under any warranty offered, or get the garage write an additional note to say that it will be covered. PS-do you like the Vectra auto-indicator stalks????? I HATE them. Cheers  :y

Been considering a private sale. Reckon I could get £3500 for the meriva that way. But.............I'm a lazy blank ;D ;D

Ref the indicator stalk..wifeys astra has it and it is annoying, but not enough to put me off.

wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:31:

cruisetopoland wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:17: Agree a part-ex deal with a separate cash deal on the invoice in case you can sell privately and don't need to part-ex. Get the Meriva valeted and park it somewhere very busy (supermarkets by the door are FAB for cars up to 3k!) during the time between you order the Vectra and collect it.  Simple ads work best-age, mileage, tax band, ins grp, extras, history.  I have sold a few this way and sweetened the deal by £400-500 by selling privately and doing a cash deal on the new one. If you are worried about a particular defect, make sure this defect is absolutely covered under any warranty offered, or get the garage write an additional note to say that it will be covered. PS-do you like the Vectra auto-indicator stalks????? I HATE them. Cheers  :y Been considering a private sale. Reckon I could get £3500 for the meriva that way. But.............I'm a lazy blank ;D ;D Ref the indicator stalk..wifeys astra has it and it is annoying, but not enough to put me off.

There's millions of Vectras about, so sell privately first if poss and go in hard on a private deal and buy a nice OAP owned Veccy estate on the cheap.... :y

Have heard about issues with 2.2 Vectras-see:
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/vauxhall/vectra/r107929/
amongst others  :y

Saying that, though-does not seem too many issues over that mileage.

I thought these 2.2 directs had coil and stem seal issues, or am I wrong?

cruisetopoland wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:17:

Agree a part-ex deal with a separate cash deal on the invoice in case you can sell privately and don't need to part-ex. Get the Meriva valeted and park it somewhere very busy (supermarkets by the door are FAB for cars up to 3k!) during the time between you order the Vectra and collect it.  Simple ads work best-age, mileage, tax band, ins grp, extras, history.  I have sold a few this way and sweetened the deal by £400-500 by selling privately and doing a cash deal on the new one. If you are worried about a particular defect, make sure this defect is absolutely covered under any warranty offered, or get the garage write an additional note to say that it will be covered. PS-do you like the Vectra auto-indicator stalks????? I HATE them. Cheers  :y

And get it all bashed up by those uncaring shoppers, with their trolleys or kids opening the doors onto it  [smiley=undecided.gif]

wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:31:

cruisetopoland wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:17: Agree a part-ex deal with a separate cash deal on the invoice in case you can sell privately and don't need to part-ex. Get the Meriva valeted and park it somewhere very busy (supermarkets by the door are FAB for cars up to 3k!) during the time between you order the Vectra and collect it.  Simple ads work best-age, mileage, tax band, ins grp, extras, history.  I have sold a few this way and sweetened the deal by £400-500 by selling privately and doing a cash deal on the new one. If you are worried about a particular defect, make sure this defect is absolutely covered under any warranty offered, or get the garage write an additional note to say that it will be covered. PS-do you like the Vectra auto-indicator stalks????? I HATE them. Cheers  :y Been considering a private sale. Reckon I could get £3500 for the meriva that way. But.............I'm a lazy blank ;D ;D Ref the indicator stalk..wifeys astra has it and it is annoying, but not enough to put me off.

Once you get used to them, they are brilliant!

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:22:

Once you get used to them, they are brilliant!

They are fine in most situations. I keep indicating in the opposite direction when I have to cancel manually. :o

wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:30:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:22: Once you get used to them, they are brilliant! They are fine in most situations. I keep indicating in the opposite direction when I have to cancel manually. :o

Like I said, you get used to it.....and the 3 flash setup gets used a lot (can be increased to 5 with T2) or the half press and hold.

I hated them at first but, now they are just second nature

tunnie wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 16:10:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 15:56: [quote author=25243F3F3834510 link=1258470513/1#1 date=1258473006]we have 2 x 2.2's and both did 100k easy, mines on 128k and not missed a beat! A TOTALY different power unit.....absolutely nothing in common

I thought it was just chain rather than belt  :-/  :-[ :-[/quote]

Totaly different....different block (alloy as well), different head (inlet and exhaust on opposite sides to the Omega unit)....etc, etc, etc

Here it is. Got the year wrong :-[


http://www.evanshalshaw.com/vehiclesearch/used/vauxhall-used-car-ky54jzj.html?qs=false&type=1

Evans Halshaw.....RUNAWAY!!!!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

stay away.. if you dont want to spend your money for endless repairs, go buy something proper..Toyota or Honda..

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:31:

wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:30: Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 17:22: Once you get used to them, they are brilliant! They are fine in most situations. I keep indicating in the opposite direction when I have to cancel manually. :o Like I said, you get used to it.....and the 3 flash setup gets used a lot (can be increased to 5 with T2) or the half press and hold. I hated them at first but, now they are just second nature

Same here with the van, like them a lot now, only use the 3 flashes one makes it much easier  :)

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:07:

stay away.. if you dont want to spend your money for endless repairs, go buy something proper..Toyota or Honda..

Nothing wrong with Vectra C's cem....now Vectra B, thats a different story!

from honest john

"2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon.

Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. "

and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles ..

galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :(

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:21:

from honest john "2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. " and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles .. galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :(

March 2002 just before the new Vectra came out  :y

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:13:

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:07: stay away.. if you dont want to spend your money for endless repairs, go buy something proper..Toyota or Honda.. Nothing wrong with Vectra C's cem....now Vectra B, thats a different story!

I think there are more refined and faultless cars that money can be spent.. :-/

Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:24:

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:21: from honest john "2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. " and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles .. galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :( March 2002 just before the new Vectra came out  :y

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=526

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:28:

Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:24: cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:21: from honest john "2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. " and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles .. galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :( March 2002 just before the new Vectra came out  :y http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=526

Meaning not many with that issue and most were very early cars too.

Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:33:

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:28: Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:24: cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:21: from honest john "2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. " and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles .. galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :( March 2002 just before the new Vectra came out  :y http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=526 Meaning not many with that issue and most were very early cars too.

I hope so :-/ :y

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:35:

Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:33: cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:28: Del Boy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:24: cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:21: from honest john "2.2 16v petrol engine has been known to snap its timing chain due to the lubrication jet becoming blocked, possibly as a result of running on dirty oil due to extended oil change intervals. Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon. Ignition control unit of 2.2 petrol engine is prone to burning out. " and I'm sure there are also electrical niggles .. galeries around my job area sell them for comparingly low prices ..personally they wont be my choice.. :( March 2002 just before the new Vectra came out  :y http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=526 Meaning not many with that issue and most were very early cars too. I hope so :-/ :y

Pretty certain it was mate  :y

cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:27:

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:13: cem wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 18:07: stay away.. if you dont want to spend your money for endless repairs, go buy something proper..Toyota or Honda.. Nothing wrong with Vectra C's cem....now Vectra B, thats a different story! I think there are more refined and faultless cars that money can be spent.. :-/

Lol, well neither the Toyota or the Honda fit that category.....although its fair to say that the SXi will have a harder suspension setup.

Not a massive fan of Vectra-C - quite a firm ride, which plays my back up a bit, but not uncomfortable (if you avoid the sporty ones).  Its fine with smaller engines, but the more powerful ones show how horribly bad the setup is.  I have frequently toyed with buying (a small engined) one though.

As MDTM says, its a million times better than the horrific Vectra-B.


Myself, if I wanted a large family boring car, I'd probably get (and it pains me to say this) the Mundaneo - I find it more comfortable, certain handles better, and the engines are mostly better.

TheBoy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 19:35:

Not a massive fan of Vectra-C - quite a firm ride, which plays my back up a bit, but not uncomfortable (if you avoid the sporty ones).  Its fine with smaller engines, but the more powerful ones show how horribly bad the setup is.  I have frequently toyed with buying (a small engined) one though. As MDTM says, its a million times better than the horrific Vectra-B. Myself, if I wanted a large family boring car, I'd probably get (and it pains me to say this) the Mundaneo - I find it more comfortable, certain handles better, and the engines are mostly better.

Fords always were comfy, we used Addison Lee for cars in London. The VW Sharans where feking crap, rock hard seats.

The Galaxy was much, MUCH better. I do like the new Mondeo, but not cheap enough yet

TheBoy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 19:35:

Not a massive fan of Vectra-C - quite a firm ride, which plays my back up a bit, but not uncomfortable (if you avoid the sporty ones).  Its fine with smaller engines, but the more powerful ones show how horribly bad the setup is.  I have frequently toyed with buying (a small engined) one though. As MDTM says, its a million times better than the horrific Vectra-B. Myself, if I wanted a large family boring car, I'd probably get (and it pains me to say this) the Mundaneo - I find it more comfortable, certain handles better, and the engines are mostly better.

The engines arn't, the diesels are woeful and sadly the petrols not much better.

They are a bit harsh on the ride but a much better chassis.....not as well screwed together though.

Marks DTM Calib wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 19:42:

TheBoy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 19:35: Not a massive fan of Vectra-C - quite a firm ride, which plays my back up a bit, but not uncomfortable (if you avoid the sporty ones).  Its fine with smaller engines, but the more powerful ones show how horribly bad the setup is.  I have frequently toyed with buying (a small engined) one though. As MDTM says, its a million times better than the horrific Vectra-B. Myself, if I wanted a large family boring car, I'd probably get (and it pains me to say this) the Mundaneo - I find it more comfortable, certain handles better, and the engines are mostly better. The engines arn't, the diesels are woeful and sadly the petrols not much better. They are a bit harsh on the ride but a much better chassis.....not as well screwed together though.

Its a subjective thing, but I reckon the tdci is smoother than the cdti, and certainly seems to pull better (imagine cars are similarish weight). The v6 petrol mondeo certainly lays its power down more gracefully than the v6 vectra. Not driven a small petrol engined mundaneo to comment, but i4 petrol vectras are pretty naff.

of the hire cars I've had, both mondeo and veccy-c have been robust. In fact, electrical issues aside, all modern fords seem robust - more so than (particularly) astra-h where trim keeps falling off.

oh yes, I'm a big fan of the lane changer indicators :y - miss them on the omega :(

TheBoy wrote on 17. Nov 2009 at 19:35:

Not a massive fan of Vectra-C - quite a firm ride, which plays my back up a bit, but not uncomfortable (if you avoid the sporty ones).  Its fine with smaller engines, but the more powerful ones show how horribly bad the setup is.  I have frequently toyed with buying (a small engined) one though. As MDTM says, its a million times better than the horrific Vectra-B. Myself, if I wanted a large family boring car, I'd probably get (and it pains me to say this) the Mundaneo - I find it more comfortable, certain handles better, and the engines are mostly better.

There was a mondeo ghia estate there, same year, £2000 more :(