In a couple of months the E36 diesel will be out of tax/test and if it doesn't go through another test, I'll be looking at another daily hack for smoking to work and back in

Seen a few Vectra SRi 130 Diesels in both shapes (B and C) for not much money, they look half reasonable, return decent economy and plenty of spares are available

What do I need to look for specifically when buying either one? Usual common faults and problems etc etc?

Cheers

 

Rear sub frame bushes go.So ive been told.

 

On which shape Glenn?

 

The mk3.Im sure the 1.9 diesel engines are the same as the fiat and alfa diesels.They were a good engine in the fiats and alfas and i never done much to them when i used to work on them.

 

I had nothing but bother with my Vectra C CDTi so can't recommend one. Well known faults are DMF, EGR valve, inlet manifold and damn wiper linkages

 

i.ve got the 2.2 dti sri est on the b shape cant fault it do a 150 miles each day in it to work and back no problems mines on 167k now.Parts are cheap as chips for them rear bush set as mentioned Ł38 services are cheap and no timing belt to change get them remapped makes a big diffrence. on motorway i can see up to 60mpg combined about 47 mpg i know of a few on 200k . you see lots on 180k for sale.

 

Ke1th - I've heard about stuff like that but think that anything with a DMF seems to suffer one way or another

Blackcos - Excellent stuff - You got a pic of yours at all? Also is the fuel delivery system common rail or mechanical injection?

 

The vectra B. As said, the rose bushes on the rear sub-frame wear, and the squeaking, even when getting in and out of the car is a giveaway. Straightforward job, but time consuming and frustrating if you haven't got the puller to get the old bushes out. The B 1.9 diesel is good up to about 100k or thereabouts, and that's when it happens. The diesel pump packs up. It doesn't matter where you are, it just packs up, usually on tickover. No new ones available so I believe, only reconditioned items. I think they are Ł1500/Ł1800 fitted and programmed.

 

If it's a 130 it must be the 2.2dti not the 1.9cdti as they only come in 2 forms and thats the 120 and 150 and don't come in the B. The 120 is a 8v motor and not much goes wrong with it and can be remapped to 150.

The 150 (with the red i on the badge) is the same engine used in the astra 888 and can be mapped to 200bhp. They suffer from fuel pump, dmf and egr issues.


I don't hear much bad about the 2.2 dti but it's quite an old engine and not as refined as the 1.9 engines

 

Get a Mondeo

 

Join vvoc.com plenty of help on there.

As said rose bushes and trailin arm bushes fail at around 80k on B's.

 

I'd rather not thanks, want something a bit more reliable

 

vectra b 130 dti are the 2.2's turbo diesels and not to be confused with the crap 2.2 petrols.

the b 2.2 dti sri's can and will do huge miles,they can suffer from the diesel pumps but if its running and not starting well they can have air leaks on pipes,glow plugs give up another common fault is air flow meters and rattling exhausts.

always check its got the spanner light and engine management light and not been taken out.

will do nearly 60 mpg and they really go well and handle nice,they are miles better cars than the vectra c 1.9 diesels as them suffer far more from engine problems and gearbox problems.

irmscher spoiler and recaro half or full leather seats and other stuff make them well equipped too.

also a big plus is vectra b sri dti's do not have shit dual mass flywheels and buying a mondeo diesel the same age as a sri dti is stupid as in totally fucking daft as they cost now more than the cars worth to fix when not if they go wrong.

also a 2.2 dti will run quality bio and the cdti's wont

 

Marvin - That is just the sort of information I was looking for Especially as my flet runs on Bio produced to EN14214 standards

 

Tbh,the veccys are good cars,b better than c as they seem to fail for no reason.

Tbh,I'm guessing your looking at Ł1500-2000 budget and for me personally I'd be looking at a passat tdi 97 onwards.their really good cars,and that engine is well proven.I had the most abused passat in existence and it never once let me down.went like fuck as well and never dropped below 40mpg.I towed a trailer with a 4x4 on it and it still had the oomph to pull it everywhere.

It was chipped up and went really well,the pull through the range but was a little easy to lose traction when the boost hit!!!

Honestly,really good cars even with mega mileages.just check EVERYTHING works on it,leccy window mechs are poor,interior heaters seemed to fail on mine.sometimes it would be boiling but then just die off.I was told there's a valve somewhere that blocks but I couldn't find it on mine but as unsaid,it was the roughest passat I've ever seen!!!

Amazingly though,I turned a profit on it though!!!

 

Here are some pics

 

Nothing but hassle...

Vectra = Headache

 

we have a 55 plate vectra sri cdti and its been faultless, does around 56-60 mpg on a run and around 40-44 round town.

we were also told on here not to get one as there nowt but hassle lol

 

Doesnt really matter what make or model in reality as you always get a good car and a bad car

Just get the fuckin thing if its what you want and moan later if theres any need to

 

I do massive miles everyday and can't fault having one the biggest problem i had with mine i blew the turbo Got one from the vauxhall dealer brand new Ł350 fitted it myself no problems it was cheaper than my local motor factor. Services are cheap pads disks everything you can do your self on them.

 

For parts use these.

http://www.vauxhallworldparts.com/

Cheap OE Febi/Bilstein rose bushes are cheap, tool however can be from Ł40 to Ł90.

Also try and find one with Xenon lights, Ł500 upgrade from new.

Also does it have to be a Sri 130? CDX's are just aswell equiped.

 

my better half had one of these(vectra b) tbh thought it was agood car for the money when we got it, had full leather as well, had 92k on when we got it then it started falling apart
done 10k in it and had the following parts
outside temp sensor,oil cooler,battery,glow plugs,steering rack,track rod ends,ball joints, arb links, cv boot, arb bushes
abs pump was knackered when we sold it
this was when i worked at vauxhall and the lads did warn me about them but was all we could afford at the time
in my opinion not worth bothering with, couldnt get comfortable in it either
engine noise got on my nerves and in the end couldnt live with it any longer and got her a mondeo sttdci, in a different league to the vauxhall
if the diesel pump goes that not cheap either
thats my 2p worth

 

Being a Vauxhall it'll go through front springs too, as said, rear rose bushes, wiper linkages and egr valves

 

Cheers all - a lot of food for thought there