My cousin is looking into buying as above a Diesel Vauxhall Signum of some type, ive had a quick look and there seems to be a few options 120bhp, 150bhp, v6 diesel.... Anybody got any advice on these, what to look for? which engine is the best all round? .... or anyone had/got one and there experience with them. He did say hes got around 3k to spend so im guessing these will be around 03/04 models?

Any opinions views welcome..

Thanks Guys

 

hello the 120 is a 8 valve and the 150 is a 16v fiet engine, not sure on the v6, my mum had a vectra 120 and was the worst pile of shit she ever had, id look at a vag 1.9 tdi car like a a4 or a passat

 

1.9 16v cdti is a belta of an engine. Prone to water pump failure which will shred the timing belt. Make sure this is replaced at 40k intervals.

 

I did say that to him but he says hes buying a Signum regardless... his choice i suppose, says it ticks all the boxes for his needs!!! Again his choice... He does around 50 miles per day commuting so diesel is a must for him... Just trying to get some more info before he goes out and throws cash at the first thing he comes across

 

dont know if this helps but i look after a couple of diesel vectras, both autos surprisingly and both similar mileages 100k+.
the 1.9cdti goes very well, but the ex police v6 3.2 cdti is flat and unresponsive. the v6 owner tells me it flies above 100mph. i dont like either of them that much to drive them that fast.

 

i look after a fleet of taxi that are vectras, we have both 120bhp 8 valves and 150bhp 16 valves,
the 8 valves are far more reliable, the 16 valves have a lot of problems with swirl flap sticking causing no end of probs,
you get 2 differant gearbox's, the m32 and the f40 fitted to the 8 valve(all 16v's have the f40),
the f40 is by far the better gearbox, pretty much bulletproof
the m32 is basicaly the opposite, dont look at it the wrong way or it'll do in the diff bearings and check the crownwheel out the casing
if you do buy an early 1 then it will prob have a f40 fitted anyhow,
but for 3k you should be able to get 1 much newer than a 03, we get 57/08 at that money
as above water pumps and timing belts are routine maintenance but they are actualy quite reliable if looked after
we have 15, all over 150k, most well over 200k, even had 1 at over 300k but that came off fleet las year due to age restriction, but its still going strong as a private car now

 

I have a 54 plate 120 bhp design with all the extras and apart from the dmf clutch and an alternator it's been a great car.

 

I love my 07 reg Vectra sri cdti 120...
It's doing a minimum of 600 miles to a tank, I've seen 900 miles on the motorway, I'm sure it'll do 1000...
I'd recommend the 8v 120...
Just do your research on them...
I bought mine cheap knowing it needed some work...
But mine had recently had new alternator, dmf, egr...
So mines mainly needed service items...

Some 150's have a dpf!!!
Along with the dodgy inlets I'd get a 120, remap it and enjoy...

 

Cheers for the info guys, I did try and sway him towards a VAG or even a focus but as said he has his heart set on a signum (bless him), As said previously routine maintenance is a must for any car anyway so cambelts and waterpumps etc should be kept to the correct intervals...

Quick question do the 120's have a 6speed box?

Thanks Again

 

I had a 54 plate 150bhp cdti signum, was lovely to drive and went well for what it was, got rid of it in the end as the dual mass flywheel was making a noise .couldn't hear it with clutched pressed in.but would have cost over a Ł1200 to fix so just sold it on.
only other downside to it is the middle seat in the rear. it is classed as a seat and with a seat belt but it also turns in to an armrest and it is not soft at all. I had 3 children at the time and luckily my lad had a booster seat on it as it would definitely not be comfortable at all.so basically carries 4 people with loads of room but u wouldn't want to be the one sitting in the middle lol.

 

Yes

Garages my way are doing dmf changes for Ł650...
If you do it yourself then its even less...

 

So the general idea is its best to get a 120bhp and remap it?

Whats the gains when remappin a 120bhp?

Thanks

 

Some reckon you can get them upto 160...
I'm running a Tunning box on mine, dunno what it's running but it flys and does mega mpg...
There a great daily...
Just upgrade the headlight bulbs if you get one...
There awful with standard bulbs in...
Hids are a must, they have projector headlights so beam pattern is fine...

 

My dads doing the same but had a pair of 08 120's with the crank bearings had gone and the crank moving back and forth. And another broke a piston. The workshop is currently full of dead Vectras 120 and 150's

 

the 3.2 is a petrol the 3.0CDTi is 185bhp but around town isnt much quicker than a 1.9 150.

 

I have a 2.2 petrol Signum, and so far it's been a great car for what we paid for it, acres of room in the back for the kids, just don't like the 20odd mpg round town like we're currently using it, but got a run to Scotland next week so hope the long run is better for it.

 

I have a '05 3.0 V6 (184) Diesel Vectra facelift model and it's a great car. I've had some problems but nothing major, intercooler pipe and a turbo induction pipe causing her to go into limp mode. As above they need a HID kit as the lights are rubbish. Mine is now on 104k and I have no intention of changing for a long time yet.