1.7 Diesel Astra (100ps)

I'm considering buying one of these within the next week or so so your
thoughts appreciated.

What I'm after is a year old SXi 1.7 100ps turbo diesel. New price around
£16.500 seem to be avail for 10,500 - 11,000. I plan to keep if for around
5-6 years during which time I would expect to cover around 100K miles.

Given a reasonable amount of home maintenance (Brother is an ex vauxhall
mechanic now AA patrol) can I expect reasonably trouble free motoring or are
there any horror stories about this model/engine? Also what mileage is
realistic to expect from it (For info I consider myself fairly easy on a car
and drive a mix of mostly A & B roads with infrequent motorway miles)

Thanks ... JC

PS: Should I consider a 307 110ps? They seem to available approx £1000
cheaper but I've never liked french cars + the 307 was 2nd worse model in
the Top Gear survey thingy.

 

Have a look through this newsgroup, uk.rec.cars.maintenance and
uk.rec.cars.misc - there have been some horror stories appearing recently
about the costs of fule or injector pumps on Vauxhalls, particle filters on
other cars (I think it might have been the Pug that you mention below), and
I think some time ago a problem with oil seals going on the VX diesel
turbocharger.

You might want to see if you can confirm any of these stories for yourself -
perhaps your brother may have some information on these aspects?

I have a petrol version of this car - an estate - and I have found that,
under warranty, I have had to have replaced a complete steering and pump
assembly - then another pump a year later. Then the A/C compressor failed -
2 weeks before the warranty was up, and a number of other bits and drabs.
I'm not sure if these problems are common. I have also found that the
steering and front-end is a little fragile (no, I don't hammer it, or bang
or drive over kerbs.) with frequent re-alignment of steering, odd noises
over sleeping policemen (not traceable by the dealer etc). Again I may be
unfortunate, but then again maybe not.

My Haynes manual indicates that a frightening number of near-routine jobs
require the sub-frame to be dropped - if you are expecting the
quick-and-cheap method of clutch replacement of the earlier Cavaliers for
example, its gone, and even some bushes and the hydraulic clutch seem to
require this. Again, since you mention the home maintenance aspect (which I
do as well) so you may want to check out your expectations in this respect.
This may not be common to just the VX however, I think there may be a
general trend in this respect.

I would recommend that when looking at a car, see where it came from. Sold
in the UK through the VX chain you should have a 3 year warranty, but if via
a car supermarket it may not be to UK spec, and you might want to check how
long the warranty is. Not up to UK spec may mean, among other things, the
rustproofing but again something to check.

Apart from all this though - love the car, and its very practical. We do do
some long trips in it, and cover about 20 - 22k pa.

 

Forgot to add - mine is an '02 1.6 club estate - not sure whether you are
looking at the new model, in which case some of my comments may not apply.

 

I'll run through the problems I've had with my Astra 2001 Y-Reg 2.0 DTI
(Y20DTH engine)

Rear calipers / discs / pads all replaced under warranty due to known fault.

Mass Air Flow Meter failure - replaced under warranty

Leak Back pipes replaced - under warranty due to known fault.

* WARRANTY EXPIRES *

Turbocharger seals fail resulting in "runaway diesel engine" and ultimate
destruction of the engine before my very eyes with the key in my hand and
the engine still running. £2k for recon engine & exchange turbo charger.

Fuel injection pump failure - replacement cost for recon unit £1,300 (yup,
that's right) - Main dealer price £2,200.


Other niggles are:- Headlights mist up
Seats squeak


Conclusion:- Whilst diesels are great for economy it may be a false economy
due to the sheer cost of the parts !

 

Re fuel pump:-

On speaking to a local injection specialist about my pump they tell me they
see TEN of
these a week and at any time keep TWENTY diesel fuel pumps in stock for
Vauxhalls
!!!!!

 

A long time ago (too long, now I think about it!) we got our first diesel
car. It was a pug 505 7-seater, with 100k on it. Wife was worried about a
high miler motor, as well as being a diesel. At the time I told her that
diesels dont usually go wrong as often as petrols, but when they do its
usually a lot more serious/expensive. I still stand by that. Still and all,
2k+ is, IMHO a bit steep for a pump.

Mike


BTW, the pug went on to do a further 250k, with regular oil/filter changes.
only parts needed were a set of injectors at 300k. transmision died abruply,
so was sold for scrap. later found out was merely a UJ on the enclosed prop
shaft. The 2.5 OHV non turbo lump got transplanted into a LDV crew cabbed
pickup and is still running. (sorry for running a bit OT, but trips down
memory lane do that for me.)

 

"JC" wrote in message

<Snip original message>

Thanks for all the replys so far, certainly food for thought.

I currently run a 1999 1.6 Corsa which averages around 30ish mpg. I changed
jobs 18 months ago and now do approx 300-350 miles per week business and
private. The thoughts of a claimed combined 55 mpg and a bit of extra space
and comfort appeal to me. The price of spares does not!

The Corsa has MOT on Friday (I think) and then I want to change asap. It is
the new model I'm looking at and will buy from a Vauxhall main dealer with
Network Q. I'll find out next week but does anyone know what warranty do
they usually offer on an 05 car?

Thanks .. John

 

Wow - that makes the injection pump look cheap ....

 

Serpently does!. but bear in mind that the lump was what a diesel SHOULD be,
i.e. simple. no cambelt to snap or replace in a fiddly manner, no turbo to
blow up the engine trying to screw more bhp out of the motor and no
sophisticated (read:expensive) electronics to go tits up after its first
outing in a british salt laden winter and be charged a fair sized overdraft
for some spotty faced oik to plug a computer in just to tell you whats wrong
without actually fixing the bloody thing. OK, the car was a barge. A
supertanker could turn tighter than it could. 0-60 was measured with a
calender. It cornered worse than an american car. It was easier to break
into than a 12 year old cortina. BUT. it had big, comfy seats. was a good
load lugger, and towed well too, being rear drive. i have had cars that cost
a helluva lot more that havnt been a patch on the old pug for reliability.

(rant mode to standby)

Mike

 

Hi

All the turbo issues you are reporting are on the 2.0 DTI engine, which was
a GM engine, which they do not put in any of there cars anymore. It
certainly did not go into the Astra - H which JC is looking at buying.

The 1.7 (100ps) engine is actually an Isuzu engine, which the basics of this
engine (well the block) has been around since about 1994, they then made it
direct injection, with 16 valves and 75bhp it was the 1.7 DTI. They then
made it common rail which took it to 80ps, and now they have put a bigger
turbo on it to make it 100bhp.

I have had a 1995 1.7 TD Cav which did 193,000 miles and gave no sign of
giving up.
A 1998 Corsa 1.7D which had done 130,000 when I got shut
A 2001 Astra 1.7 DTI which I got shut of when it had done 42,000

I had no real problems apart from the 2001 Astra. This had a new injection
pump under warranty which didn't fix the issue that I had which was a
shudder at around 1500rpm and also when sitting at traffic lights the car
would also rev by its self. These issues in themselves did not cause any
problems, other than they where annoying. Others where reporting of the same
issues, and Vauxhalls answer was that - they all do it so put up with it
;( However I am sure that Vauxhalls have sorted these issues, as the engine
has a different injection pump (as its now common rail).

However JC I would try and get an Astra with one of the 1.9 CDTI engines in
it. We have had both a Vectra with the 120ps and we now have one with a
150ps engine. They are both a lot more refined than the 1.7 i.e. quieter,
maybe not quite as economical. I would think that the 150ps in the Astra
would be very scary, as it's quick in the vectra never mind a Astra which is
lighter

Rich

 

"Mr Me" < wrote in message

Had a chat witth the bro this morning about some of the comments in this
thread, he agrees that the biggest problems came from the 2.0 DTI.

I'm sure you are right about the higher ps engines but several factors make
me sway towards the 1.7 100ps, mainly model choice and price. I want an SXi
model and they do not come with any diesel other than the 100ps. They seem
to be in my price range (Depending on trade in of course) The SRi (150ps)
will be too expensive for me. I'd probably not be too interested in the
"Design" or "Elite" models (120ps) Insurance jumps 5 groups and fuel economy
drops 5 mpg from the 100ps to both the 120 & 150ps engines. The point in
going diesel was to save on running costs now that I do some travelling as
part of my job.

All the above sourced from an 06 brochure. I expect the 05 models were
similiar in terms of model/engine combinations.

Still haven't drove one yet (Any diesel!) maybe after I do I'll be getting
another 1.6 petrol )

Thanks for the advice ... John

 

Gulp - I know it sounds a silly question, but is this visible from under the
car easily?

This one sounds a little like the plastic pulley problem on some vauxhall
engines a few years back - whcih had the involvement of Watchdog. Except I
would think that the engine-racingoutofcontrol-till-it-blows-up really has a
serious safety aspect to it.

I would think it was a case for a polite letter to VX - whcih then could be
followed-up by another to Watchdog ?

 

Unless its changed you should get 12 months manufacturers warranty (inc AA
basic recovery which you can extend to 3 years) + 2 year "optional" dealer
warranty - total 3 years in all.

 

In that case perhaps I might go for a diesel next time - but ensure its the
Isuzu not the GM lump, which Iguess is a good ont to avoid overall not just
in the Ashtray.

 

All the 1.7 Diesel's are Isuzu engines.
The 3.0 is a Isuzu as well (it's also in some Renaults).
See here: http://www.isuzu.co.jp/world/product/automotive/index.html

The 1.3 and both the 1.9's are Fiat/GM developed engines.

Rich

 

I

Might also be worth while as an emergency speeding excuse <g>

 

"JC" wrote in message

<snip all previous stuff >

Update, well I finally got the Corsa MOT'd on Thursday evening. Straight to
the Vauxhall dealer on the same road. They had no SXi's in stock but gave me
a run in a "Design" Lovely finish inside and performance from the 1.7 diesel
was more than adequate, a little noisy at stand still but other than that I
really liked it. I was so tempted to buy it as the trade in price offered
for the Corsa seemed fair enough. However on reflection I do want that SXi
model instead and despite ringing visiting all the local dealers there are
none available (In Northern Ireland) atm. Bummer (

Seems I'll have to play the waiting game for a while then.

John

 

"JC" wrote in message

Final update, found one in a dealership I didn't know exsisited until this
morning. SXi 1.7 Diesel, black, 5 door, May 05, 2700 miles. Had to pay a
little more than I had wanted to because of the low milage, but was still
well pleased with the deal. Picking up next Friday )

John

 

Oddly enough just about Feb 3 years ago found a 1.6 estate in a dealer, reg
July previous year, 2,700 miles, - turned out to be an ex VX fleet
demonstrator or some such.

 

"R. Murphy" wrote in message

Most of the cars I had been looking at were ex Vauxhall, either hire
cars/lease/company vehicles etc. Its easy to spot them in Northern Ireland
as our number plates are a different format to those in the mainland. SXi's
which I was after were considered much less likely to be fleet cars than
life/club/design models. It would not have bothered me in the least though.

Bearing in mind most salesmen are compulsive liars ;o) and would tell you
anything the story behind this was it was bought by a "Fat ass" who found
that the seats were much too tight fitting and changes it to a Vectra
instead. I did notice that the seats were very tight even compared to my
Corsa Sport so maybe there is a grain of truth in it.

John