A few Signum questions

**James C** · 21st July 2010, 16:27

Hello all!

Some of you might remember me being on here about 3 years ago, I had a lightning silver Vectra GSi on snowflakes. After a stint away from Vauxhalls (BMW 328 & 528 and a Mondeo ST200) I’m thinking of heading back to the griffin. I’m seriously thinking about a Signum and have a few questions.

Firstly I’m undecided on the engine, I’ve narrowed it down to a 1.9 CDTi 150 or the 3.0 v6 diesels. As it’s been nearly 4 years since I’ve owned a car without 6 cylinders the v6 appeals, but I seem to remember people here moaning they cost a lot to run. Is the servicing really that bad (bearing in mind it’s not been long since I had to fork out £350 to service my 528)? I know the tax will be more, but it’s still less than my BMW. Is there much difference in fuel economy?

I know the Signum is based on the Vectra estate floorpan, so does that mean the VXR estate sideskirts would fit the Signum? Also, does the Signum’s lower rear bumper skirt match up with the Vectra’s? i.e. could I fit the VXR skirt/diffuser?

Finally, other than the obvious front end changes are there any real differences between pre/post facelift? Is it worth spending the extra on a post facelift or not?
Cheers!

**Maverick** · 21st July 2010, 17:35

OK, to answer your questions.

Vectra VXR Estate Side Skirts.

Yes these will fit the Signum with ease. I fitted them to both of my Signums.

1.9 150 or 3.0 V6

Personal choice. The 1.9 150 is cheaper to run, some will say that they are not that reliable, but I had 4 of them without any issues. The 3.0 V6 sounds better, is smoother and an overall good engine.

But the 1.9 is quicker if you re-map it. If you go for the 3.0 V6 then forget mapping it as they don't like any form of tuning. Road tax is going to cost you about £50 a year more so not really worth worrying about.

Servicing

The 3.0 V6 is about 10% more to service so again not enough to brake the bank.

Facelift or Prefacelift

The facelift is the better car, yes the early pre-facelifts had a little more kit on certain models but they drive and handle better than the pre-facelift.

But this is how it should be or Vauxhall would not have released it. The dash on the facelift has a more quality feel to it.

Either way you will be getting a nice car, but the facelift for sure is the better car dynamically.

VXR Rear Skirt

Sorry, this is a no no, I cut up a VXR rear skirt trying to get it to fit properly on my last Signum, but it just didn'nt work out.

Other notes

Small things like the dual branch exhaust is an easy upgrade to the 1.9 150, the 3.0 V6 dual branch rear silencer assembly bolts straight onto the 1.9 without any mechanical modifications. On Design models, you simply change the bumper trim to allow for the two exits (£25 for the trim). On all other models you will need to change the lower skirt for the design version.

**Exclusive BV** · 21st July 2010, 20:51

Nice work Mav

some good gen there

**James C** · 21st July 2010, 21:06

Cheers for the comprehensive answer

**Maverick** · 22nd July 2010, 17:53

No worries guys, still love the Signum.

**Penfold101** · 22nd July 2010, 17:58

Maverick/Signum. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.

Twice...

**James C** · 23rd July 2010, 08:04

Right, change of plan. I had been planning on giving back my company van (I'm a design engineer, not a tradesman) and getting a cash allowance instead. However our finance director isn't being fair, she won't let me get a cash allowance instead, only claim milage!

So I'm going to hang onto the van and my fuel card.

Anyway, still looking at changing my car, but since it'll only be used for personal use evenings/weekends for about 5000miles a year fuel economy is not an issue. Does limit my budget for buying though, so I'm now looking at pre-facelift Signums, either a 3.2V6 or a 2.0T. I loved the 3.2V6 in my Vectra, but the powers that be were talking about putting them into a new VED band "L", which is £425 a year. Can any 3.2 Vectra/Signum owners tell me if they did? That'd be the clincher as I refuse to pay that much on top of the petrol tax for my road tax.

**ed taylor** · 23rd July 2010, 08:10

As to the road tax. I belive if the 3.2 V6 was regestered before April 2006 it will be in the lower tax band ( not syre the band though. But I pay about £ 225 for mine). as it is in the pre-april 2006 "era".

**Deztroyer** · 23rd July 2010, 08:24

As per Ed's post pre MARCH 2006 will be lower tax bracket - consider if you will that the 2.0T will also be a tunable engine and will produce similar power to the 3.2v6

**soulman** · 23rd July 2010, 10:25

welcome bk James .................get the 2.0T as dez said and get it remapped .........
get a nice exhaust from MIJ fitted on it and hey ho there you go ...
weve got a meet at Basildon tomorrow at Redline tuning if you wanna pop along and have a chat ...there will be some very tasty signums there too.