New Vec 2 Owner - Comments & Questions

[Steve CDTi]

Hi Guys,

First post so please be kind……

Thanks for an interesting and informative forum – it has been very useful in regards to my recent purchase.

Now the owner for 2 weeks of an ‘06 model Vectra SRi 1.9 CDTi 150 Estate in Star Silver – obviously the best colour………!! Is 11 months old with 16k on the clock and purchased through Network Q – Arnold Clark in Winsford.

Came from a Vectra B 2.2 petrol estate.

First impressions are solid, heavy, well screwed together, reasonable quality etc. Paint is good with a few minor stonechips at the front – not unexpected due to the mileage in a reasonably short time.

Car is standard Sri spec, however already done some mods –

- Front map/reading light unit w sunglasses holder
- Rear interior light unit – not had time yet to install
- Tamperproof alloy valve caps
- Airbox mod
- Front dash submarine red LED lighting
- Chrome strip for tailgate on order
- Mudflaps on order
- Rear parking sensors on order

Future mods –

- Irmscher spec estate spoiler
- Tuning box / remap (see below)
- Traction control switch (does this need to be Tech 2 activated on this model ?)

I do have a couple of queries however –

1. Cold starting – performance is sluggish below 1500 rpm when cold – after a couple of minutes this improves significantly however and driveability is good.
2. Performance – is good when on the move, however when starting from standstill feel that the car needs to be revved to get going with brio. Unfortunately this feels coarse and somewhat unrefined – nothing like my 2.2 petrol. I know that comparing these is like apples and oranges, however was hoping for more. We also have a 1.9 Seat Leon 110 TDi and this moves smoothly and with gusto at any revs. Would a box or remap sort this issue ?
3. Will be doing interim 5k oil changes – where is the oil filter ??? Not had chance to get underneath the car yet given the weather – however isn’t obviously visible from above!!!
4. Polish / Wax – which is best for star silver ?? Car has multiple tar spots on it which I am slowly working to clear weather permitting. This is followed by Megs #2 and #3 stage process.

That’s all I can think of for the moment – any comments or answers on the above will be appreciated though.

Thanks,

Steve

[Drinky]

Welcome aboard steve sounds like a crackin car youv'e got there come along to our little meeting tomorow if you can there will be lots of 150 BHP veccy's there in various states of tune for you to try out so you can compare yours to them would be good to see you and your mota !!!!

[Maverick]

- Traction control switch (does this need to be Tech 2 activated on this model ?)

TC Button will not work on facelift, or later 05 reg Vectra's, tech 2 can't help with this

I do have a couple of queries however –

1. Cold starting – performance is sluggish below 1500 rpm when cold – after a couple of minutes this improves significantly however and driveability is good.
Diesels tend to want to be warm before offering their best performance, they won't give 100% on performance until they are up to running temperature.

2. Performance – is good when on the move, however when starting from standstill feel that the car needs to be revved to get going with brio.
Another Diesel trate, a few revs required!! It does take some getting used to when coming from a petrol, like using 3rd coming out of an island instead of 2nd a flooring it like you do in a petrol, once you get used to it, your driving style will change to accomodate the way a diesel delivers it's power.

Unfortunately this feels coarse and somewhat unrefined – nothing like my 2.2 petrol. I know that comparing these is like apples and oranges, however was hoping for more. We also have a 1.9 Seat Leon 110 TDi and this moves smoothly and with gusto at any revs. Would a box or remap sort this issue ?
Absolutley, box's are good, but from my experience a re-map would be better, the box only increase's fuel pressure and does get good results, re-map changes boost pressure, fuel pressure and injector timing, I have done 20,000 miles with my re-map and am very impressed with it.

3. Will be doing interim 5k oil changes – where is the oil filter ??? Not had chance to get underneath the car yet given the weather – however isn’t obviously visible from above!!!
Absolute waste of time and money changing the oil every 5000 miles, 10,000 miles is still a little over the top, but if your insisting on regular changes, 10,000 mile intervals is more than enough, the new long life oil copes very well. But I do change mine every 10,000. The oil filter in located inside a canister at the back of the engine, and does need to be accessed from below.

4. Polish / Wax – which is best for star silver ?? Car has multiple tar spots on it which I am slowly working to clear weather permitting. This is followed by Megs #2 and #3 stage process.

Autoglym or Negs are both very good.

By the way, welcome to the club!!!! Hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us!!

[m8internet]

Car is standard Sri spec, however already done some mods –

- Front map/reading light unit w sunglasses holder

I assume this is a simple swap out - swap in job, and all the wiring is already in place?
If so, part numbers?

I've got a spare Arnold Clark discount card, so can use that when ordering the parts

[ed taylor]

Hi there welcome to the site. you have picked the right colour car and it is an estate too.

[rushy]

I assume this is a simple swap out - swap in job, and all the wiring is already in place?
If so, part numbers?

I've got a spare Arnold Clark discount card, so can use that when ordering the parts

Hi mate, glad you made it over, Yes the part is a simple swap, but sorry no part number, I got mine from LMF. There is also the option of the sun glasses holder that goes in the blanking plate and rear interior light, but you'll have to look for the ribbon cable in the roof as its a bit hit and miss if its there.

[rushy]

Part number for map lights here mate, plus some others.

[SJG]

Chrome strip for tailgate on order

Do you have any pictures or links for this?

[Gsi3.2]

i think he means the standard chrome tailgate strip..around the lock button??

[Steve CDTi]

Do you have any pictures or links for this?

Hi SJG

Try this -

http://www.lmfvauxhall.com/prodCatal...=&deptIndex=12

Steve