Faults:

Both front wishbone units replaced.

Steering idler arm worn (caused wandering steering).

Rear suspension units started to leak.

Both cam covers leaking oil (knew this when I purchased the vehicle, but as I am a Vehicle Technician this didn't bother me).

General Comments:

This is a fantastic piece of kit from Vauxhall, and why they ever spent a fortune reviving it with the Series 2 facelift, and then killed off the model is anyone's guess.

The "Signum" apparently is supposedly the replacement for the Omega, but I will never buy one as it just looks like a "Vectra" with a weird looking rear end!

Plus a true drivers car is front engine and rear wheel drive as the Omega is.

The traction control is a blessing in the wet with this much power under your right foot, and especially as my wife drives the car more often than me.

It has all the toys (with exception to the Elite Model) and all of them work fine. I have no squeaks or rattles from the interior, and you can just eat up the miles on a long journey and feel nicely refreshed at the end, no back aches etc.

My brother drives a 2001 BMW 330Ci, and even he comments on how quiet the car is, with no rattles etc, unlike his, which constantly drives him mad with noises and trim sections creaking!

The (in disguise) Vauxhall/Recaro seats fitted have plenty of adjusting features for the tallest or shortest drivers.

It's not the best fuel economical vehicle, but then I didn't buy it for economy, I bought it for luxury, power, safety and reliability, and that's exactly what I got.

If you don't want to pay silly money for a BMW 5 series, then you should seriously consider a "facelift" Omega.

Just make sure it has a full Vauxhall history (mileage doesn't really matter), not too many previous owners, a good paint finish, and away you go.

And if you want economy, go for the 2.2 litre 4 cylinder, or better still the 3.0 V6 like it did.

The 3.2 facelift model is nice, but was only available with the "automatic gearbox", so may not be to everyone's tastes.

Faults:

Tyre shredded last week at 70 miles an hour - not much fun in the middle lane.

Rear blind has malfunctioned, needs repairing as a metal arm has snapped.

Also the front driver's seat electric motor pushing the seat backward and forward is jammed, but I cannot see anything needs fixing.

Rear offside tail light takes in water and went mouldy, but I cleaned and resealed the edging, and tightened the bolts to seal.

For some reason, my steering wheel is not centralised with the wheels constantly on a small unnatural left, with the power steering willing it to go, so had to get this sorted quick.

General Comments:

Good mileage eater.

Plenty of comfort and lots of room for the big man, has all the gadgets and looks good for a 6 year old car (styling), not flashy, but threatening.

Fast acceleration even as an auto, with a sport button on the box.

Traffic master as standard, and an onboard computer to see what your doing wrong on fuel economy.

Book consumption totally out, at 70mph I get 35-38 every time. At 55 mph I get over 40 mpg.

Wheels were slightly scuffed when bought, but pretty hardy.

Tyres don't wear that good, but you have to keep on top of them to ensure you get your money's worth.

Faults:

Slight wobble on Braking at over 50mph. A slight wobble if braking hard at 20-30mph.

Central locking temper-mental, but could be my fault as I keep turning the key the wrong way.

Lights flashing when I get in, but stop key turned in ignition.

Brake pad warning light comes on, even though I had all pads changed for new mot this week.

Ticking noise started in the last week. Garage reckon they can fix for under £150.

Mine is a 'w' reg 2.5 Elite, I traded my 1996 BMW 520 tourer + £200 cash. BARGAIN!!

General Comments:

Car is the most comfortable I have driven, love the deep growl as you pull away.

Way better than the 520 tourer I had before, maybe not as responsive, but a much better ride.