[prt71]

Been driving a 2.0 cdti 160 Exclusiv Nav for the last month, I started a new job and they gave me a 5 month old one floating around as a company car, the idea being I choose between an allowance and something like a new A4.


I've asked if I can keep the Insignia, really impressed with it, doing a 90 mile commute and it's a nice place to be. As good a motorway car as I have ever driven, more powerful than I expected and averaging 52 mpg.

Would have sneered at the idea of one before I drove it, but tbh find it a better car so far than the 320D I owned.

[Moh]

U must be crazy lol
I'd take a new A4

[JLR1969]

Better than a 320D..... Are you serious.

They are a lot better than the Vectra they replaced but in no way are they in the same league as a BMW. No where near.

[Palmnuts]

Lol at the responses.....

I bet the Insignia rides better, has more space and more kit than a 320d! I certainly think it looks better and has a nicer interior (and lets face it, after my 3 e9x's, I bet it rattles less too!). I'd hazard a guess that it's a better car than a 320d for a lot of people out there!

Ooops, best watch my tongue.....we are on a BMW forum after all

[Kerr]

Used one for a bit.

The engine was a shocker. Normally Fiat diesel engines are ok.

The windows whistled but other than that it was fine.

I do like the VXR.

[Palmnuts]

I thought some of the engines are Fiat and some were GM's own? For instance, the 1.7 used to be GM's and the 1.9 Fiats but not sure if that's the case now. VXR's are very nice but the performance stats don't appear competitive with the likes of 335i for some reason?

[peterg1965]

I was in one earlier this year on a 400 mile motorway journey. I think it was a mid range diesel auto. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was on the road and how well kitted out it was (DAB is standard). I think they look ugly from the rear view but the interior is a nice place to sit. Compare it to the interior of the 7 year old designed E90 and it compares favourably..

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

I thought some of the engines are Fiat and some were GM's own? For instance, the 1.7 used to be GM's and the 1.9 Fiats but not sure if that's the case now. VXR's are very nice but the performance stats don't appear competitive with the likes of 335i for some reason?

The Insignia 2.0 diesel engines are all Fiat. Both versions.

Yeah the VXR does not seem to perform the way it should as all the UK tests are way off what you would expect.

[creepy coupe]

It would have to be really good, as the dealers are rubbish, all of them.

[Boyd1963]

I actually looked at these before changing my e90 for an e92 as I wanted a car with sat-nav and DAB. I thought that the sat-nav was truly atrocious and I could hardly see the screen due to the sun reflecting off it. Also the 3 month old demonstrator I was in had already lost the chrome trim on the white plastic internal door handles. I wasn't impressed but I do agree with Andrew's comments about the rattles in e9x cars.

[mowflow]

My father in law was given one as a courtesy car while his e93 was in getting yet another one of it's many faults fixed. He hated everything about it.

I personally think they look quite smart, especially the estate version and the interior is nice. The problem I would have is what would it be like in 2 or 3 years time. I had a few Vauxhall company cars and they pretty much fell apart over a short period of time. The gearbox on every one was also like stirring a pot of paint.

[bmwak]

Its a nice place to be in (interior is pretty good for a Vauxhall). I didn't like the engine (diesel) or the handling of it. Not bad in the looks department (exterior wise) though.

You probably do get more 'bang for your buck' than a BMW but wouldn't consider one instead unfortunetely

[dxb335d]

Not keen on them!!

[mmmmQuattro]

I drove one when I was in Sicily on holidays recently.
I actually liked it as well.
Has more room than a 3 series and one thing that I liked was that it would blow cold outside air. Can't do that with a 3 series, the outside air always gets pre-warmed by the engine.
Electronic park brake took some getting used to though.

[prt71]

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

Lol at the responses.....

I bet the Insignia rides better, has more space and more kit than a 320d! I certainly think it looks better and has a nicer interior (and lets face it, after my 3 e9x's, I bet it rattles less too!). I'd hazard a guess that it's a better car than a 320d for a lot of people out there!

Ooops, best watch my tongue.....we are on a BMW forum after all

[jjbirch530d]

my brother just brought a champane gold one same as above, just had the windows tinted its a 10 plate gave 11k for it done 28k miles, very roomy inside and big step up from the vectra,and it goes well too, easy get 50mpg which i could never do on my 06 320d,

[Oli]

I've had an SRi 160 cdti 160 auto on demo for my rental department, for the last couple of weeks, and it is a truly terrible car. Awful on fuel, uncomfortable, fidgity ride and very cheap plastics in the interior. Its engine is rough and noisy, and the gearbox feels so dated and sluggish. The only positive is the amount of kit it has, and even the nav is just plain annoying, constantly repeating instructions, to the point that you have to turn the volume off, then you miss your turning!

It is so far behind the Ford Mondeo dynamically, it's unbelievable. I've now booked demos in the SEAT Exeo and the Skoda Ocatvia.......

[dopper99]

A LOT of people who own them (160 2.0 diesel) are commenting the economy is not as good as the old Vectra 1.9 150 which it replaced:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126873

[prt71]

Originally Posted by dopper99

A LOT of people who own them (160 2.0 diesel) are commenting the economy is not as good as the old Vectra 1.9 150 which it replaced:

http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126873

Had mine for 2300 miles, has averaged 51.1 according to the trip computer.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by Oli

I've had an SRi 160 cdti 160 auto on demo for my rental department, for the last couple of weeks, and it is a truly terrible car. Awful on fuel, uncomfortable, fidgity ride and very cheap plastics in the interior. Its engine is rough and noisy, and the gearbox feels so dated and sluggish. The only positive is the amount of kit it has, and even the nav is just plain annoying, constantly repeating instructions, to the point that you have to turn the volume off, then you miss your turning!

It is so far behind the Ford Mondeo dynamically, it's unbelievable. I've now booked demos in the SEAT Exeo and the Skoda Ocatvia.......

How true, to all those that like them try living with one for more than 2 weeks. Personally if I had one I would feel as though I had achieved very little in life or really did care about cars too much.

[pjs]

Fook me, a forum for vectras...

[prt71]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

How true, to all those that like them try living with one for more than 2 weeks. Personally if I had one I would feel as though I had achieved very little in life or really did care about cars too much.

Sorry but that makes you sound like a bit of a prick.

I have achieved quite a lot in life, and proud of doing so, the fact that I am pleasantly surprised by a car should not suggest otherwise?

Should I point out what an embarrassment of a car the 318 is, only bought by sad tossers desperate to own a BMW at whatever underpowered cost?

It actually isn't, it's a decent car but I know what I'd rather have.