Cdti 120 vs 150

[wiliferus]

Hi

I've found myself having to look at Zafira's (three kids), got about a 8k budget. Its going to be my only car and also my daily driver for a 70 mile round trip commute (self funded) so MPG is pretty important to me. Having said that, as it is going to be my only wheels I would like something with a bit of pep and capable of the occasional overtake. I'm looking at the Design trim spec so i get a few creature comforts.

So, is the power difference between the 120 and 150 that noticable, and what about the difference in MPG. I've read the offical MPG for both is about 47, but have read internet stories about the 150 returning 35 on a combined cycle. My commute is 90% motorway (happy times ) so i should get a good MPG anyway, but still curious.

Also, reports suggest the 150 can have quite serious EGR valve issues? True or myth?

Anybody got knowledge to help me decide?

Edited by wiliferus on Friday 30th December 23:18

[Crease]

if im honest,and some people may disagree, but in my eyes a bigger engine is more fuel efficient when cruising this is because it can produce more power at a lower revs, so uses less fuel

a 1.0 polo or something similar will be doing say 3.5k revs to maintain 70 wheareas a 2.0 vectra might be doing 2.0k revs to maintain the same speed.

can you see what i mean?

hope this helps? if not, just ignore me

[twink]

There's not much in it between the 120 and the 150 MPG wise and it's not uncommon for a lot of people to see 55mpg and upwards on the motorway, especially from the 150bhp model. However this engine does have considerably more problems than the 120. They eat clutches and dual mass flywheels. EGRs tend to go but they're not that expensive to replace, alternatively have the EGR mapped out of the ECU and black it off. Swirl flaps on the inlet manifolds are another favourite to go. 120 engines don't suffer with this anywhere near as much. These are all things that can be checked on a test drive though and checking the inlet manifold can be done by removing the engine vanity cover and wiggling the bar about on the inlet manifold. Once it's up to temperature get it somewhere open to REALLY open it up into third gear (if I remember right torque is limited in 1st and 2nd so it doesn't destroy the gearbox), if you're getting clouds of black smoke out the back after a few runs it can also point to a knackered inlet manifold or EGR. Later cars were fitted with uprated inlet manifolds but this is Vauxhall, so take that with a pinch of salt. Test the clutch and flywheel by leaving the car at idle and gently pushing the clutch in. If you hear a rattle and/or feel it through the pedal, the DMF is on its last legs.

They are however, when you get a good one (and for the amount of them out there, there aren't that many duff ones) very good engines. A lot on one of the owners clubs are mapped up to 185-190bhp and have no issues at all. Thats a fair whack of power for an old 1.9 diesel. The best way to keep the EGR and inlet manifold in good condition is to give it a good thrash once every week or two. Don't let the carbon crap build up. I used to have an older 2.2 DTi Vectra and gave that the same treatment. It had done 200,000 miles but it didn't half feel better after a good thrash. Made more power than standard on a rolling road too.

Edited by twink on Tuesday 3rd January 14:21

[wiliferus]

Thank you Twink, very useful info. And Crease, yep makes perfect sense

[BE57 TOY]

A 150 will hold its money much better :-)