looking to buy astra diesel sri

[granpappy]

Hi everyone,
my son is looking to buy an Astra diesel sri 5 door on a 08 plate.your views please any pitfalls?

[BL Fanboy]

The gearbox is weak on these models. Its called the M32 and vauxhall designed it as a compact gearbox to allow the fitment of larger engines in smaller bodies. The Vectra uses a bigger stronger gearbox with the 1.9 diesels so doesnt have this issue. Check that the gear lever doesnt move at all in first gear when the clutch is lifted when setting off. Any movement and the bearings are on the way out as the gear cluster is moving! Check for whining or rotery type noises. Very very common and expensive as you'll want to change the DMF as well whilst your're in there.
Aircon condensers rot out quickly - check the ac works and dont fall for the "oh it just needs regassing" excuse. Check the inlet manifold swirl flaps - a common fault - but something I think later cars are not affected by.

If I were to buy another Astra (I sold mine over a year ago) I'd just get a 1.6 petrol with normal suspension.

SRI suspension is too hard.

[teeceeee]

check out the 'astra owners network' forum..

lots and lots of owners, and experience on there..

I've had both a Mk5 and a Mk6 5 door Sri diesel.

The Mk5 was in all fairness a bit of 'mare for me it had 2 lots of swirl flaps ( the second set being required 3,000 miles and 4 months after the first lot had been replaced under warranty ), the alternator go, the aircon go and the gearbox was on it's way out when i p/ex'd it.

This was in a sub 50,000 mile car..

However, there are many many more of them on the road that have given many more miles of trouble free motoring!

[S7Paul]

If it has the 150bhp diesel and/or the 6-speed gearbox, avoid - there are too many known problems to make it worthwhile taking the risk.