Vauxhall Astra Van Sportive?

[13 DJP]

Afternoon Chums

Looking to get an Astra Sportive van, budget top end about £4k plus VAT.

There seems to be 3 different models, 1.3 CDTi, 1.7 CDTi and a 1.9 CDTi. I would only be interested in the 1.7 or the 1.9, is the any discernible difference between them? I know there`s 20bhp between them, but is there anything else worth worrying about?

I notice several people selling them have listed new gearboxes / clutches / flywheels at the mileage I`d be looking at (80-100k) are these a known weak spot?

Are there any hidden issues I need to worry about?

Many thanks in advance
Dave

[Alucidnation]

EGR valves and swirl flaps are also a common failure. Same as any other diesel really.

EGR is a piece of piss to clean out with some carb cleaner, but swirls usually require a new manifold ££££££££.

The 150 CDTi is a good engine, its just the EU bks that lets it down.

A clutch and flywheel at 80K is not bad IMO but mine has only done 40K.

[13 DJP]

Cheers for that, which one is the 150?
I though the 1.7 was 99bhp, and the 1.9 120bhp?

[Dr Interceptor]

We've got a 1.3CDTi Astra and Combo van here at work - in the Astra its not a bad engine...

Sits at 80 in 6th quite happily, and there's a bit left for overtaking. Not overly harsh, nice gearbox, good brakes, and economical. It has done 70k miles too, and has been very reliable (touch wood).

Only thing with the Astra is the bulkhead, it means the drivers seat never goes back far enough - when you're 6ft5 its not the most comfortable thing for long journeys.

[KevSeymour]

13 DJP said:

Cheers for that, which one is the 150?
I though the 1.7 was 99bhp, and the 1.9 120bhp?

There are 2 versions of the 1.9 - one is 120bhp (either a detuned 16v engine if it's an early model, or an 8v if later) and the full fat 150bghp/230ft.lb 16v.

[Alucidnation]

Sorry yes, the 150bhp is the Sportive SE (or 180bhp with a remap)

Not sure if there are any around yet for your budget?

[13 DJP]

Apologies, you`re right, had ruled the SE out on financial constraints

[13 DJP]

Just checked, cheapest SE is £6k plus VAT

[Alucidnation]

It depends how soon you need a van?

Another few months should see those drop a bit at a guess.

They may also level out at that figure, as they are no longer available new and are surprisingly sought after for a van.

[anonymous-user]

Here's mine:

I know it's the 'old one' but here's my comments.





My dad offered to buy me a van as an 'addition' to my fleet because I'm often doing jobs here and there for the family property business, so it would be useful for me to have a van. Plus it also meant the business paid for all the running costs and diesel etc so what's not to like?

I wasn't sure what van to get (the business runs a small fleet of VW Caddys) but I thought I would get something cheaper and more 'car like' to start with so settled on an Astra Sportive 2.0 DTi 16v.

It's fully lined, boarded and carpeted top to bottom in the back which makes it really nice and quiet inside, limo tint rear glass which makes them look better I think, and in the front it's got the black Sportive seats and interior with all the toys like air-con, electric windows, Bluetooth Sony iPhone stereo and all that.

I've owned it a year and a half now and it's bloody brilliant

Handles like a car
Drives like a car
Impressively quick for a van (had 120 out of it!)
Does 45mpg no matter how you drive
All the gadgets/comfort of a car
I don't care or worry where I park it, or if it gets scratched or marked
I can fit all my crap in it no problem at all - even after a big IKEA visit!
I don't care if I clamber into it with muddy feet and the like
I don't care if it gets dirty

Owning a van has revolutionised my daily driving... It's now the vehicle I use 90% of the time, I love it.

In fact I'm considering buying the new model of Sportive, I like it that much.

[Alucidnation]

Heres mine... (crap picture)




With said remap

[13 DJP]

Excellent, keep the pictures coming chaps, can`t beat a bit of van porn

[em177]

Get saving OP

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra-Sportive-...

[13 DJP]

Haha, possibly a bit too black for my liking. I like the black ones with silver grill and wheels, or the silver ones with black grill and silver wheels

Just discovered that it`s only the SE that has alloys, the "lesser" models have hubcaps and steels that look the spit of alloys!

[walsh]

I run one at the moment, 1.9 cdti 120.

Does most things pretty well, heated seats, mirror etc, auto wipers, auto lights, 6 speed box.

Quite smart for a van too.

[13 DJP]

Nice! Wanna sell it?

[walsh]

Company car my friend, thoug we are potentially flogging it shortly. Needs to make way for me cockmobile.. err.. Audi.

Will say though, I have put 50k on this in 18 months, and apart from an alternater and a stone going through the rad, its not put a foot wrong.

Will probably explode on the way home now..

Shiney picture makes it look kind of grand though. For a van. Black is the only colour for them.

[Changedmyname]

walsh said:

I run one at the moment, 1.9 cdti 120.

Does most things pretty well, heated seats, mirror etc, auto wipers, auto lights, 6 speed box.

Quite smart for a van too.

Where did you get that cloudless shy from?

[All that jazz]

13 DJP said:

Afternoon Chums

Looking to get an Astra Sportive van, budget top end about £4k plus VAT.

There seems to be 3 different models, 1.3 CDTi, 1.7 CDTi and a 1.9 CDTi. I would only be interested in the 1.7 or the 1.9, is the any discernible difference between them? I know there`s 20bhp between them, but is there anything else worth worrying about?

I notice several people selling them have listed new gearboxes / clutches / flywheels at the mileage I`d be looking at (80-100k) are these a known weak spot?

Are there any hidden issues I need to worry about?

Many thanks in advance
Dave

1.3 and 1.9 are Fiat engines. 1.7 is basically the old Isuzu lump from the 80s with various updates and common rail bolted to it. All the mk5 vans have a 6 speed box (M32 in the 1.7 and 1.9, M20 in the 1.3) and they are prone to failure, the 1.9 150s especially as they're only rated to 320Nm torque and that's what the engine puts out as standard so it's already at its limit.

1.3s are extremely gutless as standard. 1.7s (100PS) aren't much better but respond well to a remap and are generally considered to be the most reliable in the range. 1.9 (120PS) and 1.9 (150PS) both have their issues, namely regular water pump and alternator failures, gearbox bearing failures (meaning a new box if you don't catch it early), swirl flaps getting clogged and the swirl flap rod breaking off which means a new manifold. The 120 engine is the more reliable of the two as gearbox failures aren't as common due to the lower torque. Check for any whining in all gears, especially 6th, 5th and 2nd. Also listen for any noises when pressing the clutch pedal in and out - if you hear any "shaving" or chattering type noises then your DMF is on its way.

EGR gets clogged on them all just like any other modern diesel. Can't comment on 1.3 here but the EGR on the 1.7 is a sealed unit and can't be cleaned (not the important bits anyway), the 1.9 is more accessible.

The 1.3 and 1.9s are good on fuel but the 1.7 CDTI is known to be poor - you'll be lucky to see 40mpg locally and if you break more than 50mpg on a motorway at 70 you'll be doing well. You'll see nearly a good 15%+ increase in mpg on the 1.7 if remapped (speaking from experience).

All the mk5 Sportives handle really well and are very sure-footed; there's no roll at all and go round corners like they're on rails. It's a firm ride but not uncomfortable - which can also be said for the Sportive seats. I'm 6'3 and didn't have any comfort or cramp issues once you adjust the seat and steering column to suit. The bulkhead curves rearwards from around half way up so if you pump up the seat you then have the clearance to move the seat back. Occasionally I'd get a little cramp in my right knee joint but only after being sat there for 2hrs+.

Not much else to look out for other than what's already been mentioned. I'd personally check the wiper operation as the linkage is prone to excessive wear and the wipers bang off the passenger A-pillar above 30-40mph and is highly annoying. Also check for rust under the rubber strip where the door shuts onto (on the kick plate, if you like). A lot of them go there. Also give the underside a good look at. I had a 56 plate and at only 4 years old it was excessively rusty on the wishbones and chassis frame around the engine bay area. They're not very well undersealed at all so pay close attention to that as well as the sills and front lower area of the rear arches.

Edited by All that jazz on Monday 16th July 16:18

[walsh]

Cambridgeshire, one of the very rare moments it looks like that. The other side of the house looks better in the sun though.



Sorry for the thread hijack, as you were!