Opel Insignia: Some very interesting comments from owners!!!

I have posted a couple of reviews for my Opel Insignia (a 5,000 km review and a 10,000 km review) and I have received some very interesting comments regarding problems, as well as cases where the dealers don't have a clue how to fix the damn thing. I would like to thank everyone for their time and for sharing their experiences. Especially, the 10,000 km review has some very interesting comments from Sweden and I just wanted to make everyone aware of it.

READ MORE - Opel Insignia: Some very interesting comments from owners!!!

Seven new scale models arrived - Part 2

• Mitsuoka Orochi Kabuto by HPI Resin 
• Morgan Aero 8 2006 by Spark 
• Opel Insignia Sports Tourer OPC by Schuco

READ MORE - Seven new scale models arrived - Part 2

Installation of 4300K DRL LEDs

Almost one month ago, the new 4300K DRL LEDs arrived (earlier post), but unfortunately I was so busy that I didn't manage to install them up to now. Finally, yesterday I managed to do it, while I replaced also the H7 DiamondVision bulbs with the BlueVision ones (earlier post).

Although the photos show a colour difference between the DRL and the H7 bulbs, in real life the colour really matches well and I am very happy with the result! Of course, the 4300K LEDs are way better than the OEM DRL bulbs.

READ MORE - Installation of 4300K DRL LEDs

4300K LEDs for my Insignia's DRL arrived

Today, the 4300K DRL LEDs finally arrived (earlier post). Since it's a very busy week, I hope tha during this week I will be able to post some live photos showing the result!

READ MORE - 4300K LEDs for my Insignia's DRL arrived

First photo showing 4300K LED coming for my Insignia's DRL

For a few months now, I am using LEDs in the place of the OEM DRL bulbs and there is a series of posts in Opel Autos blog where you can read all the story.

The new 4300K LEDs, made by Per-Accurate, will soon be shipped and this is the first photo received showing the colour! Stay tuned for more news and live photos showing the final result.

Below are some photos showing the DRL OEM bulb versus the aftermarket DRL LEDs which I have currently installed.

READ MORE - First photo showing 4300K LED coming for my Insignia's DRL

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and Buick Regal named to the top ten list for 2010 World Car of the Year Award

The Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and Buick Regal have made the top 10 list of global vehicles selected for the 2010 World Car of the Year Award.  The winner will be selected by a jury of 59 international automotive journalists. The top three finalists in all award categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 and the winner of 2010 world Car of the Year will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 1.
 

Source: GM Media

READ MORE - Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and Buick Regal named to the top ten list for 2010 World Car of the Year Award

10,000 km review of my Opel Insignia 1.6T Sport

Following the 5,000 km review of my Opel Insignia, now the time has come for the 10,000 km review. The are only two major things that need shorting out. As you may have read in the �Known technical issues of Opel Insignia� post,  the are some known technical problems with Insignias and I have got two of them.

The first one has to do with the fact that water accumulates in the sill area of front doors. I had noticed in the past after a car wash, but back then, the lad in the dealer said it's normal and happens in all cars, strangely though neither my Honda nor my Volvo had this issue.... Anyway, now that's winter, this phenomenon is frequent and in my next visit to the dealer, I will tell them to fix it.

Second and most irritating issue is the noise from the rear disc brakes. Opel knows about this and this is due to the defective brake pads used, causing also score marks on the rear brake discs. I haven't done anything yet, cause in some cars, the brake pads were replaced with ones having the same part number and the problem was never solved. So, I am waiting for the new ones to come, which hopefully will not suffer from the same problem.

Other minor issues resolved included greasing of the ignition lock, as the key was stack in a couple of occasions and didn't return into 'run' position, and elimination of the vibration under the navi display.

After having 8,500 km on the clock, I noticed also a drop in the average fuel consumption by a liter per 100 km.

READ MORE - 10,000 km review of my Opel Insignia 1.6T Sport

Known technical issues of Opel Insignia

Technical Service Bulletin
Ref. Number 09-FR-49
TIS/TSB Ref. Number E0002540
Group A-10
Release Date 04/09/2009

Door Sill - Water Accumulation

Vehicles:
Insignia 2009-Onwards
Insignia Sports Tourer 2009-Onwards
All Engines

Complaint:
Water accumulates in sill area of front and rear doors.

Cause:
Poor fit of sealing clips allows water entry.
Production
Modified weatherstrip in production as of VIN WOLGM67C191115427.

Remedy:
In case of customer complaint apply additional drain holes (diameter 5 mm) into weatherstrip
Check in door below window glass if the weatherstrip clips are tight. If the weatherstrip clips are loose or can be pulled out easily, replace the clips.

 

------------------------------------

Technical Service Bulletin
Ref. Number 09-FR-64
TIS/TSB Ref. Number E0002581
Group H-05
Release Date 07/12/2009

Rear Brakes � Score Marks on Brake Disc

Vehicles:
Insignia 2009-2010 All Engines

Complaint:
Score marks on rear brake discs.

Cause:
Defective brake pads.

Remedy:
In case of customer complaint the brake pads and brake discs can be replaced.
Note: Scoring has no impact on braking performance.

------------------------------------

Service Update:

09-P-034 Insignia - Ignition Lock

Constant quality controls revealed that on a certain number of Insignia, MY 2009, the ignition key might stick and does not return into 'run' position. After 15 seconds the "Transport mode" becomes activated and the battery charging telltale flashes.

We advise Vauxhall Authorised Repairers to grease the ignition lock and program the Body Control Module (BCM) on all affected vehicles listed in the VIN information file.

READ MORE - Known technical issues of Opel Insignia

Steinmetz Insignia 2.0 Turbo 4x4, an alternative to OPC version

 

 

 

 

Steinmetz offers an alternative to OPC version by working with Klasen, which provides the modified engine software, the larger intercooler and the modified exhaust system including catalytic converter. The car  is based on the "normal" Insignia 2.0 Turbo 4x4 and produces 294 hp. This enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 s, which matches OPC's performance.

Power output: 294 hp (216 kW)

Torque: 420 Nm
0-100 km/h: 5.8 sec

Max. Speed: 254 km/h
Price in Germany: 37,735 � 

Source: Autozeitung

READ MORE - Steinmetz Insignia 2.0 Turbo 4x4, an alternative to OPC version

An illustration showing the external suppliers for Opel / Vauxhall Insignia

READ MORE - An illustration showing the external suppliers for Opel / Vauxhall Insignia

5,000 km review of my Opel Insignia 1.6T Sport

 

 

My Insignia has now more than 5,000 km on the clock and it's time for a short review.

The main thing is that I am really satisfied with the car and there is absolutely no regret in my selection. Considering  that the Sport trim level costs around �24-25K, it's definately a very good value for money.

Build and material quality is very good, with the only downsides being a rattle at the bottom of the navi screen and a couple of big panel gaps on the outside. In terms of ergonomics and functionality, no problems have been noticed.

Performance is good, as expected from a car with 180 hp, but bare in mind that it's almost 1.5 tonnes heavy and 4th, 5th and 6th gear rations are rather tall.

In terms of reliability so far, everything works fine. Only one of the flaps of the cup holder was replaced under warranty, but I bet that it was damaged over here prior the delivery. The only complicated thing about this car is the firmware updates. Those are available from Opel, but it's down to the main importer to decide which ones are mandatory. Getting the rest of them it's either up to the kindness of the dealer or a matter of paying.

This situation however became irritating, due to the fact that there was an issue on all 1.6T models with a very noticeable vibration when the engine was being switched off. This was solved with some updates, but finding a dealer to do it was a difficult task, since there was no notification sent to the dealers by the main importer. When the updates were installed, the engine response changed (now it seems to be smoother with no lag at all) and with no vibration anymore... but then cruise control stopped working as the technician cocked up the brake pedal sensor! A calibration of the sensor was required, after the updates, but because he was ignorant, not only the problem with the cruise control came up, but also the brake lights did not work!!!

Last but not least, original navi maps were completely crap and YM2010 cars are equipped with much better ones. I am not sure if the main importer has decided on how customers with the old maps will get the new ones installed, but thanks to a good salesman, a lot of people managed to get them at a meeting of the club...

LIKES

+ Exterior styling (... it looks even better in white!)

+ Interior design

+ Support and comfort of sports seats

+ It's relatively fast

+ A lot of kit

+ Sound of turbo

+ Braking performance
+ FlexRide suspension

+ Good quality
+ Value for money

+ Cheap spare parts

+ People are staring at it!!!

DISLIKES

- Sound system (CD500) is disappointing
- When changing from CD playback to radio, volume is not automatically adjusted

- Rattle at the bottom of the navi screen
- The fact that the car was delivered to me with a big scratch on the bumper
- A lot of Opel service points with lack of knowledge about Insignia. Don't they get any f@#%ing training???

Related posts: Known technical issues of Opel Insignia;   Information on Body Control Module (BCM) & Engine Control Module (ECM) from "Opel news & info" blog

READ MORE - 5,000 km review of my Opel Insignia 1.6T Sport