The compact car Opel Astra ZH (G) began production in 1998. The design caused a mixed reaction from car enthusiasts, but many liked its practical qualities. The car is quite roomy inside and compact outside. At the moment, Astra G in good condition is quite valuable on the secondary market. The car was produced in several body styles: sedan, 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, station wagon, coupe and convertible.

The car is indeed compact, but despite this, four large people feel great in the cabin, and you can add to this the 480-liter trunk space of the station wagon, and it becomes clear why the car is of practical value.




Among the line of power units of the second Astra, the best option is considered to be a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 16 valves, which develops a power of 101 (103) horsepower. The engine has good traction, starting from low revs, but at high revs it is excessively noisy. The weak points of this internal combustion engine include oil leakage and oil leakage through various gaskets.

Modifications and characteristics of Opel Astra G engines

The 1.4-liter unit is rather weak for the Astra, the 1.8 engine has an increased fuel appetite, and the 2.2-liter engine is not recommended for purchase due to the fast-stretching timing chain.

Together with the 1.6-liter engine, the Astra is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission with fairly long gears. And although such long gears are useless in the city, on the highway they help unload the engine, increasing its resource and reducing noise levels.




Manual transmission Asters also suffer from oil leaks. The manufacturer tried several times to eliminate this defect, but it did not lead to anything. In addition, the steering rack in the area of ​​the tie rods begins to become coated with oil over time.

The suspension of this car is quite reliable and durable. And its repair is very inexpensive. Often it is necessary to change the silent blocks of the levers and, less often, the suspension springs.




But the most expensive and unpleasant part is replacing the hub bearings, which are only assembled with the hub on both the front and rear axles. You should not save on this spare part - branded hubs such as SKF and FAG last a very long time, unlike their Chinese counterparts.

You can find a review of the Opel Astra H

Unlike the first generation, the body of the second Astra received better corrosion protection. But, since the age of these cars is already quite advanced, when purchasing you should carefully examine the condition of the hood, trunk lid, rear wheel arches and door edges. Corrosion on the chassis does not in any way affect the consumer and technical properties of the car, so there is no need to worry about it.




Astra G headlights lose transparency over the years due to clouding of the plastic as a result of exposure to the environment. There is no point in polishing the headlights; it is much more effective to replace them with an inexpensive option, for example, with headlights from the well-known Taiwanese company Depo.

The upholstery of the Astra G is quite durable, the driver's seat has many adjustments, and the steering column is adjustable in two planes.

The instrument panel of the second Astra is very simple. The steering wheel is small and fits comfortably in your hands. The interior plastic likes to creak, and there's nothing you can do about it.




There have been cases of failure of the glass control unit located on the driver's door handle. Usually the cause of the breakdown lay in the corresponding electric motor. Sometimes the electronic mirror adjustment stops working.

It is also worth mentioning the unreliability of the central display located under the windshield. He works “according to his mood.” Pay attention to its performance when choosing a used Astra G. It is also worth checking the operation of the wipers; their electric motor is also short-lived. In principle, there are no more complaints about the electrical work of this car, which is quite good for a car of this age.

A puddle at the front passenger's feet may form as a result of improper installation of the cabin filter.

In general, the Astra G is a simple and reliable car that does not require large costs for repairs and maintenance. Many units can be serviced independently - with your own hands. The version with a 1.6-liter engine and a whole, non-rotten body is definitely recommended for purchase.

A selection of reviews, video reviews and test drives of the Opel Astra G:

Crash test Opel Astra G:

The used car market in Russia is a fairly developed and complex system. If in European countries you can find dozens and hundreds of beautiful sites, and 90% of equipment is sold through car dealerships, then in the Russian Federation almost everything is bought directly. This has its advantages - you can bargain, find out more about the history of the car. But for the most part there are only disadvantages to this. For example, you can easily fall for a scammer who wants to extract money from your pocket. You can also purchase a car with forged documents, illegal registration, altered license plates and other troubles. And yet, the used market remains the place where 70% of Russian residents turn to purchase a car. Today we will look at the purchase of the once quite popular German sedan Opel Astra G. This generation was the predecessor of the even more interesting generation H.

The machine is incredibly simple and quite reliable. That is why even representatives from 2004-2007 are still in demand in the secondary market. Despite its outdated appearance, the machine pleases with its pleasant production solutions. When purchasing, you should pay special attention to the engine, gearbox, and the condition of the interior. Below we will take a closer look at all the features of selecting an Opel in the car market or in a used car showroom. Most likely, you haven’t even thought about some of his childhood illnesses. Mileage is key when purchasing, as you won't find the most powerful engines under the hood. But overall the car turns out to be quite an interesting choice. Even with its age of 10 years or more, the traditional German retains excellent reliability and continues to be used without any particular difficulties or problems.

Key facts about Opel Astra that you didn't know

The car was developed back in 1998, and at the time this design seemed simply magnificent. Officially, the car was produced at the GM plant in Germany until 2004, after which active work began on the H series. But the model turned out to be so successful that they decided not to stop its production. Production continued under license at a plant in Poland, and then at the ZAZ assembly line in Ukraine. The car was produced here until 2009. The main facts from the opinions of the owners are as follows:

• engines for the most part are not the most successful, there are practically no powerful units in the line, and 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engines are only suitable for city driving;
• all equipment is very reliable - gearboxes and motors do not cause problems in operation and maintenance, there are no difficulties in selecting components and consumables for maintenance;
• the machine is perfectly assembled, even on Ukrainian and Polish conveyors, the car has a McPherson front suspension and a rear semi-independent beam with excellent characteristics;
• the comfort of the ride is ensured by the rather large weight of the body, this is a real European car from those wonderful times when cars lasted more than 500-700 thousand km;
• everything is very practical and simply made, there are no overly expensive or overly cheap solutions in the interior, every button works properly and does not cause any problems.

Not everything is clear in the packages. Given the huge number of assembly locations, you can buy a German, Polish, Ukrainian or even Russian version of the Opel assembly. And this will significantly affect your opinion of the car. It's not a matter of build quality; the car has no problems with that. But only the Germans had decent equipment. In other situations, you will have to look for better versions, which have at least air conditioning and electric windows.

What childhood diseases of Astra should be taken into account when purchasing?

Opel of this model is known for its galvanized body. But it is worth recognizing that at factories in Poland and Ukraine, galvanization was not carried out in the best way. Therefore, after 10-12 years of operation, cars received corrosion on quite important parts. In particular, arches and load-bearing parts of the body, side members and sills rot quite imperceptibly. It is worth inspecting the body carefully to make sure there is no corrosion.

Also pay attention to the following possible childhood diseases:

• bottom - galvanizing does not help here, the bottom rusts perfectly even under a layer of second-grade anticorrosive, so when buying a good anticorrosive it is better to redo it just to be sure;
• rear beam fastenings - this is one of the few European cars that may have problems with this unit, it is worth carefully inspecting it at every maintenance;
• air conditioning and heating system - problems here are often encountered, again due to not very good assembly, the machine will have to be thoroughly examined before you give money;
• The driver's seat lift may also break, and this is a good sign to refuse the purchase, since the service life of this part is about 300,000 km or even a little more;
• The central locking and a number of other electronic items may fail - their operation should be checked carefully and ensure proper response to all driver actions.

In general, Astra has very few illnesses. The car is distinguished by German thoughtfulness and precision. Of course, the ergonomics of the car are not up to par with its more expensive counterparts. This is a simple and very practical vehicle that is designed for use in almost any conditions. The only cause of most equipment breakdowns is poor maintenance. Failure of interior parts is possible if used too carelessly.

How to choose an engine and gearbox for an Opel Astra G?

The car has a fairly large range of engines in official trim levels. There are even 200-horsepower sports engines with amazing dynamics. But in most of the cars sold there are traditional 1.4 liter units with 90 horses or more powerful versions of this engine. The 1.6-liter version is also good with excellent properties and a longer service life. You can also choose a rarer 1.8 liter engine with good traction and power.

From the point of view of selecting equipment, there are several important tips:

• give preference to mechanics and basic, not too powerful engines; exotic cars with diesel and turbocharged gasoline engines are very difficult to maintain;
• fuel consumption will be minimal on Twinport engines with a volume of 1.4 liters and low power, but even with such power the machine has an excellent service life;
• automatic transmissions are also not bad, but problems with them arise much more often than with manual transmissions, and repairs are many times more expensive, which often causes huge costs;
• all equipment in Astra G requires very high-quality and timely maintenance, otherwise after just a few years of operation many components and parts will require replacement;
• When choosing service spare parts and technical fluids, pay attention only to original or recommended options; you should not experiment with regular maintenance.

With proper quality of maintenance and normal operation, Opel Astra equipment can last more than 300,000 km without any particular difficulties or problems. So you won’t have any significant operational problems if you choose a car with low mileage. Astra G is a technically remarkable car that creates its advantages on very important factors for every driver. These are comfort, reliability, ease of operation and a very high resource.

Price and competitors in the secondary market - main features

A 2004 car can be found in excellent condition for 200-220 thousand rubles. Cars produced in 2007 sell for 320,000 - 350,000 rubles. Within this price range, there are other interesting offers that are worth considering when purchasing. It is difficult to say which car from the presented options is optimal. But all these models provide some competition to the Astra G. Among them, it is worth noting the following models:

1. OpelAstraH. This is simply a wonderful car, perfectly modified, with German assembly, more powerful units and other important advantages. The cost of a 2007 car will cost 330-360 thousand rubles.
2. SkodaFabia. The Czech hatchback has good 1.4 and 1.6 liter units (the 1.2 should not be considered), excellent gearboxes and comfortable movement. A car made in 2007 costs about 270-300 thousand rubles.
3. KIARio. The Korean representative of the class serves well and is well protected from problems even after 10 years of operation. The technology is simple, the comfort is quite noticeable. For a 2007 car you will have to pay 250-280 thousand rubles.
4. FordFocus. This car is even more comfortable, representative and large with a price tag only slightly higher than the Astra G. The car has excellent technology in its arsenal and a price for 2007 of about 330-360 thousand rubles.

These are the unusual competitors that Opel has found. It is difficult to say to what extent Opel is the optimal solution in this situation. Most likely, on the secondary market you will have to buy the car that turns out to be the most attractive to you. This will be determined during the test drive and during the inspection of the car at the service station before purchase. You should only buy the Astra version that you are 100% sure of.

We suggest watching a video review of the car to get more information about it:

Let's sum it up

You can argue that the Japanese are better than the Europeans, and also give examples of very worthy competitors in the market for Astra. But Opel remains quite reliable, easy to operate, durable and quite a wonderful choice. Moreover, within 350,000 rubles it is extremely difficult to find something more practical and convenient. For Russian roads, this car is suitable in all respects. Of course, there are also disadvantages here, both in terms of bodywork and technology. But they are not so visible and significant. In general, the car demonstrates excellent operating characteristics and does not violate the idea of ​​a good brand image.

By the way, in Europe this is the only Opel car that breaks the idea of ​​the low quality of this brand. It was the Astra G that broke all sales records in Germany at one time. This car has excellent reliability and is one of the gray cardinals of the secondary market. There may not be many offers, but it’s worth paying special attention to this car. For all its dated design details, this machine can take you to a whole new level of quality. Moreover, in this budget it is almost impossible to buy something more interesting. What do you think about the legendary Opel Astra G?

The new Opel Astra golf-class car debuted in 1991, replacing the Kadett E model. Buyers were offered versions with three- and five-door hatchback, sedan, station wagon and convertible bodies, the development and small-scale production of which was carried out by the Italian company Bertone. The choice of engines was also wide: petrol 1.4 (60–90 hp), 1.6 (71–101 hp), 1.8 (90–116 hp), as well as a diesel engine with a volume of 1.7 liters and power from 57 to 82 l. With. “Hot” versions of the car were called Astra GSi; they were equipped with 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines developing from 125 to 150 hp. With.

This model was produced in Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, South Africa, Poland, China, and India. In the British market it was known under the Vauxhall brand, in Australia as the Holden Astra, in South America as the Opel Kadett, and in South Africa as the Opel Kadett. In 1998, sales of the first generation Astra in the main European markets were stopped due to the appearance of a new car (the convertible was produced until 2000), but for another four years, under the name Opel Astra Classic, the car was assembled at the company's Polish plant and sold in Eastern Europe. and Turkey.

2nd generation (G), 1998–2004

The second generation of Asters began to be offered to customers in 1998. The list of body types was replenished with a two-door coupe, which, like the convertible, was produced in Italy at the Bertone factory. The range of power units has become even wider. Now the base Opel Astra was equipped with a 1.2-liter engine producing 65–75 hp. s., other versions - 1.4 (90 hp), 1.6 (75–103 hp), 1.8 (116–125 hp), 2.0 (136 hp) and 2.2 (147 hp). ) Diesel engines had a volume of 1.7 or 2.0 liters and power from 68 to 125 hp. With. A two-liter turbocharged petrol engine developing 190 hp. s., installed only on the coupe.

In 1999, the “charged” three-door hatchback Opel Astra OPC, equipped with a 160-horsepower, two-liter naturally aspirated engine, appeared in the lineup. And in 2002, with the OPC nameplate, they began to offer not only three-door, but also five-door hatchbacks, station wagons, coupes and convertibles, under the hood of which there was already a turbocharged two-liter engine with a capacity of 192–200 hp. With.

In Western Europe, the second generation Astra was produced until 2004; until 2009, sedans continued to be produced under the name Astra Classic in Poland. In Latin American countries, the model was offered until 2011 as, and in 2004–2008 in Togliatti, at the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture, they made an Astra with a sedan body called.

3rd generation (H), 2004–2014

The third generation Opel Astra was introduced in 2004. The car has three- and five-door hatchback, sedan and station wagon versions, and in 2006 a convertible coupe was created on its basis. Despite the appearance of new generation cars in 2009, this version is still in production. On the Russian market it is sold under the name.

4th generation (J), 2009–2016

The Opel Astra is offered in five-door hatchback, station wagon and sedan body styles. The cars are equipped with gasoline and diesel engines. At the end of 2015, the Opel brand will leave the Russian market, and sales of the Astra model will end.

Five-door hatchback Opel Astra

Prices for the five-door Opel Astra hatchback with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) start at 691,000 rubles. The list of equipment for the initial Active configuration includes four airbags, a stabilization system, air conditioning, a CD/MP3 audio system, heated front seats, front electric windows, and electric mirrors. A car with rear electric windows, a more “advanced” radio and on-board computer. The Cosmo version (dual-zone climate control, heated leather steering wheel, rear view camera, cruise control, alloy wheels, fog lights) is estimated at 760,000 rubles. For a six-speed automatic transmission, available in the Active and Cosmo versions, you will have to pay an additional 40 thousand rubles.

The Opel Astra, equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine with a power of 140 horsepower, is offered only with an automatic transmission at a price of 774,000 rubles for the Active version. A car in the Cosmo configuration costs 843,000 rubles.

The most powerful five-door Astra with a 1.6 turbocharged engine (170 hp) and an automatic transmission in the Cosmo version is offered at a price of 989,000 rubles.

Opel Astra sedan

The sedan is offered in the same trim levels and with the same set of powertrains, and in the same trim levels as the hatchback.

A car with a 1.6 engine (115 hp) costs from 829,900 rubles, with a 1.4-liter turbo engine producing 140 hp. With. and “automatic” - from 744,000 rubles. Version 1.6 Turbo (170 hp) is also equipped only with an automatic transmission and is offered at a price of 1,004,000 rubles.

Opel Astra Sports Tourer station wagon

The Opel Astra Sports Tourer 1.6 station wagon (115 hp) in the basic Enjoy configuration costs 817,000 rubles. The Cosmo version will cost 1,367,000 rubles. A car with a 1.4-liter turbo engine (140 hp) is estimated at at least 920,000 rubles, and the base version for it is the Enjoy package. For this version, as for cars with a 115-horsepower engine, you can order an “automatic” for an additional payment of 40 thousand rubles.

Prices for the 1.6 Turbo modification (170 horsepower), which is offered only with an automatic transmission, start at 1,203,000 rubles. A station wagon with a two-liter turbodiesel (130 hp) and an automatic transmission will cost 1,223,000 rubles.

The fourth generation Opel Astra J hatchback debuted in 2009. Five-door hatchbacks and sedans for the Russian market are produced “in full cycle” at the plant in St. Petersburg, station wagons and three-doors are produced using the “screwdriver” method at the Kaliningrad Avtotor.

A small car from the popular German concern Opel Astra K 2018-2019 is known not only in Russia, but also abroad.

The manufacturer did not wait for the official presentation of the new car and revealed the secrets of the technical characteristics of the new product, thereby providing fans and future buyers with the opportunity to get acquainted with it, evaluate the changed appearance and interior from photographs.

Today this is the latest version of the car, which is not yet for sale, and will arrive on auto markets and car showrooms only next year. The body design has been improved, it looks more rigid, and is very similar to previous generations of Opel cars.

The stern is very similar to previous models, but its interior has changed a lot.

Design

The updated hatchback has five doors, it is made on a fundamentally new D2XX platform, which underlies the new model range of cars. This platform made it possible to reduce body weight by 20% and chassis weight by 50 kilograms compared to previous Opel models.

The design of the Astra is very attractive; the designers decided to attract a large number of young buyers to the hatchback by giving it an aggressive look. On the front panel there is a large number of LED lights, which run along the entire length in a narrow stripe.

Matrix optics, using an electronic unit, examines information from the camera and translates the extent and activity of the light stream in accordance with the situation on the track and the location of other cars on it.

It has a curved hood and a voluminous radiator grille with chrome inserts. The aerodynamic front bumper houses fog lamps of an unusual rectangular shape.

The sides of the Opel Astra body are very similar to previous models. A plus are the large wheel arches. There are neat stamping lines at the bottom and top of the body. To give the car a sporty style, the exterior mirrors were mounted on a small base. There is a chrome trim along the top edge of the glass.

The korma has generated a lot of controversy and disagreement, some people like it and others don’t. On the line connecting the stern to the roof there is a narrow LED optics. There is a small spoiler on the top of the body. The rear bumper looks good due to the smooth stamping lines.

The dimensions of Astra K are as follows:

• length – 4370 mm;
• width – 1809 mm;
• height – 1485 mm;
• wheelbase – 2662 mm;
• ground clearance - 150 mm.

Specifications

Type	Volume	Power	Torque	Overclocking	Maximum speed	Number of cylinders
Petrol	1.0 l	105 hp	170 H*m	11.2 sec.	200 km/h	3
Petrol	1.4 l	100 hp	130 H*m	12.3 sec.	185 km/h	4
Petrol	1.4 l	125 hp	245 H*m	9.2 sec.	205 km/h	4
Petrol	1.4 l	150 hp	230 H*m	8.3 sec.	215 km/h	4
Diesel	1.6 l	95 hp	280 H*m	12.7 sec.	185 km/h	4
Diesel	1.6 l	110 hp	300 H*m	11 sec.	195 km/h	4
Diesel	1.6 l	136 hp	320 H*m	9.6 sec.	205 km/h	4

The car has a large number of engines, but we can only guess what modifications will be sold in our country.

Gasoline engine options offered by the manufacturer:

1. A weak engine, based on cubic capacity, is a three-cylinder gasoline engine, which also has a turbine. It has a liter volume, a power of 105 horses, and this helps the Opel Astra 2018-2019 accelerate to 100 kilometers in 11.2 seconds, and the highest V=200 km/h. Fuel consumption is low - 5 liters in the city, less on the highway.
2. Another engine variation is represented by a volume of 1.4 liters. The engine is naturally aspirated and can produce no more than 100 horsepower. Acceleration is worse than the previous one and is 12.3 seconds. The highest speed of a hatchback with such a unit is 185 km/h, with a consumption of 7 liters per 100 kilometers.
3. The third type of engine is identical to the previous one, but with a turbine. Its power is 125 horsepower, which reduces the dynamics by 3 seconds. The maximum speed is 205 km/h, and gasoline consumption is 7 liters on city streets and 4.5 liters outside the metropolis.
4. The most powerful in the Opel Astra line is a gasoline engine with a turbine. It has a volume of 1.6 liters, a power of 200 horses, its dynamics are 7 seconds, with a maximum acceleration of 235 km/h. Consumption in the city is relatively small, only 8 liters.

Diesel engines:

1. Next, we are presented with a 1.4-liter power unit with an improved turbine, which gives a power of 150 forces. It has better acceleration - 8.5 seconds to 100 km, and the car's maximum speed is 215 km/h. Consumption in the metropolis is 6 liters per hundred kilometers.
2. Another engine is a representative of diesel engines. It has sixteen valves with a turbine. The cubic capacity is 1.6 liters and the power is 95 horses. Dynamics to hundreds is 13 seconds, and the highest V=185 km/h. The waste of diesel fuel from this power unit is 4 liters within the city, and 3 liters outside it.
3. Next comes a diesel unit, but with a power of up to 110 horses. The dynamics to hundreds will be 11 seconds, and the maximum acceleration is 195 km/h. Fuel consumption is at the level of the previous representative.
4. Also in the line of diesel engines of the Astra K there is a unit with a cubic capacity of 1.6 liters, a power of 136 horses, with acceleration in 9.6 seconds. Max V=205 km/h, consumption is 4 liters in the city and 3 liters on the highway.
5. The line of diesel engines ends with a 1.6-liter engine with a power of 160 horsepower. Acceleration is good, only 8.6 seconds to 100 km, the speedometer needle will stop at 218 km/h. Fuel consumption will be 5 liters in the metropolis and 3.6 liters outside it.

All engines are presented in two versions with a six-speed manual transmission, but the buyer is also offered a model with a five-speed robot and a six-speed automatic. It doesn’t matter which model a car enthusiast chooses, they are all front-wheel drive. The company made the engines not only powerful, but also economical, which is quite important.

Interior of Opel Astra K

If we talk about the space inside the cabin, it remains the same, there is not so much of it. The quality of the material from which the interior will be made, according to company representatives, will be at a high level.

The driver will be offered a three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel with a large number of buttons for operating the multifunction system. The instrument panel is installed behind the steering column. It contains a dial-type speedometer and tachometer, and between them there is a screen that displays a large amount of necessary information.

If you look closely, you will notice updated door upholstery in the interior, on which comfortable armrests and small door handles are installed.

The console is located on top and is equipped with a decent monitor for the multifunction system and navigator. It is touch-sensitive and the car system is controlled using keys. Below are located an original deflector shape that serves to adjust the climate control, a separate type.

There is also a cavity in the center of the cabin for various small items, which is located on the console. There is also a cavity for placing glasses, as well as an electronic parking brake button.

The seats in the new Astra are beautiful and spacious, with strong support at the edges. The rear sofa is designed for three passengers, but it will not be very comfortable for them to sit - it’s cramped.

The luggage compartment has a volume of 370 liters, but it can be increased to 1210 liters by folding the rear row seats. The main advantage of the car is its safety. For this the car deservedly received five stars.

Cost of Astra

The cost of the car is promised to be low. The company offers the lowest price for the basic package, around 17,000 euros. That's not too much for a strong and well-equipped car.

Additional functions that the hatchback can be equipped with at the buyer’s request:

• Sign recognition;
• Autonomous in-line driving on highways;
• Rear view optics;
• Electrically adjustable seats (18 positions);
• Ventilation and seat massage option;
• Cruise control;
• Parking assistance;
• Emergency braking of a car;
• Heated rear seats.

The brand has been popular for many years and for good reason. Opel Astra K (2018-2019) can be purchased both for city trips and for travel. It has a stylish appearance, a powerful but economical engine, a comfortable interior and many useful options.

Video

Our rare 1.2 petrol engine (X12XE and Z12XE) with a 16-valve cylinder head and a timing chain boasts a durable piston group, but is let down by a thin single-row chain. Most live up to 150 thousand, but there have been cases of stretching even up to 100 thousand mileage. Replacing a chain with all the accompanying parts by the standards of a small old machine will not please you at a price. The second most popular problem is the wear of the variable geometry intake manifold flaps, which in the worst case fall inside the cylinders.
- Eight-valve 1.6 (75 hp X16SZR and 84 hp Z16SE) run smoothly for 400-500 thousand kilometers or more, with minimal tendency to waste oil and minimal costs. These are truly the best engines on the Astra.
- In the mid and late 2000s, the main “horror story” about the Astra G was the 16-valve 1.6 (101 hp, X16XEL), which in 2000 was quietly replaced by the modified X16XE of the same power. The problem is in the valve guides that wear out quickly, which is why the oil burn began on completely childish runs of up to 100 thousand and required removal and reassembly of the cylinder head. Now, most likely, all these unsuccessful motors have undergone repairs and it is unlikely that this is really relevant. However, 8-valve engines are still better - there are problems with the ECU.
- All other 16-valve engines - 1.4, 1.8 and 1.6 after the update - are quite decent options, except for the above-mentioned problem with the ECU, which is typical for the entire series. The main thing is to change the timing belt every 60 thousand, monitor the spark plugs and eliminate leaks of gaskets and seals. Maintenance costs are generally minimal.
- Rare X20XEV - the legendary “chumotek”, good for everyone, except that it’s practically impossible to find it on the Astra G, and if you do, then this car will be around until 1999.
- The turbocharged Z20LET on powerful versions is made on the basis of the “chumotek”, and it survived the boost without any difficulties. True, old charged Opels are rarely in good condition.
- On coupe versions there is a 2.2 Z22SE engine. This option, as already mentioned, is not very successful. Firstly, the timing belt here is chain driven (as on 1.2), the service life of the chain is unpredictable (it could be 150 or 250 thousand), and replacement is quite expensive compared to a belt. Secondly, the cylinder head is made of frankly low-quality aluminum: this is expressed not only in frequent damage to the threads of the spark plug wells, but also, in the most advanced cases, in the tearing out of the timing chain tensioner and/or damper, which are attached to the cylinder head. Thirdly, if the car is very old and the time has come for a major overhaul, do not look for repair sizes of the pistons - there are none, you need to re-sleeve and set the nominal value. In short, by the standards of old Opels, there are a lot of problems with the engine.
- Diesels are bad mainly because they were used for everyday driving over long distances, and over the years their mileage has most likely exceeded the 500,000 mark. Diesel is expensive to maintain, much more expensive than a gasoline engine, even taking into account fuel savings. And if you do decide, then diesel drivers like it most: the old swirl chamber 1.7TD (X17DTL) and the “direct” 2.0 (X20DTH) and 2.2 (Y22DTR), provided that they are equipped with Bosch fuel equipment (Denso is also available) . Reviews for 1.7 with direct injection (Y17DT and Z17DTL) are the worst, they criticize both the injectors and the pump.