➖ Big doors / Problem parking
➖ Rigid suspension
➖ Maneuverability (large turning radius)
➖ Visibility
pros
➕ Design
➕ Quality of finishing materials
➕ Comfortable interior
➕ Manageability
Advantages and disadvantages of the Opel Astra J GTC 2012-2013 identified based on reviews real owners. More detailed pros and cons of Opel Astra GTC 1.4 turbo, 1.6 and 2.0 gasoline and diesel with mechanics and automatic can be found in the stories below:
Owner reviews
At the moment I have covered my 12 thousand km, I will try to describe the sensations ... Living in the outback, I still clearly feel how people stare and turn their heads. Yes, this is an Opel, but a damn good appearance leaves no one indifferent.
When I bought a car, many kept saying how to live with it with a three-door. However, the landing back is quite normal, and sitting behind a person of average height is quite normal. My wife and I are not taller, the seats are pushed back quite a bit, so there is a solid space in the second row to the front seats. The rear also has its own lighting, speakers, places for glasses, bottles or something else, there are hooks for clothes.
In general, what I like about this car is that for all its "youth" it provides a very adult level of comfort and equipment. Rain and light sensors work adequately. The adaptive bi-xenon headlights are beautiful at night, the LED lashes around the headlights look cool.
The engine lives only from two and a half thousand revolutions, before that it’s completely a vegetable. In sixth gear at 3,000 rpm, the speed is exactly 130 km / h. My consumption is mainly on the highway, and in summer the average does not exceed 8.4 liters (naturally, with a conder, and the power loss from the conder is minimal), in winter the consumption is a little more, somewhere up to nine liters. Engine 180 hp frisky in moderation, or rather the car is very heavy 1613 kg. Besides big wheels, so there is no breathtaking overclocking here.
Review of Opel Astra GTC 1.6 (180 hp) with 2012 mechanics
Video review
A month after the purchase, we go with a girl on a trip to Altai on the GTC. During the trip, I had to travel about 2,000 km. And then I realized how comfortable this car is for long trips on good roads. Active light, cruise control, rain sensor, good music - it helps a lot on a long trip. Then there were many other trips out of town - and each time the car was a real pleasure.
It keeps confidently on the track, there are enough dynamics to confidently overtake. It is worth switching to 4th or 5th gear, and you fly away. On the highways it is comfortable to drive at 125 km / h. Discomfort is caused only by unexpected bumps on the road - a more or less serious bump can “break through” the suspension with a characteristic sound.
Appearance at first drove me crazy, blissed out from everyone's attention. He constantly turned around when he got out of the car, contemplating his beauty. Now I’m more or less used to it, but Astra still gives aesthetic pleasure.
And now honestly about the cons:
1. Large turning radius. Compensated by beautiful big wheels.
2. The back of the car quickly gets dirty due to the lack of mudguards, and their presence greatly spoils the appearance.
3. Driver's seat. After adjusting the roll-out, the seat is not always fixed to the end, and it is necessary to insert the seat into the groove with additional force until it clicks. In addition, after a bad road in the city, the lower back begins to ache.
4. Electronic handbrake. There were a couple of cases when I did not put the car on the handbrake, and the car began to slowly roll back. A hard click doesn't always work. Therefore, you need to press the button with emphasis.
But the big doors will not be attributed to the minuses. Yes, when parking, you need to calculate the distance to a neighboring car, but what a pleasure it is to open and slam a large and heavy door!
Review about Opel Astra GTC 1.4 turbo (140 hp) on the mechanics of 2012
The comfort of the front sports seats, you sit like in a "capsule";
+ good sound insulation (only the muffler buzzes on high revs);
+ good information content of the instrument panel, a lot of buttons (feeling like in an airplane);
+ Beautifully illuminated interior (door opening handles, the panel at the gearshift knob).— It is inconvenient to sit in the seats, and it is also very inconvenient to get out of them (especially those who have a large 5th point);
— a disease of combined seats (after 30 thousand km, everyone cracks the lower lateral support of the leatherette seat, which they usually sit on when landing, for someone it is even torn into trash);
— Visibility is lost due to the wide front pillars.Let's move on to the body. The body is the hallmark of this model. Due to the large regular 18-inch wheels and design features, the car has a small turning angle, which is very inconvenient, especially in a large city. It’s also inconvenient with huge doors, which, although they open almost 90 degrees, that you can even jump in with a run, but because of this it’s difficult to find a parking place, because. With this opening of the door, you need a lot of space.
Suspension:
On the track with its weight and wheels goes like a tank.
— Though on the 18th wheels, but tough, every joint and bump is felt, it shakes notably!
Transmission manual transmission:
I think that the manual transmission of the GTC is a weak point. I was faced with the fact that in this box, with a NATIVE mileage of 75,000 km, the input shaft bearing whistled. The problem turns out to be massive, many people drive with it anyway, so when accelerating over 40 km / h, a whistle appears in the box (everyone thinks that this whistle is somewhere else). I also found information on the Internet that at high speeds there is a strong heating in the box, and then the oil overheats, and then the consequences are clear to everyone ...
Engine:
The 1.4 engine is a strangled engine with a small turbine, which, as they say, does not need to be cooled even after a trip, but I still got used to it. long trips cool it down for a minute. He doesn’t like racing, as well as high speeds, it’s worth stomping and something will definitely give somewhere, so from SPORT equipment there is only one word and the exhaust system.
Review of Opel Astra GTC 1.4 turbo manual transmission 2012
In the parking lot next to the GTC, all other cars seem featureless and unprepossessing. When you start the engine, turn on the music and start smoothly (although you could light it up), you forget about all the problems and worries that tormented and haunted. You turn on the heated steering wheel and feel the vibration of the low frequencies of the audio system with your whole body. Well you have to!!! I ride without gloves, my hands do not freeze. It's just a holiday!
I let others pass, I get into the line with full confidence that they will let me through, and this happens. I easily go around any car that I see fit to go around, and I feel a huge supply of power under the hood.
But at the same time, I don’t want to drive at all. I am pleased to turn on fifth gear at 80 km / h and, slightly touching the pedal, see the message out of the corner of my eye: 4.5 liters per 100 km. But with this smooth movement, I know that at any moment, remaining in the same gear and gently pressing the pedal, the car with a cheetah growl will accelerate from 80 to 120 km / h in a couple of seconds.
All small and natural bumps on the GTC Russian road perceived as a slight vibration. But if you fly into a serious pothole at speed, then the blow will be strong. And at this moment you realize how stiff the car's suspension is. As a result, you have to work on the steering wheel, going around all this disgrace.
We drive up to the office, looking for a place to park. I find my usual space of 4.5 meters and understand that my car is exactly that long, so I can only park on such a heel with a crane. I find a place a meter more. Seems like it should be enough.
I start to back up, and immediately I hear the chamberman scream. I get out of the car. My God, yes, there is still about a meter - to crawl and crawl. It would seem that turn off the parking sensors and calmly back another 50 centimeters, but set high rear glass doesn't let you see the hood rear car. As a result, you have to maneuver, clinging to the front of the car, since there are no problems with visibility in the front.
Konstantin, review about Opel Astra J GTC 2.0d diesel (130 HP) MT 2012
Someone may not agree, but I personally think that today the GTC is the most beautiful and harmonious of all Opels.
There were no problems with adaptation, the wife got used to the car very quickly, which is not surprising. The steering wheel is very pleasant, light, the pedals are also very soft, getting into the car is comfortable, the steering wheel is adjustable both in height and in reach, there is powerful lateral support and a bunch of settings for the seat itself.
The finish and quality of materials in the cabin is also at its best, the seats are combined, and in the place where they have fabric, the fabric itself is very dense, I think it will be very difficult to kill it. Everything else is automotive leather stitched with stitching. In general, everything is done very soundly.
A very pleasant sound of the engine, such a bass with a roar, and the sound insulation for its class is at the level, and it’s interesting what winter tires the car was generally very quiet.
The car holds the road excellently, and indeed excellent taxiing - this is the most vivid impression of this car. The clearance for a car of this class is also quite satisfactory, almost 16 cm. winter tires so 17 cm.
So, what is impractical and inconvenient in this car ... Firstly, these are huge doors, so when parking you need to think about it first of all, it’s better not to drive into a narrow place, because the door span is at least a meter. Secondly, the left stance - it really bothers me. You can’t see a damn thing in the rear window either, but actually there’s nothing to see there, since there are parking sensors.
Review about Opel Astra GTC 1.4 automatic 2013
Compared to its predecessor, the Opel Astra J Hatchback has become larger in size: length - 4419 mm (+170 mm), width - 1814 / 2013 mm (+61 mm), height - 1510 mm (+50 mm). Wheelbase - 2,685 mm (+71 mm). The car has increased front track and rear wheels(+56 mm and +70 mm), which had a positive effect on the handling and stability of the car. Ground clearance- 160 mm. Curb weight - 1 373 kg. Load capacity - 497 kg. Volume luggage compartment- 370 / 795 liters. When fully loaded "to the ceiling" this figure is 1,235 liters.
On the Russian market 5-door hatch Opel The Astra J was offered with four petrol powertrains. These are naturally aspirated engines of 1.4 and 1.6 liters (100 and 115 hp) and turbocharged engines 1.4 Turbo and 1.6 Turbo (140 and 180 hp). In other markets, the car was available from diesel plants volume from 1.3 to 2.0 liters (95-160 hp). The engines were combined with a 5- or 6-speed "mechanics" and a 6-speed "automatic". Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h (depending on the engine) - from 14.2 to 8.5 seconds. Max Speed- from 178 km / h to 221 km / h. The average fuel consumption is 5.5-6.8 liters for every 100 kilometers.
The 5-door Opel Astra J is built on a Delta II front-wheel drive platform with semi-independent rear and independent front suspension. The front suspension of the car is MacPherson strut. The rear suspension is a combination of a torsion beam with a Watt mechanism. The car was equipped with an adaptive FlexRide chassis, which, working in tandem with the CDC (Dynamic Suspension Control) system, is able to adjust the stiffness of the suspension in real time depending on road conditions. The FlexRide system has three preset modes "Standard", "Sport" and "Comfort", the activation of which changes the algorithm of the suspension, power steering and accelerator pedal.
Opel Astra J was produced in Essentia, Active and Cosmo trim levels. The basic set of options includes exterior mirrors with electrical adjustment and heating, adjustable steering column, radio with CD player, front and side airbags. All proposed versions of the Opel Astra Jay hatchback were equipped with ABS + ESP and standard anti-theft alarms. As an option, customers could order dual-zone climate control, adaptive headlights and an infotainment complex with a 7-inch monitor. In addition, the car was optionally equipped with a blind spot monitoring system, traffic sign recognition and a parking assistant.
Hatch Opel Astra Jay was equipped with passive and active safety, including pre-programmed body parts, a rigid roll cage, front, side and window airbags, active head restraints and an emergency pedal release system.
Owners of the fourth-generation 5-door Opel Astra J note a worthy combination of price and quality. The car is well built and attractive. appearance, acceptable accelerating dynamics and controllability. Noise isolation in the area of wheel arches causes criticism: even on roads with high-quality coating, the car interior “poured” loud noise. Claims are caused by brake mechanisms: the calipers rattle so loudly that they cause discomfort to passengers. When operating the machine, there are problems with the electronics.
30.11.2016
Opel Astra) is the fourth generation popular model, which many consider not only the most beautiful, but also the most successful car in golf class. Smooth shapes, large wheels, muscular arches and excellent optics with diode eyelashes - such a car is simply obliged to attract attention, because marketers worked on it no less than design engineers. And these efforts were not in vain, as the car was one of the leaders in sales in many countries of the world. More than six years have passed since the start of sales, which means that it is already possible to draw certain conclusions regarding the reliability of the car.
A bit of history:
In 1991, the Opel Cadet was replaced by new generation golf class models with the sonorous name "Astra" (translated from Latin "Astra » means star). Since then, three generations have changed. The premiere of this model took place in 2009 at the Frankfurt auto show, but the car debuted on the market only in 2010. Starting in 2011, a sports version of the hatchback became available to customers, which received the GTC index. After a minor facelift in 2012, the Astra J sedan appeared. Opel Astra J, 2010 model year, was developed in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and shares a platform with the .
The novelty was created from scratch, the manufacturer relied on unconventional, for the Opel brand, design, spacious salon, increased safety, comfort and controllability, as well as advanced technologies. New wheelbase, combined with increased gauge and good design rear suspension, gave the car controllability, passion and stability on the road, while maintaining a decent level of comfort. The list of equipment also includes a mechatronic chassis with electrical adjustments, adaptive lighting, a system for tracking markings and recognizing road signs. Opel Astra J was assembled in Germany, Poland, Great Britain, and also in Russia at the plant in Shushary.
Weaknesses and shortcomings of the Opel Astra J with mileage.
Previous Opel models are very much criticized for poor body protection against corrosion, among motorists the statement was very popular: "If you put an Opel in a quiet place, you can hear how it rusts." The manufacturer took into account this drawback and completely galvanized the car body, but, unfortunately, this did not give the desired result. It cannot be said that the body rots as before, but the appearance of bugs on it after the winter is a common thing (it is worth noting that the manufacturer gives a 12-year warranty on the body). When inspecting, special attention should be paid to: thresholds, wheel arches, tailgate and door edges.
Power units
The Opel Astra J engine range consists of atmospheric 1.4 (100 hp), 1.6 (115 hp) and turbocharged 1.4 (140 hp), 1.6 (180 hp) gasoline power units. Diesel engines 1.3 (85 hp), 1.7 (110-170 hp), 2.0 (160 hp) are also available. As operating experience has shown, power units are very reliable, and rarely cause trouble. In terms of dynamics, turbocharged engines look preferable to outdated aspirated engines, but you need to understand that such engines will be more expensive to maintain and repair. So, for example, every 180-200 thousand km a turbine needs to be replaced, and this pleasure is not cheap (700-900 USD, with work).
Common engine problems include: a short thermostat life of 30,000 km (many owners solve this problem by installing a more reliable thermostat from Cruz) and failure of the coolant level valve in the tank. The 1.6 motor uses a system for changing the valve timing on two shafts, this not only increases the power of the unit, but also makes the motor less reliable, the weak point is the solenoid valve of the phase regulator. Once every 60,000 km, cleaning or replacement of valves is required, a noise resembling a diesel rumble will signal the need for this procedure. If this procedure is neglected, then expensive engine repairs are inevitable. The vehicle is equipped with an electronic throttle valve, complex design complies with Euro-5 eco-standards , but its resource, unfortunately, is not great, 60-80 thousand km. To extend the life of the throttle and injectors, they need to be washed as soon as you feel a deterioration in traction, also, try to fill the car with high-quality gasoline.
Diesel engines with fuel system Common Rail (TDCI) is very sensitive to fuel quality. And, if the previous owner refueled with low-quality diesel fuel, you will have to replace fuel injectors, injection pump, EGR valve and catalyst (repair cost 2000-3000 USD). When choosing diesel version Opel Astra J imported from Europe, carry out detailed diagnostics power unit. The fact is that these cars are very economical, and abroad they are wound on more than one hundred thousand kilometers, but in our country they are sold all the time with a mileage of 50-80 thousand km.
Transmission
Opel Astra J is equipped with a five- and six-speed manual gearbox, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. As experience has shown, mechanical boxes gears have proven to be the most reliable, but things with automatic transmission are worse. So, in particular, the owners blame for an extraneous unpleasant sound when the car stops, and jerks are felt when shifting gears. The reason for this behavior of the transmission, in the service, is explained by a software failure of the transmission control unit. Flashing the block slightly improves performance characteristics but does not completely solve the problem. At each maintenance, check the oil level in the box, as it often leaks due to the manufacturer's use of low-quality oil supply pipes to the cooling radiator. If you neglect the rules for operating an automatic transmission, the transmission will last no more than 150,000 km (replacement will cost about 2000 USD).
Problem areas running Opel Astra J
This model is equipped with a front independent suspension MacPherson type, rear, traditional for all generations german mark, a semi-dependent torsion beam with springs and shock absorbers on the axle is installed. Design feature Opel Astra J suspension is that at sub-zero temperatures it starts to tap when driving on rough roads. Often, the cause of a knock in the suspension is a detached shock absorber boot. This problem is solved quite simply - you need to install the anther in place and secure it with sealant or clamps. Another source of knocking of a working suspension can be brake calipers, the problem is eliminated by installing special gaskets between the calipers and brake pads. If on dashboard the “BRAKE” indicator lights up, most likely the software needs to be reinstalled.
Traditionally, for most cars, the stabilizer struts most often fail, replacing every 30,000 km. Thrust bearings do not live much longer, their resource is 40-50 thousand km, approximately at the same run, the stabilizer bushings will need to be replaced. The service life of original shock absorbers does not exceed 100,000 km, non-original ones can last less than 50,000 km. Ball bearings, wheel bearings and shock absorber springs are well adapted to our roads, and with careful operation they will last 100-120 thousand km. Silent blocks of levers, on average, serve 120-150 thousand km. Steering quite reliable, among the shortcomings we can distinguish: wear of the rack bushing (knock when driving over bumps, play in the steering wheel, oil smudges on the rack) and a small resource of steering tips (30-50 thousand km).
Salon
Interior finishing materials are of average quality, as a result, the appearance of crickets is a matter of time. The main sources of sound are: a decorative overlay on the center console, a plastic overlay around the door windows, a ceiling light on the ceiling, and front seat adjustment mechanisms. Opel boldly integrated a lot of modern electronics into the Astra, unfortunately, the sores were not long in coming. The most significant ones are arbitrary reboot of all on-board equipment (the reason has not been established), failure of the standard alarm system, spontaneous lowering of windows and failure of the air conditioning compressor.
Outcome:
Opel AstraJ– inexpensive, economical and reliable vehicle for everyday use. Thanks to the combination of modern appearance, decent dynamics and good handling, the car will be a good option for young and practical motorists.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.
Sincerely, editorial Autoavenue
Engine Opel Astra j 1.6 liter. Today we’ll talk about his turbocharged modification Opel Astra J with a capacity of 180 hp. Z16LET. The motor appeared in 2006 and was created on the basis of the Z16XER series engine.
The Z16LET turbo engine, in addition to the well-known design, received the same problems as the atmospheric counterpart. As for reliability, the Opel Astra turbo engine on our fuel is not very quality oil can become unusable after 100 thousand kilometers. A rather capricious engine that requires high-quality and timely maintenance.
Device Opel Astra j 1.6
The basis of the engine design is a cast-iron cylinder block. The cylinders are machined directly into the block. The 16-valve mechanism usually does not cause problems, since there are hydraulic lifters and it is not necessary to adjust the thermal clearance of the valves. At the heart of the timing belt. But we will talk about the belt drive a little lower. The main feature of the motor can be considered a phase change system on both camshafts. It is this system that causes a lot of trouble. especially if you pour low-quality oil. After all, phase shifters work solely due to oil pressure, focusing on various sensors. If a strange rattling sound (diesel sound) is heard from under the hood, then do not rush to sin on the hydraulic lifters, it is most likely that the actuators of the CVCP valve timing system have failed.
Schematically, the operation of the CVCP phase change system is shown in the following picture.
As a turbine, the engine designers installed the KKK K03 unit, which provides not only high power, but also excellent torque from 2000-2300 rpm. The compression ratio is reduced to 8.8. Due to the high loads, under which almost all parts of the motor, extraneous noise and vibration often appear. Of the minuses, one can note the great appetite of the engine for oil.
Timing device Opel Astra j 1.6
Astra engine timing diagram A16LET in the next photo.
Characteristics Opel Astra j 1.6 (180 hp)
- Working volume - 1598 cm3
- Number of cylinders - 4
- Number of valves - 16
- Cylinder diameter - 79 mm
- Stroke - 81.5 mm
- Timing drive - belt
- HP power (kW) - 180 (132) at 5500 rpm in min.
- Torque - 230 Nm at 5400 rpm. in min.
- Maximum speed - 221 km / h
- Acceleration to the first hundred - 8.5 seconds
- Fuel type - gasoline AI-98
- Compression ratio - 8.8
- Fuel consumption in the city - 9.8 liters
- Fuel consumption on the highway - 5.5 liters
- Combined fuel consumption - 7.3 liters
If the modification of the Z16LET engine met the requirements for Euro-4, then the A16LET version fits into the Euro-5 environmental standard. The engines have no actual design difference, only the settings have changed. Among other things, the Opel Astra j 1.6 turbo engine is very demanding on fuel quality. In our country, it is better to fill in AI-98 gasoline.
22.01.2018
Opel Astra J (Opel Astra) is considered one of the leaders in its segment (golf class) due to the successful combination of sizes, specifications and practicality. Against the background of its eminent competitors, Astra J looks more expensive and solid car, and all thanks to the streamlined design, which replaced the angular body of the previous generation model. You can talk about the advantages of this car for hours, but today we will talk about its shortcomings, or rather the reliability of this model, since this factor plays a key role when choosing a used car.
Technical Opel specifications Astra J
Brand and body type: C - hatchback, sedan, station wagon;
Body dimensions (L x W x H), mm - 4419 x 1814 x 1510, 4658 x 1814 x 1500, 4698 x 1814 x 1535;
Wheelbase, mm - 2658, 2685;
Ground clearance, mm - 165;
Tire size - 205/60 R16, 215/50 R17;
Volume fuel tank, l – 56;
Curb weight, kg - 1393, 1405, 1437;
Gross weight, kg - 1850, 1870, 1995;
Trunk capacity, l - 370 (795), 460 (1010), 500 (1500);
Options - Enjoy, Enjoy +, Enjoy High, Enjoy Low, Essentia, Essentia Low, Cosmo, Cosmo Mid, S / S Cosmo.
Problem areas and disadvantages of the Opel Astra J
Body weaknesses:
Paintwork- despite the fact that the quality of painting is not bad, scratches and chips appear on the body quite quickly, and after 10 years of operation on a car assembled in St. Petersburg, the paint may begin to swell and fall off in pieces (most often the problem occurs on 3-door hatchbacks).
body iron- the times have already passed when Opel bodies, for a weak anti-corrosion coating, were not criticized only by the lazy. To date, the German company galvanizes all body parts of the car and gives them up to 12 years of warranty. Despite this, in some instances Russian assembly over time, pockets of rust appear on the thresholds, wheel arches, trunk lid, at the bottom of the doors, as well as at the junctions of bumpers and wings (as a rule, bugs appear after winter). original elements bodies are not cheap, therefore, if they are damaged, they are usually restored, not changed.
Bottom- not completely covered with a protective impact-resistant mastic, therefore, in order to prevent corrosion, it is recommended to treat it with an anti-corrosion agent.
Pilkington windshield- very soft, which is why it quickly becomes covered with scratches and chips, it is worth noting that the use of hard wiper blades accelerates the process of glass wear (rubbed and cloudy). It is not uncommon for glass to crack due to a sharp temperature drop.
Brush replacement- this procedure involves switching the wipers to the service mode, to do this, after turning off the ignition, move the mode switch lever down, after which the wipers should be in the service vertical position.
Adaptive optics AFL- this type of optics significantly exceeds the standard one in terms of lighting quality. However, it has a couple of significant drawbacks - the rapid wear of lens drives and the failure of the control system (body level position sensors fail), in addition, replacing such a headlight is expensive. There are craftsmen who have learned how to restore the headlight, but there are problems with the availability of the necessary spare parts.
Common ailments of power units
Atmospheric motors:
1,4 – this engine has earned a good reputation for itself and is considered a very reliable unit, but only in the hands of calm drivers. So, for example, the timing chain drive that the engine is equipped with can last up to 180,000 km without replacement, but if the car is operated in the “slipper on the floor” mode and saves on maintenance, the chain will be asked to be replaced after 80,000 km. The engine resource to the capital is 250-300 thousand km.
1.6 - It is also a reliable atmospheric small-capacity engine. Unlike a weaker unit, a timing belt drive is used here, but with a variable valve timing system on two shafts. In addition to the advantages (increase in the service life of the belt), this system has its drawbacks - the solenoid valves of the phase regulator often fail. If there is a problem, the engine starts to diesel. The disease is eliminated by cleaning the valves, if cleaning does not give a positive effect, the valve will have to be replaced. The motor does not have hydraulic lifters, so the valves are adjusted by selecting calibrated glasses. This procedure is recommended to be carried out every 100,000 km. For trouble-free operation of the engine, it is recommended to change the oil every 10,000 km. In this case, it is advisable to use some kind of high-quality analogue, instead of branded DEXOS 2 oil - it contains additives that, with prolonged use, cause hard coking of the piston rings and heavy deposits inside the power unit.
1,8 - has similar problems with a weaker unit - frequent failure of the solenoid valves of the phase regulator, there are no hydraulic compensators. In addition, a small resource of the ignition module (70-90 thousand km) can be noted, most often owners who save on spark plugs face a malfunction. Symptoms - the engine troit. Oil leaks from the oil cooler are also common phenomena. The engine resource is 250-300 thousand km.
Turbocharged powertrains:
1,4 - appeared in 2010, its feature is the use of a turbine on a low-volume engine. This is both an advantage of this unit and its disadvantage - the turbine resource rarely exceeds 200,000 kilometers, and its replacement will cost about 600-800 USD. Despite the fact that there are few complaints about the turbine, it still has one weak point - sometimes there are failures in the boost control system (the boost control valve fails). The engine is equipped with a timing chain drive, which slightly increases the reliability of the mechanism (chain life 120-150 thousand km, sprockets and tensioners more than 200,000 km). Unlike atmospheric power units, hydraulic compensators are present here, so there is no need to adjust the valves. The cooling pump (pump) has a limited resource of 70-90 thousand km - it starts to make noise and loses tightness. The most serious malfunction that can be encountered during operation is burnout and piston breakdown, fortunately the problem is not widespread. Reason is use low-quality gasoline and coking pistons.
1,6 - The main disadvantage of this engine is considered to be poor performance in the cooling system (insufficient fluid circulation in the block), because of this, the fourth cylinder is subject to increased load. The consequences of this problem can be burnout of the pistons and damage to the block. The engine is demanding on the quality of fuels and lubricants. If, instead of high-quality synthetics, pour into it anyhow, the failure of the engine lubrication system and crankshaft will not make you wait long. When using high viscosity oil, there is a risk of ring sticking. You can also note weak pistons - with increased detonation, partitions are destroyed. If you decide to take a car with such an engine, be sure to check the condition of the piston group and do not be too lazy to do an endoscopy of the fourth cylinder. In a 170-horsepower engine, the timing chain is not famous for its reliability and can rumble after 60,000 kilometers. With proper maintenance, the engine resource to the capital is 200-300 thousand km.
Disadvantages are common to all gasoline ICEs:
Thermostat- fails after 50-70 thousand km, if there is a problem, the fan starts to work constantly. The problem is solved by installing a more reliable thermostat from the Chevrolet Cruze.
valve in intake manifold- valve failure is a common problem and was usually encountered on cars manufactured in 2011-2012. Most often, the disease manifested itself on short runs and was eliminated official dealers under warranty. But when buying, you should still ask if the indicated problem has been identified and eliminated.
Oil leaks through oil cooler, phase shifters and valve cover gasket- a common thing for GM engines, do not be surprised and do not worry, repairs cost a penny.
Strumming, clicking and other sounds- Astra motors like to make a variety of sounds so that you do not get bored, for example, nozzles make a clicking sound, an air conditioning compressor bearing can make screeching sounds.
Euro 5- to meet these standards, the car was equipped with an electronic throttle and fuel-sensitive nozzles. In order for these elements to last as long as possible, they must be periodically cleaned (at the first sign of a deterioration in dynamics) and try to refuel at proven gas stations.
Disadvantages of diesel engines:
All Opel Astra J diesel engines are equipped with a capricious Common Rail fuel system, which, when using diesel fuel from a “canister”, can present many problems in the form of expensive repairs (replacement of injectors, injection pump, EGR and catalyst). Otherwise, the units are practically trouble-free, but after 200,000 km, the dual-mass flywheel and turbine will have to be replaced. The declared resource of motors is 250-350 thousand km
1.3 - a common ailment of this power unit is considered to be fluid leakage from under the thermostat. It is also worth noting the sensitivity of the motor to the quality of the oil, the use of low-quality oil leads to improper operation of the timing chain and the chain can jump over, causing the pistons to meet the valves.
2.0 - like gasoline engines, it has an unreliable thermostat (may crack). Over time, there are problems with the flaps in the intake manifold. A common occurrence is the failure of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
Transmission
Mechanics- A five-speed transmission F17 was installed in tandem with atmospheric engines and diesel 1.3, and is not the most successful unit. Its main problem is a weak differential and unreliable output shaft bearings. Buying a car with such a box can be compared to a lottery with good chances of winning, the main thing is to correctly diagnose before buying - you need to hang out the drive wheels and spin them with the engine, if the bearings have already begun to fail, you will hear a characteristic noise (you need to listen when the engine is off). If you don’t try to squeeze all the juices out of the car and monitor the oil level (leaks appear over time), the box can last more than one hundred thousand kilometers without problems.
M32WR- A six-speed manual was paired with turbocharged and diesel engines. This box is more reliable, but, unfortunately, it also has problems with bearings, in fairness it should be noted that they are rare.
F40- installed with a two-liter diesel engine- is considered the most successful box.
automatic transmission- the situation with reliability is much worse automatic boxes transmissions, which are a joint development of GM and Ford. A common problem with the machine is jerking when shifting gears. Most often, servicemen associate the incorrect operation of the transmission with the imperfection of the software, and offer to replace it, but this procedure does not always solve the problem. If the problem is ignored for a long time, this will lead to the fact that the drum will begin to crumble, and its fragments will gradually "kill" the sun gear of the planetary gear. Another weak point of the automatic transmission is its cooling radiator - leaks appear, this ailment, if untimely eliminated, can lead to a loss of performance of the unit as a whole. The problem is that when the radiator was depressurized, coolant leaked into the hydraulic circuit. From mechanical problems it can be noted that there is a high probability of breakage of the retaining ring of the drum 4-5-6. When the ring is broken, the drum is damaged in almost 100% of cases, and, as a result, requires replacement. Subject to the rules of operation, the "machine" will last about 200,000 km.
Robot- it is better to avoid buying a car with this type of transmission, as it can start to mope after 60,000 kilometers. If strong shocks or jerks are felt at the beginning of the movement and sharp acceleration, it is better to refuse to purchase such a car. know the resource robotic box, as a rule, is less than that of a conventional automatic transmission.
Weaknesses in the suspension, steering and brakes of the Opel Astra J
Suspension Opel Astra J simple (front - MacPherson, back - Watt mechanism) and has a good resource, but a couple weaknesses she still has it. The peculiarity of this suspension is that at low temperatures it begins to emit extraneous sounds, also the cause of knocking can be a detached shock absorber anther (it is necessary to install the anther in place and secure with a clamp). The most problematic were the tie rod ends, in rare cases they nursed more than 40,000 km. You can also note the unreliability of shock absorbers - they begin to flow after 60,000 km of run. On the rear axle traction bends from heavy loads. The rest of the suspension elements serve no worse than those of competitors.
Resource suspension elements:
- Stabilizer struts - about 30,000 km.
- Stabilizer bushings - 50-60 thousand km
- Thrust bearings - their resource depends on the operating conditions, for example, if you often drive on a primer and do not wash the wheel arches from the inside, the bearings will last no more than 60,000 kilometers.
- Shock absorbers - require replacement without having served even 100,000 km.
- Ball bearings and wheel bearings - 120-150 thousand km
- Silent blocks of the rear beam - 150-200 thousand km.
Steering:
If you do not take into account the steering tips, then the steering Opel Astra J can be called reliable, especially on versions equipped with electric power steering. For a long and trouble-free service of the rail, you need to adhere to the following recommendations - try not to drive through deep puddles, slow down when moving speed bumps and tram tracks, once a year to carry out prevention of contacts. If there are knocks or smudges on the rail, check the condition of the rail bushings. On cars of the first years of production, there were cases of failure of the steering shaft bearing. If you do not change the fluid in the power steering after 100,000 km, you will have to change the booster pump.
Brakes:
IN brake system an unpleasant feature is the squeaking of the brakes. In top versions with 18-m diameter wheels, cases of warping of the brake disc are not uncommon. It is also worth noting the need for periodic maintenance of the system, if this is not done, the fingers of the rear calipers will start to turn sour. If you do not use the handbrake over the years, its mechanism will begin to turn sour. With an electronic hand brake with the AutoHold function, after 4-5 years of operation, the drives begin to fail.
Salon
The finishing materials of the Opel Astra J interior are not of high quality, because of this, crickets settle here over the years. Most often, annoying sounds come from a decorative trim on the center console, plastic trim around the windows, front seat adjustment mechanisms, and a ceiling lamp. Not pleased with its quality and sound insulation. Opel Astra J is equipped with a lot of electrical equipment, especially in top versions, but, unfortunately, over time it delivers a lot of trouble. The most common problem is periodic failures in the operation of control units of one or another equipment - seat heating, power windows, standard alarms, etc. Fortunately, most of them are solved by restarting the car. Of the more significant ailments, one can note an arbitrary reboot of all on-board equipment (the reason has not been established) and the failure of parking sensors.
What is the result?
Opel Astra J turned out to be a predictable car in the best sense of the word. You should not expect any serious surprises from him, the main thing is to service him in a timely manner and use high-quality fuels and lubricants. Typical sores that are characteristic of this model are well known and are treated without problems. Almost any thematic forum has a lot of information on how to fix a particular problem with minimal cost.
Astra J is the most stolen model of the Opel family, keep this in mind when choosing a car.
If you have experience in operating this car model, please tell us what problems and difficulties you had to face. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.