Small cars in Russia are not in mass demand. One of the exceptions is the Opel Corsa, which managed to find its buyer. Subject to the careful attitude of the previous owner, it makes sense to take a used car.
Advantages of the Opel Corsa car
Opel relies on a combination of performance and low cost. All cars of the Corsa series were characterized by good running, reliability, pleasant design. The quality of the car has been preserved until the latest modifications B, C and especially D, where the developers used an enlarged, flexible SCCS platform in combination with a comfortable interior, safety, and handling.
The car managed to break into the TOP of small cars, overcoming the negative trends associated with the skepticism of the new owners of Opel from the General Motors concern.
In Russia, it completely occupied the top position in the rating, until the 2008 crisis and the fluctuations in Euro quotes aggravated sales. Despite the fall, the Opel Corsa continues to be in demand, attracting drivers with a wide range of engines, simple controls, and long-term operation. By 2017, 10 years have passed since the release of the first production car, but most cars remain on the move.
Body features Opel Corsa
Back in the twentieth century, the body was considered the most vulnerable point of Opel models, giving rise to strong associations with rust and corrosion. Using plastics, aluminum alloys and galvanization (missing only on the roof), the developers changed the trend, presenting a car in the face of the Corsa, which is practically not subject to corrosion, excluding situations associated with mechanical damage. Otherwise, scratches, chips, and other defects do not rot for years, even if the peeling of the paint is large.
Dangerous zones are a weak bottom, closed seams and joints. Here, despite the high-quality material, the paintwork easily comes off due to impact, sand, stones, which leads to the need to repaint the rear fenders (3-door versions suffer), arches (especially in 5-door modifications) and the edges of the hood. Since 2008, the Opel Corsa was no longer equipped with door moldings, which increased the number of dents and chips.
IMPORTANT! Very often, owners are faced with poor condition of the seams above the engine, blockage of the windshield drain channels, and moisture ingress into the passenger compartment. Problems are local in nature and in the absence of an accident, corrosion is excluded.
During operation, some of the owners use cheap Chinese spare parts, turn to the services of unskilled mechanics, try to save on painting, which invariably forms rust.
In the basic version, the car is equipped with a Pilkington windshield that can withstand strong mechanical stress. The rear window is much more expensive, and its heating filaments quickly crumble, requiring expensive repairs.
AFL headlights stand out, which at the time of release had no equivalent analogues. Despite strong light, they are prone to chafing, requiring polishing and rehabilitation of the fixing nodes if the bumper has been hit. After a few years, the work of the reflector and lens drives is disrupted, forcing the headlights to be replaced.
What to look for when inspecting the salon
The worthy side of the Opel Corsa D is the interior, which combines simplicity and comfort. The stove radiator is very reliable, the seating and peeling of the skin is observed only after many years of operation, and the smoothness of the contours of the lever casing disappears after 70 thousand kilometers. The remaining components serve reliably without losing aesthetic properties.
Backlight problems begin after 5-7 years, the replacement is complicated by the integral structure of the lamps and diodes. The climate system is copied from Fiat cars, repeating the advantages and disadvantages in the form of noisy bearings and the need to replace the fan after 150 km of run. Successful diagnostics and repairs require the skill of a craftsman who can repair air conditioner leaks caused by weak seals and vibration. Often the clutch and compressor fail, and the condenser is exposed to stones.
The on-board computer interface loses clarity over time, presenting a blurry image. The way out is to replace modules, blocks or use a color version of CID that works without problems.
As a rule, a violation of the functions of the interior systems is associated with a breakdown of the BCM components that play the role of a fuse. A simple replacement will not help, as the block shorts out many options, including rain indicators and fog lights. Other Corsa nodes act similarly, closely related to the configuration, which is why when changing them, you have to affect the wiring and modules.
Along with blocks, the main problems of Opel electronics traditionally lie in radiator resistors, whose coating is prone to burning. Rehabilitation is possible subject to the working condition of the part, and as an alternative, you can use the Niva resistor (Chevrolet Niva), saving even the declared 1000-2000 rubles. The lack of timely repair causes consequences in the form of burst hoses, barrels, oil leaks from the engine.
ATTENTION! An expensive ignition module is considered a weak property of the Opel Corsa, which even in a used version costs 4 thousand rubles, and in the original it reaches 10 and even 30 (for a turbo engine) thousand rubles.
Among the common malfunctions in the electronics of the Opel Corsa is overheating of the ECU components caused by a break in the internal wires. It leads to engine failures, being eliminated subject to replacement or the services of a specialist capable of opening the block. Candles fail due to dirt, oil streaks, antifreeze getting into the tips.
Brake, steering system and suspension Corsa
Regardless of the version of the Opel Corsa, future car owners need to prepare in advance for the squeaks of the pads, and after a run of 150 thousand km, the wear of anthers and caliper fingers, especially the rear ones. Despite the reliable drums of these units, it is monitored during each maintenance.
ABS and brake lines do not cause any complaints, unlike the suspension, which:
ATTENTION! It is a vulnerable point of the car. So versions B and C roared like old VAZs, but in modification D, the problem was eliminated by increasing the resource of the rear lever silent blocks and the services of new suppliers of stabilization traction.
Noticeable fragility is demonstrated by wheel bearings, which make noise even before overcoming the milestone of 100 thousand kilometers traveled, especially if 16-inch discs are used and side impacts have occurred. The only way to save the details is a careful attitude, in this case they are not afraid of even 200 thousand kilometers, but when buying from hand, a check is required.
The steering has an electric booster, and malfunctions are associated with its failure, defects in anthers, and a rattling rack. All of them are caused by various reasons from burned out indicators and wires, to failures of the ABS, BCM modules. Very often the amplifier position signaling device breaks down, which is difficult to repair and expensive. Errors are observed with a weak generator, battery, on-board voltage.
In general, despite the dimensions, the car moves well, especially with a high-quality transmission and engine.
With which box to choose Opel Corsu
Car owners are presented with the F13 + and F17 series manual transmissions, Easytronic robotic-controlled automatic transmissions created on their basis and real AF13 automatic transmissions, which sometimes go like Aisin 60-40LE, used on 1.4 liter versions of the Corsa.
Each transmission has its pros and cons, so the F13 + and F17 mechanics are characterized by rapid wear of the shift block, where backlash accumulates very quickly. As an analogue, a mechanism from a Daewoo Nexia car is suitable. The problem is compounded by oil leakage, which is replaced every 40-50 thousand km, otherwise solid fractions accumulate in the lower part of the gearbox, causing defects in the differential teeth. He is given close attention when buying, since slippage, traction jerks and welded pins of the satellites lead to deformation of the structure. The check is performed by locking the front and spinning the rear wheel, then the engine is turned off and the sound of the gearbox is checked.
In the robotic version of Easytronic, malfunctions of the control system and a low resource of actuators are added to breakdowns, which is 50-60 thousand km, costing 50 thousand rubles. The lack of a retention system on the rise is highlighted, forcing the use of a handbrake.
For comparison, the AF13 4-speed automatic transmission shows good performance and, with proper use, quietly passes the declared 300 thousand km. Here, potential problems arise during long runs and races, being associated with the wear of the Forward drum, gas turbine linings, hydraulic contamination. Proper operation of the Opel Corsa guarantees the service life of solenoids and clutches, up to the scheduled repair of the box after 200-250 thousand kilometers. The condition for successful operation is oil renewal, which excludes high temperatures, streaks, problems with disks. Upon purchase, testing is performed through an endoscope.
Engine options and their features
The Opel Corsa D modification is equipped with several types of engines combined with a cast-iron body and a small format. The resource of 3-cylinder versions with a volume of 1 liter is 100-120 thousand km, 4-cylinder engines are 1.4 more durable and are capable of traveling 200 thousand km. The most powerful representative of the line is a 120 hp turbo engine. forces, the rest barely reach 90 liters. forces, or (if the equipment includes a phase rotation mechanism) - 101 liters. forces.
The list highlights:
- 1.2 liter Z10XEP engine, which in turn is divided into Euro-4 and Euro-5 versions, meeting the requirements of the designated standard;
- Engines Z12XEL (80 hp) and A12XEP (85 hp). Despite the increased performance of the second version, in practice it turned out to be weaker due to EU environmental regulations;
- Successive generations Z14XEL, A14XEL, A14XEP, 1.4 liter;
- Turbo engine A14NEL (120 hp) 1.4 liters, corresponding to Euro-5;
- Variations Z16LET, A16LEL from the Gm Family 1 line, with a volume of 1.6 liters, which are an improved modification of the A14NEL model;
- A 1.7-liter diesel 8-valve engine has practically not received distribution in Russia, and in Europe it is considered one of the most efficient models.
No significant problems were found behind the units, the average resource is 200-300 thousand kilometers. The vulnerability is fogging due to an obsolete crankcase ventilation mechanism. Weak seals reduce the strength of the thermostat (A14NET, A14NEL with Astra J are a good analogue), contributing to a temperature regime of 85-90 degrees, which is convenient in summer, but requires additional warm-up time in winter. The expansion tank cap is changed every 5 years, it must be tightened tightly, but not to the extreme. Repair of the entire line of engines is not associated with high costs.
Most foreign-made cars are equipped with on-board computers or ECUs. Opel Corsa is no exception. The electronic brain of this vehicle is responsible for everything from engine start to wheel speed. However, no matter how perfect the design of electronic control units (ECUs) is, they can still fail.
This situation is not the most pleasant, and due to the complexity of the device, it is not necessary to talk about self-repair (although there are such craftsmen). In today's article, we will talk about what kind of malfunctions can happen to the Opel Corsa ECU, what they can be caused by and how to diagnose them correctly.
ECU Opel Corsa - the main malfunctions and causes of failure
There can be quite a few reasons for the failure of the Opel Corsa ECU, in any case, this does not bode well for the car owner, since this device cannot be repaired. Even at service stations, they simply change it to a new one.
But, be that as it may, it is necessary to understand in great detail what can cause a breakdown. With this knowledge, you will be able to ensure the maximum possible protection of the device from such troubles in the future.
According to auto electricians, most often the computer fails due to overvoltage in the electrical network of the car. The latter, in turn, may occur due to a short circuit in one of the solenoids. However, this is not the only possible reason:
- Opel Corsa ECU failure can occur due to any mechanical impact. This can be an accidental impact or very strong vibrations that can cause microcracks in the computer boards and the soldering points of the main contacts.
- Overheating of the unit, which most often occurs due to a sharp temperature drop. For example, when you are trying to start the car at high speeds in severe frost, squeezing the maximum out of the capabilities of the car and all its systems.
- Corrosion, which can occur due to changes in air humidity, as well as due to water ingress into the engine compartment of the car.
- Moisture ingress directly into the control unit itself due to depressurization of the device.
- The intervention of outsiders in the device of electronic systems, as a result of which a violation of their integrity could occur.
- If you wanted to “light up” the car without first turning off the engine.
- If the terminals were removed from the car battery without first turning off the engine.
- If the terminals were reversed when connecting the battery.
- If the starter was turned on, but no power bus was connected to it. However, no matter what the cause of the ECU malfunction, any repair work can only be carried out after a full professional diagnosis has been carried out.
In general, the nature of the device malfunction will tell you about malfunctions in other systems. After all, if they are also not eliminated, then the new control unit will burn out in the same way as the old one. That is why in the event of a computer burnout, it is very important to establish the true cause of the breakdown and immediately eliminate it. But how to determine that the control unit really failed, and not some other system? This can be understood by a number of the very first signs that may appear in such a situation:
- The presence of obvious physical damage. For example, burnt contacts or conductors.
- Inoperative signals for controlling the ignition system or fuel pump, idle mechanism and other mechanisms that are under the control of the unit.
- Lack of indicators from different sensors of control systems.
- Lack of communication with the diagnostic device.
To prevent final breakdowns, it is necessary to carry out regular diagnostics of the electronic engine control. In order to save on costly repairs and complete replacement of the elements of the electronic control system, an inspection is carried out at least once a year.
Where is the Opel Corsa ECU located and what does it look like
The electronic control unit (ECU) of the Opel Corsa is located behind the upholstery panel on the right side of the vehicle interior. The ECU is the main element of the fuel injection system. The ECU constantly receives signals from various sensors and controls the most important systems and engine components. In addition, the ECU performs the functions of diagnosing malfunctions of engine systems and components. 
If any malfunction is detected, the ECU turns on the “Engine Maintenance Required” indicator, determines and stores the corresponding malfunction code (codes) in memory. This makes it easier to diagnose failures in the future. The vehicle is equipped with an IEFI-6 ECU.
In case of failure, the ECU is replaced as an assembly, since it does not contain repairable elements. Parameters and control algorithms are stored in an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM). The version of the program recorded in the ROM is indicated by the ECU number, which corresponds to the vehicle identification number.
The ECU supplies power to various sensors and switches with a constant voltage of 5 and 12 V. The electrical circuits of the ECU have a high resistance, so when the power terminals are connected to the control lamp, the latter does not light up. A high impedance (10 MΩ) digital voltmeter should be used to accurately measure the supply voltage. The ECU controls the operation of the fuel injectors, the idle valve, the compressor clutch, etc. using special electronic devices (4-channel drivers) designed to process the output control signals of the ECU.
Self-diagnosis of the computer Opel Corsa
Many drivers believe that only professionals should check the operation of the engine control unit. In fact, almost every “brain” is equipped with a built-in self-diagnosis system at the factory. With its help, it will not be difficult even for an inexperienced driver to identify any malfunctions with their own hands. 
The engine control unit is a mini-computer that must perform specialized tasks in real time. The latter can be divided into 3 categories:
- processing of signals coming from sensors;
- calculation of impacts to control vehicle systems;
- adjustment of the operation of the actuators.
To start checking the status of the engine control unit, we need to connect to it. This can be done using a special tester or a laptop. On the latter, a program designed to read diagnostic data must be installed in advance. Modern cars are equipped with various models of ECU.
We will carry out computer diagnostics with our own hands using the free KWP-D program. In addition to the utility, we need an adapter that supports the KWP2000 protocol. We start the diagnostics by connecting the adapter. We insert one end of it into the computer port, and the other end into the laptop. After that, turn on the ignition of the car and run the program. A message should appear on the laptop display stating that the operation to check for errors in the operation of the computer has successfully begun. After that, we will see a table with the most important parameters of the machine.
It is necessary to pay attention to the DTC section, which contains all the errors generated by the engine. If there are any, then go to the "Codes" section, where we will see a decoding of all the existing failures. If you did not find any errors, then the engine is in perfect condition.
Do not ignore other sections of the table. The information they contain is just as important. So, the UACC parameter is responsible for the state of the battery. Normal values for this section are in the range of 14-14.5 V. If your battery voltage is lower, you should carefully check the electrical circuits. Another important parameter is THR, which is responsible for the throttle position. During normal idle operation, the throttle position sensor will read 0%. Otherwise, you should contact a specialist. 
Another important indicator that all drivers are interested in is the QT parameter, which is responsible for the amount of fuel consumption. At idle, the section should contain the numbers 0.6–0.9 l / h. For a more accurate diagnosis, you will need to check the voltage in the car's spark plugs. Checking all these indicators, drivers very often ignore the state of the crankshaft during rotation, for which the LUMS_W section is responsible. If the numbers in it are more than 4 rpm, this is a sign of uneven ignition in the cylinders. It is also worth checking high-voltage wires and candles.
Video: Opel Corsa ECU Diagnostics
How to replace Opel Corsa - step by step instructions
In order to replace the ECU with an Opel Corsa, you must perform the following procedure:
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Open the panel covering the ECU.
- Remove the electronic control unit from the socket and disconnect the connectors.
- Insert the ECU into the socket by connecting the connectors.
- Install the panel.
- Connect battery cable.
When replacing the computer, carry out all disassembly and assembly operations in accordance with the instructions above.
Video: Opel Corsa ECU Repair
The article tells about some features of the Opel Corsa D compact hatchback, about the most vulnerable places in the car.
Compact class D cars are very convenient for urban use - the car is easy to park, it consumes little fuel.
In Europe, small hatchbacks have long been very popular, and recently in Russia, such cars are increasingly found on the roads.
A bit from the history of Opel Corsa cars
The history of the German car "Opel Corsa" begins in 1982, the first cars were presented in the back of a 3-door hatchback and 2-door sedan.
In 1985, a 5-door hatchback appeared and a 4-door sedan popular at that time, the model range of power units was represented by 1000 and 1300 cm 3 engines.
The model was produced until 1993, then the German concern began production of a new compact car Opel Corsa B.
EXPLANATION: Class B is just a class of cars (compact type), for example, Mercedes has cars of class C and E. And the letters a, b, c, d are Opel 1, 2, 3, 4 generations, for simplicity they were denoted by letters . Opel Corsa a, b and c are previous generations of the car.
There were no more sedans in the second generation Corsa, the lineup was represented by 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks. The new car has acquired a more rounded shape, there have been significant changes in appearance:
- new optics appeared;
- steel more streamlined bumpers;
- the grille has changed.
The range of engines has significantly expanded - on the updated Opel Corsa, along with small engines, more powerful engines with volumes of 1400 and 1600 cm 3 began to be used, diesel engines of 1.5 and 1.7 liters were also installed on the car. The transmission used a 5-speed "mechanics" and a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Opel Corsa C was produced from 2000 to 2006, the model was also presented in a hatchback body, in a 3-door and 5-door version. The new body became more reliable - due to galvanization, it steadfastly resisted corrosion, the iron itself also became stronger.
A 125-horsepower 1.8-liter power unit was added to the line of gasoline engines, and a 1.5-liter engine was removed from the diesel range.
The fourth-generation Corsa D compact hatchback debuted in October 2006, the car was created jointly by General Motors and Fiat.
The new “smiling” car was produced on the Gamma platform, compared to the previous Corsa model, it became larger in size:
- 160 mm longer;
- 60 mm wider.
Just like the previous two generations, the new Corsa is available in 3-door and 5-door hatchback body styles, and the 5-door model is 24mm wider than the 3-door.
The Corsa D was assembled in Germany and Spain.
Opel Corsa D 2007
In 2007, the Corsa D version appeared with a new 1600 cm3 diesel engine (192 hp).
The compact hatchback was restyled in 2010:
- new colors appeared in the model range;
- new engines were added to the line of power units;
- the car received a different grille;
- changed the front bumper.
Engines and related problems
In the automotive market, Opel Corsa D is mainly represented with gasoline engines of 1000, 1200 and 1400 cm3, there are cars with diesel engines, but they are very rare.
On almost all gasoline engines, the front or rear crankshaft oil seal can leak, and oil often flows through the pressure sensor.
If a leak is detected through the sensor, the malfunction must be immediately eliminated, otherwise the oil may get on the wiring, and then the repair will cost much more.
You must not allow the engine to overheat - if the temperature indicator starts flashing or lights up red, the engine should be turned off, and the car should be loaded onto a tow truck and deal with what happened already in the car service.
Overheating primarily leads to warping of the block head - replacing the cylinder head is expensive for car owners.
If the crankcase ventilation system freezes in the cold, increased pressure is created in the motor. At the same time, the oil dipstick is squeezed out, and, if overlooked, oil may leak from the engine. Therefore, as a preventive measure, the ventilation system should be flushed every 50 thousand km.
Transmission
The most problematic Opel Corsa D gearboxes are robotic.
Gear shifting can occur with a crunch or knock, reverse gear is engaged with a grinding, while the car twitches or “thinks”.
First of all, the clutch fails, it is changed at 80-100 thousand km, but this is subject to careful operation.
Incorrect operation of the box can begin even at 30 thousand kilometers.
Often, on machines with an Easytronic gearbox, the gear selector creates problems.
Any problems with Easytronic should be contacted by specialized auto repair shops. An unqualified repair box can be completely “finished off”, and then you will have to buy a used part at a car disassembly, since a new “robot” costs unrealistic money.
The least hassle is delivered by a manual transmission; closer to a hundred thousand kilometers, a clutch replacement may be necessary. If the box is not "teared", it passes for a long time.
Automatic transmissions are also quite reliable, but so that the transmission does not fail ahead of time, it follows through 50-60 thousand km.
Electrical part
The alternator and starter are problematic parts on many Opels. Before it "ends", the generator begins to whistle.
Often the voltage regulator fails, and then charging disappears. You can buy a Chinese generator, it is inexpensive, but how long a Chinese part can last is unknown.
Starters on the Opel Corsa are low-power, and fail from frequent engine starts, they break especially quickly in the cold.
Also, in some cases, cheap Chinese products help out, but it’s better not to be stingy and purchase an original starter.
The rear wiper motor can simply fail, and the most typical reason for its failure is the freezing of the rear brush to the glass.
Drivers, before turning on the rear wiper, first make sure that everything is in order with the brush.
Suspension
Suspension Opel Corsa D - standard for cars of this class:
- front - MacPherson type;
- rear - transverse beam with springs.
It cannot be said that something in the suspension breaks very often, but it is also difficult to call it too reliable.
As in any other passenger car, in the Korsa, first of all, they require the replacement of the stabilizer strut, shock absorbers are not very reliable.
However, here, as luck would have it, with a good combination of circumstances, the shock absorber struts can go up to 90 thousand km.
Almost all Opels are characterized by weak rear springs, on the Corsa D the springs also break, especially if you constantly overload the trunk. In general, the rear suspension is reliable and does not cause much criticism.
Body
Starting from the third generation Corsa, the bodies on compact Opels are galvanized, so they resist corrosion well.
Traditionally for Opel cars, over time, “saffron milk mushrooms” appear on the edges of the rear fenders, in which case the rear bumper should be removed, defective areas cleaned, primed and painted.
The German brand Opel today is wholly owned by the American concern General Motors, is actively represented in Europe, and is especially loved in Britain. By the way, for the British, the company left the name of the Vauxhall brand, as well as simple and popular models of the corporation now and then appear in the model lines of small brands in a licensed version. Opel is one of the most open manufacturers, whose model range can satisfy both the student and the pensioner. Recently, the concern's proposals have been actively changed, which led to many questions from potential buyers. For example, when buying a vehicle, the question began to arise where Opel is assembled, how well the assembly is carried out.
The corporation is not so fast updating the lineup. Until recently, the corporation's lineup included the popular sedan, hatchback and station wagon Astra Classic, whose design is already over 15 years old. Nevertheless, the company is perceived as a European brand, many people want to buy cars from this particular manufacturer. Experts often say that American investments have made the German concern even better and saved it from unnecessary pickiness to trifles.
A bit of history and geography from the Opel automobile concern
Given the fact that the company is intended only for Europe, the geography of distribution of factory capacities is not so high. The company does not have production sites in Brazil, India and Africa, as well as in China, as is common among modern brands. The company concentrates its production in Europe as well as in Russia. Potential buyers of Opel cars in our country purchase domestically assembled vehicles. Localization in the company is quite high, and the geography of the concern is as follows:
- in Germany, there are four main factories that produce motors and some premium models;
- production of almost all models is established at local enterprises throughout Europe;
- full-fledged production facilities are present in Belgium, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Poland;
- in the UK there is a full-fledged production of Astra and some other models that are most popular in England;
- the Russian branch of Opel with factories in Shushary and Kaliningrad produces the entire model range;
- in Turkey and France, there is an assembly of Opel cars at the factories of third-party corporations in this area;
- The expansion of the corporation continues exclusively within Western Europe - here the concern sees its potential market.
The development of the brand is severely limited by the decisions of General Motors. For the sake of developing the Opel brand, the company is withdrawing Chevrolet from the European market, allowing the Germans to remain the only official representative of GM in Europe. This promises a certain development of the corporation and the absence of internal competition. In Russia, the company was represented very widely, but in the last year some production functions were curtailed. The company partially left the market due to the crisis in the automotive sector. Not so long ago, plans were announced to partially transfer production to Belarus.
Model range - budget offers up to 1,000,000 rubles
Among the models presented on the Russian market, you can find both premium cars with excellent performance and the latest equipment, as well as rather old versions of equipment with a low price tag. The company tried to please all potential buyers, but its image in Russia was rather limited. Therefore, expensive cars manufactured by Opel are not yet very popular competitors to other premium brands. To understand all the features of budget transport from a German company, it is enough to consider the following options for proposals:
- Astra Family - a sedan, hatchback and station wagon in a classic form, which provide a low price (from 655,000 rubles) and a classic design, good technology with somewhat outdated characteristics;
- Zafira Family - an old version of a family minivan, which looks quite adequate for quiet operation in a large family, a good engine and good equipment make this car an excellent purchase, the cost is from 830,000;
- Meriva - another family car, but from a new lineup, has a modern design, a more compact interior and not very powerful power units, costs from 780,000 rubles;
- New generation Astra in hatchback, sedan and station wagon bodies - a completely new car with modern performance and attractive design, excellent endurance and low fuel consumption, the model costs from 741,000 rubles for a hatchback;
- Astra GTC - a sporty 3-door version of the hatchback, which is perfect for youth active use or for a young family, a good design is combined with an affordable price of 819,000;
- Mokka is a compact youth crossover with a successful design and excellent performance, a completely modern execution of every detail, up-to-date technology and good interior design features, as well as a good price of 830,000 rubles.
This is what the range of budget vehicles from Opel looks like. Recently, the influence of designers and engineers of General Motors on the appearance and technical equipment of Opel cars has become very obvious. If earlier the German concern remained authentic, today, in terms of inexpensive cars, all equipment and many design features are taken from the American models of the corporation. However, in Europe, Opel is perceived very positively. Unfortunately, the Adam model is not yet presented in Russia - a small hatchback with excellent design and a lot of branded features.
Expensive Opel lineup - completely different moods
If you have more than 1,000,000 rubles to buy a car, you can look at the expensive offers of Opel. The concern really can offer exciting opportunities for a quality trip. There are much fewer cars here, but the choice is still quite large. American technology and design features influence the works of German engineers in this class as well, but here the authenticity and independence of the concern from its owners is more noticeable. Among the most interesting offers of the company's expensive model range in Russia, we can recall the following models:
- Antara - a large crossover or full-size SUV (according to various classifications), which inspires confidence with its classic design and gives real comfort to the buyer, has modern and confident technology at an affordable cost of 1,110,000 rubles;
- Insignia sedan and hatchback are excellent medium-sized cars that have become modern competitors to the most successful cars in the industry, among the positive qualities it is worth highlighting relevance and manufacturability, as well as cost from 1,110,000 rubles;
- Insignia Country Tourer - the best station wagon for those who want an active and exciting trip, noticeable additions to the design of the base model, special wheels and plastic body protection, many functions of a real SUV, as well as increased ground clearance at a cost of 1,320,000 rubles;
- Zafira Tourer is an updated large family station wagon that brings premium space and excellent technical developments to its owner, as well as excellent interior space, while the cost of the car does not exceed reasonable limits - 1,040,000 rubles.
These are the unusual opportunities offered by the traditional German manufacturer Opel. The company actually has great potential and can surprise with its new products. However, the large geographical spread of the enterprises and the presence of a number of problems with constant customs clearance with the European Union makes the Russian market one of the last in line for development for the company. As long as there is a SKD plant in Kaliningrad, we are getting fresh Opel models and offers. We offer you to watch a video review of the new Opel Insignia Tourer:
Summing up
The Opel brand, respected in many civilized countries of the world, has found itself on a rather limited path of development today. The road to other continents, as well as to the very tasty Chinese market, is closed to the brand. A company cannot save resources by locating factories or research centers in developing countries. Opel is forced to pay a high price for development in Western Europe, as this is the only market available to the concern. Such restrictions were set by the parent concern General Motors.
Nevertheless, we see the active development of the corporation, the change in the design features of transport and a number of other features that allow the brand to move forward. The company does not seek to take the lead in certain markets, but it receives its sales in full. After all, Opel offers really good cars at great prices, which is quite enough to stay afloat in today's challenging and competitive market. What are your thoughts on Opel's current model offering?
Opel has always traditionally taken price and practicality. And her Opel Corsa was just that - simple, practical and honest. Actually, along with the VW Polo, it was the Corsa that turned out to be one of the pioneers of the class and set the layout and ergonomic standards for more than forty years.
The financial difficulties of the company in the 21st century made life a little more complicated: Corsa B and Corsa C could hardly keep up with the leaders, falling far behind in popularity. This is due to excessive simplicity and obvious marketing difficulties, and royalties from GM, which gradually got rid of the original European developments. As a result, the parent company of General Motors in the European market, in order to reduce production costs, began active cooperation with the FIAT corporation. The Italians received gasoline engines, gearboxes and platform components, GM received new diesel engines and a new compact base to replace the completely obsolete Opel Corsa C.
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The new machine received the D index and a noticeably larger SCCS platform (Small Common Components and Systems platform). It also produced Fiat Punto, Grande Punto, 500L, Doblo, Alfa Romeo MiTo, Lancia Delta, Opel Meriva B and - don't be surprised - SUVs Jeep Renegade, Compass 2017 and Fiat 500X.
Why did Opel need this collaboration? Gentlemen from across the ocean did not appreciate the preservation of the classic canons of the class in past generations of the model, because of which they turned out to be small, simple and too cheap. The popularity of these cars has been declining for many years, Corsa C was no longer among the top three sales leaders in Europe. In the new century, even a small car required perfect handling, a spacious interior and the highest efficiency. And, of course, platform flexibility and the ability to offer a large number of options were required. Finally, the car got everything you need.
It was not possible to catch up with the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta in sales in Europe, but the car's position on the market has clearly improved. In Russia, the small Opel even briefly became a bestseller. Not for long, because the crisis of 2008 knocked down the emerging success: the car was assembled only in Europe, and the price was pegged to the euro, which collapsed sales already in 2009. In addition, in the same year, Polo Sedan appeared on the Russian market, and then Solaris and Rio, and buyers of inexpensive cars received much more tempting offers.
A small increase in the size of the car made it possible to obtain a significant improvement in the ergonomics of the front seats in comparison with its predecessors. The most pleasant surprise for fans of the brand was a noticeable improvement in the quality and ergonomics of the cabin. Almost nothing reminded of Spartan simplicity and rigor, inside it became noticeably more cheerful and comfortable.
Passive safety was also pushed up to the top with a full set of six airbags and the Corsa showed an excellent EuroNCAP safety rating.
While maintaining a simple torsion beam rear suspension, the handling of the car is greatly improved.
The engine line still started with a three-cylinder liter engine, although even before the first restyling, a turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 192 hp was at the top of the range, and after the second restyling its power was even increased to 210 forces. In the middle of the line of engines, after the first restyling, hundred-strong 1.4-liter engines have already been registered, which have become only slightly less popular than the 1.2-liter ones, which have become the most common.
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| In the photo: Opel Corsa 5-door (D) "2006–09 | |
For Corsa, they left the classic automatic transmission: with a 1.4-liter engine, they offered a four-speed AF-17. But with a 1.2 liter engine, you could only get a simple Easytronic “robot”.
Despite some increase in complexity, the machine remained extremely simple and functional, and this is an excellent guarantee of operational reliability. During the life cycle, the car underwent two restylings, which did not change its main characteristics, but added new engines and service electronics, and also seriously changed its appearance. The Corsa E that followed, in fact, turned out to be a deep restyling of the D generation. Is this not an indicator of recognition of the success of the model?
Ten years after the release of the Corsa D, most of them are still on the move. But there are still enough nuances. Shall we deal with them?
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| In the photo: Opel Corsa 3-door (D) "2006–09 | |
Body
You can leave all the proverbs about a rotting Opel for those who have cars of a “classic” age, from twenty years old. In the 21st century, Opels have almost forgotten how to rust. Of course, these are not BMWs, which are half made of aluminum and plastic, but in terms of metal processing, Opel cars resemble the Folks so dearly loved by the people of the nineties. If the metal is not damaged with kinks and scuffs, they practically do not rust.
Scratches and chips do not turn red for years: real galvanization is everywhere except for the roof. And even if the paint has peeled off over a large area, nothing threatens the latter for a long time. This, unfortunately, happened regularly on cars before the first restyling, then the painting technology was changed and there are almost no cases of “peeling”.
However, there are plenty of places on the inside where surface corrosion sometimes breaks through. Usually these are seams and joints in closed areas. It's a shame, but with a very good quality of the metal itself, the coloring leaves much to be desired, and a thin layer of paintwork easily peels off at the slightest blow, breaks through with stones on the hood and doors, and gradually peels off under the influence of "sandblasting" on thresholds and arches.
The main problem areas for a small Opel are classic - the edge of the hood, rear arches and fenders. The tailgate is also always among the first elements to be repainted.
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Five-door cars are more likely to experience corrosion of the rear fenders behind the arches, but in three-door cars, the paint is more often damaged on the widest wing.
It was very in vain that after 2008 they stopped putting moldings on the doors: on pre-styling machines, chipped edges and dents on the surface are much less common than restyling, where this is common.
Regularly there are instances with clogged windshield drains, leaks into the cabin and poor condition of the seams in the area of \u200b\u200bthe engine niche. Finding traces of frank corrosion, and not point problems, will only work on cars older than 10 years or on cars poorly restored after minor and not very minor accidents.
Unfortunately, our “female” car is still largely an increased risk of minor rubbing and scratches, and not being painted on time, violating repair technology or replacing elements with cheap Chinese counterparts leads to rust in a few years.
Services note not very reliable underbody protection, underdeveloped arch protection and other features of cheap cars, but so far this does not lead to serious consequences for the body.
windshield cost
original price
14 121 rubles
The windshield is strong and does not rub off, which is already a big plus for an inexpensive car. Moreover, the regular Pilkington is not particularly afraid of even strong blows. But the headlights here are weak, the surface is rubbed off very quickly, after three to five years restoration polishing is needed, and if the car was hit at least a little with a bumper, at least against snowdrifts during parking, then restoration of the mounts.
“Advanced” AFL headlights shine an order of magnitude better than conventional ones, but they can also cause a lot of trouble. Over time, the lens drives fail, and the light ceases to be intelligent. Yes, and the reflector burns out after five or six years, which means that serious intervention in the design of the optics is needed or simply its replacement. But at the time of the release of Corsa, competitors did not even have adaptive optics in this form.
Pay attention to the condition of the rear window heating filaments. It is not always possible to restore them with high quality, they gradually exfoliate from the surface and crumble. And the glass itself costs several times more than the windshield. If the glass is damaged while replacing the back door, the amount of repair costs can increase significantly.
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Salon
To the salon of claims at least. Yes, it is simple, it creaks, the seats are also very simple, and with runs already over a hundred thousand kilometers they sink. Although with such a run, everything is peeling off thoroughly, and the skin and plastic often do not withstand the sharp claws of the owners and simply crumble.
The casing of the manual transmission lever loses its smooth contours after 60-70 thousand mileage, but otherwise the interior is holding up well. Plastic is quite reliable and durable, door cards are not wiped, buttons are not overwritten.
The backlight on machines aged five to seven years may fail, so you have to disassemble and change the lamps and diodes. And often this operation becomes not simple: the elements are not collapsible.
In the photo: the interior of the Opel Corsa 5-door (D) "2006–09 AFL headlight cost
original price
34 426 rubles
Only the operation of the climate system can receive serious comments. Firstly, the fan turned out to be short-lived, already at runs of more than 50-80 thousand kilometers, the bearings begin to make noise, especially in winter. And after 100-150 thousand, it will most likely require repair or replacement. Secondly, rare cars with automatic climate control greatly confuse Opel services with their design. It is here from Fiat and does not differ in strength, both gearmotors and the control unit itself can fail. Sometimes the drive rods fly off, and the diagnostic capabilities are insufficient, for a successful repair, the master needs to know the design.
The stove radiator is reliable, and the car itself is “warm”.
The air conditioner on the Corsa is not the most durable unit, it suffers primarily from slow leaks due to weak seals and vibration loading. It is not uncommon for the clutch and the compressor itself to fail. The condenser is poorly protected, and in cars operated on the highway, it is often stoned.
In the photo: the interior of the Opel Corsa GSi (D) "2008–10 The monochrome display of the on-board computer on the machines of the first releases gradually loses pixels, the solution is to solder the cable or replace the assembly. Remanufactured modules are also available. If a color board computer, the so-called CID, is installed, then there will be no problems with it, but the owner will be tormented by regrets about the outdated system architecture.
Most of the interior system failures are related to the operation of comfort units, they are also BCM, and in Corsa it is also a fuse box. Unfortunately, pre-styling blocks of the 13142241 KS series often fail. The selection of replacements is not an easy operation, the blocks are tied to an immobilizer and some options. It will not work to put the first one that comes across, you need a carpass and wines of the body and full compliance with the configuration, otherwise you can lose fog lights, rain sensors and other necessary options.
In general, the machine is distinguished by the presence of many options for the execution of nodes tied to the package. Just modifying the car and supplying the missing is not as easy as on previous generations of the model, you will have to make changes to the wiring and change seemingly unrelated modules.
In the photo: the interior of the Opel Corsa 3-door (D) "2010–14 Electrician
The wiring of the car is quite reliable and almost does not cause trouble. Although, of course, there are weak links.
Korsa generators are rather weak, and when operating on dusty roads, you may encounter significant wear of slip rings after 100-150 thousand kilometers. Bearing noise can suddenly appear in purely urban cars after a modest 50 thousand mileage. If there is a version with a freewheel, then most likely there will be replacement costs up to a run of a hundred thousand. Fans of heating and powerful headlights can find traces of overheating.
Relatively often, voltage regulators fail. In general, the solution to the problem is not expensive, but it often leads to failures of other systems. In particular, the BCM block on cars before restyling, which can then result in larger repairs.
front shock absorber cost
original price
4 462 rubles
Underhood wiring on the oldest cars shows signs of aging. If the engine compartment is dirty, then you can find traces of chafing of the wiring inside the corrugation, and the insulation of the wires themselves in the upper part of the compartment and directly at the engine becomes brittle and easily damaged.
The complexities of electricians lurk in several electronic components and a radiator fan resistor. The resistor is a long-standing misfortune of all Opels, its protective coating peels off, after which it corrodes and burns. You can restore the cover if it is still working, or you will have to replace it if the fans turn on only when it reaches 106 degrees at full speed. It is located on the left side of the engine compartment in the fan casing. The price of the part is not high, 1000-2000 rubles, and if you put it from the Chevrolet Niva, it’s even less, but you can’t definitely delay the repair. Overloading the cooling system usually ends with leaks and hose ruptures, a burst expansion tank, or the appearance of an oil burner at the motor.
ECU blocks in almost all motors are located directly on the block and suffer from overheating. Problems appear in the form of poorly diagnosed electrical failures, engine malfunctions with heating, etc.
In the photo: Opel Corsa (D) "2006–15 Usually the reason lies in the breakage of the connecting wires inside the unit, and it will not be possible to repair such a nuisance on your own. It is necessary not only to open the sealed block, but also to clean off the protective compound without damaging the boards and conductors, and then solder the thin wires to the ceramic board.
Such breakdowns have long been learned to be repaired, you just need to look for ABS unit repair shops (there often have the same problems) or craftsmen on the brand's forums. Replacing a block with a new one will require the presence of an “untied” block or a craftsman who knows how to “open” them, buying the first one that comes from hand may not help.
The solution for which Opel is often criticized is a single ignition module for all cylinders. The part is quite expensive, not even the original costs at least 4 thousand rubles, and high-quality parts can only be bought for 7-10 thousand. And for a turbo engine, the price of the original soars under 30 thousand rubles.
Often there are problems associated with burning candle tips due to contamination and oil or antifreeze getting into the candle wells. Officially, spare parts for ignition modules do not exist, but in fact, tips can be found separately for replacement. In addition, the blocks are partially repairable, and the replacement of high-voltage capacitors is put on stream.
On the Corsa D, the number of failures of this kind is relatively small, small engines are very sensitive to the operation of the thermostat, and Opel is traditionally weak. And this is good: as a result, the operating temperature usually turns out to be lower than the calculated one and closer to the optimal 80-90 degrees, which has a good effect on the operation of the control system. In any case, exactly the same control units and ignition modules on 1.6 liter engines on the Opel Astra fail many times more often.
Brakes, suspension and steering
The braking system of the Corsa D is no different. The creak of pads and low resource are the eternal companions of cars both before and after restyling. True, the owners of the OPC / 1.6turbo versions or the extremely rare 1.4S&S 120hp. the brakes are more serious, although there the pads will creak.
By a run of one and a half hundred thousand, you must already be prepared for corrosion of the caliper fingers (in the absence of proper maintenance) and wear of the anthers. The rear disc calipers are generally quite capricious, it is worth checking them more often, at each MOT. It's good that most of the cars have very reliable drums at the back, there are no problems with them. The main thing is not to forget after hundreds of thousands of runs to check if there are still pads there.
ABS and brake lines are exemplary reliable.
The suspension is considered not the strongest point. Pre-styling Corses, already with runs of 50-60 thousand, rattled the suspension like the old Zhiguli. The problem was eliminated quite quickly: they changed the supplier of the anti-roll bar links and made the rear silent block of the lever more reliable.
On late machines, the resource of silent blocks is more than a hundred thousand kilometers, the ball bearing is about 100-120 thousand. On the other hand, the strut supports can also pass less than 50 thousand on late-production cars, especially if the driver does not save the suspension and drives through the mud. There is a beam at the back, the resource of its silent blocks reaches 70-100 thousand kilometers, but both shock absorber supports and spring pads can make knocks.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 3-door (D) "2010–14 front wheel bearing cost
original price
4 864 rubles
Wheel bearings are also not a strong point of the car, they are quite fragile, and if there are 16 inch wheels, they can make noise even up to hundreds of thousands of miles. And with side impacts, they almost certainly fail. On the other hand, for frugal drivers on small wheels, they can go over two hundred thousand kilometers and show no signs of wear. It is definitely worth checking their condition when buying, especially the rear ones.
The steering here is with electric power, and the main problems are related to rack knocks, damage to its anthers and electronics failures. Failures do not happen so rarely, and sometimes you can be left without an amplifier. There are a lot of reasons: from failures of the steering wheel position sensors, failures of the ABS, BCM unit, amplifier control unit, and to a simple burnout of the wiring.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 3-door (D) "2010–14 The only regular error of the EUR is the failure of the position sensor. It costs a lot, is difficult to repair and gives itself out primarily by jerking the steering wheel at small angles at low speed.