Astra h sedan. Archive model Opel Astra Sedan

08.03.2017

Opel Astra H ( Opel Astra 3) – third generation passenger car German company. Astra has always been a popular model, but this generation especially pleased dealers with sales volumes. Recently, the number of used Opel Astra Hs has increased sharply; this can, of course, be associated with the natural renewal of cars, since most car enthusiasts do this once every 4-5 years. But it may also be that owners begin to get rid of their cars after a mileage of 100-150 thousand km . Well, what is the true reason, and what shortcomings are characteristic of this car, now we’ll try to figure it out.

A little history:

The debut of the Opel Astra H took place in 2003 at the Frankfurt auto show, and in March 2004 the serial assembly of the car began. In the markets of different countries it was also produced under the names Chevrolet Astra, Chevrolet Vectra, Holden Astra, Saturn Astra and Vauxhall Astra. The new product was designed to replace the Opel Vectra B, popular at that time. In total, to storm the segment “ C"or, as they also say, the golf class, four bodies were produced based on the Delta platform developed by General Motors - a three and five-door hatchback, a sedan, a station wagon and a coupe.

For most CIS markets, the car was assembled at Russian plant"Avtotor" in Kaliningrad, and since 2008 - at the car assembly plant General plant Motors in Shushary near St. Petersburg. The design of the car was developed by the director of the German Opel design studio in Rüsselsheim - Friedhel Engler, who is also the creator of the Opel Corsa. Production of the model ceased in 2009, this model was replaced by the Opel Astra J, but even after the release of the new model, the popularity of the Opel Astra H did not decrease at all, therefore, it was decided to extend the production of this model (the car was produced until 2014 under the name Astra Family).

Weaknesses and disadvantages of Opel Astra H with mileage

Unlike most competitors, the Opel Astra H has a fairly high-quality paintwork. The exception was cars produced in Poland; on such examples the paint swelled and fell off in pieces; fortunately, the manufacturer eliminated all defects under warranty. The body is completely galvanized, thanks to this it resists the onslaught of the red disease well, but, nevertheless, over time, from the effects of the reagents that are generously sprinkled on our roads, you can find pockets of corrosion on the trunk door, door edges and sills. On cars of the first years of production, the headlights become cloudy, and the rear door handles may also become stuck.

Engines

A large number of power units were available for the Opel Astra H: petrol - 1.4 (90 hp), 1.6 (105 hp), 1.8 (125 hp) and 2.0 (170, 200 hp) ; diesel - 1.3 (90 hp), 1.7 (100 hp), 1.9 (120 and 150 hp). All engines are quite reliable, but after 100,000 km they require minor investment. The 1.4 engine has proven to be the most trouble-free, but due to insufficient power, this power unit is not in demand among car enthusiasts. With the more common 1.6 and 1.8 engines, under our operating conditions, the catalyst and EGR valve become dirty very quickly. The problem is especially relevant for cars operated in a metropolis. One of the most serious breakdowns that many Astra owners have had to deal with is jammed intake and exhaust camshaft gears. This problem occurs at 60-80 thousand km, and after repair there is no guarantee that it will not happen again. Signs of a problem include: increased noise when starting the engine (grinding, rumble) and deterioration in dynamics.

Also, the main disadvantages include the short service life of the rear engine mount (it becomes unusable every 60-70 thousand km). Often, owners are faced with a malfunction of the ignition system module; the cause of the disease lies in poor contact in the connectors and untimely replacement of spark plugs. Closer to 250,000 km, the membrane responsible for recirculating crankcase gases, located in the valve cover, ruptures. The problem can be identified by unstable engine operation, as well as bluish smoke from the exhaust system. Very often at services the engine is sentenced to overhaul, however, the problem is solved by replacing the valve cover. The most powerful power unit, in most cases, does not require repairs up to 150,000 km, but minor troubles such as fogging of the cylinder head and oil leaks through the crankshaft oil seal , can occur after 20,000 km.

All engines are equipped with a timing belt drive; according to the regulations, belt replacement is prescribed once every 90,000 km, but there have been cases of belt breakage after 50,000 km, therefore, it is better not to risk it and change the belt once every 60,000 km. The pump is usually replaced every second belt change. Diesel engines reliable, but demanding on fuel quality and lubricants. Among the disadvantages of diesel engines, it is necessary to note the weak fuel equipment and short service life particulate filter(replacement every 50-60 thousand km). If the filter is clogged, traction is lost, and smoke comes out of the exhaust system, like from an old KAMAZ. Also, due to design flaws, the engine control unit suffers (exposed to moisture and dirt). One of the most expensive problems that owners of diesel cars face is the failure of the dual-mass flywheel (lifetime 100-150 thousand km). Signals about the presence of a problem will be knocking and vibrations when changing gears; it is worth noting that the gears are engaged clearly.

Transmission

Buyers of the Opel Astra H were offered three types of gearboxes to choose from - manual, automatic and the Easytronic robot. Mechanics are considered the most problem-free; even a clutch kit lasts 100-120 thousand km. The only thing you can blame the manual transmission for is the lack of synchronizers; because of this, reverse gear is not always engaged correctly. Among the shortcomings that owners of manual cars face are a leak in the rear crankshaft oil seal and a short service life of the secondary shaft bearing (60-80 thousand km). On some copies, after 70,000 km, cracks appear along the seam of the box. If you feel a shock when switching from first to third gear, it is better to contact a service center, but in most cases, changing the oil is enough to eliminate the problem.

Automatic transmissions are famous for jerking and jerking during gear changes, but you shouldn’t be afraid of this, since this is not a breakdown, but a feature of the transmission. The most common automatic transmission problem is a leak of coolant into the hydraulic circuit of the box, after which the unit completely fails. If the auto neutral fails, cleaning the jet in the box will most likely help. When switching to emergency mode, the box operates only in fourth gear. The robotic transmission is very capricious and requires attention every 15,000 km (maintenance and clutch adjustment).

During operation, the driven disk is erased, and the point of contact with the basket shifts, but the controller responsible for supplying fuel does not know about the shift in the point of contact and supplies the wrong amount of fuel. As a result, this leads to incorrect operation of the box and premature wear of the clutch. It is worth noting that even with timely maintenance of a robotic transmission, its service life in rare cases exceeds 150,000 km. Before buying a car with a robot, be sure to drive it; if there are strong jerks when switching, it is better not to buy such a car.

Reliability of the Opel Astra H chassis

Simplicity is the key to reliability; it was on this principle that the suspension of this model was developed: a semi-independent torsion beam was installed at the rear, and MacPherson strut at the front. If we talk about driving characteristics, the suspension copes well with the realities of our roads, but is characterized by increased noise. If you do not take into account the stabilizer struts and bushings (lifetime 20-40 thousand km), the most weak point Support bearings and steering rods are considered to be the running gear; their service life, in most cases, does not exceed 60,000 km. Wheel bearings(ABS sensor becomes unusable after 50,000 km) and ball joints under average loads last 50-70 thousand km. The remaining suspension elements last 100,000 km or more.

The weakest point in the steering mechanism is steering rack, as a rule, begins to knock after 100,000 km, also, a fluid leak may appear, this, over time, can lead to destruction of the unit, but if the problem is noticed and corrected in time, complications can be avoided. Towards reliability brake system there are no complaints, the only thing the owners complain about is the short service life of the front pads (30,000 km).

Salon

The interior of the Opel Astra H is made in strict style, but at the same time, the manufacturer used fairly high-quality materials, but despite this, almost every car has crickets in the interior. The car cannot boast of the reliability of the interior electrical equipment. The main problem in electronics is the incorrect operation of the buttons on the steering wheel and steering column control levers, the reason is a faulty steering column SIM module. There are also complaints about the climate control system, or more precisely, about the air recirculation damper. The problem manifests itself as a characteristic cracking noise from under the console.

Result:

In terms of reliability Opel AstraH not much different from its competitors, but due to the low cost of maintenance and repairs, this car is one of the most interesting representatives of the golf class on secondary market.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editor AutoAvenue

I read it in the magazine “Behind the Wheel” and it turns out it’s not so bad. Maybe someone will find it useful, I'll leave it on the forum.
With the advent of the new Opel Astra, the previous model with the factory index H, still in production, received a prefix to its name: “Family”.

Opel Astra H

Buying a new car is a pleasant thing, but very expensive. Those who want to save money look for cars on the secondary market - it’s cheaper here. For a purchase to be successful, you need to know what to pay close attention to.
NERVOUS BREAKDOWNS

It’s relatively easy to improve the mileage on an Astra; just replace the instrument panel with a newer one. Do not rely on the odometer readings! It’s better to compare the mileage with the marks in the service book by asking the dealer to check the authenticity of the maintenance in the database. At the same time, order a full diagnostic - it’s not that expensive compared to the price of the “pig in a poke” itself. By the way, there is an unspoken rule: if specialists find only defects honestly named by the seller, the diagnostics will be at your expense, and if hidden defects are found, the “forgetful” seller will pay. You just need to agree on this in advance.
The Opel electrics contain many electronic units that communicate with each other via a multiplex (CAN bus), which makes troubleshooting difficult in everyday conditions. And they do happen. Either the ceiling lamp lights up for no reason, or the immobilizer stops recognizing the original key. As a rule, it is enough to remove the terminal from the battery for a couple of minutes, and everything will return to normal.
More often than others, the steering column CIM module fails: you press the horn, but it is silent. Other buttons located on the steering wheel also sometimes do not work, and the audio center may stop responding to its own controls. At an early stage, the defect was random in nature, so it was not possible to determine the cause for a long time. We replaced the module under warranty, soldered the contacts, assembling one block from several, but it didn’t help. As a result, they came to a simple and reliable solution: in 2009, they introduced a steel U-shaped bracket that compresses the halves of the body and ensures reliable contact. For reference: the price of such a piece of iron is only 8 rubles.
Make new key replacing the lost one will cost a lot - 5,700 rubles including firmware (this is what they call the process of “getting to know” the key with the immobilizer). In this case, you will definitely need a personal car card (Car-Pass) - take care of it like the apple of your eye.

MUSCULOCAL SYSTEM

There were many engines installed on Asters, but only the Z16XER and Z18XER (1.6 and 1.8 liters, respectively) took root in our market. They have a timing belt drive, so if you have doubts about the authenticity of the mileage, replace them immediately. Until recently, the belt resource was 150 thousand km, but recently it has been officially reduced to 120 thousand km. We change the rollers without hesitation.
The most troublesome thing is the ignition module, which is inserted with its leads directly into the spark plug wells. Over time, the ends crack (this also happens when replacing spark plugs carelessly), and then you’ve arrived. Another reason is untimely replacement of spark plugs. According to the regulations, it is supposed to be done every 30 thousand km, but it happens that by that time the central electrode is significantly shortened due to erosion, causing the spark gap to increase. Accordingly, the breakdown voltage increases and the module burns out. We recommend checking the spark plugs at every service (15 thousand km) and adjusting the gap. It’s a good idea to carry a spare module with you, in a secure package so that it doesn’t break while flying around the trunk.
The service life of an air conditioning compressor is unpredictable: some units last 150 thousand km without complaints, others fail even for new car. In half of the cases - due to a break in the clutch winding. Replacement does not always help, because the new unit may well end up with the same defect. Therefore, it is advisable to “ring” the winding with a tester before purchasing.
The diode bridge of the generator usually burns out due to the owner’s oversight: he damaged the right mudguard of the engine compartment somewhere in a rut and did not replace it in time. Through the hole, dirt flies straight onto the generator, clogging its insides. Of course, both the unit itself and the poly-V-belt driving it cannot withstand it.
On cars produced in 2005–2007 with a 1.8-liter engine and automatic transmission, serious problems were created by the engine cooling radiator combined with the gearbox heat exchanger: due to the destruction of the partitions, the oil was mixed with antifreeze. If such a cocktail is very undesirable for a motor, then for a machine gun it is deadly! In those years, a recall campaign was carried out to replace radiators, and in advanced cases, the complete boxes were also replaced. Later they began to be repaired, for which the manufacturer accredited a number of third-party companies that operate on an official basis to this day. They don’t sit idle, because even with a working cooling system, the service life of the machine barely exceeds 160 thousand km. Mechanical gearboxes last approximately the same amount of time, regardless of the version (there are five of them), as well as the clutch.
Two types of steering racks were installed on Asters - with electric and electro-hydraulic power, and in different modifications, which even experts lost count of. Some mechanisms please with adequate effort and clear feedback on the steering wheel, others, to put it mildly, not so much. The main complaints about the electric power steering system: even a serviceable unit does not work perfectly, and sometimes fails due to overheating. Well, at least it doesn’t steer wherever it wants! To return the mechanism to working condition, you need to wait until it cools down.
Regardless of the amplifier option, we carefully monitor the steering rods: by 60 thousand km, play is already noticeable in them (they are replaced separately). The tips are unlikely to require attention up to 150 thousand km. In the front suspension it is conditional weak link They call the support bearings of the struts - they become clogged with dirt and begin to crunch. As a rule, dirt penetrates during a sharp rebound movement, for example, when driving off a curb, when the seal does not have time to follow the downward strut parts, leaving a gap-hole. Moral: it is better to push on speed bumps at low speed.

The front sensors are most often to blame for the failure of the anti-lock braking system, and they cannot be replaced separately from the hub. Less often, the hub has to be replaced due to bearing wear. Both of these are not cheap. There are no complaints about the rear hubs.
But the shock absorbers in the rear often sweat; but this does not affect the efficiency of their work - you don’t have to rush to change them.
"ASTRA": LOGICAL FORECAST

The cost of maintaining the basic model is, although higher than that of some competitors ( ZR, 2011, No. 12 ), but remain quite acceptable. The sports modification of the OPC does not lend itself to such an accurate forecast, since a lot here depends on the driving ambitions of the previous owner. Of course, in general these cars get much more, especially in terms of brakes and clutch.
The compact van "Zafira V", built on the basis of the "Astra N", has a similar list of diseases, however, problems with the engine radiator and support bearings of the struts did not affect it, since there is a different set of components and assemblies, and some suspension parts have also been strengthened. Therefore, when you are convinced that cars built on the same platform suffer from the same birth defects, know that this is not always the case.

We thank the Armand company in Gostinichny Proezd (Moscow)
for assistance in preparing the material.

The paintwork of the body as a whole is not satisfactory, however, on some cars produced in 2005–2006, rust appears on the trunk lid and lower door trim. Tarnished chrome is common. All the buttons on the steering wheel of this car are still working flawlessly thanks to the ingenuity of the owner - he covered the halves of the CIM steering column module housing with bandage rubber. A smart alternative to the branded U-shaped bracket! In the rear suspension with an H-shaped elastic beam, we pay the main attention to the shock absorbers: by 100 thousand km they can leak. Brake pads last for 60 thousand km. Pay attention to the good plastisol coating on the bottom - it resists salt very well.
The most popular engine is the Z16XER: we recommend checking the spark plugs at every maintenance and, if necessary, adjusting the gap. Be careful with the ignition module: the product is quite fragile. Some dealers advise washing injectors at every maintenance, but you need to make a decision wisely: if there are no complaints, you should not interfere with the established mechanism. Front suspension: ball joints are riveted to the arms, which is reasonable on this model: the service life of the supports, silent blocks and the arms themselves (due to fatigue cracks) is approximately the same - under 180 thousand km. Brake pads wear out after 30–40 thousand km, discs last twice as long. The air conditioning compressor clutch is not known for its reliability: a winding break or interturn short circuit is possible. Replacing it is easy because there is an automatic serpentine belt tensioner.
FROM THE HISTORY OF THE MODEL COST OF INDIVIDUAL WORK AT DEALERS, rub. COST OF ORIGINAL SPARE PARTS, rub.
ESTIMATED COSTS FOR THREE YEARS OF OPERATION (75–150 thousand km), rub. Opel Astra H

High-quality car trim materials and many amenities make the Opel interior Astra place, which is pleasant to stay in for a long time. Even a long trip will be a joy, since everything you need is provided for it: an orthopedic sports seat that provides a comfortable fit, as well as a dual-zone climate control system, a multimedia complex with a color screen, cup holders, bottle holders and other things.
The sedan’s interior does not take up any free space, thanks to the following dimensions of the car:

• length - 4.658 m;
• width - 1.814 m;
• height - 1.5 m;
• wheelbase - 2.685 m;
• ground clearance - 165 mm.

The car trunk holds at least 460 liters. luggage, and with the rear seats folded down it includes up to 1010 liters.

Engines

For excellent technical Opel characteristics Astra has two petrol units to thank for their low fuel consumption per 100 km. These engines:

• engine with a volume of 1364 cm3, producing 140 hp.
• machine engine, available in 2 power options - 115 and 180 hp. Engine capacity - 1598 cm3.

With any of them, confident acceleration to 100 km/h is guaranteed. The gearbox here is a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment

The new Opel Astra will give you a lot of unforgettable impressions, because in its “arsenal”:

• cruise control system;
• audio system with AUX and USB port;
• Bluetooth;
• ABS and ESP;
• seats with heating function;
• anti-fog optics
• etc.

Details about prices and configurations of the Opel Astra 2017 can be found on our website! The entire model line of cars German mark Opel - in the catalogue.

Selling Opel Astra at the Central car dealership

It's easy to become the owner of a new car! You just need to get a car loan at a low interest rate or interest-free installments. Buy Opel Astra from official dealer Various promotions, discounts, recycling programs or the Trade-in system will also help.

However, in Europe this did not particularly bother the company; there were completely different problems: despite all the popularity of the brand, there were problems with production profitability; GM managed to make the brand unprofitable for many years. But “unprofitability” and loss are things in modern world very different, in any case, the American concern has responded with refusals to all proposals for the sale of the European branch since 2008, and given the complex system of ownership of suppliers and the concern... In general, not only AVTOVAZ has such “nuances”.

Why buy Astra H?

But let's return to our “rams”. Unimportant situation with Opel sales in Russia changed the release of Astra H in 2004. The car replaced the well-deserved Astra G, which, like all its ancestors before, was practical, comfortable and... extremely boring.

In the photo: Opel Astra Hatchback (H) "2004–07

In the new generation, the car has been transformed in accordance with latest requirements to C-class cars: it has become much more spacious inside, more comfortable and at the same time more economical. At the same time, remaining quite simple in design - no multi-links, only MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, only in-line engines. Of course, it complied with all the latest European safety requirements.

In fact, the car occupied a niche in which its “relative”, the Opel Vectra B, had recently played, and which was vacated by the release of a very large and respectable one. Of course, the price of the Astra corresponded more to class than to status, and it fit well into the new realities of the Russian market for new cars, in which “imported” cars were supplanted by domestic assembly, and the import of “three-year-old cars” was fueled only by the extremely low price per dollar until 2008.

And sales were good! Astra remained in the top three sales leaders in its class, losing two to three times in terms of Ford sales Focus, but at the same time consistently ahead of all competitors from Japan and Korea. And the “Czechs” were at least two times behind.

The reason for this growth is not only a competent pricing policy and increased complexity of cars in this class, but also excellent appearance and very decent driving performance. Opel cars were gaining more respectability before our eyes, and besides, it was clearly noticeable that corrosion was now the lot of competitors, and the Astra, even with problems with painting, did not rust for a very long time, so the proverb “every car eventually becomes an Opel” gradually lost all relevance.

In addition, Astra became one of the cars that underwent localization; they began to be assembled at a new plant near St. Petersburg. Little by little a new circle of buyers was formed who appreciated good ground clearance and simplicity of suspensions, aggressive European design and... engine power! After all, the Astra was offered for a very reasonable amount with a 1.8 140 hp engine, and those who liked it “hot” could choose from a couple of options for a supercharged two-liter engine.

The disadvantages of the model were also no secret: minor problems with quality, an outdated automatic transmission (albeit a reliable one), a frankly unsuccessful Easytronic “robot”, a stiff suspension and the company’s not particularly loyal warranty policy. In general, there was not enough to compete.

In 2009, the new Astra J was released (and a little earlier, its co-platform), which greatly complicated the company’s marketing, but even against this background, the car remained one of the most popular cars in its class. Astra H was produced right up to 2015, but most of the sales were still between 2006 and 2012.

In 2015, when GM curtailed its presence in Russia, the new Astra confidently set the tone for sales. And most of the cars presented on the Russian market are already close to their tenth anniversary. What owners of such cars will face, and how economical solutions from GM are doing now, read below.

Body

The aggressive design of the car looks quite relevant even now. Unless the paint fades over time, because the quality of Opel body paint can hardly be called outstanding - the layer is thin and easily scratched. In addition, both German and St. Petersburg cars at a certain stage suffered from “peeling off” of the paint layer due to unsuccessful primer application technology, and the defect was extremely similar, which indicates a purely puncture technological plan. On to the pros paint coating You can at least attribute elasticity - with “soft” impacts the paint does not fly off.

Don’t worry, even despite all the difficulties with the paintwork, the car is not prone to corrosion. They went overboard with the metal processing: small spots of corrosion begin to appear on the surface without paint only after a year, but most owners eliminated the defects under warranty or simply painted the car themselves. Extensive corrosion damage is usually the result of poor quality repairs or poor operation.

Front bumper

price for original

However, there is still a chance that if the car was produced in 2008, then it spent a lot of time under the snow at the Rzhevka airfield near St. Petersburg, where the plant sent almost all of the cars produced. Some wintered this way two or more times before they were acquired. Personal experience shows that such wintering first of all affects the condition of the car doors; they are usually not susceptible to this scourge, but if corrosion was noticeable in the “five-year plans”, then most likely the biography of the car has a significant pause between the year of manufacture of the main units, the actual production according to VIN and date of first registration. Most likely, the negative effect of such wintering will manifest itself in something else, but for now, due to the small age, other consequences are invisible.

But earlier cars are usually still extremely far from all such difficulties. Especially if, five to eight years after production, someone thought of carrying out repeated anti-corrosion treatment of the bottom and internal cavities.

“Standard” areas of corrosion, such as the joints at bumpers and arches, are well protected here. Unless the “shelf” of the rear arch, upon careful inspection, already shows traces of future problems: the sealant swells. This means that in another five or six years, corrosion will be noticeable from the outside, and the arch can be completely repaired only by welding a repair insert.

Now the main places of control are the lower seam of the sill, the sandblasting points, the subframe attachment points and the upper part of the sill, which is simply stepped on, and the friction points of the door seal on the rear pillar. Corrosion also feels free on the leading edge of the hood and roof: they are clearly less protected than the rest of the car. The rear doors and trunk lid are also at risk; on the oldest cars they may already have corrosion along the lower edge, but most cars have no problems with this.

In general, compared to its competitors, Astra is an almost perfectly protected car from corrosion, even though it has practically no plastic protection panels.

Like all cars of this class, in the event of an accident, the quality of repairs leaves much to be desired. Tariffs for repairs under comprehensive insurance simply do not leave much choice, so a lot of cars with layers of putty on the wings and doors, with non-original body parts and poor quality of assembly and painting are waiting for their buyer. An extra layer of paint won’t hurt, but it’s best to avoid everything else, at least because the car will lose its remarkable anti-corrosion resistance.

However, it’s not just corrosion that threatens the body. The Astra's door hinges are not bad, but the driver's door sags over time; with runs over 150, adjustment will be required, which is not so easy to do. The rear door on hatchbacks loses its seal and begins to knock, and with less mileage, it is necessary to adjust the lock in time and change the seals. By the way, the seal on the side doors is also not permanent, and if it has become “unraveled” in the lower part and its tubular part has opened, then the doors will close without a noble sound, and extra noise is ensured while driving.

Windshield

price for original

The chrome of the trims peels off quickly and many people simply paint them matte, because restoration is usually expensive (take this into account when bargaining). The windshield here is quite strong, it is almost not afraid of stone impacts, but over time it wears out - on early cars, windshields were replaced under warranty, do not be surprised if the year does not match.

But the headlights are rather weak; the very soft material of the cap leaves virtually no chance of long service: five to six years - and the headlight is worn out. But the luminosity drops due to the banal burnout of the reflector, and both xenon and lensed halogen last approximately the same, five to six years of city driving. You can replace the headlight, or you can restore it; several technologies are available.

AFL headlight

price for original

This is especially “pleasant” for those who have adaptive optics with AFL. Astra was one of the first cars in its class with such a system, and the headlights for it are incredibly expensive. If we take the price of a new original, then, roughly speaking, the price of a car is four or five original headlights! Fortunately, this is not the case - the headlights are not removed from the Astra.

Fog lights crack easily, and the reason is their illiterate use as additional lighting, which is categorically unacceptable - they blind drivers, especially in the rain.

Sagging bumpers are a known problem, and it is not necessary to attach them with screws; new mounting strips are available. Weak plastic lockers are a minor problem; the price of non-original ones is something like a couple of thousand rubles.

And, of course, the “lip” dearly loved by astro enthusiasts is the rubber lower part of the bumper. If you see Astra on the street with a hanging rubber band, let the driver know and you will save him from another unpleasant expense. The “lip” is located low and is often torn off during careless parking or in winter time of the year. If you remove it for the winter, then the chances are high that in the summer you will have to install it with screws - the delicate fastenings will also be damaged. In general, an intact “lip” and fasteners are a sign of a good attitude towards the car or a recent body repair.

Salon

The interior of Opels of this period is traditionally gloomy, but the materials are surprisingly good. Strict lines and other “ordnung” are adjacent to very high quality all elements have been worked on, squeaks are rare, the plastic is very wear-resistant, except that the steering column levers and buttons of the climate control system will have visible signs of wear. Yes, and a gearshift lever cover.

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The quality of the all-fabric interior is excellent, but if the car’s equipment is better, and there are already seats with combined upholstery, then seam tears and abrasions on the “eco-leather” are a common thing, especially when driving over a hundred thousand kilometers. In addition, light-colored fabrics absorb dirt well. But if there is a sports salon, everything is just fine - both the material and the workmanship do not let you down, and the leather will most likely be natural.

The steering wheel and door handles peel off when driven over two hundred thousand kilometers, the original floor mats “end” at 150, which can serve as an indirect indicator of mileage (unfortunately, it curls easily here).

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The climate control system fails regardless of mileage. Moreover, there are enough problems both in the simplest configurations with a simple air conditioner, and in those with dual-zone automatic climate control. The unit is not made well enough, the buttons stick and stop pressing and turning properly. And the damper motor drives break down, especially if you switch something intensively in winter while the interior has not yet warmed up. If there are extraneous sounds when switching the direction of flow (including turning on air recirculation in the cabin), then this is due to expensive repairs. But sometimes you can get away with simply lubricating the rods; any grease will do. The same operation should be done even if everything is still fine, at least once every two or three years, take silicone grease and crawl under the panel on the driver’s side. Well, or entrust this matter to professionals.

Water in the ceiling lamp is not at all a consequence of leaks windshield, simply a lack of thermal insulation of the roof, the shape of the cladding is such that condensation accumulates there. It is useless to look for holes in the roof, just ventilate the car more often, and you should not drive with the climate control turned off and without air conditioning - the car prefers dried air. By the way, this will have a positive effect on the condition of the interior materials.

If the steering column switches, and sometimes some of the center console buttons, do not work, this is already serious. The problem is mainly electrical, the so-called CIM module, also known as the front console connection module, is dying. A lot depends on it, including the operation of the immobilizer, and a breakdown can empty your pocket of a tidy sum, since you will need to visit the owner of a Tech2 dealer scanner to link a new module, or to those who know how to properly repair old ones. Thousands of pages have already been written on the problem, there are many developments for “easy fixes” and workarounds, so it’s better to turn to the original sources.

Otherwise, only random little things can annoy. I repeat, everything was done quite monumentally, from good materials. In addition, it is extremely technologically advanced to assemble and disassemble.

Electrics

Some electrical problems could be attributed to breakdowns of interior components and vice versa. I have already talked about the trouble with the CIM module and climate control above, all that remains is to complain about the low quality of door wiring; it sometimes breaks in the corrugation. Moreover, it is not the wiring of the driver's door that breaks, but the wiring of the rear doors. Characteristic signs impending disaster - a wheezing speaker in the door and not working central locking. It can be treated either by the skillful work of an electrician or by a branded repair kit, which is preferable.

The central locking also fails due to wear on the microswitches in the driver's door lock; it may not unlock the lock, or it may open it at the wrong time, for example, while the car is parked. If the locks click when you hit the door trim, it’s time to work on them and change the microswitches in the drive.

A weak throttle and ignition module in gasoline engines are actually not as weak as practice shows. The actual mileage of cars with such breakdowns is usually well over a hundred to one and a half thousand, regardless of what numbers the odometer shows, and the price of parts is quite reasonable by modern standards. Provided that the spark plugs are regularly replaced and replaced at least once every 30-40 thousand kilometers, such problems almost do not appear. The ignition module is mainly afraid of moisture and oil leaks - if not noticed in time, it will pierce the tip and knock out the coil.

Failures of a controlled thermostat due to a failure of the heating element occur regularly. Don’t forget to read the errors; on many firmware the “check” does not light up in this case, and the only thing that saves the motor from overheating is that the thermostat loses its seal over time. Breakdowns of the wiper motor and leaves getting into the climate control motor are a sign of rare cleaning of the engine compartment from dirt and leaves. Check the condition of the “aquarium”; water may accumulate in it. This happens rarely and the drainage is almost never completely clogged, but at an early stage it manifests itself precisely in the form of a windshield wiper failure. The rear wiper simply turns sour - you need to use it, otherwise there is a chance of burning the motor.

Radiator fans are another problem point; the motor literally becomes clogged with dust from burnt brushes. The latter are famous for fans manufactured by Bosch, but if Valeo is used, then there will be no problem.

Brakes, suspension and steering

The Opel braking system, as usual, has no surprises. This doesn't mean there aren't problems, just that they are completely standard. The front pads squeak with slight wear - it’s easier to get used to it or select it with new “anti-creak” plates. With a mileage of over 200 thousand, the turn of the boots will most likely come, especially if you abuse the wear of the pads to zero. The brake discs are as reliable as the iceberg that the Titanic hit; family members can survive up to five sets of pads or more than one and a half hundred thousand mileage. And they are not very sensitive to puddles and overheating. Note to the buyer: if the odometer says something in the region of 100 thousand, and the seller proudly announces new wheels (or it is simply clear that they are fresh), then the mileage is not real.

Rear brake disc

price for original

RUR 7,705 (2 pcs)

The situation is a little worse at the rear, because the new calipers have a built-in mechanism. parking brake prone to souring even more than calipers with a drum internal handbrake on older cars who suffered from the same problem. Yes, and to separate the pads you now need some kind of tool.

However, this is not replacing the pads when you need a dealer scanner, otherwise there is a chance that your fingers will be slightly pressed forever... Brake pipes and the hoses hold up well, ABS module extremely reliable. Except from the front ABS sensors They stand in a vulnerable area, and are changed along with the hub. Don’t worry, we thought about the problem a long time ago: we learned to change the sensors individually. What can I say, this is Opel, a huge number of owners think day and night about how to save money! However, other services are still trying to make a big deal out of it, offering complete replacements in order to get less dirty and make more money on resale of parts.

Rear beam silent block

price for original

The Astra's suspension has always been good, but the H's is doubly great. Good comfort and highest reliability. Just don’t forget that sagging springs and the extra 50 kg in the sedan’s trunk sharply reduce the service life of the rear beam bushings - they don’t last forever, as a standard they last for about a hundred thousand mileage on “regular” roads and two hundred on Moscow roads.

In the front, the wear that usually occurs is mainly on the rear silent blocks of the L-shaped lever and the strut supports. The manufacturer was clearly too clever with the supports, because in our climate they begin to creak and squeal already at 50-60 thousand mileage. Users have long ago privately established that the reason is a lack of bearing lubrication and an unsuccessful design of the boot, which rather collects dirt. When assembling, it is recommended to generously lubricate the assembly, and if it is still working, rinse it with a sink high pressure and fill with grease. Suspension level sensors on cars with xenon are consumables, but this is completely typical for this element.

The steering on the Astra H is also in good health. Is that the resource of the rods and tips is relatively small. Yes, the electric power steering pump on restyled cars requires a fluid change after 200 miles. The rack itself does not leak and has almost no play. Cars with a conventional power steering pump are again limited by fluid contamination, but their pump is cheaper and the fluid is much easier to change.

What about engines and gearboxes?

As you can see, the material turns out to be quite voluminous, so we will devote a separate material to choosing the “right” engine. By the way, in this regard, Astra H is an almost unique car, because manual transmission can cause almost more problems than automatic...

Considering specifications Opel Astra H, variations must be taken into account: more than 5 different engine sizes, a sedan, a station wagon, two hatchbacks and a convertible, 3 trim levels.

Opel Astra H - technical specifications for the whole family

The technical characteristics of the Opel Astra H cannot be described in one paragraph. Because Astra H is not one car, it is a whole family. A line consisting of at least 5 cars. Same at first glance, but different in essence, in their driving performance, appearance and size.

Astra H began production in 2004. In 2007 it underwent a slight restyling. The technical characteristics of the engines have undergone changes. They have become more powerful, economical and environmentally friendly. The front bumper, mirrors, and some interior trim elements have also changed. Astra H is still produced in station wagon, sedan or 5-door hatchback body styles, but under the name Astra Family.