Vauxhall Signum (2003 – 2008) Review
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Vauxhall Signum (2003 – 2008) At A Glance
Plushly equipped alternative to an executive saloon. Versatile rear seating, stacks of room and some decent engines. Cheap to buy.
Lacks the driver satisfaction and image of a proper executive saloon. V6 TDI is oddly tardy. ESP is too intrusive.
Reviews for Vauxhall Signum (2003 – 2008)'s top 3 rivals
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Vauxhall Signum (2003 – 2008) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4651 mm |
| Width | 1798 mm |
| Height | 1466 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2830 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1438–1664 kg |
| Boot Space | 365–1410 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 20000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £18,425–£27,450 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | G–L |
| Official MPG | 26.6–47.9 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until January 2008
On sale until September 2006
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Design 2.8i V6 24v Turbo 5dr | £22,700 | 26.6 mpg | - |
Model History
- September 2003: Signum flagship model launched
- March 2004: New diesels added to the range
- May 2004: Equipment levels uprated
- November 2004: Range additions
- November 2005: Signum range facelifted
September 2003
Signum flagship model launched
Epsilon based flagship model. Stretched body design, flexible rear-seat arrangement, high equipment package. Length 185.4in/4,636mm. Only 1.6in/40mm more than Vectra saloon, but 113.2in/2,830mm wheelbase is 5.2in/130mm longer.
Three seat rear can be turned into two individual seats that can slide back by up to 130mm giving lots of legroom. The seat backs can be reclined to 28 degrees. The three rear seats can also be folded forward to create a completely flat load surface. Load carrying capacity then more than 1400 litres. With all five seats in use there is up to 480 litres of load space, depending on the rear seat position.
Three new ECOTEC engines: Vauxhall’s first petrol direct injection engine: 2.2 litre and 155PS; a new SAAB based 175PS 2.0-litre turbocharged chain cam engine; a 3.2 litre 213PS V6 petrol; a 2.0 litre 100PS diesel with low 159g/km CO2; and a 3.0-litre 177PS, 370Nm torque V6 common-rail diesel which puts out 200g/km CO2. Interactive Driving System (IDS) from Vectra II duplicated in Signum, with Adaptive Forward Lighting with bi-xenon headlamps (steering-linked headlamp system that lights up bends in the road like the Citroen DS and SM), and an orthopaedic and air-conditioned driving seat that can be adjusted eight ways. Prices from £17,995 to £25,600, heavily discounted due to slow sales.
March 2004
New diesels added to the range
New Euro 4 GM/Fiat 1.9 litre diesel engines from Spring 2004:
1.9CDTI 120PS, 280Nm torque, 0-60 10.5, top speed 124, 49.4 mpg combined, 154g/km CO2.
1.9CDTI 150PS, 315Nm torque, 0-60 8.8, top speed 134, 48.6 mpg, 157g/km CO2.
May 2004
Equipment levels uprated
Satnav standard from May 2004.
November 2004
Range additions
Six-speed auto option with 150bhp 1.9 CDTi replaces 2.2DYi auto for 2005 at from £21,845.
November 2005
Signum range facelifted
Major facelift for 2005/2006 on sale from October 2005. 255PS VXR replaced GSi. New 230PS 2.8 V6 turbo petrol engine replaced 3.2 V6.
What to watch out for
Steep depreciation from list, though not so bad from the discounted prices it is being sold at.
Vauxhall Z22SE 2.2 litre engine was modified from March 2002, engine number 11065400, to overcome the timing chain lubrication problem. The problem was caused by an undersized oil spray nozzle which got blocked, starving the timing chain of oil. If the timing chain problem has been subsequently rectified, a modified `bolt' is fitted, with `nicks' on the corners of the hexagon.
Dual mass crankshaft timing chain pulleys can fail on 2.2 diesel engines.
On 1.9 CDTI if the engine smokes or the car suddenly loses power, the secondary butterflies of the swirl actuator valve may have sooted up and seized. Possible to clean but this does not guarantee it won't happen again. Really requires the inlet manifold to be changed as the part where the actuator connects to jams and does not let the butterflies open. Job can take six hours as the fuel pump and cam belt have to be removed to get at it. A coincidental fault is sooting up of the EGR valve.
On 1.9CDTI timing belt drives waterpump and waterpump failure can fling it off in as little as 40k miles, wrecking the engine. Timing belts of 1.9CDTIs failing in as little as 3 years or 59k miles. More info about 1.9CDTI timing belt failures here: 1.9CDTI Timing Belt Failures
In September 2007 Vauxhall issued a sunvisor sticker stating:- ADVICE WHEN PARKING. Always apply the hand brake fully, taking care not to depress the lever release button. To reduce operating forces, depress the foot brake at the same time. Before switching off the ignition; With manual transmission, engage reverse gear (if facing downhill) or first gear (if facing uphill). With Automatic transmission, move the selector to the "P" position.
Diesel autos vulnerable to failure of heat exchanger in radiator admitting coolant to the ATF and wrecking the transmission. On cars just out of warranty Vauxhall will usually contribute 40%.
Outbreak of fuel injection pump failures on 2.2 direct injection petrol engines in autumn 2008 coupled with shortage of replacement parts. Pressure sensor and injection pump fail, both made by Siemens. 3 weeks wait for the part as apparently there has been a huge run on them. Pump is £315. Total cost of repair typically £545. Later featured on BBC Watchdog 12-1-2008. ECU fault code does not identify if problem is fuel pump (leaking seal) or pressure regulator (sticking valve).
Reader report that failed Vauxhall Signum Climate Control Module was repaired by Autotronics of Leicester. ACTronics at Colchester may offer a similar service. The GM part number is13212340. Costs about £400 + VAT.
