Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 11:57
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - jchriss

Is it reasonable to have to change your rear pads every 16k or so? Vauxhall want to insist that it is a reasonable position. Driven carefully witrh no excessive braking and driving 8k or so each year.

Also - is 5 years a reasdonable period before having to replace much of the exhaust system - front pipe, silencer, muffler etc. All totally shot and corroded.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 12:09
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - Peter.N.

Are the pads actually worn out or are they just saying they need replacing? A set of pads lasts me 20 - 30K on my Citroen and Peugeot but I do drive very gently, if yours are actually worn out either they have been used heavily or they are of poor quality.

Regarding the exhaust, if its a petrol car that has perhaps done a lot of short journeys 5 years could be about right but not for a diesel.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 12:19
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - jchriss

Worn out and vauxhall supplied. No heavy driving. Mixture of local and long drives

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 12:20
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - skidpan

Front pads normally last about 40,000 miles on my cars, I have never changed a rear pad even on a car that did 113,000 miles. When I was towing virtually every weekend a set of front pads would still last 30,000 miles.

Exhausts life can vary greatly. If the car is used mainly on short runs in town it will not last anywhere near as long as one used regularly on the motorway. Last rear box I replaced had done just over 60,000 miles (5 years) but I did get almost 100,000 (6 years) out of a full system once.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 16:55
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - gordonbennet

Vauxhall exhausts have always been rotters, seems things haven't changed, use won't make a great difference they rust like an old horseshoe from the outside.

I've noticed some cars getting through rear pads quicker than the fronts, this never used to happen before ESP (or whatever stability control is called), i think the premature wear is cars applying brakes individually and automatically to keep things in order, hence rear brake wear.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 17:01
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - skidpan

I've noticed some cars getting through rear pads quicker than the fronts, this never used to happen before ESP (or whatever stability control is called), i think the premature wear is cars applying brakes individually and automatically to keep things in order, hence rear brake wear.

That would only happen to people who drive like total ar5es. Normal drivers only see the ESP light once a flood, only ever seen mine on various cars in very poor weather conditions.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 17:15
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - gordonbennet

That would only happen to people who drive like total ar5es. Normal drivers only see the ESP light once a flood, only ever seen mine on various cars in very poor weather conditions.

I see an awful lot of people, in RWD cars in particular, who absolutely storm around wet roundabouts, there's no way that all are controlling the thing themselves and i have no doubt the cars electronics are stepping in and applying brakes now and again...similarly when they apply full power as they leave a roundabout the brakes will be preventing the back end from stepping out.

You can't have not noticed how RWD BMW's that were often to be seen 300 yds after a roundabout buried in the armco or verge don't do that any more...its not ultimate drivers driving the ultimate driving machine well, its electrickery.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 17:30
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - skidpan

I owned a BMW 1 series for almost 5 1/2 years, I drove it quickly but sensibly and other than in severe weather conditions I only ever saw the DTC light come on once. It was exiting a wet roundabout at the same speed as all the other traffic when we hit some diesel, we all survived, no one crashed.

I have seen BMW's in the centre barrier after wet roundabouts but I have probably seen just as many front wheel drive cars in similar situations.

For many years I have owned a rear wheel drive classic. It has got rear wheel drive, no ABS, no ESP, 175 bhp instead of the original 82 bhp and I run it on the original size 185 section tyres. In the wet you have to be careful but you don't have to drive like a granny.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 17:24
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - RT

Vauxhall exhausts have always been rotters, seems things haven't changed, use won't make a great difference they rust like an old horseshoe from the outside.

Not strictly true - my mk3 Cavaliers did well and my 2000 Astra-G (mk4) had a well-made aluminised exhaust system - mine lasted 7 years, 98,000 miles and was still in excellent condition when I sold the car - they may have reverted to their bad ways since then.

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Wed 22 Jan 2014 22:38
Vauxhall Insignia - Exhaust and Brakes - Nezza
All my last three Astra's never had to have a new exhaust during my ownership. My current one (mk5) 2005 is still on its original exhaust (bought at 4 months old) and has only been used on short runs for the last 5 years. (2 miles each way to work and back). It has now just clocked up 30k but the brakes are getting ready for doing due to corrosion rather than wear.

Why not take it to another garage doing a free inspection for their opinion? I have had some great Vauxhalls but have only found 1 Vx dealer I trust which is 2hrs away from me in Lincolnshire. As they are wear and tear items I would not expect it to affect any warranty but do not quote me on that.
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