I have an 02 Astra 1.7 DTI but can't tell which type it is

gsmmad

check the side of the car on the passengers side on the wing. One of my mates ownes a astra mk5 1.6 club. Its says club on the wing , im assuming maybe it says it for all of them.

casper_g

I've an '03 Astra "ECO4", which is the 1.7 diesel with some tweaks to increase fuel efficiency. The model variant is shown on the door trim on mine, but it's possible it might not be if imported, perhaps? If that's the one you have there'll be a plastic underbody tray, a spoiler on the back, different gearing and different size wheels/tyres to standard. Not very likely to be this variant if ex-police, as the longer gearing gives a hit on the 0-60 time that they could probably do without!

Pete*G_4

casper_g wrote: »

I've an '03 Astra "ECO4", which is the 1.7 diesel with some tweaks to increase fuel efficiency. The model variant is shown on the door trim on mine, but it's possible it might not be if imported, perhaps? If that's the one you have there'll be a plastic underbody tray, a spoiler on the back, different gearing and different size wheels/tyres to standard. Not very likely to be this variant if ex-police, as the longer gearing gives a hit on the 0-60 time that they could probably do without!

It won't be an eco4 on an 02 plate.

to the OP, check out the Astra Owners Club (www.astraownersclub.com) there'll be plenty of info in the forums there if you're still unsure. Also plenty of info there regarding saving money on the car too!!

rev_henry

It wouldn't surprise me if its nonstandard if its ex police. Car companies often build special spec cars for the police, usually with the biggest engine and minimal creature comforts inside.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

if its ex police car, (panda car or non-marked car) it may have the following,

1. steel sump guard.

2. tough'nd front and rear shock absorbers.

3. rear discs and calipers as supposed to drums.

4. ecu upgraded (may have been de-graded for public resale)

police usually buy basic models as theyre the cheapest, but they are kept in tip top condition and cost isnt an issue!

i wouldnt be suprised if its a basic or upto a LS model.

Pete*G_4

rev_henry wrote: »

It wouldn't surprise me if its nonstandard if its ex police. Car companies often build special spec cars for the police, usually with the biggest engine and minimal creature comforts inside.

not true. from experience of buying ex-police cars, and having had dealings with Police-contracted garages, I can tell you that Police cars are rarely built "to spec" other than the fact they are usually fitted with larger output alternators & higher capacity batteries, to cope with the increased workload on the electrical systems through running extra radios & equipment. On rare occasions a traffic car may have been remapped, but this is very rarely the case because it doesn't matter how fast a car can go it'll never be able to outrun radio waves and it's far easier/safer/cheaper to radio ahead for another car to intercept.

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

if its ex police car, (panda car or non-marked car) it may have the following,

1. steel sump guard.

2. tough'nd front and rear shock absorbers.

3. rear discs and calipers as supposed to drums.

4. ecu upgraded (may have been de-graded for public resale)

police usually buy basic models as theyre the cheapest, but they are kept in tip top condition and cost isnt an issue!

i wouldnt be suprised if its a basic or upto a LS model.

this is a fairly accurate list in my experience. by ECU upgraded, it's only very rare.


As an aside, Vauxhall are the only company who produce "off the peg" Police vehicles, there was an articla in Total Vauxhall magazine a few months back about it - interesting reading as it lists some of the costs involved in upgrading an existing car compared to buying one off the shelf. One police force paid £3000 per car to fit higher output alternators & larger batteries to a fleet of 1.9 TDCi Ford Mondeos, compared to the main dealer price of buying £200 an alternator and £150 a battery!

casper_g

Pete*G wrote: »

It won't be an eco4 on an 02 plate.

Agreed it's most unlikely to be an ECO4 as it's ex-police, but why wouldn't you find one on an 02 plate? Parkers says they were made from 16 Oct 2000 -1 Jan 2004. I'm just curious!

Pete*G_4

casper_g wrote: »

Agreed it's most unlikely to be an ECO4 as it's ex-police, but why wouldn't you find one on an 02 plate? Parkers says they were made from 16 Oct 2000 -1 Jan 2004. I'm just curious!

the 1.7 DTi's were about, but the 1.7 CDTi ECO4 was the replacement, launched for MY03, which began with 52 plate cars. Parkers (and indeed the DVLA) often don't distinguish the difference between the original 1.7 DTI and the 1.7CDTi, instead lumping them under one branding.

There were in fact FOUR releases of Mark 4 Astras with the 1.7 Diesel engine, the 1st being 1998 - 2000 with a low-blow 1.7 (i.e. low pressure turbo), then they replaced that with the revised 1.7DTi in 2000, which is badged the same, same engine etc but added intercooler and higher pressure turbo. Thirdly, they revised the lot with a 1.7 CDTi common-rail diesel engine, badged 1.7CDTi.. A few of those were fitted with revised engine undertrays, and spoiler etc to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption and emissions to get the car into the £35pa tax band. These were badged ECO4. Both "types" of CDTi were release as said above, on or around a 52-03 plate.

Yes I do have a relatively sad amount of Astra knowledge on display here, but I'm not ashamed :rotfl:

HTH

LandyAndy

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

The easiest way might be to take the VIN to a Vauxhall dealer and ask.

This is still the best advice. One phone call.