The German brand Opel, which has been part of the General Motors auto concern since 1982. The Opel Corsa is officially recognized as the best-selling car under the Opel brand. Production of the Opel Corsa C lasted from 2000 to 2006. The car was assembled at assembly plants in Germany, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, Argentina and Ecuador. It was also sold under the names Chevrolet Corsa, Holden Barina, Opel Vita and Vauxhall Corsa.
It was produced in the form of a four-door sedan, two-door van and a pickup truck on the GM4300 platform (joint development of GM and Fiat, also used in Opel Combo, Opel Meriva, Chevrolet Montana and Opel Tigra cars).
History
The first Opel Corsa was born in 1982. This generation was called the Corsa A, and production lasted for 11 years, which is quite a long time by the standards of major automakers. In 1993, the public was presented with the Corsa B, which was produced until 2000, and in 1999, at the Paris Motor Show, the Opel Corsa C was shown to the European market, sales of which started a year later.
The Corsa C sedan has also entered the markets of Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. Built in Brazil, the Corsa C had a more conservative front end than the European one. Brazil also has a Corsa C called the Chevrolet Montana. GM South Africa plant in South Africa produced a model under the simple name The New Corsa, and a pickup version under the name Corsa Utility.
Opel Corsa C enjoyed immense popularity in Great Britain, where, by tradition, like all cars of the Opel brand, it was sold under the name Vauxhall. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, this model was recognized as the most popular supermini and the second most popular car in the country, and in 2006 the Opel Corsa C became the fourth most popular.
In the summer of 2003, Opel engineers slightly modernized the Corsa C, changing the radiator grille, optics, bumpers, lowering the rear fog lights below. In October 2006, the production of the model was mainly discontinued (), but in some industries it is still for some time. So, in Egypt, the Opel Corsa C sedan was produced until 2009, and in South America, until 2010, the Corsa C pickup was produced under the name Chevrolet Montana (first generation).
Technical features
Unlike the previous model, the Corsa C has a closed-subframe front suspension and engine, which enhances both vehicle durability and overall comfort. This supermini is powered by a new DSA (Dynamic Safety) chassis specially designed for increased roadholding at high speeds. Whichever engine out of the many existing ones is on the Opel, it necessarily complies with the Euro-4 environmental standard (if the engine is gasoline) or Euro-3 (if the diesel one).
According to numerous owners of the model, the weakest link of the Corsa C is. On average, problems with it begin after 50-60 thousand km. You should also pay more attention to the front stabilizer strut. Otherwise, the car's suspension is highly reliable. By the way, the Corsa C is equipped with an "advanced" front suspension, similar to the one that is installed on the more "serious" Astra, Vectra and Omega. It has the effect of steering the front wheels.
Possessing, like all other small cars, the Corsa C is designed to be driven only on good city roads. You should not go on it anywhere outside the city, where there are many bumps and potholes.
Comparison with classmates
The Corsa C has an impressive 2491 mm wheelbase, an absolute record for a subcompact car.
In addition, the Corsa C is one of the lightest cars in its class. Its curb weight is only 980 kg. The closest competitors, such as Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia (similar years of production, a similar 1.4-liter petrol engine), this figure is 1030 and 1060 kg, respectively. But the Corsa C has a smaller fuel tank (44 liters versus 45 for Ford and Skoda).
Ford Fiesta looks a little more impressive next to the Corsa C due to the huge windshield. But with the rear seats folded down, the Opel is more spacious than Ford (1060 liters of trunk versus 950 liters). As for prices, Skoda Fabia comes to the fore in this matter, since it is the most affordable in the used car market. But the Fiesta has the least chance, because in terms of prices this model is quite comparable to the Focus of the Russian assembly. But the latter applies, which, by definition, should cost more than a supermini.
Awards
The model was named the most popular supermini in the UK three times, and in 2001 it won the Semperit Irish Car of the Year in Ireland in the Car of the Year category.
In 2003, the What Women Want study in Australia found the Opel Corsa C (marketed in that country under the Holden Barina brand) as the most popular Opel variant among Australians.
In the first week of sales of the Corsa C alone, Opel received 100,000 orders from European buyers, and in Germany, 30,000 people were immediately in line for a new car.
Opel Corsa C starred in the films "Doomsday" (2008), "Quantum of Solace" (22nd James Bond film), "International" (2009), "Capercaillie in the movie" (2010), "Guardian" (2009 ), "Cape Town Access Code" and many others.
Security
The European Committee for Independent Crash Tests EuroNCAP in 2002 tested the three-door hatchback Opel Corsa C. The safety of adult passengers received four "stars", but the safety of children was assessed as low. The same applied to the collision of the car with pedestrians.
In Russia, reviews of the Opel Corsa are not the best. So is the Corsa a bad car? Let's try to figure it out.
The Opel Corsa C replaced the B series in 2000. It's funny, but compared to its predecessor, it has not changed significantly. At least visually. However, it is based on a fundamentally new platform, the wheelbase has increased by 45 mm, the interior has been updated, and the list of equipment has been expanded. True, the trunk has lost 20 liters of volume - its capacity is 260 liters.
Unfortunately, new does not mean attractive. The interior is painfully boring. Even in the lavishly equipped instances, the center console is just an old-fashioned jumble. The large steering wheel is also not very pretty. The body design was not much different from competitors of that time, although today it still looks quite attractive. However, the Opel Corsa is not without its advantages. For example, good space on the back couch.
Undercarriage
Another plus of the Opel Corsa C is the comfortable suspension settings, which, on the other hand, are poorly suited for high-speed driving. The design of the chassis is not much different from its predecessor. On the front axle - MacPherson struts with stabilizer and wishbones. On the rear axle there is a torsion beam with spaced springs and shock absorbers.
The suspension is solid, unlike the steering rack - one of the model's sore spots. She starts knocking. Fortunately, repairing it is not expensive or difficult.
Almost nothing happens to the suspension, except for natural wear of the components. In the front, you often have to deal with bushings and stabilizer struts, and in the back with shock absorbers. In addition, with age, drives and wheel bearings make themselves felt.
Engines
Opel Corsa S has a wide range of powertrains. All of them are well known from their predecessor. Gasoline 1.0-1.4 liters were carried over unchanged, while diesel 1.7 DI and 1.7 DTI are deeply modernized Isuzu units with direct injection.
The motor palette was completely renewed in 2003-2004. Petrol engines with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.2 liters acquired Twinport technology, 1.4 liters belongs to the new series, and the 1.7-liter DI and DTI gave way to 1.3 CDTI and 1.7 CDTI - with the Common Rail injection system.
The smallest of the engines is generally not very successful. This is a three-cylinder petrol engine with a working volume of 1.0 liters. The engine is not very comfortable, and its output is only 58 hp. (60 hp). A much better choice is the 1.2-liter 75 hp engine, and even better the 1.4 l / 90 hp.
Opel can offer even more powerful engines such as the 1.8L 125 hp. and 1.6 Turbo with 175 hp. - for the OPC version.
Gasoline
The basic "litrushka", in addition to a relatively high fuel consumption, has an insufficiently reliable timing chain drive. In addition, the 1-liter engine is noisy and very weak. The 1.2-liter unit is almost as trouble-free as the 1.4-liter engine. Engines 1.4 l and 1.8 l over time begin to take oil.
Interestingly, the same timing kit fits all 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Twinport versions. The chain stretch problem affects all of these motors. Aggressive driving style and prolonged oil change intervals contribute to early wear. The old 1.4 has a slightly different timing drive.
Common problems include leaking oil gauge and coolant pump. The latter was further improved, and leaks began to appear much less frequently.
Diesel
It is no secret that under the Opel 1.3 CDTI there are Fiat technologies called Multijet. This diesel engine debuted on the market in 2003, and came under the hood of the Opel Corsa only a year later - just after the restyling in 2003. The 1.3-liter turbodiesel was created to reduce the size of the unit and increase the efficiency due to the common rail injection system and the variable geometry turbocharger. However, the Corsa received a simple 70 hp diesel variant. and 170 Nm of torque, which was appreciated across the entire engine range, with the exception of the sporty OPC.
1.3 CDTI on average consumes 4.5-5 l / 100 km. It is noteworthy that at that time a particulate filter was provided for this engine, but not for the Opel Corsa C. In theory, a turbodiesel should not create serious problems, since its design is generally successful. But only on condition of exploitation in normal conditions and the absence of humiliating torture. 1.3 CDTI is a good alternative for a gasoline engine in the city, but the operation of a turbocharger requires complex maintenance and, above all, regular oil changes. The manufacturer recommends changing it every 20,000 km, which is too much. Not surprisingly, then most of the engines are simply worn out and absorb a huge amount of oil.
The oil level must be constantly monitored, since the volume of the lubrication system is only 3.2 liters. Even a small loss of oil is devastating to the engine. This is why many 1.3 CDTIs to 200,000 km are already badly worn out. Driving with low oil levels, especially in the city, is a disaster for a chain-driven timing system. The chain wears out and starts making noise. It is better to pay attention to this in advance and replace the entire timing kit.
Theoretically, the chain is designed for the entire service life, but in fact it has to be changed after 100-150 thousand kilometers. Problems can be created by the EGR valve, which can be shut off without negative consequences for the engine. But this requires a readjustment of the ECU. The injection system is stable, but only up to certain conditions. With high mileage, you will have to restore it. Leaks from the injectors first appear. And because of the glow plugs and the flow meter, there are problems with starting a cold engine and power dips.
During long-term operation (more than 200-250 thousand km), one has to deal with the replacement of a turbocharger, a high-pressure fuel pump and a dual-mass flywheel.
The injection pump is a sensitive element in 1.3 CDTI.
The 1.7-liter turbodiesel is much more reliable than its younger counterpart. Initially, versions were used without Common Rail injection. They were simpler and weaker. Despite the presence of a turbine, the intercooler was not used in the weakest 65-horsepower DI. Among the serious malfunctions, damage to the block head should be highlighted after the turbine began to throw oil.
Later modifications acquired Common Rail injection. This improved dynamics, but the engine was still noisy. Trouble could have been caused by the controller or the injection pump.
Transmission
All Opel Corsa are front-wheel drive. In a pair of power units, a 5-speed mechanics, a 4-speed automatic or an Easytronic automated transmission were installed. The clutch of the manual transmission is quite gentle. It wears out relatively quickly, especially with a dynamic driving style. This element is comparatively expensive and cannot handle the high power flow of an Italian turbodiesel. A weak spot in the manual transmission is the delicate gear shift fork.
We do not recommend purchasing an Opel Corsa C with an automated Easytronic transmission, which almost always has software problems. Much safer is the 4-speed classic "automatic".
Typical problems and malfunctions
Of the minor diseases, it is worth noting the wear of the front wiper mechanism. Another common problem is a broken plastic trim at the bottom of the windshield. Owners damage it by trying to remove the battery. They fold back the plastic. This cannot be done. First, you need to unscrew the wipers and remove all the plastic. Then on the left side it will be possible to check the water flow. If it clogs up, water will rush into the cabin.
Failures of an electrician are of a non-systemic nature, so there are no specific complaints. True, sometimes the actuator responsible for the level of the low beam headlights fails, or the central locking starts to play up: not all doors open.
Corrosion of the Opel Corsa is not as widespread as that of its predecessor. As a rule, rust appears only on older cars. In addition, corrosion attacks the elements of the exhaust system.
Conclusion
Opel Corsa in its third incarnation is a worthwhile car for people who need an inexpensive vehicle. Operation will not require significant financial costs. It is true that the Opel Corsa C is not flawless, but most of the faults can be fixed for ridiculous money.
Specifications Opel Corsa C
Petrol engines
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Version |
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Engine, cylinders, valves |
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Timing drive |
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Displacement (cm3) |
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Power h.p. at rpm |
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Torque Nm at rpm |
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Transmission* |
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Maximum speed, km / h |
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Acceleration 0-100 km / h, sec |
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Fuel consumption (l / 100 km) |
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GSi and diesel engines
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Version |
1.3 CDTI |
1.7 CDTI |
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Engine, cylinders, valves |
turbodiz |
turbodiz |
turbodiz |
turbodiz |
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Timing drive |
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Displacement (cm3) |
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Power h.p. at rpm |
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Torque Nm at rpm |
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Transmission* |
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Maximum speed, km / h |
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Acceleration 0-100 km / h, sec |
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Fuel consumption (l / 100 km) |
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* M - manual transmission, ET - Easytronic robot, A - automatic |
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Traditionally for a site, an overview of the technical features of a used car is large and detailed, and it is divided into two parts. In the first, we will touch on body problems, electrical features and chassis. Let's figure out which motors and boxes turned out to be successful, and which ones were not very good.
Korsa - family portrait
In Russia, of the entire model line of Opel, the rather large Astra enjoys the greatest success. In Europe, she is also in good standing, but her younger sister Opel Corsa is many times more popular. Until recently, our snobbery about compact cars did not leave compact cars the slightest chance, and in vain - cars are interesting. And not only if you attach a huge trunk to them and turn them into a long sedan.
Of course, cars developed in the late nineties, such as the Corsa C, in terms of ergonomics and interior volume cannot be compared with modern B ++ class babies. But even then, the designers adhered to the rule of reasonable sufficiency and did not forget to report "pepper".
The hero of today's story is the third generation of the Corsa model. At first glance, the body structure does not differ much from its ancestor in the person of Corsa B and its "sports" version of the Opel Tigra. The dimensions of the cabin and the basic dimensions of the structure remained the same as those of the ancestors, but the wheelbase has grown a little, which has the best effect on the space of the rear seats.
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In the fashion of the nineties, the design has acquired "angularity", and the structure, as usual, has added strength and safety. It was during this period that the requirements for a B-class car were changing rapidly: from a minimalistic vehicle, they quickly passed into the category of universal cars for every day with a bit of comfort and controllability put on such an occasion.
Unfortunately, such a breakthrough as with the new generation VW Polo did not happen, and now the ergonomic solutions of the Corsa C look noticeably simpler and less attractive. And yet, the comfort is already quite modern, as is the level of decoration. And the handling is very good if the suspension is maintained in good condition.
And the engines for the car were offered quite powerful: 1.4 for one hundred horsepower, and for the GSi version and 1.8. Moreover, if you wish, you can put 1.6 or 1.8 into almost any Corsa - in terms of attachment points, attachments and transmissions, such engines are compatible with pre-styling 1.4, which means they can be installed.
By the way, Corsa is a very popular body for the installation of "heavy" turbo engines of the C 20LET / Z 20LET series or small Z 16LET engines, because the low weight and high rigidity of the "bogie" make a good city car out of the car, and the platform is very suitable for such replacements. And if you are just trying to get the most inexpensive and economical car of a European brand, then it seems that this is a good choice. Details, as usual, are below.
Body
Traditionally scolded for corrosion resistance (or rather instability), Opel at the beginning of the 2000s finally made a leap forward and put the "body affairs" in order. The entire line of models has noticeably added in resistance to rust. Including those that at that moment had already been in production for a long time. And the new generation Corsa for those times received a full set of improvements, including a new quality of body paint, better metal and plastic panels in the most vulnerable areas.
The car, of course, did not become an "eternal" car, but even now fairly old copies come across in very good condition. The contrast is especially great when compared with the Corsa B last year 2000. The ancestor almost always has corrosion of the structural elements of the body in the rear, floor seams and wheel arches, while the Corsa C usually only pits and surface corrosion in the most vulnerable areas of the underbody and on stressed elements.
Front wing
price for original
6 481 rubles
Unfortunately, almost certainly minimal corrosion can be found in the niche under the windshield, at its pillars and near the suspension attachment points. Under the glass - the loaded area and the structure itself allow leaves and dirt to accumulate in this place. Operating the machine with damaged shock absorbers damages the joint compound near the shock absorber attachment points, especially at the front, and water gets there. It is hardly possible to remove corrosion from the seams, but even without additional anti-corrosion treatment, the problem does not lead to global damage to the power elements. Although this will definitely happen in the future.
Pay attention to the condition of the rear door: if it is badly rotten, it makes sense to seriously delve into the side niches of the rear part of the body - most likely, due to a violation of the seals, it was wet there. Also at risk are the front subframe and the attachment points of the rear beam, especially if the machine has been operated on unpaved roads.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 3-door (C) "2000-03 Front bumper
price for original
23 298 rubles
The stretcher, at first glance, is eternal, but the tubular structure in practice is not that strong - corrosion eats away at it from the inside little by little. And the attachment points of the rear beam are very loaded, and if you neglect washing and drive on dirt roads, then dirt and damage to the protective mastic do their dirty work over time. Of course, there are no eternal bodies, and traces of rot should be looked for on the bottoms of the doors, especially the rear, under the sills and under the plastic of the arches, and on the leading edge of the hood and roof ... But if the car was not badly beaten, everything will be within the framework of a light cosmetic repair ...
It is not corrosion that causes much more trouble for the owners, but the low quality of the plastic parts. The headlights are very prone to rubbing, like the windshield, and the headlight mounts are damaged by any blows to the front bumper, since there are factory repair kits. The bumpers are not painted very firmly, and even their fastenings break very easily, and the clips for fastening the moldings are completely disposable. The bumper skirt is generally a consumable on our winter roads.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 5-door (C) "2000-03 Lockers are also made of very fragile plastic - most likely, now half of the whole part is left, and the body is "open" from below. And even the lining of the mirrors begins to lose attachments over time. All this, of course, is repaired, since hot glue and screws are cheap, but the car easily "loses" its appearance due to this kind of damage and opacity of the paintwork. Well, or it requires considerable costs to update these elements, which usually does not make sense from the point of view of financial sense - a pair of new bumpers with fittings, taking into account the color, already costs like half the car.
Salon
The interior of the car is initially extremely simple, you can even call it ascetic, but the materials are good, and there is nothing corny to break here. Of course, the driver's seat is slightly wiped off, but the plastic steering wheel holds better than rare leather ones, the door upholstery is almost eternal, and the fabric seats fail only with a large driver's weight.
The rest of the age is given by carpets, pedal pads and a worn cover for the gearshift lever and "parking brake". Versions with "multifunction" steering wheel could break, but usually the steering wheel is simple, "without buttons". The multimedia system is primitive - they don't break. The buttons do not push through and do not overwrite, although sometimes their backlight burns out, and the bulbs are nominally irreplaceable, but this is not a problem for an electrician.
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Windows are very reliable, especially since there are usually "meat grinders" behind, and not an electric drive. And even the heater fan motor and the climate unit work flawlessly: the motor can withstand more than 200 thousand kilometers and does not buzz, especially if the cabin filter is changed regularly. Unless the central locking is malfunctioning, and the gearshift lever with the steering column, like all old Opel, begins to play. The rest of the breakdowns are episodic and associated with unfortunate impacts of passengers.
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The main disadvantages of the interior are its "grayness" and the general old-fashioned design. If possible, look for cars with bright fabric inserts and contrasting plastic of the center console, they are a little "fresh" purely visually.
Electrical and electronics
The simplicity of the design shows itself perfectly in this case. A minimum of additional equipment and high quality workmanship - and now the electrical is exemplary reliable. However, the age is already decent, so purely age-related violations of the wiring harness of the driver's door and rear door are quite common, and the engine compartment wiring becomes fragile - you should be very careful with all the connectors.
High currents in the control circuits of the electric power steering also require careful handling of the wiring, especially since the amplifier itself costs a lot - the new part is comparable in price to the car of the first years of production.
The worst attack is the failure of the engine control units. As with all Opels of that period, the ECU of engines with distributed injection stood directly on the engine, was exposed to temperature extremes and vibrations. And the soldering inside the block does not withstand over time. Here are just a block made cunningly, counting on harsh operating conditions. And the ceramic board is filled with a compound and connected to the connectors with thin wires, which, in fact, burst. It is almost impossible to solder them in artisanal conditions; experience in repairing blocks of such a construct is needed. Direct replacement is also not always possible - the unit must be properly “sewn off” from the motor or replaced with a set with a bunch of other electrics. In any case, the price of a "case" is from 5 to 30 thousand rubles, which looks frightening against the background of the price of other possible breakdowns.
In the photo: and Opel Corsa 5-door (C) "2000-03 Of the less expensive, but unpleasant electrical troubles, there are radiator fan failures - they are not very reliable here. The engine itself, and the control system, and the wiring to the gas pump can lead. The fuel level sensor in the tank is also comparatively often failing - its scale becomes "highly nonlinear" if you try to describe the essence of the problem as succinctly as possible. In general, it does not always accurately indicate the fuel level in the tank.
The taillight connectors corrode, as do the lamp holders inside. This is connected, again, with leaks in the back and is treated by replacing the door seal, adjusting the lock and technical vaseline in all vulnerable spots.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 3-door (C) "2000-03 Otherwise, everything is pretty reliable, although there are surprises. Failures of dashboards and a variety of control units happen with age. The fault is usually cold soldering and moisture, occasionally corrosion of the interior connectors, but everything is simple and inexpensive.
What is expensive is the EasyTronic transmission control units, but I will talk about them in the corresponding section of the second part of the review.
An interesting feature of the model is the increased level of collective farming when installing multimedia systems and alarms. These cars usually left the factory in the simplest configuration and were gradually "refined" on the spot. There are extremely strange solutions.
Brakes
Front brake pads
price for original
2 636 rubles
The brakes on the Corsa are weak but reliable. True, all the opelevskie troubles with the creak of the pads are present here as well. Anti-squeak plates and adhesion of pads is a mandatory procedure when replacing, as well as monitoring the condition of the anthers of the cylinders and fingers. And when buying, you can accidentally buy a car ... without ABS. Yes, these were sold through a dealer network in Russia, and they are ready to buy.
Do not be embarrassed if the previous owners have long ago replaced the front brakes with larger ones from Astra and Vectra - they are fully compatible, just the pads and discs will not be "in the catalog", and 13-inch wheels will no longer be supplied. But the resource of pads and discs increases up to hundreds of thousands of kilometers with careful movement, and the "reserve" on the brakes is much higher, especially in combination with wide tires.
Unfortunately, the cars of the first years of production are already at risk of brake pipe corrosion. It is worth checking them in the area of the gas tank, and if necessary, update the anticorrosive tubes. Rear disc brakes are slightly more serviceable than drum brakes, but don't be alarmed if you don't see discs. Yes, the drums are aesthetically worse, but the handbrake mechanism will be hassle-free.
Suspension
Front shock absorber
price for original
5 932 rubles
It is simple here and, it would seem, there is absolutely nothing to break. But the excessive simplification of the construction failed. The silent blocks of the front arm and the support of the front pillar are too "delicate" - usually the resource of these parts is within 50 thousand kilometers. Even the stabilizer struts have a little less life. True, the replacement price is ridiculous, but in any case it is a visit to the service and the loss of comfort.
The service life of the shock absorbers is below average - by one hundred thousand mileage, they already work poorly. This is due to the almost complete absence of anthers on European versions of cars. When replacing, it is recommended to install a cover, at least from the "eight" and on clamps, but the catalog also contains details of the package for bad roads - a little less effective, but factory-made. The springs in the back can also fail - if you sometimes load the car to the eyeballs, they corny breaks off, reducing the already small ground clearance.
In the photo: Opel Corsa 5-door (C) "2003-06 The steering is firm. On the most popular configurations of the power steering, or not at all, or there is a very reliable electric power steering. The latter is not very well tuned - the steering effort is very "artificial", but the system is reliable. For a car of this class and age, this is more important than the rest. Unfortunately, the steering rack is more loaded than on vehicles with a hydraulic booster, and its resource is also less. By 100-150 thousand mileage, it receives a steady backlash and starts knocking. In the future, even wedging of the mechanism is possible. And repairs can be even more expensive than power steering repairs due to severe wear of the teeth. When purchasing, carefully check the steering play. Replacement is not that expensive: the original rail costs less than 20 thousand rubles, and the cheapest new one is 5-10 thousand, but if you buy a car for 160 and as new as possible, then most likely you would like to avoid such expenses.
What else?
As promised, we will look at the successful and unsuccessful engines of the Opel Corsa C, and also find out if the EasyTronic robotic boxes are deservedly criticized. Don't switch!
Opel Corsa C (Opel Corsa C) is the third generation car of the Corsa family. It was produced in four body styles: a three-door hatchback, a five-door hatchback, a four-door sedan and a two-door Ut.
The car was very popular in Europe, as evidenced by its constant stay in the leading group of the European sales rankings.
Model history
The car replaced the reliable and successful Corse B. The car was first born in 2000 and was produced until 2006. Interestingly, in South Africa, the Corsa C is still produced in the back of a pickup truck.
The hallmark of the Corsa C is that it is still the same Corsa B, but with some minor tweaks. The fact is that the Corsa B was beautiful, but over time it began to become obsolete, so it was decided to move on to creating a third-generation Corsa car. The second generation car was extremely successful and sold 6 million copies. Therefore, the main task of the developers of the third generation was to keep all the best and add a few minor touches to make the car look competitive against its main rivals.
The developers have successfully coped with this task, making some minor cosmetic changes and improvements. The shape of the headlights was changed in the car, the front bumper received a solid air intake, fashionable ribs-stampings appeared on the sides and hood, which are hardly noticeable, but give the car a special charm. The shape of the rear lights has been changed from rounded to oblong vertical.
In 2003, the model was restyled, as a result of which the body was slightly modified. So, the false radiator grille, headlights and bumpers were changed.
Vehicle characteristics
The car's suspension is quite simple and reliable. At the front there are MacPherson struts with anti-roll bar, at the back there is a twisting beam.
The following gearboxes were installed on the car: in addition to traditional mechanics and an automatic machine, an Easytronic robotic gearbox was also installed.
Gasoline engines were installed on the car: 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 liters. Ecotec and 1.6 liters. turbo from 58 to 125 hp at atmospheric and 175 hp. on a turbocharged. Diesel engines with a volume of 1.3 and 1.7 liters were also installed.
Dignity
The advantages of the car include the following:
- economical and high-spirited motors;
- nice design;
- comfortable lounge;
- high-quality assembly.
disadvantages
The weak points of the car are the poverty of the basic configuration, little comfort for rear passengers, a small trunk (260 liters), a small resource of the steering rack and stabilizer struts, poor cornering and slow steering response. The oil pressure sensor often fails, oil leaks.
It is advisable to change the oil every 10,000 km. mileage, if you increase the interval, the timing gears will quickly fail, the car loses dynamics, the noise in the engine increases (the sound of a diesel engine).
Replacement of the timing belt for 90,000 km (120,000 in Europe), taking into account the hours spent in traffic jams in Russia, the replacement occurs earlier.
The timing kit must be replaced at specialized Opel centers using a special tool.
Rear beam bushing: replacement is necessary if required. Affects road stability, wear on the rear axle tires. The rear bushings of the front levers also affect rubber wear if they are broken.
The stabilizer legs must be changed when there is a knock when crossing the speed bumps. It is a consumable.
Models with the ISITRONIC robotic gearbox require several obligatory servicing and maintenance work, which must be carried out both in terms of time and mileage.
- Changing the fluid in the control unit every 2 years
- every 30,000 runs.
- Doesn't like slipping in winter. After slipping, it is necessary to perform.
- Gearbox oil change 120,000 mileage.
Replacing the clutch takes place on average at a mileage of 120,000 km.
Brake discs must be replaced with significant wear along with the pads. Replacing discs without replacing pads is not allowed. Replacement of discs and pads is made only in pairs along the axes: front in pairs, rear in pairs. Replacement of one disc or pad is not allowed!
The corrugation of the intake pipe is repaired as required. When the corrugation burns out, noise appears under the bottom of the car, the smell of carbon monoxide pulls into the cabin.
Heat exchanger: The heat exchanger gaskets must be changed when oil appears in the expansion barrel. Also, if the smell of burnt oil appears in the cabin when oil flows from the heat exchanger to the intake pipe.
The cabin filter is changed at least 2 times a year, usually in spring and autumn. If not replaced, dust, dirt, poplar fluff and moisture from the air conditioner accumulated on the surface will provide fertile soil for the growth of bacteria. Accordingly, an unpleasant odor appears, the filter works in the "opposite" direction. More harm than good.
11.2017 /At the end of summer 2003, sales of a restyled version of Opel Corsa cars of the third generation started on the European and American markets.
Compared to the base model, the 2003 Opel Corsa has changed both externally and technically. In the case of Opel Corsa C, restyling affected not only the exterior of the car and the proposed range of engines. The body of the 2003 Opel Corsa has become even safer. In the design of the small car, the so-called hard protective cocoon of the cabin is used. As a result, the torsional stiffness index of the main elements increased by one third. In addition, the body of the Opel Corsa C has a 12-year manufacturer's warranty against perforating corrosion. Largely due to these qualities, Corsa C cars are in good demand to this day. For Opel Corsa 2003, the price in the domestic secondary market reaches about $ 7,000.
The external appearances of the restyling of the Opel Corsa 2004 were changes in the front and rear bumpers, radiator grille and optics. The grille has received more decorative chrome. The front optics have acquired three round reflectors, the taillights are hidden under a one-color element. The bumpers have become more "outstanding", and in front, in addition, there is a branded "smile" of a false radiator.
Salon Opel Corsa 2004, in comparison with the pre-styling version, has not changed much. The main distinguishing feature is the appearance in the list of optional equipment of convenient multimedia from Siemens, which includes a CD changer, a tuner, a telephone and a navigator with voice prompts. The device is also equipped with a large multifunctional display. The display is located on top of the center console. Safety belts with pretensioners (optional), air-bags and active head restraints on the front seats, which are unique for a B-class car, are responsible for the active safety of the driver and passenger.
The chassis of the Opel Corsa 2005 remained practically the same. Also, as in pre-styling models, in all versions of the 2005 Opel Corsa there is an electric power steering and ABC, supplemented by an electronic brake force distribution system. The front suspension (MacPherson struts) and the engine are based on a closed subframe. The rear suspension is a semi-dependent beam. The main innovation is the enhanced Dynamic Safety (DSA) chassis. The car has become somewhat softer and more manageable. Especially in high-speed mode.
In contrast to the chassis, the range of Opel Corsa C engines changed quite radically after 2003. In the gasoline range of the originally proposed units, only one survived - the 125-horsepower 1.8-liter engine for the GSi version. The rest of the gasoline internal combustion engines were replaced with more economical and powerful engines with Twinport technology. Namely: a three-cylinder 1-liter 60-horsepower Z10XE and two four-cylinder - an 80-horsepower Z12XE and a 95-horsepower Z14XE.
The diesel line has become more laconic. After restyling, only two turbodiesels remained in it: a 70-horsepower 1.3 CDTI and 1.7 CDTI with a power of 101 horsepower. The Z13DTJ (CDTI) engine was designed by a joint team of Fiat and General Motors specialists. In 2004, it was the world's smallest turbocharged diesel engine built using Common Rail technology.
Since 2003, the choice of possible transmissions for the Opel Corsa S has for the first time been replenished with a 5-position robotic transmission Easytronic. Today this type of transmission continues to be used in the new generation of the Korsa family. In the secondary auto market in Russia and the CIS, the Opel Corsa 2005 price ranges from $ 6,500 to $ 8,200 (data from 2013).
The release of the third generation Opel Corsa at the main production sites (Zaragoza, Spain and Eisenach, Germany) was completed in 2006. However, Opel Corsa 2006 (generation C) continues to be manufactured to this day at some GM plants. For example, in South Africa, this car is produced and sold in a version of a light commercial pickup truck under the Chevrolet Montana badge. In addition, the car is produced for the needs of the local market in some Latin American countries. For Opel Corsa 2006, the price can reach up to $ 12,000.
