Holden Commodore 2008 Problems

A billion dollars and five years in the making the VE Commodore was a make or break model for Holden, and in many ways it also represented the future of the traditional Aussie big family car.MODEL WATCHThere was heaps riding on the VE Commodore when Holden launched it, the company had gambled heavily on being able to keep the old style large car alive in a market that was moving towards smaller cars.With its carved curves, chiseled lines and pumped wheel arches it was a good looking car.  Compared to the previous model it was also longer, wider, taller with a larger footprint, with a similar cabin that could seat five adults, and larger boot.  At the same time it was heavier, and there was only a small improvement in fuel economy, an important consideration when buying a car at the time.The Omega's engine was a 3.6-litre all-alloy V6 with double overhead camshafts and variable valve timing that put out 180kW at 6000rpm and 330Nm at 2600rpm.  It was also offered with an Impco-developed vapour-injection dual-fuel (LPG) system. In that form it's peak performance was 175kW at 6000rpm and 325Nm at 2600rpm.There was just the one transmission on offer in the Omega, it was a solid four-speed that had been recalibrated in VE for improved smoothness and shifting. Final drive, as with all Commodores, was through the rear wheels.Underneath it had all-independent suspension front and back and larger disc brakes.  Inside, the Omega was roomy with a well laid-out, well-equipped cabin boasting quality fittings and comfortable seats.IN THE SHOPService intervals for the Omega was 15,000 km. Check for a service record, proper maintenance is the key to a long life for a car.  Overall the VE was well built and is generally reliable, although the early cars suffered by production gremlins that were ironed out quite quickly.IN A CRASHAt launch the Omega had ABS brakes, ESP stability control and traction control with electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assistance overlaid with dual front airbags. When tested by ANCAP it was given four stars out of five.  In October 2008 Holden added head and side airbags, which enabled it to achieve a 5-star ANCAP rating.Parents often opt for a Commodore when buying cars for their beginner driver offspring, believing its solid build and overall safety will keep their kids safe, but a powerful engine with rear drive can often bring inexperienced drivers undone. The addition of ESP as standard equipment on the VE makes it a much better choice for a young driver than earlier models that don't have the important safety feature.UNDER THE PUMPHolden's claim for the 3.6-litre V6 petrol Omega was 10.5L/100km, the company's claim for the dual-fuel (LPG) engine was 16.0L/100km.Carsguide reader Dave Markham's Series 1 Omega V6 averages 12.5 L/100   km around town and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway.HOLDEN OMEGAPrice new: $34,490Engine: 3.6-litre V6 petrol; 180 kW at 6000 rpm/330 Nm at 2600 rpm;   3.6-litre V6 dual-fuel; 175 kW at 6000 rpm/325 Nm at 2600 rpmTransmission: 4-speed auto; rear-wheel driveEconomy: 10.9 L/100 km (petrol), 16.0 L/100 km (LPG)Body: 4-door sedanSafety: 4 stars ANCAP before 2008; 5 stars after 2008Expect to pay: $11,500-$22,000 (petrol); $13,000-$23,500 (dual-fuel)VERDICTBig, roomy family car that performs, handles, and rides well. Hard to   beat if you need the space. ***1/2Price: $11,500 plusCOMING UPDo you own or have you owned a Nissan Murano? Share your experience   with other Carsguide readers by sending your comments via e-mail to   grah.smith@bigpond.com or write to Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney,   NSW, 2010.WE DRIVE THEMFord fan Geoff Warham is on his third VE Commodore, he drives them in   the course of his work doing around 70,000 km per year. In that time   he has only had to have a windscreen washer bottle replaced under   warranty on one them; the dealer put it down to poor quality plastic.   His current car is a Series I VE with the 3.0-litre SIDI V6 and 6-  speed auto."There is definitely an improvement in fuel economy, I can now easily   get more than 840 km from a tank highway driving without fear of   running out where I could only get 750 km from the previous model."Dave Markham drives a 2006 VE Commodore Omega that he bought second   hand in 2008. While overall he's happy with it he has had to repair   leaking heater hoses, replace worn anti-roll bushes and update the   software in a faulty computer."Apart from the above issues my car has been trouble free and what I   mainly like is the handling and smooth ride."

The all-new VE Commodore was heralded as the car that would keep Holden ahead of the pack when it was released in 2006.Holden invested more than it had ever done before in developing the VE and was looking to the new car to maintain its premier position in the market. Sadly for Holden, and Ford, the market has undergone a seismic shift in the last year or so and big cars, like the Commodore and the Falcon, are now on the brink of extinction.While that might be the modern reality cars like the VE Commodore can still represent good value for money if you prize might and power. The attractive sedan and wagon are roomy, comfortable, refined and well equipped, with lots of space to carry the family and the gear a family takes when they hit the road.Holden offered a choice of V6s, there were two versions offering different output, a big beefy V8, and an option of a dual-fuel V6 to save a few bucks at the servo. With 180 kW and 330 Nm the base V6 was plenty powerful enough for anyone, but for those who felt they needed more there was the 195 kW version available in the sporty SV6. For even more the option of a V8 was there in the SS.Transmission options varied between models, starting with a four- speed auto and ending with a six-speed self-shifter. There was also a manual gearbox although that wasn't a big seller, at least in the cooking models. On the road, the VE handled well, the ride was well controlled and comfortable, and performance was brisk no matter the engine. Fuel consumption was a concern, however, and an average ranging between 10 and 14 L/100 km was disappointing.While the VE was generally well built and solid there are issues that affect it and these make it a questionable used car purchase. It's been well documented that the previous 5.7-litre V8 was troublesome, it rattled on start-up and used oil at an alarming rate; the troubles haven't gone away with the introduction of the new 6.0-litre engine.Owners still report rattling noises and there are also reports of high oil consumption. Unfortunately it seems the 3.6-litre V6 also has some issues. One member of the trade recently contacted us to tell us about his experience with the engine, which he says can become clogged with sludge between the 15,000 km service intervals with the result that it can be severely damaged to the point of needing to be rebuilt.All carmakers have been stretching service intervals with the object of saving the owner a few bucks on servicing costs, but in this case it would appear that the interval is too extreme and anyone with a Commodore V6 should consider having their cars serviced at 10,000 km intervals. The V6 also consumes oil and there appears to be no fix from Holden, and listen for timing chain rattle, as they wear and become noisy.We have heard of timing chains breaking. Anyone thinking of buying a VE V6 would be well advised to have a trusted mechanic give it the once over. Other areas of concern are worn suspension bushes, listen for clunking and banging from the suspension, and electrical gremlins, check that all systems are working.Appealing on the surface, but can be troublesome and should be approached with caution. 

The SV6 was a direct response to the success of Ford's XR6, which had pretty much buried the Commodore S, Holden's previous six-cylinder sports sedan.It's almost 20 years since Ford unveiled the XR6, so it's taken a long time, but there's no doubting that it has built a following among owners who believe you don't need to Drive a V8 to be sporty.As Ford's flyer has ascended the throne Holden's S has got lost in the traffic. To compete Holden needed a new hero six; that came in the form of the SV6.The SV6 built on the already sporty stance of the VE with added body enhancements to give it an even sportier look.Under the bonnet it had a high output version of the 3.6-litre double overhead camshaft Alloytec V6 that put out 195kW at 6500rpm and 340Nm at 2600rpm.Buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and an upgraded five-speed auto with a manual shifting option.Underneath it had a combination of MacPherson Strut front suspension and independent rear suspension, power steering and larger, more fade resistant ABS-supported disc brakes front and rear.With a body that was 50 per cent stiffer than the old model's, a new suspension set-up and close to 50/50 weight distribution the SV6 was blessed with a handling balance more associated with European models. On the road it was a revelation. It sat flat on the road, soaked up bumps with aplomb and went where it was pointed.Inside was a different story. Awash in dark tones and dull grey plastics, the new cabin was plain and a trifle disappointing.The handbrake was located in the centre console and awkward to use. You had to be careful not to pull it on too hard, as it could be very hard to release if you did.The SV6 was equipped with standard features like air-conditioning, cruise control, multi-function steering wheel, alarm, immobiliser, trip computer, seven speaker CD sound system, power driver's seat, body kit including a rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels.Fit and finish was an issue immediately after the launch of the VE, odd noises were evident in early cars, so look and listen carefully when test driving cars.The V6 engine is quite robust and gives little trouble, although some owners feel it's a little weak at low engine speeds, which can make manual's hard to get off the line smoothly, and make it feel unresponsive when you crack the throttle.Like the engine the transmissions are solid and give little trouble. Make sure your car of choice has been serviced and inspect for crash repairs.The SV6 was well equipped with safety features, coming standard with dual front airbags and side front airbags, along with active support from ABS brakes, EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, BAS electronic emergency brake assist, traction control and electronic stability control. ANCAP rated it at 4 stars.Holden's official claim was 11.0L/100km for the six-speed manual and 11.3L/100km for the auto. Our reader reports that she gets 12.0L/100km in city type driving, but has got as low as 6.0L/100km on the highway. Holden says the SV6 is happy to run on regular unleaded and approves it for E10.Glenys Russell bought her 2007 SV6 manual in 2009 with 20,000 km on it and has since done another 43,000 km. It took some time to acclimatize to the clutch operation and the A-pillar, which she says is a huge blind spot. She has had the clutch replaced twice, the sound system has also been replaced twice, the plastic moulding on the driver's seat broke, the handbrake has stuck on, the ECM has been reprogrammed, and it currently has issues with the lower control arms, but all problems have been fixed under warranty."My car is extremely powerful, responsive, safe, and absolutely the best car I have ever driven."Punchy V6 with a stable chassis combine for a sporty ride, but lacks the presence of the Falcon XR6.

Holden's VE Sportwagon was an attempt to breathe new life into the station wagon just when it seemed dead and all but buried.Wagons were once the staple of families all over the country, they were the practical all-rounder for the family that needed to carry extra gear on their travels, but in recent times they have fallen out of favour as the SUV has become the family favourite. The SUV has become something the wagon could never be, an aspirational vehicle with the practicality of the traditional wagon.The wagon's cause wasn't aided by the rather grey image it acquired when it became the choice of the country's sales reps. If it was to sell, the wagon had to offer more than mere practicality, and the Sportwagon was Holden's attempt to make the wagon cool again by giving it a stylish makeover.MODEL WATCHBefore the Sportwagon Holden wagons boasted a longer wheelbase than the regular Holden sedans, but its new-age wagon differed in that it was based on the same wheelbase as the sedan. It was a sign of the tough times that the only way Holden could justify a wagon program was to build it on the sedan platform. But it was an important addition to the Commodore range that expanded its appeal to a broader market.Gone was the traditional boxy style that has been employed on wagons since the year dot, in its place was a rather swoopy shape that gave the Sportwagon a sportiness never before seen in the class.The shortened body and sweeping roofline did, however, cut into the available rear space, which was down almost 40 per cent on the VZ wagon it replaced. That's with the rear seats in their normal position... when folded flat, the rear load space was still 30 per cent less than the old wagon. A 60:40 split/fold rear seat provided flexibility in the rear, allowing objects of various shapes and sizes to be accommodated.Under the swoopy new skin lay the same mechanical package as that of the VE sedan. There was the choice of two versions of the 3.6-litre Alloytec V6, one that delivered 180 kW and 330 Nm in base form, and one that boasted 195 kW and 340 Nm in sporty SV6 guise.There was also the 6.0-litre V8 in the SS and SS-V that peaked at 270 kW and 530 Nm. The base V6 was only available with a four-speed auto, the SV6 came with a five-speed auto, while the V8 models were available in standard form with a six-speed auto with the option of a six-speed manual. The suspension was largely carried over from the sedan, with some alterations to enable it to carry a heavier load in the rear.Apart from the rear seat the interior was familiar VE, neat and tidy with all controls logically laid out and readily at hand. The Sportwagon range was quite extensive, with the base Omega, Berlina, luxury Calais and Calais V, and sporty SV6, SS and SS-V.IN THE SHOPOverall there are few concerns with the VE; while owners have reported the odd issue there is nothing that appears widespread. The engine, gearbox, diff and suspension all seem rugged and   generally reliable.The one issue that some owners have raised is the rather large A-pillars that can obstruct the driver's view when turning. The size is largely determined by the airbags the car boasts, but it is something potential owners should note and check to see if it affects them. The degree of obstruction can be affected by the seating position, so if it does appear to restrict your vision, move the seat to see if it can be reduced.It should be noted that the Sportwagon carries a space-saver spare. Even though the Sportwagon has only been on sale for a year or two it's wise to check for a service record to make sure the oil has been changed.IN A CRASHANCAP gave the Sportwagon a five-star rating; the highest rating it can give a car. It featured a comprehensive safety arsenal including front and side airbags, anti-skid brakes, brakeforce distribution with brake assist, as well as traction and stability control systems.AT THE PUMPHolden claimed the Sportwagon fuel consumption ranged between 11.1 L/100 km for the Omega V6 to 14.4 L/100 km for the V6 SS manual.OWNER'S SAYRay Davo has driven a Sportwagon supplied by his employer for the past two years, doing 20 to 800 km daily, usually solo with a variable load, and he says he would be happy to hand it back. His main criticism is the poor visibility caused by the A-pillar, which he says is a safety issue, but he's also critical of the location of the handbrake, the seating, the fuel consumption, and says the cruise won't hold its settings, the handling is upset when it's carrying a load in the back, it tracks poorly on country roads, the transmission sometimes appears to slip when changing up, and there's an annoying vibration through the steering wheel. Overall it feels like it was hastily designed around an attractive profile without due regard for ergonomics.LOOK FORSporty styleLimited rear cargo spaceSedan performance and handlingPractical family transport without the size of an SUV.THE BOTTOM LINE: Sporty shape makes wagon more appealing with minimal loss of practicality.RATING: 85/100