using the combined talents of MIG, the internet and Lethal.......

[Vectra Dave]

....Could someone help me find out what models of Vectra were sold in France 1996 - 1998?
specifically, the V6 models, and was there ever the SRi V6 saloon sold anywhere in europe?


Cheers.

[lethal]

Apparently there is no SRi branding.

The equivalent is the "2.5 V6 CD Sport" which is basically a CD with sports trimming (not unlike the SRi )


They are widely available across the border from you in Germany.

[Vectra Dave]

hmm, Ive found cd`s and cdx`s too, but nothing sri.
Im trying to get a type approval certificate from the DRIRE, but they reckon the SRI was never sold in europe so cant issue one. My argument is its the same car as the cdx etc, with some different options. Plus, it obviously WAS sold in europe as I have one, but UK doesnt seem to count for them due to the whole vaux/opel thing. It seems to boil down to different tyre sizes and a non-type approved rear spoiler.

The French being nit-picky over some paperwork? who would have though it eh?

[lethal]

hmm, Ive found cd`s and cdx`s too, but nothing sri.
Im trying to get a type approval certificate from the DRIRE, but they reckon the SRI was never sold in europe so cant issue one. My argument is its the same car as the cdx etc, with some different options. Plus, it obviously WAS sold in europe as I have one, but UK doesnt seem to count for them due to the whole vaux/opel thing. It seems to boil down to different tyre sizes and a non-type approved rear spoiler.

It looks to be the case that the only v6 models sold in France were a CDX 2.5 a CDX 3.0

The French being nit-picky over some paperwork? who would have though it eh?

Is this the sort of nit-picking that could be sorted out with a bit of 'folding' paperwork or that your wife could sort out over dinner?


Seriously though, phone Opel/GM in France and they'll give you the definitive word on the models. Do you think a letter from them stating that the CDX is the mechanical equivalent of the SRi would help? They probably need to state that the engine output, brakes and suspension are the same (are they??)

[Vectra Dave]

The French red-tape departments are now quite well modernised, so its a case of "computer says no" and thats the end of it rather than how it used to be ie "show me some reasonable-ish proof that you may well have made up on the spot and Ill stamp the forms anyway".

I have contacted GM France and they want nothing to do with the argument, but will happily sell me a certificate of Conformity for 130€. bunch of euro-bummers.

[lethal]

I have contacted GM France and they want nothing to do with the argument, but will happily sell me a certificate of Conformity for 130€. bunch of euro-bummers.

TBH, 130€ for a certificate on a one-case basis sounds pretty good.

Still, my recommendation would be to sell the (presumably RHD) Vectra in the UK and pick up something decent and cheap with French compliance from Germany.

As a rule of thumb, cars from Germany are cheaper than cars from the UK which probably makes them several orders of magnitude cheaper than cars from France

[Vectra Dave]

A sound plan apart from the following flaws
selling a 97 vectra with a v6 engine in UK with the state of fuel price paranoia these days would net me at best a few hundred quid, which wouldnt cover my travelling costs.
I cant be arsed traveling to Germany to find a car, especially when my linguistic talents stop at ordering 2 beers. And even that is done in a comedy ww2 war film accent.
Against all common sense, I actually quite like this car for some reason.
finding something hatch/saloon sized, modern ish and with enough grunt to tow my trailer that has aircon and costs less than 2k€ is a tall order even for german prices. Besides, next car purchase is likely to be a classic bit of French wafty nonsense. A DS Pallas would be nice. No point jizzing money away changing the daily for no real benefits. RHD isnt that much of a hindrance (although I have broken the ****ing windscreen again while leaning across to pay at a peage - second vaux I have done this in!)

[Steve!]

simple, keep it on english plates.... Pay ya road tax and come over for an MOT once a year

[Vectra Dave]

Again, a sound plan apart from the following flaws
English insurance cover generally lasts a maximum of 90 days abroad before reverting to the absolute minimum in whatever european country you are in - In france, the minimum is even less than thrid-party only in UK. It really is worthless in the event of a crash.
As french resident I can only keep a car on foreign plates for a max of 30 days. Unlikely to be caught out normally, but someone who lives in the next village doesnt like me and is the type to grass. And Im already way over 30 days anyway.
Travelling back to Uk yearly and paying for an MOt and any susequent repairs (unless I take tools and do it in the carpark) isnt too economical.
Insurance is cheaper here and there is no road tax (apart from a one-off regstration fee), so having it french reg will be cheaper overall.

[lethal]

As french resident I can only keep a car on foreign plates for a max of 30 days. Unlikely to be caught out normally, but someone who lives in the next village doesnt like me and is the type to grass. And Im already way over 30 days anyway.

You managed to piss-off the natives already!? lmao

Sounds like your best bet is the letter from GM France then as it'll be a tiny fraction of the cost of any of your other options.

Don't forget that they won't generally let you use 'beam deflectors' for a control-technique so you will need to source some LHD headlamps (easy enough I should think). Only other hindrance could be insuring an 'odd' car with a French company so ask first I suppose.

[MSG]

A sound plan apart from the following flaws
selling a 97 vectra with a v6 engine in UK with the state of fuel price paranoia these days would net me at best a few hundred quid, which wouldnt cover my travelling costs.
I cant be arsed traveling to Germany to find a car, especially when my linguistic talents stop at ordering 2 beers. And even that is done in a comedy ww2 war film accent.
Against all common sense, I actually quite like this car for some reason.
finding something hatch/saloon sized, modern ish and with enough grunt to tow my trailer that has aircon and costs less than 2k€ is a tall order even for german prices. Besides, next car purchase is likely to be a classic bit of French wafty nonsense. A DS Pallas would be nice. No point jizzing money away changing the daily for no real benefits. RHD isnt that much of a hindrance (although I have broken the ****ing windscreen again while leaning across to pay at a peage - second vaux I have done this in!)

Germans speak more English than French speak Dutch.

[Ginge]

Germans speak more English than French speak Dutch.

Thanks for that.

Ginge

[Vectra Dave]

Germans speak more English than French speak Dutch.

well, thats really handy to know, thanks.

[Vectra Dave]

You managed to piss-off the natives already!? lmao

Sounds like your best bet is the letter from GM France then as it'll be a tiny fraction of the cost of any of your other options.

Don't forget that they won't generally let you use 'beam deflectors' for a control-technique so you will need to source some LHD headlamps (easy enough I should think). Only other hindrance could be insuring an 'odd' car with a French company so ask first I suppose.

yeah, its the old access rights argument through a field that is part of my property. He is in the wrong, but because the last owners allowed him to cross anyway, he assumes I will let him continue do so. If he had asked me, I would have said yes, instead he just cut down my newly put up fencing and used it anyway.


I have already got LHD headlights, and the insurance company seem completely disinterested in what model it is. They want the fiscal CV (12) and not much else.

[Jack]

This is a bit lame! This would be the one thing that would put me off living in France.

What would happen if you removed the spoiler and fitted wheels with the correct size tyres for a CD? Would they still pull a face as it's still technically an SRI? Or would they concede that it's the same spec as a CD?

This letter of compliance from GM... how many persuasion points would that get you? Or would it not be much use at all?

[Vectra Dave]

sadly, this is typical of the french system. over-complicated forms and lots of faffing.

Changing the wheels etc would be no use, as they need to find the exact french equivelant, but the chassis number and CE number dont correspond to anything they know, sadly.
I would expect this kind of problem if I was trying to register some bizarre jap import that was never sold in europe, but its a chuffing vectra, hardly rare and exotic.

Anyway, I have no choice but to buy the certificate from GM. once I have that, I can bypass this department entirely and move on to the next....import duty, then registration. Its a used car so no duty to pay, so theoretically, I am good to go.

[Jack]

Well, if getting this form means you can bypass all this stupid red-tape and other tomfoolery, go for it.

Keep us posted. This sort of information might come in useful for someone sooner or later.

[Dave Dempsey]

This is a bit lame! This would be the one thing that would put me off living in France.

Why? doesnt sound like any different to dealing with the DVLA lmao