The Opel Corsa subcompact hatchback of the third generation (in-plant index "C") was first revealed to the world community in 1999, and its sales in the countries of the Old World started in the fall of 2000.

After the next "reincarnation" the car not only noticeably changed externally and internally, but also changed the platform, enlarged in size, "armed" with economical motors and received functionality that was not previously available.

In 2003, the "German" underwent a planned renovation - the exterior and interior were corrected, new motors were separated and the list of equipment offered was expanded.

Serial production of the car for European markets continued until October 2006 (when the fourth generation model came out), while in South America its sales were carried out until 2012.

Outside, "Corsa C" has a nice, laconic, balanced, but everyday look, and its outline lacks memorable design solutions - a simple "face" with unpretentious headlights and a neat bumper, a harmonious silhouette with short overhangs, "flat" sidewalls and correct wheel cutouts. arches, frying stern with "lifted" lanterns, merging with glass, and a neat bumper.

This is a subcompact hatchback, announced with a three- or five-door body: its length is stretched by 3839 mm, the width is 1646 mm, and the height is 1440 mm. The center-to-center distance of the car is 2491 mm, and its ground clearance does not exceed 140 mm.

The "marching" weight of the "German" varies from 930 to 1080 kg (depending on the version).

The interior of the third generation Opel Corsa looks quite attractive and is distinguished by carefully thought out ergonomics. A large three-spoke steering wheel, an unremarkable but informative instrument cluster with arrow indicators, a symmetrical center console with a monochrome display of the on-board computer covered by a visor, and well-arranged audio and air conditioning units - the appearance of the car's decoration leaves an extremely positive impression.

Formally, the Korsa's salon of the third generation has a five-seat layout, but in reality only two adult passengers can more or less freely accommodate in the second row (due to the limited supply of free space).

In the front seats, there are seats with slightly pronounced lateral bolsters and sufficient adjustment intervals.

The hatchback trunk in normal condition has a 260-liter volume (regardless of the number of doors). The rear sofa folds down in two parts, increasing the "hold" capacity to 1060 liters. In a niche under the raised floor, the spare wheel and the necessary minimum of tools are hidden.

For the "third" Opel Corsa, there is a wide range of power units working in conjunction with a 5-speed "mechanics", 4-band "automatic" or 5-speed "robot" (and no alternative front-wheel drive transmission):

• Gasoline cars contain under the hood in-line three- and four-cylinder "atmospheric" with a working volume of 1.0-1.8 liters with a distributed injection system and variable valve timing, generating 60-125 horsepower and 88-165 Nm of torque.
• Diesel modifications are equipped with in-line "fours" for 1.2-1.7 liters with turbocharging, direct fuel injection and 16-valve timing, which develop 70-100 hp. and 170-240 Nm of peak thrust.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 9 ~ 18 seconds for the car, and its maximum capabilities "rest" at 150 ~ 202 km / h.

Fuel consumption for gasoline versions is 5.3 ~ 7.9 liters for each combined "hundred", and for diesel - 4.4 ~ 4.7 liters.

"Corsa" of the third incarnation is based on the GM Gamma (GM4300) front-wheel drive architecture with a power unit installed transversely in the front part. On the front axle of the hatchback, an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, hydraulic shock absorbers and lateral stabilizers is mounted, and on the rear there is a semi-independent system with a twisting beam.

The machine is equipped with rack and pinion steering and hydraulic booster. By default, the car is equipped with ventilated disc brakes at the front and drum devices at the rear (on versions with a power of 100 hp and above - "pancakes" are applied "in a circle").

In the Russian market of used cars, Opel Corsa 3rd generation in 2018 is offered at a price of 100 ~ 250 thousand rubles (a lot depends on the equipment, condition and year of manufacture of the car).

This car has a lot of positive qualities: nice design, ergonomic interior, moderately high-torque and economical engines, reliable design, good level of equipment, good maneuverability, energy-intensive suspension and so on.

But he also has disadvantages: low ground clearance, poor sound insulation, poor head light and some other points.

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 ranking.

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 produced to this day in a pickup truck.

The hallmark of the Corsa C is that it's 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 successfully coped with this task, making some small cosmetic changes and improvements. The shape of the headlights was changed in the car, the front bumper received a solid air intake, fashionable ribs appeared on the sides and hood, which are barely noticeable, but give the car a special charm. The shape of the taillights 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 of 1.3 and 1.7 liters were also installed.

Advantages

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. run, 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. Affect 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 struts 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.

1. Changing the fluid in the control unit every 2 years
2. every 30,000 runs.
3. Doesn't like slipping in winter. After slipping, it is necessary to perform.
4. Gearbox oil change 120,000 mileage.

Clutch replacement occurs on average at 120,000 km.

Brake discs need to be replaced with significant wear along with the pads. It is not allowed to replace discs without replacing pads. 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 passenger compartment 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 /

Traditionally for the 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 and chassis features. 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 much 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 ++ kids. 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 differs little from its ancestor in the person of Corsa B and its "sports" version of the Opel Tigra. The dimensions of the cabin and the main 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 rear seat space.

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In the fashion of the nineties, the design acquired "angularity", and the design, as usual, added strength and safety. The requirements for a B-class car during this period were changing rapidly: from a minimalistic vehicle, they quickly passed into the category of universal cars for every day with a certain amount 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, 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 in almost any Corsa - in terms of attachment points, attachments and transmissions, such engines are compatible with dorestyling 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 even adapted 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 this moment have long been in production. 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 quite old copies come across in very good condition. The contrast is especially great when compared to the Corsa B of the last 2000 year of production. The ancestor almost always has corrosion of the structural elements of the body at the rear, floor seams and wheel arches, while the Corsa C usually has only pits and surface corrosion in the most vulnerable areas of the underbody and loaded 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 dampened shock absorbers will damage the joint compound near the shock absorber attachment points, especially at the front, and water will enter 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 of the body - most likely, it was wet due to a violation of the seals. Also at risk are the front subframe and the attachment points of the rear beam, especially if the machine has been operated on dirt 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 gradually eats away at it from the inside. 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 light cosmetic repairs ...

Much more trouble for the owners is not caused by corrosion, but by 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 fasteners 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 melt 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 to break here. Of course, the driver's seat is slightly wiped off, but the plastic steering wheel holds up better than rare leather ones, the door upholstery is almost eternal, and the fabric seats fail only with a large driver mass.

The rest of the age is given by carpets, pedal pads and a shabby 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 wear out, 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, therefore, purely age-related violations of the wiring harnesses 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, 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 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 relatively often let down - 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 possible 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 Opel troubles with the creak of the pads are present here as well. Anti-squeak plates and gluing pads are a mandatory procedure when replacing, as well as monitoring the condition of the anthers of cylinders and fingers. And when you buy, 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" for 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 \u200b\u200bthe gas tank, and if necessary, renew 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 hand brake mechanism will be problem-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 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 simply break 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 heavily 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 the newest one, 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 whether the EasyTronic robotic boxes are deservedly criticized. Don't switch!

Relentless statistics show that in 2000, 32% of the European passenger car market was diesel. The regularity of one of the results of the century is confirmed by ten years of growth in this indicator.

In Russia, unlike Western Europe, there are very few diesel vehicles. This is due to the well-known quality of our diesel fuel and the prices for the repair of the high-pressure fuel pump. Local dealers are well aware of these problems and therefore treat diesel engines, to put it mildly, coldly.

In general, we had to go beyond the cordon to meet with diesel tomorrow. We chose the 2000 model year Opel Corsa 1.7 DTI, a three-door hatchback with alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2 tires (there was still snow in the Alps) measuring 185/55 R15. Of course, we have heard about the incredible qualities of new diesel engines. Before the trip, we were not too lazy to look into the catalog - we were interested in the torque, since it is this indicator that Western engineers like to trumpet when they talk about new motors.

It turned out that the Corsa 1.7 DTI engine (you will break your tongue - some TDI firms, others HDI ...) have a maximum torque of 165 Nm at 1800 rpm. However, it also turned out that each manufacturer solved the diesel problem in its own way. Which of the two schemes to choose, high-pressure or direct injection? Ten years of growing popularity of diesel engines is not enough time to develop priorities. There is also a wide spread in the working volume - it seems that manufacturers, wanting to quickly bring their motor to the market, scoured the corners at breakneck speed, collecting it from what they had to.

Since it is objectively impossible to compare motors of the same displacement, we just recommend taking a look at what is offered. Common rail turbodiesel Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1.7 l, 95 hp) produces 180 Nm at 1600 rpm, Fiat Punto common rail turbodiesel (1.9 l, 80 hp) - 196 Nm at 1500 rpm, turbo diesel with direct injection Ford Fiesta (1.8 l, 75 hp) - 140 Nm at 1900 rpm, turbo diesel with direct injection Renault Clio (1.9 l , 75 HP) - 160 Nm at 2000 rpm, turbodiesel with direct injection VW Golf (1.9 l, 90 HP) - 210 Nm at 1900 rpm, common rail turbodiesel Citroen and Peugeot (2L, 90 HP) - 205 Nm @ 1900 rpm

In any case, ten years ago we never dreamed of such characteristics. The trick, however, lies not only and not so much in the turbocharging, which affects more power, but in the new power system and four valves per cylinder. That is, in the filling of the cylinders and again in it.

Previously, diesels with a prechamber were used in passenger cars, which ensured smoother and quieter operation. Diesels with direct injection were fifteen percent more economical, but they looked like a jackhammer in operation. Against the background of the then gasoline engines, the efficiency of pre-chamber diesel engines was quite satisfactory for manufacturers, and no one wanted to rack their brains over fine-tuning the "direct". Naturally, when gasoline engines improved their performance, more efficient diesel engines were required ...

If the engineers managed to get rid of the characteristic diesel bass, it was not in the Corsa 1.7 DTI. But we are not inclined to throw epithets like "tractor sound", we really like this grunt. At speed, it is masked by the noise of the wind and tires, and this trio did not annoy us. There are no vibrations even at idle, which is greatly facilitated by the 4-point motor mount, which is being introduced today and on other models of the company - this solution eliminates the inertial moment that occurs when the speed increases.

The fuel supply to the Corsa engine is controlled by a radial piston distribution pump, which creates a pressure of about 900 bar. To reduce shock loads in the combustion chamber, the so-called. preliminary injection - a small portion of fuel is fed into the chamber in front of the main one. The moment of supply and the required amount of diesel fuel are determined by the central control unit EDC. In addition, the computer monitors the exhaust recirculation and boost pressure. It is in our case (engine with two overhead camshafts) 0.9 bar.

The turbocharged Garrett T15 with intercooler used in the Corsa diesel can be found on other Opel models. Of course, it will be configured differently. Another feature of this engine is that the glow plug is located closer to the exhaust valves, which reduces emissions. The path to our diesel engine can be traced back to the prototype Opel Corsa Eco 3 (remember the Frankfurt Salon in 1995) - the world's first car with a real consumption of three liters per 100 km.

Assembled at the Isuzu-owned plant in the Polish town of Tuchi, the turbodiesel is a perfect fit for the new Corsa. At the start, the car strives to jump forward, so in first gear with the gas pedal, you need to be more careful. In the second, a sensitive dip is observed, which is explained by the inertia of the boost impeller. By the time the third is connected, this symptom disappears and makes itself felt when, for example, you decide to vigorously go through a turn on a mountain serpentine - at the edge of the abyss, there is a desire that after turning on the lower gear, the car slows down a little faster. However, she can be helped with brakes without much risk, since there is an ABS. In general, the Corsa has enough electronic stuff. Take the Dynamic Safety Elastokinematic (DSA). When braking on surfaces with non-uniform grip properties, the toe angle of a wheel in a rougher place is automatically increased - this is how DSA neutralizes the tendency of the car to turn or side slip.

The car prescribes bends, fully justifying the Sport nameplate on the sidewall. You can move by playing with the accelerator - then straightening the trajectory, then, in response to the gas release, screwing into the turn. However, the Corsa is a family car, and to a greater extent - a ladies' car (in Germany, 65% of its buyers are women), so its reactions are not harsh: in order to add "sportiness" to the suspension, they only slightly increased the spring rate and by a millimeter - diameter of stabilizers.

On a straight line, the car accelerates to hundreds in 13.5 seconds. (manufacturer's data), and with dignity, without strain, withstands "maximum speed". But like any car, the Corsa 1.7 DTI has a favorite setting of 3,000 rpm. and fifth (about 120 km / h) or fourth (80-90 km / h) gear.

The steering is equipped with an electric booster, which is 2-5% more economical than hydraulic. The electric motor (torque 3.2 Nm) is located directly on the steering column. Next to him is a computer that changes the characteristics of the amplifier depending on the speed of the car and the engine speed. The whole device weighs 8 kg, a kilo less than its hydraulic counterpart. Speaking of weight savings, the steering wheel frame is cast from magnesium alloy.

The Corsa, oddly enough, has a completely non-feminine interior. Nothing to do with powder compacts, cosmetic bags or bottles. Tough masculine style, and the same colors. The car was created in the atmosphere of the Bauhaus style renaissance - interior designers eliminated the "puffiness" of the steering hub and fake wood. The core of the steering wheel is unusually flat, which makes it seem unnecessarily large. Nevertheless, the devices do not overlap, and the steering column buttons (six pieces) for radio and navigation control do not get confused under the fingers. It takes time to get used to them, but you can spit and command the secondary functions the old fashioned way, from the console. Accidentality is excluded: the desire to use this or that mode must be proved with a convincing push.

How the quality of upholstery materials has grown in recent years! The only thing that can be advised to those who, like us, decide to test the meaningfulness of the Sport inscription on the sidewall in practice - change the steering wheel to Mom! The coverage of the standard one is even more or less, but the material is not hygroscopic at all, the perforation is rather conditional. We checked the car in the Swiss Alps, and in the mountains the weather changes at an unpredictable rate. A minute ago, snow was falling into the glass, and suddenly - a blinding sun. While you rebuild the climate control (the Corsa 1.7 DTI has an efficient one, but without climate control), your hands will get wet.

We pay tribute to the things that, in general (in relation to modern cars), it's time to stop talking: excellent visibility and its important component - a sense of size, a lot of space above your head and under your feet, grasping inner door handles, capacious pockets for small things ... Are there not many machines in which these positions have failed by the developers?

You get used to the salon as new numbers are rounded up on the electronic odometer. Seats with good lateral support, a distinct gear selector. The seat belt does not chafe the neck, and its lower support moves back and forth - you can adjust the lower loop (at least for a man's beer belly). Power windows - push-and-forget. The interior lighting shade works interestingly: after closing the door, the light gradually dims.

The machine was built by an international team with a large proportion of engineers from South America, which is one of the most important markets for the company. The project started in 1996. The leading body designer, Brazilian Roberto Rempel, recalled that the activities of pedantic Germans were pretty flavored with the emotionality of the Latinos, and the project manager, Hans Demant, had a well-known effort to defend the principles of clear planning.

At the moment, small, 1- and 1.2-liter, engines for Corsa are produced in Aspern near Vienna, 1.4- and 1.8-liter - in Hungarian Zentgottard, diesel engines - as already mentioned - in Poland. The car itself is assembled in Zaragoza (Spain), Eisenach (Germany) and Azambouillet (Portugal).

The team's big luck is the exterior architecture of the car. It is not surprising that the Corsa looks like a Japanese woman. The author of its design is Hideo Kadama, who works in Rüsselsheim. We will not give the coefficient Cx: it is incorrect. The Sport version differs from the base model by the presence of a rear spoiler, wide tires and a body lowered by 15 mm, which means a slightly different aerodynamics (in this case, the company is silent about the Cx). However, it looks like it has been worked out perfectly - judging by the low noise level and clean glass.

What else will the European who comes to the dealer for the Corsa 1.7 DTI turbodiesel appreciate? For example, he will surely like that the interservice mileage is 30 thousand km. And that the airbag cover is made of recyclable material. And also the fact that the cost of repairs in collisions at speeds up to 15 km / h is extremely low, which is facilitated by ingenious box-shaped energy-absorbing structures on which bumpers are reinforced (in addition, at many attachment points, the company, having abandoned welding, uses bolted connections that are better dissipate energy and are easier to replace) ...

Small cars in Russia are not in great demand. One of the exceptions is Opel Corsa, which managed to find its buyer. Subject to the careful attitude of the previous owner, it makes sense to take a used car.

Opel Corsa advantages

Opel is committed to a combination of performance and low cost. All cars of the Corsa series were characterized by good running, reliability and pleasant design. The quality of the car was preserved until the latest modifications B, C and especially D, where the developers applied the enlarged, flexible SCCS platform in combination with a comfortable interior, safety, and handling.

The car managed to break into the TOP of small-sized cars, overcoming the negative trends associated with the skepticism of the new owners of Opel from the General Motors concern.

In Russia, it occupied the top position of the rating at all, until the 2008 crisis and surges in Euro quotations aggravated sales. Despite the fall, Opel Corsa continues to be in demand, attracting drivers with a wide range of engines, simple controls, and long-term operation. By 2017, 10 years have passed since the release of the first production car, but most cars remain on the move.

Body features Opel Corsa

Back in the twentieth century, the body was considered the most vulnerable point of Opel models, giving rise to persistent associations with rust and corrosion. Using plastic, aluminum alloys and galvanizing (absent only on the roof), the developers changed the trend, presenting in the person of the Corsa a car that is practically not subject to corrosion, excluding situations associated with mechanical damage. Otherwise, scratches, chips, and other defects do not rot for years, even if the peeling of the paint is large.

Dangerous zones are weak bottom, closed seams and joints. Here, despite the high-quality material, the paintwork easily comes off due to impact, sand, stones, which leads to the need to repaint the rear fenders (3-door versions suffer), the arches (especially in 5-door modifications) and the edges of the hood. Since 2008, the Opel Corsa has stopped being equipped with door moldings, which has increased the number of dents and chips.

IMPORTANT! Very often, owners are faced with a poor condition of the seams above the engine, blockage of the drain channels of the windshields, moisture entering the interior. Problems are local in nature and in the absence of an accident, corrosion is excluded.

During operation, some of the owners use cheap Chinese spare parts, turn to the services of unskilled mechanics, try to save money on painting, which invariably forms rust.

In the basic version, the car is equipped with a Pilkington windshield that can withstand strong mechanical impact. The rear window is much more expensive, and its heating filaments quickly crumble, requiring expensive repairs.

The AFL headlights stand out, which at the time of their release had no equivalent analogues. Despite strong light, they are prone to rubbing, requiring polishing and remediation of the fixing knots if the bumper is hit. After a few years, the work of the reflector and lens drives is disrupted, forcing the resort to replacing the headlights.

What to look for when inspecting the salon

The decent side of the Opel Corsa D is the interior, which combines simplicity and comfort. The stove radiator is very reliable, subsidence of the seats and peeling of the skin is observed only after many years of operation, and the smoothness of the contours of the lever casing disappears after 70 thousand km of run. The rest of the components serve reliably without losing their aesthetic properties.

Problems with backlighting begin after 5-7 years; replacement is complicated by the integral structure of lamps and diodes. The climate system is copied from Fiat cars, repeating the advantages and disadvantages in the form of noisy bearings and the need to replace the fan after 150 km. Successful diagnostics and repairs require the qualifications of a master who knows how to repair air conditioner leaks caused by a weak seal and vibration. Frequently, the clutch and compressor fail and the condenser is exposed to stones.

The on-board computer interface loses clarity over time, presenting a blurry image. The way out of the situation is to replace modules, blocks or use a color version of the CID that works without problems.

Typically, a malfunction of the passenger compartment systems is associated with the breakdown of BCM components that act as a fuse. A simple replacement will not help, as the block loops over many options, including rain indicators and fog lights. Similarly, other Corsa nodes operate, closely related to the bundle, which is why, when changing them, it is necessary to affect the wiring and modules.

Along with the blocks, the main problems of Opel electronics traditionally lie in the radiator resistors, whose coating is prone to burning. Rehabilitation is possible subject to the working condition of the part, and as an alternative, you can use a Niva resistor (Chevrolet Niva), saving even the declared 1000-2000 rubles. The lack of timely repairs causes consequences in the form of burst hoses, barrels, oil drips from the engine.

ATTENTION! A weak property of the Opel Corsa is considered an expensive ignition module, which even in the used version costs 4 thousand rubles, and in the original it reaches 10 and even 30 (for a turbo engine) thousand rubles.

Among the common irregularities in the operation of the Opel Corsa electronics is overheating of ECU components caused by broken internal wires. It leads to engine failures, being eliminated subject to replacement or the services of a specialist who can open the unit. Candles fail due to dirt, oil drips, antifreeze getting into the tips.

Brakes, steering system and suspension Korsa

Regardless of the version of the Opel Corsa, future car owners need to prepare in advance for the creaks of the pads, and after a run of 150 thousand km, the anthers and caliper fingers, especially the rear ones, will wear out. Despite the reliable drums of these units, it is monitored at every maintenance.

ABS and brake lines do not cause any complaints, in contrast to the suspension, which:

ATTENTION! It is a weak point of the car. So versions B and C roared like the old VAZ, but in modification D, the problem was eliminated by increasing the resource of the rear lever silent blocks and the services of new suppliers of stabilization traction.

A noticeable fragility is demonstrated by wheel bearings, which make noise even before overcoming the milestone of 100 thousand kilometers traveled, especially if 16-inch discs are used and side impacts have taken place. The only way to preserve the details is a careful attitude, in this case they are not afraid of even 200 thousand km of run, but when buying from hand, verification is mandatory.

The steering has an electric amplifier, and malfunctions are associated with its failure, defects in anthers, and a rattling rail. All of them are caused by various reasons from burned out indicators and wires, to failures of ABS and BCM modules. Very often the amplifier position indicator breaks down, which is difficult to repair and is expensive. Errors are observed with a weak generator, battery, on-board voltage.

In general, despite the dimensions, the car moves well, especially with a high-quality transmission and engine.

With which box to choose Opel Corsa

Car owners are presented with manual transmissions of the F13 + and F17 series, Easytronic robotic-controlled automatic transmissions created on their basis, and real AF13 automatic transmissions, which sometimes go like the Aisin 60-40LE, used on the 1.4-liter versions of the Corsa.

Each transmission has its own pros and cons, as the mechanics of the F13 + and F17 are characterized by rapid wear of the shift block, where play accumulates very quickly. A mechanism from a Daewoo Nexia car is suitable as an analogue. The problem is complemented by an oil leak, which is replaced every 40-50 thousand km, otherwise solid fractions accumulate in the lower part of the gearbox, causing defects in the differential teeth. It is given close attention when purchasing, since slipping, pulling jerks and welded satellite pins lead to deformation of the structure. The check is performed by blocking the front and spinning the rear wheel, then the engine is turned off and the sound of the gearbox is checked.

In the robotic version of Easytronic, malfunctions of the control system and a low resource of the actuators, which is 50-60 thousand km, costing 50 thousand rubles, are added to the breakdowns. The lack of an uphill holding system, forcing the use of the handbrake, stands out.

For comparison, the 4-speed automatic transmission AF13 demonstrates good performance and, with proper use, easily passes the claimed 300 thousand km. Here, potential problems arise with long runs and races, being associated with wear of the Forward drum, turbine linings, and hydraulic contamination. Competent operation of the Opel Corsa guarantees the service life of the solenoids and clutches, up to the scheduled repair of the box after 200-250 thousand kilometers. The condition for successful work is the renewal of the oil, eliminating high temperatures, drips, problems with discs. Upon purchase, testing is performed through an endoscope.

Engine options and their features

The Opel Corsa D modification is equipped with several engine types, united by a cast-iron body and a small format. The resource of 3-cylinder versions with a volume of 1 liter is 100-120 thousand km, 4-cylinder engines are 1.4 more durable and are capable of traveling 200 thousand km. The most powerful representative of the line is a 120 hp turbo engine. forces, the rest barely reach 90 liters. forces, or (if the equipment includes a phase rotation mechanism) - 101 liters. forces.

The list highlights:

• The 1.2-liter Z10XEP engine, which in turn is divided into Euro-4 and Euro-5 versions, meeting the requirements of the designated standard;
• Engines Z12XEL (80 hp) and A12XEP (85 hp). Despite the increased performance of the second version, in practice, it turned out to be weaker due to EU environmental standards;
• Generations Z14XEL, A14XEL, A14XEP that have replaced each other, with a volume of 1.4 liters;
• A14NEL turbo engine (120 hp) 1.4 liters, corresponding to Euro 5;
• Variations Z16LET, A16LEL from the Gm Family 1 line, with a volume of 1.6 liters, which are an improved modification of the A14NEL model;
• The 1.7-liter 8-valve diesel engine has practically no distribution in Russia, and in Europe it is considered one of the most efficient models.

No significant problems were found behind the units, the average resource is 200-300 thousand km of run. Vulnerability is fogging due to the obsolete crankcase ventilation mechanism. Weak seals reduce the strength of the thermostat (A14NET, A14NEL with Astra J are a good analogue), contributing to a temperature regime of 85-90 degrees, which is convenient in summer, but in winter it requires additional time to warm up. The cap of the expansion tank changes every 5 years, it must be tightened tightly, but not to the extreme. The entire engine range is not expensive to repair.