Catera & Omega Parts

[moerome]

I was out on the ebay.co.uk site and ran across the sport grills for the Omega B. Since the Cat & the Omega are one in the same car, I'm wondering by how much when it comes to the body style.

This link is a sport grill for an Omega B manufactured between May 1994 - September 1999.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA...QQcmdZViewItem

Whereas this link is a sport grill for an Omega B manufactured between October 1999 - September 2003.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAUXHALL-OMEGA...QQcmdZViewItem

Does it make a difference for us here in the States? I'm particularly in interested in either one that will fit my '99 Cat. Please advise if you know which is which. Thanks.

[rinverso]

i bought the one from euronet, that you have there on ebay, for 2000 or newer. they also call it "before or after facelift" the easiest way to explain it is.
if when you open your hood and the grill stays in place, it is prefacelift or 99 or older. if the grill comes up with the hood it is after facelift or 2000 and newer.
i'll send some pictures of the new grill on my 2001 cat. or email me at rinverso@hotmail.com

[elvin315]

Believe it or not, lots of Opel and Vauxhall Omegas are sporting Catera grilles. They do it for the same reason we do. To stand out from the herd. For a '99 you'll want May 1994 - September 1999. October 99 starts the 2000 model year. They also use the term pre facelift to describe the 94-99 Omegas. The 2000-2001 are called facelifts. There's a mini-facelift too but I haven't figured that one out yet.

I almost ordered from this eBay vendor that sells the same grilles for USD$69.41 plus $73.50 shipping cost to Buffalo. What a ripoff. I almost choked. Your guy sells it for USD$73 plus $19.50. Much better deal. Wish I had found it. Still, I would ask about additional taxes or import fees.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sportgrill-OPEL-...QQcmdZViewItem

I ended up ordering a Kamei Sport Grille for my 2000 from a vendor in California. It's a coated steel mesh versus a plastic grille. Price, $190 plus $13 shipping. I'm paying over twice what you will so this had better be the grille of grilles.
http://tuningzubehor.com/cfb.asp?pg=...=0&veh=0&cso=0

It's been a month now so I can't vouch for them yet. They don't list the Catera but if you search for Opel Omega a bunch of stuff pops up. Since the parts are for the Omega B, and probably come from Europe, it may account for the delay.

Elvin

[moerome]

Rinverso:

From your description, it appears I have a "pre" facelift '99 Cat. Would that also entail I have the same mechanic problems as with the '97 & '98s?

I thought that by the time '99 had rolled around, GM had addressed the bugs found in the '97 & '98s.

Elvin: That grill you picked out looks nice. For 190 bones, hope it improves the coefficient drag!!!!

[rinverso]

here are some before and after pictures....stock, new euro grille and new euro grille with shield and crest. which do like the best??
by the way, it is a full metal grill
thanks, robert

[moerome]

The euro grill with the crest looks sweet!!!

I know that would look real nice on my black '99 Cat. Was the crest a separate item with the euro grill?

Thanks for posting the pics.

[rinverso]

i won a fresh set at ebay, i have three others. if you want i'll send you a set for $10 complete with shipping. it has the studs in the back, you just need to pick up a 3/16 self threading screw at an auto store.
i also think it looks great with the shield, after all it is a cadillac. nothin to be ashamed of.
thanks, robert
i

[elvin315]

Damn you. You beat me to it. That's the look I'm going for. I definitely want a crest. My email is:

elvin315@gmail.com

Tell me where to send the check.

Elvin

[moerome]

Oh yeah, I definitely want one!!! You already have my email address. Just email me an address, and the check/money order (postal one that is) will be in the mail post haste. Thanks a mil!!!