Vauxhall Ampera

reaper12 · 15-02-2020 09:40PM

n97 mini wrote: »

Yes. They're like candles. The MAXGTRS replacement LED lights recommended on one of the threads work very well though. Still not up to the LED headlights on the Leaf, but a vast improvement. And ours passed the NCT with them no problem.

Are they simple replacement? Can I just swap them out?

Oh, Do you still have the Ampera, the one in the opening post of this thread? It's a beautiful car. If the one I am thinking of buying looked that good, I wouldn't be just thinking about buying

n97 mini · 16-02-2020 12:13PM

reaper12 wrote: »

Are they simple replacement? Can I just swap them out?

Oh, Do you still have the Ampera, the one in the opening post of this thread? It's a beautiful car. If the one I am thinking of buying looked that good, I wouldn't be just thinking about buying

They're pretty much just drop in. The dust cap fits back on perfectly too as the fan is low profile. Very simple and quick job. You've just to make sure the blades on the bulbs are vertical, and you're good to go.

Yep, still have it!

reaper12 · 18-02-2020 04:41PM

Jut checking out the SEAI Home Charger Grants page. It says the Ampera is eligible if you buy it new or second hand.

I was originally going to just use the granny charger, but, the preheating and top off only take minutes on a proper charger but nearly 45 minute on the Granny charger at 10A.

gunnerfitzy · 18-02-2020 04:51PM

reaper12 wrote: »

Jut checking out the SEAI Home Charger Grants page. It says the Ampera is eligible if you buy it new or second hand.

I was originally going to just use the granny charger, but, the preheating and top off only take minutes on a proper charger but nearly 45 minute on the Granny charger at 10A.

That's a very recent development. It was not on the approved list for a long time as it had not been offered for sale in Ireland. That's very welcome news.

Alkers · 18-02-2020 05:01PM

reaper12 wrote: »

Jut checking out the SEAI Home Charger Grants page. It says the Ampera is eligible if you buy it new or second hand.

I was originally going to just use the granny charger, but, the preheating and top off only take minutes on a proper charger but nearly 45 minute on the Granny charger at 10A.

Verified at https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/eligible-evs-for-the-home/index.xml and I've just made our application.

I've had multiple correspondences with the SEAI about this and never got anywhere!

Now to decide whether to go for a tethered type 2 charger as future proofing or get an untethered charger even though we don't have a type 1 cable!

gunnerfitzy · 18-02-2020 05:10PM

Alkers wrote: »

Can you provide a link? I've had multiple correspondences with the SEAI about this and never got anywhere!

https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/eligible-evs-for-the-home/index.xml

Just had it open myself to confirm

reaper12 · 18-02-2020 08:35PM

Alkers wrote: »

Verified at https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/eligible-evs-for-the-home/index.xml and I've just made our application.

I've had multiple correspondences with the SEAI about this and never got anywhere!

Now to decide whether to go for a tethered type 2 charger as future proofing or get an untethered charger even though we don't have a type 1 cable!

Good luck with the application. Will be interesting to see how much they give.

For me, it's another tick box in the "reasons to get an Ampera" column.

Kramer · 18-02-2020 11:00PM

reaper12 wrote: »

Good luck with the application. Will be interesting to see how much they give.

Probably in the region of €600 I reckon

.

reaper12 · 23-02-2020 09:44PM

Ok, I had a quick look at an Ampera over the weekend. Didn't have time to give it a test drive though. Pictures don't do justice to this car. I was surprised just how good it looks. It was surrounded by Mercs and BMWs and it looked like it belonged there. It's a very solid looking car!!

Sat into the car then, it looked fine. The seats were firm but comfortable, but this would need more than 5 minutes to test properly, but first impressions were good and they look like they would last forever.

The dash looks very modern. I like it, but it doesn't give off the same aura of quality as the outside.

Didn't get to see what it looks like on though.

The steering wheel is horrible, it looks cheap and feels cheaper!! Very disappointed in that.

So first real impressions are mainly positive.

I was also doing a lot of reading over the last week on the Speakev site. There are a few areas of the car that I want to ask you guys about.

We already discussed the lights, so that's a negative. But I am also reading a lot about the demister on the car not been good enough and moisture getting into the lights. Have any of guys had these issues?

And during the summer, does the air conditioning use a lot of power?

One more question, what are the wipers like?

Alkers · 23-02-2020 11:14PM

reaper12 wrote: »

We already discussed the lights, so that's a negative. But I am also reading a lot about the demister on the car not been good enough and moisture getting into the lights. Have any of guys had these issues?

And during the summer, does the air conditioning use a lot of power?

One more question, what are the wipers like?

Haven't had any issues with moisture in the lights.

I have the opposite experience with the demister, it will clear the windscreen very quickly and there's a dedicated button to the best settings to clear it. It's a bit of a moot point anyway as most of the time you'll have pre heated and the windscreen will be perfectly clear. What I read is some people found the window fogs a bit when in use, if this happens you just press the above button leave it clear for 30s then put climate back to auto.

Hasnt been warm enough in Ireland to notice any impact with the AC for us either

reaper12 · 25-02-2020 01:23PM

Made enquiries about another Ampera today. Got a friend to take a look at it. Perfect condition on the inside. Some small dings on the outside. 92,000 miles on the clock. According to the calculation on the SpeakEV site, using the liftetime mpg, that means it's done roughly 35,000 on the petrol engine. So no worries about that side of things.

The dealer said he would do a HV coolant flush as well, that would be good for another 5 years/50,000 miles.

reaper12 · 20-03-2020 12:46AM

Alkers wrote: »

Verified at https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/eligible-evs-for-the-home/index.xml and I've just made our application.

I've had multiple correspondences with the SEAI about this and never got anywhere!

Now to decide whether to go for a tethered type 2 charger as future proofing or get an untethered charger even though we don't have a type 1 cable!

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

https://www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-home-charger-grant/eligible-evs-for-the-home/index.xml

Just had it open myself to confirm

Hi Guys, hope you are keeping safe. Things have changed a lot in the last month.

Just wanted to ask you how did the grant application go? Does it take long? If it went through and you have had one installed, which one did you go for?

The Corona virus has put my Ampera plans on hold, but, maybe later in the year I will buy one.

Alkers · 20-03-2020 10:29AM

Grant permission came through very quickly but we still haven't had the electrician around. Got the EV mini untethered chargepoint.

There's a new one on Donedeal, 14 plate but steep price
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-ampera-hybrid-very-rare-car/24480008?campaign=3

ELM327 · 20-03-2020 10:31AM

Imported a year or two ago from Electric Autos in kildare
I remember seeing it listed.

unkel · 20-03-2020 10:36AM

€13k? That's mad money. You can get them from GBP5.9k in the UK. That's well under €7k landed on Irish plates. Great value if you are on a budget, do most of your driving on electric, but also do some longer trips and you couldn't bear having to (multiple) fast charge a 70/80km range Leaf on those trips.

coolisin · 20-03-2020 11:16AM

Alkers wrote: »

Grant permission came through very quickly but we still haven't had the electrician around. Got the EV mini untethered chargepoint.

There's a new one on Donedeal, 14 plate but steep price
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-ampera-hybrid-very-rare-car/24480008?campaign=3

Gas considering Phil in electric autos was selling that with 140K for around €12000/13000 last year, I know because i went to look at it, not to kick tyres but was thinking about pulling the trigger for a commute car.
I meant even if it was tidied up a bit not so sure it would be worth the extra with the extra miles.

n97 mini · 20-03-2020 11:18AM

That one is a 2012 MY too, iirc.

reaper12 · 20-03-2020 10:33PM

Alkers wrote: »

Grant permission came through very quickly but we still haven't had the electrician around. Got the EV mini untethered chargepoint.

There's a new one on Donedeal, 14 plate but steep price
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vauxhall-ampera-hybrid-very-rare-car/24480008?campaign=3

So it's pretty quick, that's good to know. Surprised you went with untethered in the end!!

And I have to agree with the posters above me, that one on DoneDeal looks mad expensive.

After looking at the costs involved in importing one, that Ampera on Donedeal would have to less than €10,000 for me to even consider it.

reaper12 · 20-03-2020 10:38PM

unkel wrote: »

€13k? That's mad money. You can get them from GBP5.9k in the UK. That's well under €7k landed on Irish plates. Great value if you are on a budget, do most of your driving on electric, but also do some longer trips and you couldn't bear having to (multiple) fast charge a 70/80km range Leaf on those trips.

Yes, it's a crazy price, don't think it will sell for what he is looking for.

Might take a look if it drops under the 10K price point.

Alkers · 21-03-2020 12:26PM

reaper12 wrote: »

So it's pretty quick, that's good to know. Surprised you went with untethered in the end!!

If I got a tethered unit, we'd have to change it out when we eventually upgrade to a type 2 car, either replacing the ampera or as a second car.

reaper12 · 21-03-2020 01:00PM

Alkers wrote: »

If I got a tethered unit, we'd have to change it out when we eventually upgrade to a type 2 car, either replacing the ampera or as a second car.

I was planning to get a tethered unit with a type 2 connection and get a type 2 to type 1 adapter to use with the Ampera.

Alkers · 15-04-2020 05:13PM

I had to travel today for work (essential work). Just shy of 170km on 100km/h or 120km/h motorway or national road. I set the cruise control to the speed limit and due to the reduced traffic levels, hardly had to touch the pedals. Managed over 66km on battery with 2km showing as remaining when I arrived home. I use the 'hold' function when the speed limit is higher than 100km/h. Interestingly, shows I used 10.6kWh which is higher than the usable capacity of the battery so explained by regen I guess.

Another trip I did over the sallygaprecently, before the lock-down was announced:

coolisin · 15-04-2020 05:54PM

That's pretty impressive.
How far off the speed limits where you

n97 mini · 15-04-2020 05:58PM

6.12L/100km or 46 MPG on petrol alone, which sounds about right. Once the journey is beyond a certain distance (160hm iirc, though it's been so long now I can't remember) we take the Civic IMA as it will return better economy overall that a single charge and the rest on petrol in the Ampera.

Alkers · 15-04-2020 07:07PM

coolisin wrote: »

That's pretty impressive.
How far off the speed limits where you

I set the cc to the speed limit, I find the car over indicates by about 5km/hr Vs the phone. All of the 120km/hr sections I was using the engine

reaper12 · 16-04-2020 04:27PM

That does sound pretty good. The MPG on the Petrol engine is impressive when you consider how heavy the car is and it's only a 1.4 litre engine.

n97 mini · 19-04-2020 08:13PM

Just spotted these screens are slightly different

@Alkers, what MY is your Ampera?

Alkers · 20-04-2020 11:49AM

Ours is a 2012. Although the screen I took a pic of is the one that pops up when you turn off the car / open the charger port (can't remember which), I think my screen looks the same as yours if I navigate to it through the "leaf" button.

n97 mini · 21-04-2020 02:44PM

Alkers wrote: »

Ours is a 2012. Although the screen I took a pic of is the one that pops up when you turn off the car / open the charger port (can't remember which), I think my screen looks the same as yours if I navigate to it through the "leaf" button.

Ah ok. I think I might have turned that screen off. Can't remember seeing it...

barry181091 · 09-06-2020 09:24AM

Thinking about my next car after my Fiat Bravo and this has caught my eye. This seems like a perfect car at the prices right now. From what I can see the VRT is very low, plus the prices in the UK are reasonable. Depending on mileage, but this could pay back in 4 years +. Are there any catches? Does the battery degrade much?

Vauxhall Ampera

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