ex-cop VE 3.0L VE Omega Series II

[ewt]

In VIC, the ex-police patrol cars from auctions like Pickles do come with an LSD, a somewhat ballsy and regularly serviced 3.0L V6, well maintained front and rear brakes, a decision-delayed Auto, lots of interior damage (driver's seat trim, glovebox insert, scuffs and scratches, even frayed driver's seat and seatbelt), quite a bit of exterior damage (almost more hits than Stevie Wonder, pop-rivets at the top of the B-Pillar, bashed-in bash plates, and occasionally damaged K-frames), and some occasionally damaged exhaust systems (particularly cats-back).

Even the ex-pursuit cars get the damage and bonuses listed above, although the Autos in the SS don't seem to be as bad as the ones in the Omegas.

 

[commodore665]

I mean no offence in this post what so ever , but I would not buy an ex Police vehicle , the way some of them get treated is pretty bad , I would only possibly consider a ex Detective car , as they are less likely to have been caned quite so badly .

 

[Benboy]

There's really no such thing as a 'Police pursuit car" only in people's minds and on half baked television shows.

Police vehicles are NOT chipped or enhanced for greater/better performance.

Police vehicle are fitted as many safety features as the manufacturer can provide - particularly for Patrol vehicles. This may include FE2 (improved handling - rougher ride), larger brakes (better stopping if severe braking applications involved in any driving), flashing warning/safety lights, siren, etc. In South Australia many unmarked Police vehicles are also fitted with the above safety features as their use may require 'emergency driving'. Occupant safety is paramount and the Police Department MUST provide a safe working environment and that includes suitable equipment.

Generally (because of above) such fleet vehicles are serviced in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. To do otherwise MAY place employees at greater risk (remember ALL employees have significant responsibilities in regard to Occupational Health and Safety).

Some Police vehicle may have additional battery and electrical wiring to allow installation of above lights and sirens etc.

Some used Police vehicles MAY represent good value particularly if the distance travelled is moderate (perhaps less than 50,000km), regularly driven by the same person, this could be a Supervisor, Manager, country or specialised unit vehicle. Others may have been flogged and not particularly well looked after. No different than any other second hand fleet vehicle.

Generally, in South Australia, because such Police vehicles are leased, NOT owned by the Police Department, they are cleaned up to a very high standard, scratched, dented, damaged panels and other components are replaced with new. There may be some screw holes evident inside the cabin and under bonnet etc.

 

[blackve76]

Hes not in QLD. In SA, thats what we use. "some" of our Highway patrol cars are V8s, but not all.

Last SA V8's were VZ 6l exec and only a few no V8s since 06.

 

[ewt]

The Victorian Police Cars (both Omega Cruiser, and SS Highway Patrol cars) have no performance-enhancing mods. They even have the same brakes and suspension as any other normal VE, but are thoroughly inspected every 5,000km during life as Police Vehicles. The only things they do have for better/safer driving is an LSD. And of course, a 2nd battery for the extra bells and whistles the police need.

 

[callan91]

Hi gang,

I've just bought myself an ex-police VE 3.0 Series 2 Omega sedan from Pickles Auctions.

I was wondering if anyone's heard anything about them, good/bad etc?

I'm particularly interested in if it may have any mods done to it. Mine has FE2 suspension and reverse camera, but also I listened to the engines of all the VEs i liked today, and in some of them (mine included) they wanted to rev out really easily and the engines just had a nice sound to them - I thought perhaps those ones had a performance chip installed.

thanks!

I bought my Series 2 Omega (2011) with only 900km's on it.
After the Queen did her tour of oerth they sold them to a local dealership.
The only Obvious mods that it has is
- extra cables + bracket fitted for secondary battery
- Surveilence mode, which is the best practical joke on th freeway with a new passenger
- Dual Horns, LOUD AS #### !
- I also have a "Class One" sticker next to my rear veiw mirror on the windshield, that specifies it is pursuit ready

As for the suspension i cant tell if it is FE2 or not but i do have a few clearance issues sometimes. Is there a sticker on the shock that will show this ?

Brakes are stock and terrible IMO.

Other than that a very quiet and dependable car

 

[callan91]

tour of Perth*

 

[vq~gangsta]

So far I've found it has a clubsport diff (LSD, slightly lower ratio (3.23) compared to normal), it seems to have much better brakes but I'm not sure if it's diff calipers or just diff pads and it has dual battery. I'm not sure the second battery is hooked up to anything now though - it has lots of wires and plugs coming off of it and looks like it used to have the lights, siren, computer, doughnut maker etc hooked up to it.

When I turn on headlights/highbeams with the key out (should run off accessory battery if it's set to) the voltage drops on the main battery but not the second/accessory battery. Likewise, when I start the car, the voltage goes up on the main battery, but not on the second battery. I'm wondering if the second battery is hooked up at all? The second battery just sits on 12.95v whatever I seem to do to it. One thing I was thinking though is that perhaps the accessory battery won't be set to charge until it's voltage gets lower than it is. Does anyone have any experience with this setup and know how it works?

 

[PIR4TE]

So far I've found it has a clubsport diff (LSD, slightly lower ratio (3.23) compared to normal),

I think it is likely 3.27 as would seem odd to lapp custom gears and recalibrate when the vehicle is a component of certified and approved speed measurement device under the act?

it seems to have much better brakes but I'm not sure if it's diff calipers or just diff pads

Likely QFM HPX pads.

When I turn on headlights/highbeams with the key out (should run off accessory battery if it's set to) the voltage drops on the main battery but not the second/accessory battery. Likewise, when I start the car, the voltage goes up on the main battery, but not on the second battery. I'm wondering if the second battery is hooked up at all? The second battery just sits on 12.95v whatever I seem to do to it. One thing I was thinking though is that perhaps the accessory battery won't be set to charge until it's voltage gets lower than it is. Does anyone have any experience with this setup and know how it works?

Sounds like same as my setup, isolated for auxiliary equipment which has now been removed. I read the map lights also use auxiliary battery.

 

[vq~gangsta]

ah yes, 3.27 diff ratio, my mistake. I know that from reading the engine tag, and I know it's LSD because i tried to get the back end out a little with stability control off on wet grass and it went RIGHT out as if it had no grip at all and left two skidmarks (and one on the back of my pants too!).

I had another fiddle with the second battery today and found out it does have a isolator on it that clicks on after a while then the second battery starts charging. It didn't seem to do it yesterday, but after I charged the main battery overnight and put 7AH into it now the second battery is actually connecting to the alternator about 10 sec after I start the car - perhaps the accessory battery only starts charging when the primary battery is really full? It was reading about 14.3 with the car running yesterday which I would think would be enough for the isolator to click on but perhaps not.

I tested the resistance between the positive terminals of the two batteries and found they do seem to be hooked together once the isolator clicks on, all be it with about 3ohms resistance though. I also had a good look at the wiring and I still don't think the battery is actually powering anything. All the plugs for the cop gadgets are dead because they're hooked up to two relays with nothing connected to switch them on. There is a lead coming off the battery that leads to one of those self-resetting circuit breaker things that's about the size and shape of a matchbox (i forget their proper name), and there's a fairly hefty wire coming off that heading towards the front of the car behind the wall liner of the boot but I don't know what that's connected to (if anything).

I also noticed the second battery is a car starter battery (530CCA), not a deep cycle battery, but according to the service record it was replaced after the equipment was left on about 6 months ago so perhaps the roadside assist guy put in a normal battery instead - the second battery looks pretty much brand new!