CASCADA PIMPmyCASCADA

CASCADA

Known issues / Purchase advice


I once summarized the experiences from forums and groups.
Basically the CASCADA is a solid and reliable convertible. Due to the quality of the soft top, the CASCADA can be used all year round without any problems. Everything is subject to wear and does not necessarily constitute a defect or problem.
The rear view camera is especially recommended when the soft top is closed. Depending on the year of manufacture, no lines are displayed on the monitor.

Top

Chafe marks / Snakebites

Chafe marks occours at the kinks. However, visible kinks cannot be avoided in the long term if the soft top is used as intended (unless the soft top remains closed).
Opel / Buick has exchanged some convertible tops here on warranty or goodwill.

The strong kinks can be prevented with reinforcement.

Tutorial  Soft top reinforcement

Chafe marks
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2016
Chafe marks
Chafe marks
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2016
Chafe marks
Chafe marks
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2017
Chafe marks
© Dominik 2018
Chafe marks
Chafe marks
© Dominik 2018
Chafe marks
Snakebites
© 2018
Snakebites

Rear windshield comes loose

With some CASCADA the rear window comes loose at the bottom of the left side.
Opel / Vauxhall / Buick and (Holden, I am not aware of any) replace the outer skin completely (warranty, goodwill or ...).
Saddlers and upholsterers also replace the soft top. They do not guarantee the tightness after a possible repair.
Around 3000,- Euro including assembly
Heckscheibe
© William 2019
Rear windshield comes loose
Convertible top glue / repair
The company Art Design Munster (Germany) has a patent on repairs / gluing convertible rear windows. Here you can also buy glue or repair kits. Repair kits are only for VW/Audi. Audi convertible tops are built a little differently.
A repair could be done, for example, with glue and long-neck clamps or tension belts.
Still following some pictures of CASCADA whose rear windows were glued by Art Design Munster.

Art Design Munster
Art Design Munster  Art Design Munster

Rear windshield comes loose
© Jürgen 2021
Rear windshield comes loose
Rear windshield glued
© Jürgen 2021
Rear windshield glued
Rear windshield glued
© Jürgen 2021
Rear windshield glued

Rear windshield comes loose
© Birgit 2021
Rear windshield comes loose
Rear windshield glued
© Birgit 2021
Rear windshield glued
Rear windshield glued
© Birgit 2021
Rear windshield glued

Cable breakage

The cable harness may break due to ageing. This can lead to the soft top no longer being able to be opened or closed properly. The flaps on the C-pillar of the soft top can then break off due to a malposition.

broken flap
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
broken flap

KCable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left
Cable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left
Cable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left

Cable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left
Cable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left
Cable breakage softtop storage left
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2021
Cable breakage softtop storage left

Remote control

It happens from time to time that the radio connection is interrupted when opening or closing the soft top with the remote control. In this case, the soft top stops and the remote control must be operated again.
This can be remedied by a module that is simply plugged into the OBDII device port.

Tutorial HappyOneTouch

Roof storage / -gas stuts

If the gas stuts are defective, the trunk can no longer be enlarged when the soft top is closed. The soft top box no longer holds in the upper position. It has also happened that the mounting for the gas strut was broken off, in this case only the complete roof storage is available to change. Sometimes the roof storage is just unhooked. The gas stut are only available as original from Opel / Buick / Vauxhall / Holden for approx. 40,- Euro/piece.

GM-Teilenummer 13422004

Verdeckklappen Flaps

break off sometimes (C-pillar)



Seatheating

Seat heating switches itself off again

Known problem with some models. After switching on the seat heater, it goes off again by itself after a few seconds. This process can be repeated several times. Usually cable breaks in the heating mats are the cause. But it can also be a control unit, a plug connection or the switch.



Water drains

Water drains

Water drains should be checked and cleaned regularly. If these are closed, the consequence is that water gets into the interior. Wet footwell in the rear.

Tutorial Cleaning water drains
Radkasten
© PIMPmyCASCADA 30.03.2019

Door check link

Door check cracks / torn

The CASCADA has big doors. This can cause problems when getting in and out.
Defective door checks make crackling noises if opening or closing the door and they have cracks. To replace them, the door panel must be removed. Right and left door hinges are identical.

Tutorial Video removing door panel

GM part number 39029705

Trunk lid lock

Boot/Trunk lid no longer closes

If the boot/trunk can no longer be locked / opened, it may be due to a defective lock. It is not the operating button (emblem).
ATTENTION!!! If the fault occurs, you should unlock a backrest, otherwise you may not be able to get into the boot/trunk. There is no other way to get into the boot/trunk.
To remove it, the trim must be removed.
In online third party you can get replacements for a small price. I got mine for the Chevrolet Cruze from China.

Tutorial Trim remove

GM part number 13 501 988

Boot/Trunk lock installed
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2019
Boot/Trunk lock installed
Boot/Trunk lock removed
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2019
Boot/Trunk lock removed
Boot/Trunk lock new
© PIMPmyCASCADA 2019
Boot/Trunk lock new

Battery

Battery / battery sensor
Error messages
Start Stopp does not work
Battery voltage too low to open the top

If the CASCADA has been stationary for a long time, a longer drive could be sufficient to charge the battery. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery can also be helpful. If the error message appears more often, the battery is usually no longer in order and should be replaced. A defective battery sensor could also be to blame.

Bremsen

Brake wear

There are very different statements about brake wear. The general statement here, however, is above-average wear. ATE ceramic pads are recommended here. These are more durable and have the side effect that there is no black brake dust on the rims.



Gearbox

Manual gearbox M 32

Known problem manual transmission



Automatic transmission AF 40-6

Known problem of automatic transmission with diesel engines



Motorisation

Optimal motorisation

There is always a question about the optimal motorization for the CASCADA. With almost two tons, the CASCADA is relatively heavy. There are quite different assessments that depend on personal feelings and needs. Some find the 140 PS to be sufficient for cruising, others the 200 PS is still too weak. I can only recommend a test drive to get your own picture.

Water pump

With the 1.4 l engine, the water pump causes problems a little earlier.



Valve cover

Squeaky noise at warmed motor (1.6), leaking membrane diaphragm. Noise continues after it is turned off. The noise disappears when you pull out the dipstick. The Valve cover is completely replaced.
approx. 800,- Euro with mounting

GM part number 55596087

The membrane diaphragm is also for approx. 20,- Euro available separately at third-party (e.g. ebay).

Consumption

Evaluation of consumption from www.Spritmonitor.de
The consumption values from the board computer may differ from the real values.

spritmonitor 1.4 Benzin 120 PS    7,36 - 8,83 l/100km

spritmonitor 1.4 Benzin 140 PS    6,54 - 11,59 l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 136 PS    keine Angabe l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 136 PS Automatik    keine Angabe l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 170 PS    7,34 - 10,97 l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 170 PS Automatik    7,51 - 11,64 l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 200 PS    8,0 - 10,51 l/100km

spritmonitor 1.6 Benzin 200 PS Automatik (Buick)    keine Angabe l/100km

spritmonitor 2.0 Diesel 165 PS    5,52 - 7,80 l/100km

spritmonitor 2.0 Diesel 165 PS Automatik    6,35 - 8,380 l/100km

spritmonitor 2.0 Diesel 170 PS    6,29 - 6,83 l/100km

spritmonitor 2.0 Diesel 170 PS mit AdBlue    6,47 - 7,23 l/100km

spritmonitor 2.0 Diesel 195 PS    5,98 - 7,87 l/100km

© PIMPmyCASCADA last update 2022-05-07