Discussion
Thought it was about time id got some pictures up of her, picked it up last Tuesday and have done quite a few miles so far, first things are its so much more refined/comfy (optional 19" alloys, fullheated leather & keyless entry/push start)and better built than the fiesta was,.....and its brilliant having turbo power back again but there's a part of me that I feel will miss the fun of the ST. It doesn't seem to much worse on petrol either in normal driving but pressing on........ as well as filling with super unleaded but that was to be expected. Very pleased with it so far, thinking about a remap perhaps?
Edited by stevie99s on Monday 23 April 21:02
Edited by stevie99s on Monday 23 April 21:34
r1ch said:
Looks rather nice indeed.
Sounds like you have plenty of options on it, does it feel much heavier than the fiesta to drive? I suspect its a bit less chuckable?
Yeah its just a much nicer place to sit generally, reminds me of my old Leon Cupra but is sharper to drive, the fiesta handled amazingly and was soo chuckable, could drive flat out pretty much everywhere if required. There is plenty of grip in the astra but obviously its a much heavier car etc. much more point & squirt & you have to think a bit more.Sounds like you have plenty of options on it, does it feel much heavier than the fiesta to drive? I suspect its a bit less chuckable?
Nice mate,
If you really want to get to grips with the handling on these -
a set of springs (most go for the DAPS from Courtenay Sports) the oem passive dampers are a good bit of kit, rear anti roll bar and a LSD, all easy to sort and have fitted by the main Vxl tuners, also ditch the 19's for 18's if your not all interested in show boating : )
Good car, I have one of the first lot in the country back in 05 and it is still going strong but it has had alot of work to it as a track day toy but no engine or gearbox issues in over 6yrs.
Happy motoring.....
If you really want to get to grips with the handling on these -
a set of springs (most go for the DAPS from Courtenay Sports) the oem passive dampers are a good bit of kit, rear anti roll bar and a LSD, all easy to sort and have fitted by the main Vxl tuners, also ditch the 19's for 18's if your not all interested in show boating : )
Good car, I have one of the first lot in the country back in 05 and it is still going strong but it has had alot of work to it as a track day toy but no engine or gearbox issues in over 6yrs.
Happy motoring.....
aussieinlondon said:
Nice mate,
If you really want to get to grips with the handling on these -
a set of springs (most go for the DAPS from Courtenay Sports) the oem passive dampers are a good bit of kit, rear anti roll bar and a LSD, all easy to sort and have fitted by the main Vxl tuners, also ditch the 19's for 18's if your not all interested in show boating : )
Good car, I have one of the first lot in the country back in 05 and it is still going strong but it has had alot of work to it as a track day toy but no engine or gearbox issues in over 6yrs.
Happy motoring.....
yeah, contemplating springs atm, have seen your car in redline, looks fantastic, well done!If you really want to get to grips with the handling on these -
a set of springs (most go for the DAPS from Courtenay Sports) the oem passive dampers are a good bit of kit, rear anti roll bar and a LSD, all easy to sort and have fitted by the main Vxl tuners, also ditch the 19's for 18's if your not all interested in show boating : )
Good car, I have one of the first lot in the country back in 05 and it is still going strong but it has had alot of work to it as a track day toy but no engine or gearbox issues in over 6yrs.
Happy motoring.....
stevie99s said:
yeah, contemplating springs atm, have seen your car in redline, looks fantastic, well done!
That will be a good start and would recommend the DAP springs, many then go the whiteline rarb which will help control the rear.And thanks, been a few changes since the RL feat, from V3's to clubsports and comp top mounts, alcons from AP's, polycarb rear screen and a few other weight ditching in places, next the pole positions will be out and going for something else and then that should be it, its never ending lol but the astra is easy to improve on that wont cost you an arm and a leg. Enjoy ; )
Its been a while since I've updated this, now I've had the car around 7 months and put 11k on it in that time there's been a few changes, a friend was getting rid of his VXR so i managed to nab a full custom tony banks exhaust from the down pipe on wards as well as a baileys dump valve (i know! but i'm a fan of the sound)for a price i couldn't really refuse. I also got his HID's and front splitter which has really grown on me.
I've also had a full custom remap from Sedox peformance in Sunderland (Brilliant guys)which got 292.6 BHP and around 345 Pd Ft of torque which has really made it come alive.
Not long after this the gearbox started to make a horrible grinding noise which was mostly covered under warranty so the gearbox was rebuilt around 1000 miles ago which now gets lots of mechanical sympathy, shes also just had a service.
I've also done a few subtle things like add a VXR badge on the front grille, carbon wrapped the rear boot strip etc. heres a few pictures of how she looks now (not very good ones)
I've also had a full custom remap from Sedox peformance in Sunderland (Brilliant guys)which got 292.6 BHP and around 345 Pd Ft of torque which has really made it come alive.
Not long after this the gearbox started to make a horrible grinding noise which was mostly covered under warranty so the gearbox was rebuilt around 1000 miles ago which now gets lots of mechanical sympathy, shes also just had a service.
I've also done a few subtle things like add a VXR badge on the front grille, carbon wrapped the rear boot strip etc. heres a few pictures of how she looks now (not very good ones)
Edited by stevie99s on Wednesday 28th November 16:24
Mastodon2 said:
Looking good, I've always liked Astra VXRs, much more capable than people give them credit for. That splitter looks really good too.
Thanks alot, yeah, when i was looking for something else i was always drawn to them, considered an elise but i wouldn't use it half as much as the astra, granted its not a track car but suits my road driving perfectly.SR06 said:
I had one back in 07. Loved it. Even more once I fitted the whiteline RARB. I'm actually considering selling my e90 M3 and getting another silver VXR. Don't use the M3 much. Too much money to just sit there. Nice car mate!
Cheers, thanks alot, RARB is high on xmas list so well see what santa brings! , just got an 03 1.0 corsa to bang around in when the weathers really bad but im still planning on using the vxr when i can
free image hosting
photo uploader
The Astra after parking up at -7 in the Scottish borders, doing surprisingly well in the white stuff so far
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff