Vauxhall Corsa 'D' VXR Nurburgring Edition

[Mike1990]

Following on from my last Thread, http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

last Friday i changed the ST, i've been hankering for a while to change it and the fact that PCP deal that was coming to an end, it made sense to. Now as you probably know i'am a bit of a Hot Hatch fan, that's all i've owned and been interested in!

Had quite a few hatches in mind, i wanted something quite rare and abit 'special' old or new to the run of mil, i had loads in mind and eventually came to this.

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Interior by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Interior by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Engine by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Engine by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Engine by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Brembo Brakes by Michael Smith, on Flickr

'Burg by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Recaros by Michael Smith, on Flickr

It's a Vauxhall Corsa 'D' VXR Nurburgring Edition, and i'am loving it! it's a serious Hot Hatch, it couldn't be further away from the ST if it tried with the hardware it's packing, LSD, B12's, Brembo's.

It's on 14.7k with FVSH, OE Conti Sport Contact 2's, although the front's are on 2.5mm-ish across both sets and the rears on 4.3mm-ish. I'am thinking Michelin Pilot Super Sports then i'll go attacking some B-Roads in Wales biggrin

Options wise its got the optional desirable AFL's and Rear Privacy Glass. Loving the Recaro's, i'am finding them comfier than the ones in the ST, the 'Box is not as good, nowhere near but it does the job, i think its 'quicker' than the ST, the MPG is around 5-7 MPG worse so nothing to major, overall i'am really enjoying it.

Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 6th December 15:08

Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 4th May 13:10

[melvster]

You know my views already mate, lovely car and pleased you're more than happy with it. I'll start a thread on my new purchase.

[Freds]

That's a really nice looking car ! Hope it serves you well.......

[Mike1990]

Freds said:

That's a really nice looking car ! Hope it serves you well.......

I hope so too!

I know these VXR products, you either get a good one or a bad one. So far so good!

[Beedub]

looks lovely , rally nice but.. the ST was the better car by some margin.... i don't think I've come across one review where this car gets a glowing review, the fiesta still to the day mops up 9/10 and it holds it own against test with such more expensive hatches. Ford nailed the ST.

[Andy665]

I really like these - yes the ST may be subjectively the better car but having driven several I find them too competent, to the point of them being boring. Similar reason why I bought an M135i instead of a Golf R, the BMW is a bit of a handful, needs to be driven and mastered making it more rewarding to drive well

[AH33]

Very nice. I want those wheels for mine.

Have you driven a standard VXR? How does it compare?

I like mine a lot but it's having a few issues.... Clutch currently being replaced under warranty amongst other things. Its on 35k.

Agree with the comments above - the ST does seem to be a "better" car but it does nothing for me. Too boring looking. Hot hatches should be at least a bit chav

Edited by AH33 on Friday 26th August 08:36

[Pulse]

AH33 said:

Have you driven a standard VXR? How does it compare?

I've not driven a standard Corsa, but owned an Astra VXR and drove the Clubsport (same as the Nurburgring) around a track (back to back with the new Astra VXR), and it's phenomenal! Superb handling, in my opinion. OK so it's still FF and I prefer an MR set up (which I had at the time - my MR2 Roadster), but it's seriously good.

[AH33]

Pulse said:

I've not driven a standard Corsa, but owned an Astra VXR and drove the Clubsport (same as the Nurburgring) around a track (back to back with the new Astra VXR), and it's phenomenal! Superb handling, in my opinion. OK so it's still FF and I prefer an MR set up (which I had at the time - my MR2 Roadster), but it's seriously good.

I think the LSD would make a world of difference. Mine certainly doesn't like accelerating hard out of corners and getting a decent launch in anything other than bone dry conditions is harder than my old EP3 Type R.

It's fairly comfortable though, mines on the 17s. I remember watching the Top Gear review of the Nurburgring VXR and apparantly it was unbearable, though that might just be James May being an old man.

[f1nn]

Really like these, and the...Clubsport?? Is it??

Looks great OP, enjoy!

[daydotz]

They do look smart in chilli 😎

[Crafty_]

AH33 said:

I think the LSD would make a world of difference. Mine certainly doesn't like accelerating hard out of corners and getting a decent launch in anything other than bone dry conditions is harder than my old EP3 Type R.

It's fairly comfortable though, mines on the 17s. I remember watching the Top Gear review of the Nurburgring VXR and apparantly it was unbearable, though that might just be James May being an old man.

Corsa Nurburgring has an LSD from factory IIRC.

Beedub said:

looks lovely , rally nice but.. the ST was the better car by some margin.... i don't think I've come across one review where this car gets a glowing review, the fiesta still to the day mops up 9/10 and it holds it own against test with such more expensive hatches. Ford nailed the ST.

If I recal correctly when the Nurburgring version came out it received a fair amount of praise, I vaguely recall even top gear giving it the thumbs up.

A new ST might considered a better, but its at least 7/8 years newer than the basic design of this car.

[AH33]

Crafty_ said:

Corsa Nurburgring has an LSD from factory IIRC.

It does indeed. My standard VXR doesn't though.

[Mike1990]

AH33 said:

I think the LSD would make a world of difference. Mine certainly doesn't like accelerating hard out of corners and getting a decent launch in anything other than bone dry conditions is harder than my old EP3 Type R.

It's fairly comfortable though, mines on the 17s. I remember watching the Top Gear review of the Nurburgring VXR and apparantly it was unbearable, though that might just be James May being an old man.

LSD is unreal, i still can't fathom quite how they work so effectively LOL, even with my pretty near worn and legal limit Conti's i've found its still got more front end grip and than the ST, it seems to drive better over rough and broken A/B-Roads aswell to my surprise.

It's softer sprung than the ST, less 'crashy' but obviously stiffer setup having B12's if that makes sense?

It's still a good surprise so far and have zero regrets.

Edited by Mike1990 on Friday 26th August 15:55

[JackThrust]

Looks fantastic in that red, I had no idea that colour even existed only ever seen green ones!

Lovely car, congrats

[NFox]

Lovely looking car, love the colour! Need to book a trip to the Ring now to test it out!

[Mike1990]

Cheer chaps

Chilli Orange is a really nice Colour, it does look so much better in the flesh, looks more Red in photos, the itch to do a Trackday gets stronger everyday, although i think Blyton Park would be a good starter Track for a noob! lol.

[Mike1990]

Just thought i'd stick some pictures up of my mates Corsa 'E' VXR the none 'Performance Pack' model.

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR's by Michael Smith, on Flickr

I do think the 'Burg looks nicer

[justanother5tar]

Nice car. Looked at them myself but went ST after driving both.

Putting the photos of it with your mates E just shows how fking ugly the new ones are.

[Mike1990]

justanother5tar said:

Nice car. Looked at them myself but went ST after driving both.

Putting the photos of it with your mates E just shows how fking ugly the new ones are.

I wasn't so keen in the new one when it was first unvieled and released, but i grew to like it and i still do, but seeing the previous Corsa and more so the 'Burg they do look so much better!