My MY11 Astra VXR Arctic Edition

[L9 GTE]

Picked this up last year after having a cheap Astra Coupe Turbo for a few months and enjoying the hark back to my younger days when I was into Vauxhalls.

Wanted something newer and more reliable with some options. Decided to get an Arctic edition (500 made) Essentially just a run out edition of the Astra H VXR, no performance ad-ons, just the Olympic White paint with black bits, 19"s and a full heated Recaro leather interior. They did offer the rather cool panoramic roof option on this but sadly I couldn't stretch to one with that (Or Xenons/Nav) as the difference was huge!


Not sure many will be fans on here, the Vauxhall hate is usually strong! But I love it, its an absolute hoot to drive with bags of character. Flawed yes, but it doesn't mean its not fun


The car remained standard for a while, all I have done is add cruise control and had it remapped to stage one with a precat-delete pipe and panel filter. Its now running 270bhp/300l/b torque. Standard exhaust so it is still quite refined (for an Astra designed in 05..) and I don't annoy the neighbours or give myself headaches on long journeys. Surprisingly it pops on downshift and under hard load sometimes the noise is great for a stock exhaust - without being droney or offensive.

Oh and I also added cruise control as it was cheap to do and I use it a lot.

Anyway, few pics for your amusement:









Cruise control stalk difference:



Laptop ooot



Fitted!






Remap courtesey of Rabbid/WG Motorworks

Edited by L9 GTE on Friday 22 July 14:42

[L9 GTE]

Thanks all.

I am immensely proud of it, picked it up with 40k on the clock and done 7 in it. It drives and feels like a new car still even a faint whiff of new car smell from time to time! it is a great combo of cheap thrills, easy maintenance a shed load of upgrades and decent running costs. its practical too!

I am treating it to a proper DA polish in the next few weeks so will post some pictures afterwards to hopefully show off the paint. Brakes need doing also as the ones fitted for

[L9 GTE]

The steering is very very odd. It is by no means as feel some as some of my previous ///M vehicles, but it FAR better than the DS3 155 I had prior to this and leagues better than the shape that preceded it. But it's very hard to describe what it's like, I has feel, I know what the front wheels are doing. But it's all a bit, artificial!? But at the same time it doesn't feel horrible at all, good weight and variable with the sport button on.

Reminds me, brief spec:


2011/60 Arctic ltd Editon
Keyless Entry + Go (love this feature)
Cruise control
Aircon
Full leather heated recaro seats
1980's trip computer
Six speed manual
Privacy glass (factory std)
Sport button to firm up steering and increase throttle response

Thinking of adding sat nav, also tempted to put some big brakes on it. But as mentioned, first a "detail"

[L9 GTE]

Crafty_ said:

Good work so far, it looks a nice tidy example.

Springs and a rear anti roll bar improve the chassis quite a bit, worth doing.

They are actually (for a fwd hatch) quite good to drive, the torque curve is good fun (especially on the remap I had).

Its a shame the successor in many ways wasn't as good. Compared to its rivals of the time the H was actually a pretty good car, despite what those with blind badge hate might say.

Heard about the ARB and DAP springs, I would be tempted. Not sure I am keen on scraping the car on anything though, bit too old for that lark now.

I quite like the newer VXR, just a shame about the epic list price and epic depreciation. I am keen to get a White one with leather/nav/xenons next. Year old ones are a bargain but I am trying to not jump cars so quick.

[L9 GTE]

Prohibiting said:

I used to have a H VXR a few years ago. I bought it when I wasn't properly "into" cars and bought it based on looks and straight line speed. Yes, I admit it probably looks a bit chavvy and my taste has change but it turned heads everywhere.

Luckily mine had satnav, AFL xenons, heated leather, cruise control, 19" alloys all as factory extra's.

I had a whiteline RARB, blue SMD interior conversion, heko wind deflectors, black refurbished alloys, black wing mirrors, black rear diffuser, colour coded boot strip and a cobra non-res exhaust system with decat down pipe.

Looks lovely that chap!

I am tempted with an exhaust but most of them must be a nightmare in the car for noise. Tempted to get some sound deadening added to enhance the refinement. If it makes a noticeable difference I might be swayed with one!

[L9 GTE]

Podie said:

As someone who owns a high power / torque FWD hatch, it really is worth getting decent tyres. The difference between The Conti SportContact 5s (EVO's tyre of the year 2015) and the Dunlops I ran previously is staggering.

This is what is on there now Nothing to compare them too, but they do the job. Will need replacing before long, so will see whats around, I have always liked Michelin PS, but they are pricey for this, so might get Contis again

[L9 GTE]

Crafty_ said:

griffin dai said:

What's the difference between this and the Nuremberg?

aside from the badges etc the nurburgring version got a remus exhaust, thats about it.

Wider track and lightweight 18" alloys too.



Thanks for all the positive comments all. Hopefully do some better more detailed photos soon.

[L9 GTE]

Crafty_ said:

I've actually still got a set of DAP-R springs sat in the garage. I changed to the Eibach lower ones (red), mistake imho, the DAP-Rs rode better and gave better ground clearance. They give the car a little forwards rake. The ARB is a revelation to sort out the slightly wobbly rear end. The entrance to my road rises steeply, with the ARB the car would cock the inside wheel, in fact I could park it there, on three wheels and get my shoe under the rear inside!

The newer car is ridiculously big, its like 4" wider than your car and weighs another 200 kilos. They also ruined the torque delivery. It drives a bit like a golf gti, which is the exact reason why I and so many others didn't get a golf gti, its all a bit too refined and boring. All the knobs moaning about "uncontrollable" torquesteer in the H made Opel soften it all up. Wanted to like the J and seriously considered buying one on the basis of I'd get used to it, but just couldn't do it. If the map in your H is anything like mine a stock J will disappoint, imho a stock H is more fun - even on track.

I have heard they are bigger, the press seem to rate the chassis a lot better in the J. I would certainly be interested to see what the torque steer is like with Hi-per strut suspension. Whilst it may have taken away some of the excitement I bet it is far more composed driven quickly.

Tempted with the ARB and DAP springs, worried about ground clearance and ride though. May just keep stock for now.

Thanks for all the positive comments, due a polish on saturday. Might take some decent SLR shots if it doesn't rain!

[L9 GTE]

The one thing that let my car down was the state of the paint. The car is relatively low miles but appears to have been cleaned with a Brillo pad for all of its life.

So me and a friend set about using a Dual Action Polisher and some Chemical Guys VSS on it to improve the state of the dull and swirly paintwork. We are both complete amateurs and don't have an amazing DA or anything expensive product wise. Just gave it a shot. It is far from perfect, there are still swirls but my god the clarity and shine is epic! It was also clayed before hand.

Here is the roof as it was, snapped on a petrol station forecourt (Don't you love the lights there )

Before:




And after:




Few crappy shots taken after we wheeled it out of the garage. No protection on it here, I drove home and waxed it. Apologies photo's are a bit crappy but you get the idea!










Was all very therapeutic doing this, I am fancying purchasing one of these DA machines and giving it a go again

[L9 GTE]

Thanks all.


Needs better brakes. Currently undecided on the next step. Discs/pads or some attractive oversized stoppers to make it look (and feel) a bit better.

Brakes on it at the moment verge on dangerous so much be some cheap stty aftermarket pads fitted by the garage I purchased it from

[L9 GTE]

The discs are rusty and not that expensive to replace so would probably get some new ones at the same time. Fluid was changed back in Jan.



The AP setups are nice but hugely expensive. Many people run the D2/Ksport setups and report good things, these are relatively well priced by comparison. Not fussed on the Vectra upgrade, they will be bigger and heavier which will affect handling and probably give a more spongey pedal feel. Had a similar upgrade on my Corsa years ago and it ruined the car if I am honest.


As for dangerous, slowing down in an emergency situation on an Mway provides initial bite, then instant fade. That was after not having touched the brakes in 20+ minutes. They are fine around town but need replacing obviously. Don't inspire confidence at all.