Vauxhall Corsa 'D' VXR Nurburgring Edition

[Mike1990]

So this morning made a start on the Drop Links, all went to plan.

Drop Links by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Drop Links by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Also found a random Pipe thing just dangling there, no idea tbh.

Pipe by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Took it around the block and all seems ok. Will see later on proper when going to work along the bumpy A/B-Roads.

Edited by Mike1990 on Friday 19th May 16:17

[Mike1990]

Well took the VXR in for its MOT this Afternoon, well it passed with zero advisories which i'am chuffed about, current Mileage '25853'

But anyways i took it on a good 'spirited' drive yesterday to Wales on some ace roads i know and on the legendary 'Evo Triangle' took a few pictures as you do

Evo Triangle by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Evo Triangle by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Evo Triangle by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Evo Triangle by Michael Smith, on Flickr

The car performed ace as expected.

[Mike1990]

Now, for that past few months and even more so now after Wales and even passing a MOT with zero advisories! i've had a slight 'Click/Clunk/Knock' or whatever you call it from the Front N/S, only happens every so often, i could be pulling of gently and it'll Knock, could be slowing down and just before the car comes to a stop, i'll get a Knock, it does that randomly then it could do it for a few days straight, its very frustrating, it even could do it when manoeuvring into car parks etc, again, every so often. I've also replaced the Drop Links to no avail, along with a slight 'Groaning/Whirring' noise that appeared aswell when travelling 30-60MPH which does point to a Wheel Bearing, So ordered one of ebay.

All the symptoms do point to a knackered Bearing, the obvious 'Groaning and Whirring' but also the car 'feels' loose to drive, like your having to keep your correcting it on the Motorway and the Steering Wheel Vibrates like your on some rough Tarmac, again every so often, also I've noticed after a longish journey one Wheel is hotter than the other, can feel the Heat, so I'am hoping the 'Knock/Clunk' noises is down to the Bearing being shot and causing movement, hence to low speed noises.

Front Wheel Bearing by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Also received some Maintenance stuff over the past few days,

Brakes by Michael Smith, on Flickr

• Apec Front Brake Discs
• Brembo Sport HP2000 Brake Pads
• Brembo Rear Brake Discs
• Brembo Discs
• Bremtech replacement Pins

And the Front Wheel Bearing that i got the other week! I'am itching to fit it all and start the enjoy the 'Burg again! next weekend looking likely.

Oh and these,

Wheel Nut Covers by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Wheel Nut Covers for when i get the Alloys refurbed, at some stage

[Butter Face]

Car is looking good dude!

Random question but were you ever on CivicLife?

[Mike1990]

Butter Face said:

Car is looking good dude!

Random question but were you ever on CivicLife?

Cheers mate.

Never been on the site, so it's not me.

[Mike1990]

So yesterday i took the car into my mates Garage and he set about fitting my supplied Discs and Pads and replacement Brembo Caliper Pins for good measure as the Passenger side ones were seized in..

Anyways after a Bleeding them and a good few miles bedding them in i can say the HP2000 Pads are great, no more squeaking Brakes. Jobs a good'un.

Also did the Pollen Filter, can't believe how filthy it gets in a short space of time, yuck!

Next on the agenda is Two front Tyres as the Super Sports are nearing the end of there life now!

Edited by Mike1990 on Sunday 16th July 19:41

[Mike1990]

Yesterday took the 'Burg to Wales again with some mates to have a real good drive and my god it was, it was probably one of the most memorable drives out i've had, so i'll let the pictures do the talking.

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

RS by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hardcore by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Selection by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Trio by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Selection by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Apologies for the amount of pictures!

The RS's are running MR375 for the Mk2 and FPM375 for the Mk3 and barnstorming performance to match, the GP though is on a different level Handling wise the 'Burg and the RS's, the Corsa can keep with it to a point and at the point when it runs out of ideas the GP just carries on! the Chassis, lower Weight and coupled with the B14's and sticky Yokohama ADO8R's it really is a step up from the Corsa and that is one capable car its self, i was just blown away. It does't even had a proper mechanical LSD either and it doesn't need one IMO.

Just under 30k showing on the Clocks now, nearly 15k i've done since i picked it up last August and i've loved every mile.

Thanks

[kayzee]

Very nice bunch of cars, I'd be happy with any of them! Been in an R56 JCW but never a GP... needs me a go

[Mike1990]

kayzee said:

Very nice bunch of cars, I'd be happy with any of them! Been in an R56 JCW but never a GP... needs me a go

In a straight line the GP is probably a tad quicker than the VXR but nothing to shout about which I was pleasantly surprised at, Mini on paper has more Power and Torque and less Weight.

I think the difference between a JCW and GP would be night and day i really do. I knew the GP is a special little car and a serious piece of kit but i didn't expect it do be as good as it is, it's hard to explain LOL. Best i can think of a Megane 250 Cup and a 275 Trophy-R levels of differences between the Two if that makes sense.

Either way both very accomplished and capable Hot Hatches at the end of the spectrum with the Hardware they're packing.

[Mike1990]

So today set about giving the Car a decent clean to get all of the dead Fly's and grime from Wales,

Clean by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Clean by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Clean by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Clean by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Clean by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Looks bloody good Chilli Orange, its such a rewarding Colour.

Also some Exhaust Noise from the OEM Remus Cat-Back Exhaust from the Corsa 'E' VXR,

Noise by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Still need to fit the Remus Centre Pipe.

[Mike1990]

So today i set about giving the Alloys a good Clean and Wax as we're approaching Winter and i was kinda bored lol. Anyhow, did the usual Iron Out followed by a good scrub, dried and then Waxed with AF Mint Rims.

Alloys by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Alloys by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Alloys by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Alloys by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Alloys by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Looking mint now and smell a treat! Also i fitted the new replacement Nut Cap/Covers, its the little things that add up. I'am aslo planning on getting them Powded Coated next Spring anyways as although they have no Kerbing the spokes and where the Nuts go have quite a few surface scratching which is fairly annoying.

Just under 32k now! and i really could be doing with some new Front Tyres. Apart from that, its all ok

[Mike1990]

Nothing much to report as such. Mileage is currently on 32468 and it's fast approaching its 34000 limit for the 2nd Service in my ownership, will consist off the following,

• Oil & Oil Filter
• Gearbox Oil
• Air Filter

The Rear Wiper could do with being replaced aswell, so that'll get done and the Front MPSS Tyres are down to around 2.3-2.5mm on both Axles which considering i got them fitted at around 14.5k i believe, they have lasted way longer than i expected them to be! so i'am hoping get Winter out the way and fit some fresh MPSS depending on circumstances as they're not exactly cheap Tyres unfortunately.

Overall the car has been faultless since i picked it up last August and i've driven it enthusiastically like it was designed to be and obviously within reason, as its still my daily which does 50 miles a day so i like to try and keep it reliable and in decent nick. Well i say that but a few weeks ago a slight loss in concentration resulted in a Kerbed Passenger side rear Alloy

Kerbed by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Kerbed by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Utterly annoyed, but can't blame anyone else but myself. So i;am planning on getting all Alloys Refurbed and Powdercoated next Spring/Summer, so we'll see.

But enough of that. On Sunday a wet, miserable Sunday spent a good Afternoon blasting around my local B-Roads with a Focus Mk2 RS that's been breezed on by Mountune, so its MR375 and by god its ballistic, i've never driven anything like it and was lucky enough to spend a good amount of time driving it and its cemented a place in my heart. I honestly do think if was spending 22-25k on a Hot Hatch, i would drop a few years and opt for the RS and having MP350/MR375 kit fitted. Special special car. I drove it standard guise when he first picked it up and it was great but with the Mountune kit its night and day difference, Exhaust pops and bangs like an Group B Rally car and the endless surge and pulling power from that 5 Pot is additive and his MPG overall was 21.5 and mine was 31.5 so not a massive difference considering the extra power, well that's what i'am telling myself.

Handling wise it copes really well given the extra power the front wheels kept in check with the LSD, plus being a Ford Chassis its so adjustable, lift of mid-corner, back end steps out and use that LSD to pull you back in, its great. It might lack the finesse of the period Megane R.S's but god its close. He's thinking about going to whole Mountune Clubsport spec with it now so that will be very interesting.

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

I adore it so so much! But the 'Burg is staying for a few more years yet as it's everything i want and for me its affordable to Fuel and run, and i love the fact its a Vauxhall. Just because no one expects them to build such a competent Hot Hatch. Love it still.

Edited by Mike1990 on Monday 30th October 14:53

[problemchild1976]

for the alloys - gently dremmel them smooth and add some touch up paint

worked well for me (until you decide to get them refurbed)

JJ

[Bright Halo]

See if you can find some tyres with a larger rim protector it may help as it so easy to curb an alloy.

[Mike1990]

problemchild1976 said:

for the alloys - gently dremmel them smooth and add some touch up paint

worked well for me (until you decide to get them refurbed)

JJ

I've very recently added some Technical Grey touch up paint from Vauxhall, as that's what the Alloy colour is called, but typically its the wrong shade! but it hides the kerbing, so a man on a prancing horse wouldn't notice

[Mike1990]

So today i set about giving the VXR its 2nd Service in my ownership. Consisting of, Gearbox Oil, Engine Oil and Oil Filter and Air Filter and a Magnetic Sump Plug, just because :P

Service by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Service by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Along with that, fitted the Bosch Rear Wiper Blade,

All done at 33648, should keep it sweet for another year/10k.

Now a few day's ago i noticed my N/S AFL Headlight was not lighting up when unlocked with the Key Fob, thought nothing of it so gave the Headlight a firm Tap and it lit up and was fine on the drive home from work, the next day had to do the same, but this time it was flickering on and off until it finally died. Bought some replacement Osram H9B Bulbs,

Bulbs by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Bulbs by Michael Smith, on Flickr

So set about fitting the 'blown' Bulb and nothing! found and un-clipped the AFL Module to see if that caused any issues and apart from loosing the movement in both AFL's it was fine. So i've ordered a Voltmeter to see if there's actually any power going to it! If not it's looking like a new AFL Headlight

Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 29th November 15:58

[Mike1990]

After exactly 18151 Miles from the Front MPSS's it was time for a change, even had 2.3mm Left across the Tyres! Anyhow opted for some Continental Sport Contact 5's, fitted at 33956 Miles.

Tyres by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Tyres by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Tyres by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Tyres by Michael Smith, on Flickr


Its good to have grip again!

I've bit the bullet and ordered a new N/S AFL Headlight from Eurowagens. Merry X-Mas to me!

[HJMS123]

Always likes these especially in 'burg' spec .. I see a green one most days!

Just as an FYI, those conti 5p's will last nowhere near as long as the michelinsand aren't quite as good overall. I have them on the front of mine and after only 4,500 miles relatively calm miles (inc 800 running in miles) they're down to around 2-2.5mm already Every report I've read online suggests it's a common problem for them to wear ridiculously quick.

[Beedub]

Really good thread, i adore hot hatches,( Fiesta ST/ supercharged z4m owner here).

i really wish i had more motoring related mates that could meet up with for a drive...

Edited by Beedub on Tuesday 5th December 17:31

[The1Driver]

Nice car. Used to own a D VXR back when they first came out!

Imo the D looks far better than the current VXR.