Astra K SRi

[Mike1990]

Hi guys, time for a quick update.

So, it’s now just about 12 months that I’ve had the car so it was coming up towards its first service in my ownership. I booked it in at the local Vauxhall dealership, £160 and one hour later it was done, yes one hour! and back to full health. Next up it’s first MOT which is always a nervous time. Even though the car is only 3 years old!

Mileage wise it’s just over 42k now and still proving to be utterly reliable and totally dependable, and more importantly still enjoyable to punt down some good roads which luckily my commute has plenty.

It really has gotten under my skin this car and i've had thoughts of changing it and heading towards a proper full fat hot hatch but not just yet! LOL.

MPG wise, my average is around 36MPG for the 12k miles I’ve covered so far, running only on the 99 stuff.

A few pictures of course.







To me it’s quite a ‘big’ engine for a 1.6!

[url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/EwKHmxxi[/url]

Thanks.

Edited by Mike1990 on Sunday 12th September 22:03

Edited by Mike1990 on Sunday 12th September 22:06

[Fuzzarr]

I nearly bought one of these in estate form earlier this year with the 1.6T in Elite Nav spec, but ended up getting an Octavia vRS that I couldn't resist.

I thought the Astra was an astonishingly good value package on the used market. Back then they were up for £10-11k before things went bananas on the used market (must be an easy £12k+ now). What do you make of its performance? I spent quite a long time studying the performance of the Astra 200 and the Octavia, and they seemed pretty even, even over 120mph when I think the Astra's aero benefits really pay off.

Cheers

[Mike1990]

Fuzzarr said:

I nearly bought one of these in estate form earlier this year with the 1.6T in Elite Nav spec, but ended up getting an Octavia vRS that I couldn't resist.

I thought the Astra was an astonishingly good value package on the used market. Back then they were up for £10-11k before things went bananas on the used market (must be an easy £12k+ now). What do you make of its performance? I spent quite a long time studying the performance of the Astra 200 and the Octavia, and they seemed pretty even, even over 120mph when I think the Astra's aero benefits really pay off.

Cheers

They are pretty rare in estate form with the 1.6T. I find the performance more than enough, for reference I’ve kept a few hot hatches in check. A few Mk7 Fiesta ST’s and the old Astra H VXR just to name a few, It’s quite deceptive. It’s actually quicker than it feels.

3rd & 4th gears are particularly strong I find with great mid-range overtaking punch.

Your looking about 12-13k now for one with around 40k miles. I know mine is worth more now than when I bought it last September.

[Pommy]

Mike1990 said:

Fuzzarr said:

I nearly bought one of these in estate form earlier this year with the 1.6T in Elite Nav spec, but ended up getting an Octavia vRS that I couldn't resist.

I thought the Astra was an astonishingly good value package on the used market. Back then they were up for £10-11k before things went bananas on the used market (must be an easy £12k+ now). What do you make of its performance? I spent quite a long time studying the performance of the Astra 200 and the Octavia, and they seemed pretty even, even over 120mph when I think the Astra's aero benefits really pay off.

Cheers

They are pretty rare in estate form with the 1.6T. I find the performance more than enough, for reference I’ve kept a few hot hatches in check. A few Mk7 Fiesta ST’s and the old Astra H VXR just to name a few, It’s quite deceptive. It’s actually quicker than it feels.

3rd & 4th gears are particularly strong I find with great mid-range overtaking punch.

Your looking about 12-13k now for one with around 40k miles. I know mine is worth more now than when I bought it last September.

I would agree with this. It's pokey enough but i would think the Fiesta would murder it through some bends.

Also I find full launch take offs very wheelspinny and 1st to 2nd is definitely not a thing the gearbox enjoys.

Pokey ok and much pokier than people would expect

I bought mine in 2018 for $18,500 AUD and with 3000km. Now on 62000k and 3 years later i could sell it for $18,000, so it's done well, but realistic precovid levels it would have been about $13000 now.

One thing often missed is how much kit it has combined with speed and modernity for the money, along with super low running costs and fuel consumption.

I average 42mpg with capped priced servicing costing me $229 a year or about £115 a service

[Mike1990]

Pommy said:

I would agree with this. It's pokey enough but i would think the Fiesta would murder it through some bends.

Also I find full launch take offs very wheelspinny and 1st to 2nd is definitely not a thing the gearbox enjoys.

Pokey ok and much pokier than people would expect

I bought mine in 2018 for $18,500 AUD and with 3000km. Now on 62000k and 3 years later i could sell it for $18,000, so it's done well, but realistic precovid levels it would have been about $13000 now.

One thing often missed is how much kit it has combined with speed and modernity for the money, along with super low running costs and fuel consumption.

I average 42mpg with capped priced servicing costing me $229 a year or about £115 a service

See I disagree. 1st & 2nd gear WOT are no issues on mine, although I try not to do it as the ‘box won’t last to long

Yeah a Fiesta ST would show it a clean pair of heels on a twisty b-road, as the Astra is actually quite a big car for C-Segment hatchback as I’m finding out, an 8 week old baby and all the stuff that comes is no issues, the Astra copes really well.

Certainly doesn’t warrant a SUV!

[Mike1990]

So it’s been a busy few weeks for the Astra with a MOT and a fresh set of front tires to keep it in good health.

I opted for some Kumho Ecsta PS71’s and so far so good. I’ll probably get some for the rears before the end of year, as the rears are the still the originals.


The MOT passed without any advisories but I have heard a few horror stories regarding these failing the emissions for whatever reason but no issues with mine.





Thanks.

[Mike1990]

Having been inspired by the detailing feature i set about giving the Astra a really good clean myself. Sunday morning was the day for it,









Really pleased with the results. Cosmic Grey shines up really well.

Thanks.

[Mike1990]

After 46k the original rear Bridgestone’s were due a replacement,

Opted for the same Kumho PS71’s as that’s on the front, fitted at the local ATS.





Decent enough tire and not massively expensive too, gets the handling back up to scratch.

Still a really good car.

[sutoka]

Hearing terrible reliability stories about the Astra K hence the people ive spoke to won't be going anywhere near the new model. My elderly father has a 14 plate Astra J 1.4 in Elite spec, decent amount of toys but the fuel economy is horrendous for such a small engine - 38mpg at best and 30 around town. It's on about 65,000 miles serviced on the button and he drives it like a nun or sedatives. My mother has a 18 plate Polo and it does 50 mpg on a bad day.

[Pommy]

sutoka said:

Hearing terrible reliability stories about the Astra K hence the people ive spoke to won't be going anywhere near the new model. My elderly father has a 14 plate Astra J 1.4 in Elite spec, decent amount of toys but the fuel economy is horrendous for such a small engine - 38mpg at best and 30 around town. It's on about 65,000 miles serviced on the button and he drives it like a nun or sedatives. My mother has a 18 plate Polo and it does 50 mpg on a bad day.

What are you hearing?

My 200 has averaged 39mpg from 1,800 miles to 50,000 miles

[jagot]

Just to add to Pommy, my 68 plate 200 Elite Nav was faultless over the 21,000 miles I had it (sold at 42k), and averaged 37.5 mpg during my ownership, despite at least 2/3 of those miles being in London.

[Mike1990]

The 1.6T appears to be a gem of a engine. Mines not far of 51k now with zero issues and I'm currently on 42mpg...

[Mike1990]

Just under 51k on the clocks it was time for a service and MOT. So booked it in at the local garage to be done.

£250 all in, including a fresh set of Spark Plugs and passed MOT with no advisories. Always nice to have.

Apart from that it’s been lapping up daily duties great, whilst still having a good turn of pace when enjoying a Friday afternoon drive home from work



I’d recommend these cars to anyone. Ignore the badge if your bothered and these Elite/SRi’s with the 1.6T are a gem. Genuine hot-hatch performance (straight line at least!) it’s pretty amusing being able to keep with Fiesta ST’s etc in something that 95% people on the roads will think is a diesel or something.

Apart from that, business as usual.

[snotrag]

Good read this. We are looking at a smaller estate to replace both my massive E class wagon and my partners petrol Mazda3, allowing me to buy a less practical coupe daily driver. These looks absolutely stunning value and caught my eye a bit ago. The estates look smart, and the 1.6 Petrol Turbo seems to be a hidden gem.

I never realised until I read up but the 'K' shape Astra is actually significantly different to the previous Gen, even though they made it look quite similar. They are VERY light for their size and compared to their competition, and quietly got great reviews in the press. But of course - people dont like them, Luton Intolerance!

I think the 200hp and what sounds like a really competent chassis would help me not to miss my beloved E class too much.

I'm not so hot on the hatch, but this is pretty handome for a mainstream/non premium brand estate car.



£12k, 19k miles, 200hp wagon

[FourGears]

I do like these especially in 1.6t format.

How different is the engine to the Corsa VXR?

[vindaloo79]

snotrag said:

Good read this. We are looking at a smaller estate to replace both my massive E class wagon and my partners petrol Mazda3, allowing me to buy a less practical coupe daily driver. These looks absolutely stunning value and caught my eye a bit ago. The estates look smart, and the 1.6 Petrol Turbo seems to be a hidden gem.

I never realised until I read up but the 'K' shape Astra is actually significantly different to the previous Gen, even though they made it look quite similar. They are VERY light for their size and compared to their competition, and quietly got great reviews in the press. But of course - people dont like them, Luton Intolerance!

I think the 200hp and what sounds like a really competent chassis would help me not to miss my beloved E class too much.

I'm not so hot on the hatch, but this is pretty handome for a mainstream/non premium brand estate car.



£12k, 19k miles, 200hp wagon

That’s quite a good deal.

I just asked the lease co to quote me (via BCA) to buy my 2018 1.6t elite nav with 16.5k miles and they said £13+

And estate would be great

[snotrag]

I've seen a few similar in recent months, I set an AT alert up to flag any that get listed. Been a few SRI's in bright red which would be my preference but you get the leather in the Elites and most have nav and heated steering wheel, which is an unsual luxury! Not sure if the suspension/damping tune is any different, SRI wheels a bit nicer too.

[Mike1990]

FourGears said:

I do like these especially in 1.6t format.

How different is the engine to the Corsa VXR?

Totally different to the ones fitted to Corsa VXR's.

These have B16SHT Engine, running a slightly higher tune to produce 200ps & 207lb-ft (221lb-ft on overboost)

From Wikipedia below....,

"Production began in late 2012 at Szentgotthárd, Hungary.[1][2] The engine features Start/Stop and reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 13 percent comparing to the predecessor, while maintaining Euro 6 emissions standards.[3]

A turbocharged Eco variant delivering 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) @ 4250 rpm and 260 N⋅m (192 lb⋅ft) @ 1650-4250 rpm (overboost 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)) has been introduced at 2012 Moscow International Automobile Salon (MIAS); a Performance version with maximum torque 300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) and peak power 200 PS (147 kW; 197 hp) will also be available. Each version features unique turbine aerodynamic, and aggressive boost strategies improve low-end torque.[4]

The high-performance turbocharged 1,598 cc (1.6 L) engine with central direct injection has 79 mm × 81.5 mm (3.11 in × 3.21 in) bore and stroke, with cylinder pressure of 130 bar (1,900 psi) and compression ratio of 9.5:1 for Performance version and 10.5:1 for Eco version. It uses a grey cast-iron block with die-cast aluminum bedplate, aluminum cylinder head, chain-driven DOHC valvetrain with hydraulic tensioners, dual continuous variable cam phasing, and forged steel crankshaft. The engine has twin balance shafts and specially designed cam cover to improve NVH, while optimized compressor geometry, acoustic resonators and overall air handling help reduce noise by 2 dB. Centrally placed injector allows optimal operation in both stratified and homogeneous charge ignition. Optimized main bearing journal diameter, roller cam followers, and PVD coated piston rings reduce friction.[4]

Starting in 2013, the engine began to replace turbocharged 1.6 L Family I Ecotec engine in Opel cars, and in 2014-2015 it will replace naturally aspirated 1.6 L and 1.8 L Family 1 engines in Chevrolet cars. Starting with 2020 model year, this engine is no longer available for the United States market, due to Buick Cascada and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid being phased out because of low sales and high importation taxes from Europe."

[FourGears]

For some reason I was struggling to find info on the engine. Must try harder on Google.

Thanks!

[Pommy]

Has anyone here chipped their Astra 200?

There really doesn't seem to be much available out there and the most you can do seems to be about 20bhp, along with the gearboxes being close to their limits already and made of chocolate if you add much more to them.