Astra K SRi

[Mike1990]

I decided that after about 4 years in a Corsa VXR Nurburgring i needed and wanted a change to something newer, bigger and something less ‘hardcore’ so to speak as a daily. I still wanted a warm/hot hatch as they just fit into my life perfectly for obvious reasons and the huge range of cars available means you can quite literally cherry pick which one suits and the day! and that’s all i’ve owned since i started driving in ‘08 including a couple of years in a Fiesta Mk7 ST just to name a few. Below are my past few threads showing my previous cars.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Anyways the car in question is the latest Astra K or Mk7 whichever suits. It’s the warm hatch SRi variant with the 1.6 SIDI engine with about 200bhp and 221fb/lb so quite good numbers! and the car is quite light as C-Segment hatches go, well i believe anyways! It’s about 200KG’s lighter the previous Astra J apparently.

Now my car, it’s a Astra SRi VX-Line Nav to give its official tag.













It’s in a lovely colour called Cosmic Grey and it’s got the VX-Line kit which is basically just some bigger 18” alloys, different front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper.

I’ve had it a couple of weeks now it’s on about 29k and it’s in pretty decent condition inside and out. Alloys are all unmarked, It’s still on the original Bridgestone Turanzas on the rear along with disks and pads so it’s had a easy life i reckon! Now all I’ve done is fitted some Good Year Eagle F1’s to the front to replace the horrible budgets so it drives like it should and it really does drive well.

Oh i give the interior and engine bay a good clean too!





I’am enjoying it so far. The engine is quite strong, certainly ‘feels’ if compared to the VXR even if that was similar power, albeit less torques.

Handling wise, it’s actually really good. Turn is sharp with the rear feeling quite adjustable if provoked, it just flows down nice piece of road nicely and it almost feels as if it’s got 4WS the way the rear always seems to follow the front if that makes sense ? It’s obviously not! But It’s something I’ve not really felt before and seems daft to even mention it on a humble warm Astra SRi never mind if it was full fat VXR! LOL.

I’am keen to exploit the chassis and handling even more soon as i’am genuinely quite taken with it, so a trip out to Wales to get it on some really good roads is on the cards.

But so far so good!

Thanks.

Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 14th October 21:34

Edited by Mike1990 on Wednesday 14th October 21:35

[Mike1990]

Thought i’d give this an update seeing as i’ve covered some good miles in it since i picked it up.

In short it’s a really, really good car and mostly lives on my local B-Roads to and from work which is proving quite a treat as the highlight of my day is actually driving to and from work! 😅

The suspension is on the firmer side of things but yet has plenty of damping plus coupled with the clever Watts Linkage i can make some pretty brisk progress and enjoy it very much so, such a balanced car. 200bhp is way more than enough actual usable power for this setup I compare it to my mates Mk5 Golf GTi that he had and i drove a few times a few years back, it’s that good. Similar in quite a few ways i think.




That’s what the Watt Linkage is. Pretty much Vauxhall’s attempt at the Multi-Link rear setup. It works really well. I believe it’s only the 1.6 Turbo and the 1.6 Bi-Turbo diesels that had this fitted, the lower powered SRi’s etc didn’t have it fitted.

Apart from that I’ve nothing much to report, there’s a few ‘niggles’ that’s appeared but none that affect the drive and I’ve only washed it once so it’s actually filthy, plus I’ve not really had the time.









It’s actually a lot worse than that!

Shame there was no GSi/VXR variant as I’m convinced it would have been a cracker. Although there’s rumours of the next Astra Hybrid4 VXR using the 1.6 Turbo and a pair of electric motors developing 296bhp coupled with four-wheel drive. Coincidentally that’s what’s powering the current Grandland X Hybrid4. So fingers crossed.

Another thing that i like is that’s it’s got a manual ‘box, now it’s nothing special but compared to Vauxhall’s of old it’s night and day and it’s generally good to use.

Thanks.

[Mike1990]

Harfi88 said:

Looking good Mike. I really like the colour of it any plans to mod it or is it staying standard ?

Cheers Dave. It’s a lovely colour, when it’s cleaned of course! I’m planning on giving it a good detail after the New Year.

Nothing planned at all. Although i’d like to add some little touches - VXR style alloy foot pedals and the SRi branded door kick plates and an engine cover that has branding on it LOL. The OPC-Line’s abroad come with those standard! Usual cost cutting measures i think over here, especially in PSA’s ownership.

You can remap these to about 240bhp! But that’s definitely not on the cards.

[Mike1990]

Harfi88 said:

You know I’m a bit of a fan of winter grime Jess wants the disco washing but I think I’m going to leave it for as long as I can get away with before she threatens to take it to a car wash, I like the idea of some nice oem touches it’s always nice to add little bits that no one else really notices but make a difference to you and anyone in the know. I bet it would surprise a few people with a map !

You and me both! Oddly satisfying. I remember the old Zetec S Fiesta days, quite literally retrofitting everything from the Ghia models - Temperature Gauge to Low Washer Fluid Light to Puma Wiper Arms etc... Was only a few of us on the forum doing it. Love the OEM+ touches.

[Mike1990]

Macron said:

These are a complete steal, so much more metal for the money!

What are the niggles op? Everyone else seems very happy with theirs, and with a peppy motor in a sharp suit that's nearly new, that's completely understandable.

Eta, some are advertised with a "winter pack", was that actually a thing? And did the Elite Nav come with heated front and rear seats? And is that what dealers think is a winter pack?!

Edited by Macron on Monday 21st December 00:25

Agree, VFM they are really good for what you get.

Niggle wise i've got a squeak from the rear end when going over little humps and bumps in the roads, weirdly it appears to disappear once the car has traveled a mile or two, the clutch pedal creaks every now. Nothing major, but its something that i'll mention the Vauxhall when it goes in for its MOT or Service.

I'am not to sure about the 'Winter Pack' if i'am honest.

[Mike1990]

Just thought I’d give a quick update as its been little while. Since then I’ve changed the plates for some clean ‘3D’ type ones as that’s all the rage these days and they look okay, and not chav like some others on the market, add to that a couple of days ago I had the new discs and pads fitted all round as they were definitely due. Got the local indie to supply and fit, I’m not sure what make they are, but they stop well enough! And in his words “They’re good ones, not cheap crap” take from that what you will

Mileage wise it’s not far from 40k now and regularly shows 38-40 MPG when I trip it from fill up to fill up, my long term average is about 35MPG so not to bad for 200bhp ‘hot hatch now I use the term hot hatch loosely as it is the semi sporting version on the Astra but with genuine hot hatch performance, think Fiesta ST’s and that sort of tackle which is amusing, but dynamically it falls short which is perfectly fine as it not a full fat VXR model (shame it never materialised) it’s a warm hatch with more GT qualities which for my needs at the moment is perfect. Sling it down a flowing A/B road that’s got dips, cambers and all the rest and it’s so enjoyable, the slightly soft ‘sports’ suspension and watts link work so good together. Perfectly happy at 6/10ths.

It'll be due its first MOT in a couple of months and a service too.

Anyways I couple of pictures.

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Astra by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Thanks.

[Mike1990]

vindaloo79 said:

How is the touch screen. I have had two replacements in warranty on my elite nav 2018. Other than that I’m pleased with the car for the usage I have. Very comfortable drive.

It's okay so far, touch wood at least! although on one occasion it froze when connecting to Apple Carplay but its been fine since.

[Mike1990]

Pommy said:

This is mine. Here in Australia it's called an Astra RS-V. It got the leather and bigger screen n stuff.

Goes ok I reckon and pretty decent to drive. Can't believe what a difference the Sport button makes though. Didn't expect it to.

Cheap as chips to run, especially with 200bhp.

I've gone from 3,000 to 60,000kms and not a thing has gone wrong. Not a thing.



Regards chipping it I'd be keen - who is the best supplier of a tune/chip?

The gearboxes are apparently a bit chocolate and are not far of the torque limit already so would be wary of a tune as most 240bhp tunes push torque beyond the box limit.

Edited by Pommy on Sunday 20th June 07:23

They do go well enough! 3rd & 4th gears are a treat, plenty of torque for overtaking swiftly.

There doesn't seem to be much tuning over on our shores but in Europe and especially Germany there's a few that have been modified, 280bhp from a Remap, Downpipe and uprated Intercooler is achievable which will make it rather quick! 60mph to 120mph in around 13 seconds to give a example of one guys over on YouTube.

[Mike1990]

Flumpo said:

I’m sure I’m not alone in erm, browsing auto trader with no intention of buying various cars. But this one always amazes me for kit, engine spec and the price.

I know it’s not a sleeper in the sense of a golf with a 911 engine or whatever, but definitely an under the radar shifter in this class. I was once doing a healthy 70mph when one with the tell tail double exhausts went past me and off into the distance.

Ford also seem to have given up on anything slightly warm in the focus range. Pretty sure they have scrapped the 1.5 182hp engine from the line up. It’s either 0-60 of 9 seconds or full st.

Certainly not alone in that, Auto Trader is addictive

There's quite a few options in the 180 - 200bhp C-Segment bracket. Its a shame they get often overlooked by the full-fat versions and not to mention some being quite expensive! A250 AMG & 125i M Sport for example but they are a good all round package.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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."

[Mike1990]

Pommy said:

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.

There’s not many been done over here in the UK, but in Europe there appears to be a few,

Think 240bhp is achievable from a basic ‘map’ regarding the gearboxes, the Astra H VXR’s can run 300+ With no issues whatsoever.

Maintenance is key.

[Mike1990]

Nothing much to update, few hundred miles of 54k and proving to be as reliable as ever.











The car absolutely filthy, also the cold weather is also highlighting that the front tyres are getting near their end now, so probably a fresh set next year, to tighten the handling back up a notch.

Thanks.