Calling all VXR owners and know it alls!
Discussion
Hi,
I am thinking of buying a 2006 Astra VXR on Thursday, it's got full service history and looks like it's in brilliant condition for it's age, however, my previous car was a 2006 1.9 CDTI Astra and I had to sell it because it had something going wrong with it every two seconds. Two weeks after the warranty ran out the gear box seized up, I had to have the dual mass flywheel replaced along with an EGR valve and an inlet manifold and last but not least a new clutch.
The VXR I am interested in has 81k miles on the clock which is pretty low considering most VXR's on the market at the moment have over 100k.
Obviously I will check for all the signs of gearbox, flywheel and clutch issues but is there anything else I should be aware of? Is it wise to buy a VXR at 81k miles? What's your views?
If you have any advise or tips for me I would be very grateful!
Cheers,
Chris.
I am thinking of buying a 2006 Astra VXR on Thursday, it's got full service history and looks like it's in brilliant condition for it's age, however, my previous car was a 2006 1.9 CDTI Astra and I had to sell it because it had something going wrong with it every two seconds. Two weeks after the warranty ran out the gear box seized up, I had to have the dual mass flywheel replaced along with an EGR valve and an inlet manifold and last but not least a new clutch.
The VXR I am interested in has 81k miles on the clock which is pretty low considering most VXR's on the market at the moment have over 100k.
Obviously I will check for all the signs of gearbox, flywheel and clutch issues but is there anything else I should be aware of? Is it wise to buy a VXR at 81k miles? What's your views?
If you have any advise or tips for me I would be very grateful!
Cheers,
Chris.
At 81k miles I would say the gearbox is a big consideration. I have a remapped (to 200hp) Corsa SRi Turbo (same drive train, brakes, chassis, suspension as a VXR Corsa), and the gearbox is getting a bit scatty - clunky gear changes, 3rd is moving back and forth ever so slightly under accel/deceleration - all signs of failure at some point soon. It's at 64k miles. A friend of mine has the same car as me, except it's still running the standard 150hp and he already had to have his gearbox refurbed after it started jumping out of gear, and that is a newer car than mine with only 35k miles.
The Astra is putting way more torque through the exact same gearbox (M32), and they're notorious for failing. A quick trip to VXR Online will reveal all.
I love the look of them and at one point considered and Astra VXR but I just don't think I could trust that it wouldn't wreck the gearbox and cost me a fortune.
The Astra is putting way more torque through the exact same gearbox (M32), and they're notorious for failing. A quick trip to VXR Online will reveal all.
I love the look of them and at one point considered and Astra VXR but I just don't think I could trust that it wouldn't wreck the gearbox and cost me a fortune.
Edited by SnailTrail on Tuesday 22 July 12:40
SnailTrail said:
The Astra is putting way more torque through the exact same gearbox (M32), and they're notorious for failing. A quick trip to VXR Online will reveal all.
Edited by SnailTrail on Tuesday 22 July 12:40
There are a number of early signs you can look for:
When lifting the clutch in 1st gear while holding onto the gear stick, it will move backwards by sometimes 10-20mm
When driving in 5th or 6th the gear stick will move backwards and forwards as you come on and off the throttle.
Whining noises can be heard while in 1st, 2nd, 5th or 6th gear. Sometimes it is more audible in certain gears than others.
I had one from nearly new and loved it. Budget for a box refresh though, if it hasn't died yet you can have them refurbished for a decent price. I had Eco torque in Arlesey do the M32 in my daily Insignia recently as it was getting noisy. It's spot on now and has a warranty.
Delete the precat to bring out the pops and bangs and bobs your uncle.
Delete the precat to bring out the pops and bangs and bobs your uncle.
The Vambo said:
There are a number of early signs you can look for:
When lifting the clutch in 1st gear while holding onto the gear stick, it will move backwards by sometimes 10-20mm
When driving in 5th or 6th the gear stick will move backwards and forwards as you come on and off the throttle.
Whining noises can be heard while in 1st, 2nd, 5th or 6th gear. Sometimes it is more audible in certain gears than others.
mattrg said:
I had one from nearly new and loved it. Budget for a box refresh though, if it hasn't died yet you can have them refurbished for a decent price. I had Eco torque in Arlesey do the M32 in my daily Insignia recently as it was getting noisy. It's spot on now and has a warranty.
Delete the precat to bring out the pops and bangs and bobs your uncle.
How much would a refurbish cost do you think?Delete the precat to bring out the pops and bangs and bobs your uncle.
Shredx said:
How much would a refurbish cost do you think?
These guys are pretty popular on VXRO, £700 for a full refurb. There may be somewhere local that could do it though, just google "gearbox specialist near me" or something similar. There's a local garage near me who will refurb them for £400. Mine a year newer on a tad under 85k, all ok, gearbox and turbo both fine.
Biggest issue is weeping rocker cover gaskets.
I kinda think the gearbox thing is a bit overhyped, the early diff bearings were a bit suspect and there is/was an updated part. My car has been modded for about 4 years and its fine.
Note that gearstick movement can also be a sign of knackered engine mounts.
Take your time and buy a car that hasn't been beaten around. I think that many of the issues are down to poor treatment.
Case in point: I know someone who had an Astra G with a retrofitted VXR turbo (common as the original unit isn't available). He told me how s
t there were and how one of the ones he had only lasted a month and how could I possibly be taking a risk by not selling my car.
He concluded that all Vauxhalls are st and that I should buy a Golf Gti, just like he had done.
His golf has already had a new turbo and is now burning oil because he's cooked it. He's also done CV joints, and a few other bits and pieces.
Meantime my car isn't burning any oil and the turbo is fine. Funny that.
Biggest issue is weeping rocker cover gaskets.
I kinda think the gearbox thing is a bit overhyped, the early diff bearings were a bit suspect and there is/was an updated part. My car has been modded for about 4 years and its fine.
Note that gearstick movement can also be a sign of knackered engine mounts.
Take your time and buy a car that hasn't been beaten around. I think that many of the issues are down to poor treatment.
Case in point: I know someone who had an Astra G with a retrofitted VXR turbo (common as the original unit isn't available). He told me how s
t there were and how one of the ones he had only lasted a month and how could I possibly be taking a risk by not selling my car.He concluded that all Vauxhalls are s
t and that I should buy a Golf Gti, just like he had done.His golf has already had a new turbo and is now burning oil because he's cooked it. He's also done CV joints, and a few other bits and pieces.
Meantime my car isn't burning any oil and the turbo is fine. Funny that.
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