Discussion
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.
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
Vauxhalls aren't very popular around these parts so I suspect you won't get much love on this post, but I've also got one, and think they're a bit of a bargain for the combination of newness and performance they offer. Mine is an Elite Nav, and I picked it up at 18 months old and 20k miles for just over £12k. It's in silver though, but yours is my favourite of the colours available.
Edited by jagot on Tuesday 13th October 15:08
Edited by jagot on Tuesday 13th October 15:11
Think these look really smart and drive really well.
Had a CDTI SRI spec one a few years ago but couldn't get on with it all round.
Think it was a Friday afternoon car as it had so many rattles and squeaks it drove me insane.
And I've never had a car that wheel hopped like that car did.
With 136bhp it went pretty well though, bet that goes very nicely....
Had a CDTI SRI spec one a few years ago but couldn't get on with it all round.
Think it was a Friday afternoon car as it had so many rattles and squeaks it drove me insane.
And I've never had a car that wheel hopped like that car did.
With 136bhp it went pretty well though, bet that goes very nicely....
Mike1990 said:
It’s the warm hatch SRi variant with the 1.6 SIDI engine with about 200bhp and 221fb/lb so quite good numbers!
That's a decent amount power from a 1.6T in a mainstream hatchback. For all those people who complain that the latest 300+bhp flagship hot hatches are overkill, there are still plenty of ~200bhp cars out there as well. I don't know much about the latest Astras, and I wouldn't have guessed this was a 200bhp car if I saw one of these out on the street.Mike1990 said:
the car is quite light as C-Segment hatches go, about 200KG’s lighter than the previous Astra J apparently.
Seems to be a common trend at the moment, after a period of cars getting heavier with every new model! Long may it continue.Had a 68reg 1.6 elite nav in the same colour op on a lease which has just gone back, did 13k miles in it and it never missed a beat, decent enough power for every days needs and overtaking is easy.
Mpg was around 38 overall, would get low to mid 40’s on a decent journey.
I believe the handling is much better on the Sri, the elite could be a bit soft/floaty round the bends
As others have said not the most popular cars round these parts, but nevertheless a decent car, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one.
Look forward to updates
Mpg was around 38 overall, would get low to mid 40’s on a decent journey.
I believe the handling is much better on the Sri, the elite could be a bit soft/floaty round the bends
As others have said not the most popular cars round these parts, but nevertheless a decent car, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one.
Look forward to updates
Lovely looking K.
We have had a 66 plate 1.4t Sri for the past 12 months.
They are a great all round cars which are really well specced for the money. Not as well built as the German counterparts - the rear parcel shelf likes to squeak if not aligned correctly and some of the plastics feel like they are from the bargain bin.
Performance from the 1.4t is sprightly enough - it produces 150bhp and when the sport button is engaged throttle response is increased and steering sharpens up. Tempted to get it booked in for a remap in the new year to get up to the 1.6t’s 200bhp.
Not a bad looking thing in my opinion.
We have had a 66 plate 1.4t Sri for the past 12 months.
They are a great all round cars which are really well specced for the money. Not as well built as the German counterparts - the rear parcel shelf likes to squeak if not aligned correctly and some of the plastics feel like they are from the bargain bin.
Performance from the 1.4t is sprightly enough - it produces 150bhp and when the sport button is engaged throttle response is increased and steering sharpens up. Tempted to get it booked in for a remap in the new year to get up to the 1.6t’s 200bhp.
Not a bad looking thing in my opinion.
I ran a Astra K estate for 2 years/ 57k miles and the only issues I had where back pain from the crap bottom of the range seats I had, and the central locking packing up all the time because of water in the doors (once Vauxhall fixed thst on the 5th attempt) it never missed a beat
Can’t blame the car for crap seats though, I had a insgina after and they where superb seats
Mine was the 140 diesel which was punchy, quiet and returned good MPG
Can’t blame the car for crap seats though, I had a insgina after and they where superb seats
Mine was the 140 diesel which was punchy, quiet and returned good MPG
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.
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.
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 said:
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.
You know I’m a bit of a fan of winter grime 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.
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 ! 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. 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 ! Mike1990 said:
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.
Those were the days man ! I even fitted the rear spats off a puma on one of my Mk5’s such a nice little touch that no one really noticed haha, I managed to retrofit a few bits to the ST too but could never get the camera to work properly. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff