Ralphs Arden VXR

Ralph_ENG · 26 Mar 2012 at 11:49

andrewdodd13 said:
Ah well. I've never actually driven one, so as someone said above the torque-steer hearings just come from the likes of Top Gear and Evo saying that it's a problem.

Dad's top-screen in the Vectra (SRi) has things like MPG (obviously not what you're looking for in a VXR though!) and remaining range. There's actually a lot more information on it but I've never looked through it. It's similar to this although without the automatic climate control stuff. I'm actually quite impressed that you still get the radio frequency with the aftermarket unit, dad's just looks like the audio is switched off (although it was a botched install tbh, the steering wheel controls don't work either).

It has torque steer have no fear of that, the RARB and the springs help a lot but if you know its there you just compensate for it

I dont have climate so i wont have it the astra with the climate looks like this off my insignia if that helps

The Running Man said:
Nice but do you mean as stock the car has no rarb or do you just add a thicker one? Also you spend so much on the car and wheels and then drop in a set of khumos lol. I had a set of ecsta on my last car good because they are cheap but not because they are a good tyre if that makes sense.

Many a talking point that as i wouldnt usually put them on any car i own.

These are Track day tyres and are cheaper then having to source and Buy 888s, a lot of people who i go to the Ring with was going to try them this time around and i sort of beat them to it, they are semi sticky Hard compound road legal Track tyres and my god do they work over the Vrestdiens (sp)i had on my 19s.

You add a RARB to the bottom of the chassis underneath the car

Ralph_ENG · 26 Mar 2012 at 11:51

Simon said:
Looks nice, I almost laughed at that rear suspension though.

Coilovers or Dampers is my next saving point i think maybe after the LSD goes in....

they are standard Shocks but the Springs are uprated

Simon · 26 Mar 2012 at 11:52

Just looks so weedy in there, it amazes me the springs actually stay on

Yaayuh! · 26 Mar 2012 at 12:09

4 Things that put me off Astra VXR

1. Cheap
2. Friend had major boost leak after around 3k miles
3. Same friend had gasket blown
4. Another friend of his bought a VXR despite these problems and cracked the exhaust manifold.

Now i know that there must be a load of people with these cars that haven't had any problems but when it's people you know and have seen them go through the rigmarole, it kinda puts you off.

The Running Man · 26 Mar 2012 at 12:19

Its a turbo boost leaks can happen and manifolds can crack although they shouldn't. Gaskets are common items too.

I find it weird that it came without a rarb from the factory though! Odd indeed.

Amos91 · 26 Mar 2012 at 12:55

Nice VXR.

Think the factory wheels looked nicer though.

Ralph_ENG · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:13

Rossi~ said:
4 Things that put me off Astra VXR

1. Cheap
2. Friend had major boost leak after around 3k miles
3. Same friend had gasket blown
4. Another friend of his bought a VXR despite these problems and cracked the exhaust manifold.

Now i know that there must be a load of people with these cars that haven't had any problems but when it's people you know and have seen them go through the rigmarole, it kinda puts you off.

the New VXR isnt cheap and at about £30k for the new 1 i think some will struggle to buy 1.

If he had it after 3k miles surely it would have gone back to the Dealer or was it 3k after he brought it?

Gaskets are things that need replacing, how many miles had the car done and was it mapped etc ?

Same as above was it tuned ? people like to wind up the boost and the maifold cant handle the heat and breaks ?

The Running Man said:
Its a turbo boost leaks can happen and manifolds can crack although they shouldn't. Gaskets are common items too.

I find it weird that it came without a rarb from the factory though! Odd indeed.

It has the standard ARB but not a bolt on rear like mine?

olivercamos said:
Nice VXR. Think the factory wheels looked nicer though.

In some cases i actually agree but these where brought for Track, hence the track tyres on them. The wheels are not to everyones taste i know thatbut i do like them

DAIR · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:14

Rossi~ said:
4 Things that put me off Astra VXR

2. Friend had major boost leak after around 3k miles
3. Same friend had gasket blown
4. Another friend of his bought a VXR despite these problems and cracked the exhaust manifold.

Now i know that there must be a load of people with these cars that haven't had any problems but when it's people you know and have seen them go through the rigmarole, it kinda puts you off.

2, 3 and 4 related to mods?

I have a mate with a track prep'd astra vxr with 300bhp and its been going along just fine for years. Hes had it since 2005!

I can see why people would be put off though.

DAIR · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:16

... Ralph... That name sounds familiar. You the member with the Ralph (from simpsons) image in their signature?

Ralph_ENG · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:18

On VXRO yup

DAIR · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:19

Yes... Think I recognise that car too. Seen it a while back. Belonged to another member right?

Looks cool... Best colour!

Ralph_ENG · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:25

Nope had it since new

You thinking of Paul Burks ? had similar colour Burg wheels but think his where grey

Thanks

DAIR · 26 Mar 2012 at 13:33

Ahhh corrected!

GinG · 26 Mar 2012 at 17:00

Dash looks pretty good! Is there no way you can get the knobs the same colour, will just finish it off?

Car looks great, I know there isnt much love for these cars but they do look fantastic!

-Ad- · 26 Mar 2012 at 17:23

Looks very clean.

But those wheels are horrible and putting that much power through a VXR isn't something I'd ever consider logical. When the turbo spools up on a standard car it's a big off/on affair, can't imagine what it would be like in that.

Also I would take APs over 20pot calipers, more doesn't mean better

bob055 · 26 Mar 2012 at 20:05

looks nice! Bet it shifts

Sin_Chase · 26 Mar 2012 at 20:35

Those alloys SORELY need centre caps.

Ralph_ENG · 27 Mar 2012 at 09:04

Ging, not sure i would want Blue knobs, i think you mean the AC controls ? they might look nice if shiny black but not sure on blue sorry :confused:

In the dark when the lights are on the back lights are all blue like the dash and display

-Ad- said:
Looks very clean.

But those wheels are horrible and putting that much power through a VXR isn't something I'd ever consider logical. When the turbo spools up on a standard car it's a big off/on affair, can't imagine what it would be like in that.

Also I would take APs over 20pot calipers, more doesn't mean better

Clean its not been washed for about 8 weeks :eek:

Wheels wont be to everyones taste but i like them and to be honest they have Track tyres on or summer tyres.

It really isnt that bad on the Turbo, you lift off the car slows down under its own means, i am not running silly boost and i dont think it goes above 20 psi

The Brakes was a money thing, AP and Alcon £1700, expensive to replace rotors and stuff, Ksports £900 and not that expensive, i could have 2 sets of them for 1 set of APs, i didnt get the brakes just to say woooooooooooooooooooh 8 pots :cool:

bob055 said:
looks nice! Bet it shifts

It holds it own, thanks

Sin_Chase said:
Those alloys SORELY need centre caps.

The center caps are on order i hope

Will probably just be something simple like a Ring Logo but i am not sure yet need to discuss with the people that are going to make them for me