Corsa 'D' VXR Nurburgring Edition

[Smiffyboy1990]

o this afternoon had the Michelin's fitted, all nice and simple trough Tyres on the drive. Been out the past few Hours scrubbing them in and getting a feel for them, and I am simply amazed by how much the car has been transformed. Mileage at time of fitting was "15805"

Tyres by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Gone has the Road noise that sounded like a Wheel Bearing, the occasional Tram-lining, the ABS kicking in when Braking hard and the ride has improved, so much softer over little humps and bumps in the road, the daily refinement has gone up a few notches. Happy is an understatement

 

[Poopensharten]

Really is a lovely motor mate!

 

[Paprika123]

I notice tram lining a lot and road noise is unreal with the contis, don't feel confident pushing hard at all.

Just got a full set of contis on at 16k last week. Not paying tho so can't really complain. Saying that, they all need balanced so might be part of the issue!

 

[Bigstu77]

The Colour is called Chilli Orange and its so much better looking in real life, its quite hard to photograph though, they also did Grasshopper Green, White and Black on these Nurburgrings.

From memory it set an 8:34** at the Nurburgring which IMO is impressive considering it had Conti's and not stickier PSS's or a dedicated Track Tyre, there was talk of these bullying a Megane 250/265 Cup at the press lauch back in the day according to the forums, wether thats true or not. Found a video on YouTube, quite decent to watch.






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Definitely won't be worrying any megane rs 250 / 265. I seem to remember this being tested against a clio 197 on 5th gear and being slower around the track and not as well rated. May not have been a nurburgring edition but still it's not that much different.
Not a big fan I'm afraid. Engine shite. Gearbox shite slightest hint of tuning and it'll blow it's mind.
As others have said each to their own. On a plus side it looks like a nice example

 

[Stefan.]

Nice car, i like the colour!

Friend had an 'arctic' one, sounded awesome with the remus exhaust

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

So yesterday Evening i went for my first 'proper' drive out since i've scrubbed the Michelin's in, headed towards some of my favourite roads towards the 'Dales, minimal traffic it was great, the weather was perfect, all good.

The Drexler LSD really is the star of the show, it's superb, i do find it quite aggressive and coupled with the sticky Supersport Tyres and the Bilstein B12 Suspension i'am having to get used to it somewhat as a few times it's caught me of guard, nothing drastic as such, but it demands 100% concentration otherwise i'll be mounting the inside kerb LOL, one thing i noticed was i was carrying a good 10-15mph more into some corners than i did in the ST but i felt like i was only driving at like 7/10th's if that makes sense? I also feel like there's to much grip, it's nowhere near as adjustable as the ST and perhaps its rivals, you can lift of and power on and using to LSD tighten your line up which i found quite satisfying, along with 2nd gear corners, i was giggling to my self, i really do think a Trackday is needed!

Overall I am still loving it, not once have i thought the ST was better in a particular area, well apart from the Fuel

Nurburgring by Michael Smith, on Flickr

 

[Philip.]

Sounds awesome and like good fun.
You'd recommend the tyres? I'm going to be looking at getting a full set for the Integra soon, but not sure what to go for.

 

[Paprika123]

So yesterday Evening i went for my first 'proper' drive out since i've scrubbed the Michelin's in, headed towards some of my favourite roads towards the 'Dales, minimal traffic it was great, the weather was perfect, all good.

The Drexler LSD really is the star of the show, it's superb, i do find it quite aggressive and coupled with the sticky Supersport Tyres and the Bilstein B12 Suspension i'am having to get used to it somewhat as a few times it's caught me of guard, nothing drastic as such, but it demands 100% concentration otherwise i'll be mounting the inside kerb LOL, one thing i noticed was i was carrying a good 10-15mph more into some corners than i did in the ST but i felt like i was only driving at like 7/10th's if that makes sense? I also feel like there's to much grip, it's nowhere near as adjustable as the ST and perhaps its rivals, you can lift of and power on and using to LSD tighten your line up which i found quite satisfying, along with 2nd gear corners, i was giggling to my self, i really do think a Trackday is needed!

Overall I am still loving it, not once have i thought the ST was better in a particular area, well apart from the Fuel

Nurburgring by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Lol I had the same with the diff when I first drove it. One hand on the wheel and a bit of welly out a junction and the wheel snapped round and almost sent me up the kerb 😂

Sounds awesome and like good fun.
You'd recommend the tyres? I'm going to be looking at getting a full set for the Integra soon, but not sure what to go for.

Cracking tyres in my experience.

 

[brisa4984]

i found that also.. it does carry great cornering pace..

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

I was beginning to worry it was just mine, glad it's not and it's meant to be like that. The only other experience i've had with a LSD is on a Astra that had a Quaife ATB 'Diff on Toyo 888's and from memory the 'Diff on the Corsa sure does feel more aggressive.

 

[Amos91]

Its a tough choice between the Super Sports and the Pilot Sport 4s now. The latter are pretty much as good and wear better.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Its a tough choice between the Super Sports and the Pilot Sport 4s now. The latter are pretty much as good and wear better.

Are Pilot Sport 4's a replacement for the Supersports? or PS3's? i've heard quite a few different things.

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[Paprika123]

Are Pilot Sport 4's a replacement for the Supersports? or PS3's? i've heard quite a few different things.

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They're the new Pilot Super Sport.

 

[Amos91]

This article with replies from Michelin indicates -

- While Pilot Sport 4 replaces the Pilot Sport 3, it’s an improvement on the Pilot Super Sport, not a “new” Pilot Sport 3, in design and technology. In comparative testing in 18" sizes, Pilot Sport 4 outperforms the Pilot Super Sport in 99% of everyday situations, with the added benefit of 10-15% improved wear. The other 1% is on a dry track where the Pilot Super Sport would outperform the Pilot Sport 4 by a couple of tenths of a second around a long track. For more track focused track drivers we will expand the range of Pilot Sport Cup 2 over the next few years.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/What-is-happening-to-the-Michelin-Pilot-Super-Sport.htm

 

[Sir_Dave]

Definitely won't be worrying any megane rs 250 / 265. I seem to remember this being tested against a clio 197 on 5th gear and being slower around the track and not as well rated. May not have been a nurburgring edition but still it's not that much different.

Are you saying a car with very good Bilstein suspension & a very good LSD is no better than a standard car? Assume you've not driven a car with an LSD then lol. When i fitted the Quaife to the R53, it quite literally transformed it, might as well have added an extra 100bhp. This corsa is a great drivers car, with a better power to weight than a Meggy 250, so with an LSD, i cant see any reason why it would be any slower tbh.

 

[Bigstu77]

Are you saying a car with very good Bilstein suspension & a very good LSD is no better than a standard car? Assume you've not driven a car with an LSD then lol. When i fitted the Quaife to the R53, it quite literally transformed it, might as well have added an extra 100bhp. This corsa is a great drivers car, with a better power to weight than a Meggy 250, so with an LSD, i cant see any reason why it would be any slower tbh.

Just not a fan of the corsa or any vxr model. I know various people that have had corsa vxr and they have proven to be a very poor car regardless of diff or suspension. Very troublesome, unreliable cars.
I drove my megane r26 plenty so fully aware of the benefits of lsd so you assume wrong. In my experience on various track days / ring visits the corsa just isn't that good. Not saying it's a fact just my opinion from personal experience and the vast number of people that have owned them and regretted it.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Just over 18k-ish now, only right to grab a few pictures on a recent drive out, something about the Autumn and Winter months, all the grime the car picks up, quite satisfying, anyways, a few pictures.

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr
I really do love this little car, its uncouth, a little raw, sometimes frustrating to drive, but point it down a good Road in all all weathers and let the 'Diff work its magic and it really is quite something, it excites me in a way in what no other car i've owned has. Love it.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

So on Sunday i met up with a mate who'd a few days prior changed his Fiesta Mk7 ST MP215 for a Focus RS Mk2, only right to go for a drive and grab some pictures

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

RS by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Wheels by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

RS by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Wheels by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hot Hatches by Michael Smith, on Flickr

It's a 1 Owner car, FFSH, with about 40k on the clocks, really really top condition, wearing premium Michelin's, not a squeak or rattle i could hear, but all i can say is WOW, what a special piece of kit, first time i've ever sat in one and drove one at some pace on some good roads i know, alot better than i expected, and the 5 Pot Engine is the party piece. I really do think i'd have one over the current crop of 20k+ Hot Hatches despite being quite old now. Its left a lasting impression.

Anyways, the current OE Wiperblades have had it, so replacement Bosch Aerotwins fitted,

Wiperblades by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Can see where i'am going now and VXR Badge fitted to the front Grille,

Badge by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Badge by Michael Smith, on Flickr


Hoping a drive out the Wales is on the cards for this weekend!

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

About Two weeks ago i picked up my mates GM branded Remus Back-Box and Enhance Performances 'Replica' Centre Pipe of him that was on his Corsa 'E' VXR, as he's changed to a Cobra Cat-Back. Firstly gave it a good scrub with the trusty Autosol.

Exhaust by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Exhaust by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Exhaust by Michael Smith, on Flickr

And fitted,

Untitled by Michael Smith, on Flickr


Unfortunately we couldn't fit the Centre Pipe so will go to an Exhaust place at some point, but i'am still over the moon with it, got some noise now! nothing major but its added some more character the to car!

Also fitted some brighter DRL's or whatever they are called!

Lights by Michael Smith, on Flickr

^^^Before

Lights by Michael Smith, on Flickr

^^^After

Lights by Michael Smith, on Flickr

^^^Before

Lights by Michael Smith, on Flickr

^^^After

And last night, on some good Roads i know, covered about 50 miles or so, not really had a chance to do some 'spirited' driving prior to that, so was looking forward to trying new Back-Box out. It's nothing special but to me, fits my OEM criteria nicely.

Anyways, I'am well impressed, i know they sound pretty fruity from the outside, but from the inside it's definitely give the car some more audible noise when pressing on, and changing from 2nd to 3rd gives some nice pops and even double pops on some occasions which makes me giggle somewhat, even 3rd to 4th gives some pops aswell, although not as much, but still mighty impressed.

I still need to fit the Centre Pipe, but I'am still in Two minds after hearing it last night LOL.

I'am pretty happy with the car now, I'll be Servicing it soon, as its due in 3k miles, and my wish list to upgrade is,

*Corsa 'E' VXR 'Performance Pack' Brembo Caliper Carriers/Brackets so i can fit 330mm Discs. You need them apparently.

*Braided Brake Hoses of some kind and Fluid.

*Corsa 'E' VXR Factory 'Short Shifter' as i believe they have one as factory, my mates 'E' feels so so good compared to mine.

All OEM

Apart from that, just enjoy the thing, it's a bloody cracking Hot Hatch.

 

[20vKarlos]

I am a member on VXROnline... a lot of the guys in the South Central + South East are an awesome bunch.
Try and get yourself along to a couple of the VXR Power Events this year and get taken out in the Nurburgring VXR by a BTCC driver! THAT IS FUN!

The Track days are awesome! You drive Insignia VXR, Astra VXR, Astra GTC VXR, Corsa VXR & Corsa Burg VXR... may change slightly as the years go by, but the Nurburgring Corsa is the best handling car of the bunch!

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread as I'm a sucker for a bit of Vauxhall :up:

 

[craigyt]

Nice car mate, i do like the nurburgring editions, although i do feel vauxhall copied everything i did to mine back in 2008!

I also love how people are repeating what they have read on the internet and havent actually lived with a corsa vxr at all!
I bought mine brand new in 2007 and the engine is totally standard , courtenay stg3 with NO injector upgrades and has had 66k miles of trackday abuse and 20yr old hooliganism (from me) and has never let me down once! The gearboxes are fine if you keep them cool or change the oil often.

And also, the corsa vs 197 thing is old news, the nurburgring is in a different league compared to the standard one!!

 

[Mr Plums]

If you were referring to my comment, i had a stage 3 arden which i bought standard at 6 months old, and a factory order Nurburgring edition.

The engine and box are chocolate, my 4th piston melted on my arden, i had an engine and box build, traded it in for the burg edition, the gearbox went at 11k so i got rid.

 

[craigyt]

Yes i was.

Mechanical sympathy goes a long way and regular oil changes is the cheapest mechanic!

Did you let it warm up before nailing it? Your going to say yes but how do you know as there is no temp gauge? These cars have quirks, you just need to get to know them!!

Yes you might think the boxes are chocolate, iv had mine rebuilt 4 times but thats because of the heat it generates and kills the oil. It is now in the service schedule to change it every year.

All the problems are down to "abuse". Dont jump down my throat, its not a bad abuse but the fault of vauxhall not installing things like temp gauge, cold rev limit etc etc. The abuse is driving it hard before its up to temp but you wont know as theres no gauge.

Some are just s**t but most is from unknown "abuse".

 

[Mr Plums]

I had mine from 2008, before all the known problems, always warm up and cool down my cars, i was a member of vxronline for about 5 years, there was a piston failure thread every couple of days and a gbox thread every couple of hours. Are you the craig from waky with the blue arden? If so I remember you.

 

[craigyt]

Yeah thats me, theres always threads like that, always the bad stuff but nobody reports the good stuff as theres no problems!

I quit vxro years ago after too much brown nosing with dougie! They banned aussie Shane and started ganging up on mandy snd eamonn. I voiced my opinions and its never been the same since!

 

[Mr Plums]

Ianj annoyed me the most, mr knowitall!

And perry with the astra burg, nurburgring24 or something, what a prick!

Sorry for the thread hijack, i do still love the look of the vxr, nice looking hatch, i just had so many problems with mine its put me off for life.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

I've never known such a cliquey forum as VXRO, and unless your running Stage 3, De-Badged and got 'Lows' no ones interested, this is why i love Cliosport, full of proper car enthusiasts.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

So yesterday, set of nice and early for a Sunday Morning blast to Hartside Cafe, from Penrith the A686 via Melmerby to Alston, then working my way back down on the B6277, B6276, via the A685 and the fantastic A683 and then to Hawes along the B6255 back to Ingleton and finally on the A682 back to the M65 Motorway, very enjoyable morning, the 'Burg proving sublime, it still can't get over how capable it is, i think if it had a Ford or Renault Badge it'd be the holy grail of Hot Hatches LOL. Anyways, a few pictures.

Hartside by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hartside by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hartside by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Hartside by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

Was Cold at the top!

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr

VXR by Michael Smith, on Flickr


Saw a few other like-minded people on my travels, DC5, 172 Cup, RS3 to name a few smile

Front Michelins are wearing nicely too, about 4.5-5.0mm left across both sets. and about 6k into them. Need to drive it harder more

 

[Mr Plums]

Love it mate, the exhaust tips stick out a bit too far tho, the nurburg edition is night and day compared to a standard vxr, it feels like a totally different car.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Cheers mate, it's funny you should say that, I've been looking at the Tips and they seem to have shifted back compared to when first fitted it. Doesn't look as bad as on the pictures though


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[Jekyll]

These and the normal vxr ones looks so much better than the new face-lift ones. They look crap and nothing overly special imo. These look more aggressive.

 

[197.]

These and the normal vxr ones looks so much better than the new face-lift ones. They look crap and nothing overly special imo. These look more aggressive.

The new ones just look like squashed Astras, just as bad as the new fiesta

 

[Daz_RT_04]

This looks lovely.

I've always had a soft spot for the Corsa VXR in this shape. Regular VXR's are appear very cheap now!

Reliability? I think that comes down to the owner, done properly they appear to be just as reliable as any other car IMO.

#2000

 

[fez]

awesome motor

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

This looks lovely.

I've always had a soft spot for the Corsa VXR in this shape. Regular VXR's are appear very cheap now!

Reliability? I think that comes down to the owner, done properly they appear to be just as reliable as any other car IMO.

#2000

Cheers

Yeah i totally agree with the Reliability aspect, i ran a completely standard Astra 'H' VXR from 20k to 55k a few year back and had zero issues, i didn't exactly drive it like Miss Daisy either, whereas a few people i know have bought 'modded' examples and are nails tbh, with no end of problems.

I'am about 6-7k in to ownership with this VXR and feels just as good as it did when first picked it up, I'am hoping it carries on that way.




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[Daz_RT_04]

Cheers :smile:

Yeah i totally agree with the Reliability aspect, i ran a completely standard Astra 'H' VXR from 20k to 55k a few year back and had zero issues, i didn't exactly drive it like Miss Daisy either, whereas a few people i know have bought 'modded' examples and are nails tbh, with no end of problems.

I'am about 6-7k in to ownership with this VXR and feels just as good as it did when first picked it up, I'am hoping it carries on that way.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had an Astra H VXR a few years back also, not as bad as people tend to make out (Jeremy Clarkson) - Its also a shame the image is heavily tarnished.

Burg wheels and Dap-R springs.. Seemed to handle well enough for what it was.

 

[Rojer]

Only VXR i would buy especially in that colour. I went to one of those VXR Power Events at Thruxton and drove the Insignia, Astra, Corsa VXR and a Corsa Nur. Last year i also did 3000 miles in an Astra J VXR when i went to Worthersee.

The Astra left me feeling cold really, it was fast and handled alright just didn't get a connection with it even after a lot of miles. Didn't rate the gearbox either, but when i drove the Corsa Nur at Thruxton that was amazing. The diff is great on track so is the suspension, completely different animal to the rest of the VXR range.

 

[brisa4984]

i love them. very capable for what they are . enjoy

 

[Scrooge]

Great pictures!

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

I had an Astra H VXR a few years back also, not as bad as people tend to make out (Jeremy Clarkson) - Its also a shame the image is heavily tarnished.

View attachment 177443

Burg wheels and Dap-R springs.. Seemed to handle well enough for what it was.

Love them with the 'Burg ATS Alloys, they look ace.

I remember reading an old Evo Magazine and had the Group Test back in with the VXR, Focus ST, R26, Leon FR and FN2 CTR and they genuinely thought high of it, came 2nd if IIRC and the timed laps around a Wet Track it wasn't to far behind the R26 and tbh that it was swayed me to buy one lol.

Very capable car with some choice upgrades.




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