Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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Fair enough that's quite good then!
I am the same, just wondered how much difference the engine size made the economy of it, quite alot evidently!
What A2 curve?
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by fro-dizzle
Damo is that going from the M25 onto the A2 or the other way around?
I love the bend coming onto it as you leave the M25 
Nahh, as your coming up the A2 towards Bluewater (going London bound) theres a long sweeping left hander, starts tight and opens up as you go further round. It goes to the Ebbsfleet Int train station.
The one from teh M25 onto the A2 going coastbound up to bluewater, well, over a tonne is all im saying.... And hold on tight 
Not so keen on the A2 -> M25 bend as thats a softer curve and balls permitting you could do some stupid speeds around that, and if it lets go, well it'll be much higher speeds and will hurt/kill you more
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djgritt
Premium Member
Registered: 1st Nov 07
Location: Dorset Drives: Focus ST / Hyundai i20N
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I'd probably go for the VXR out of the two.
STs are nice, especially the Facelift, but the crap Recaros and Driving Position would put me off.
Though, the sound those 5-cylinders make on heavy throttle could tempt me...
And then if I was ignoring the reasoning of this thread, I'd suggest Renaultsport Megane F1...
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
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Vxr, the focus handles much better with eibach springs that you can get as an option, so still standard 
And 0.3 seconds faster to 60 does not show in the real world.
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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You can get Eibach springs from the factory from Vauxhall, Walkinshaw do the upgrades.
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Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by VXR
Nahh, as your coming up the A2 towards Bluewater (going London bound) theres a long sweeping left hander, starts tight and opens up as you go further round. It goes to the Ebbsfleet Int train station.
Braver man than me, that bend scares me
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben G
Vxr, the focus handles much better with eibach springs that you can get as an option, so still standard
And 0.3 seconds faster to 60 does not show in the real world.
No, but thats not where the Astra excels, its 30-100. I've never come accross an ST that could keep up in standard format. Its quite a noticable difference. I only wish i'd video'd it to simply show it opposed to what someone says on the internet. Hell I even got caught one race in the wrong gear, but still pulled enough to pass the ST back (straightline motorway boringness).
Your saying optional extras, which you can have put on under warrantee, so not really standard car. I could have the exhaust, IC, 4 pots, etc etc all done under warrantee.
Standard for Standard, as a drivers car, the Astra is far better im afraid. I've driven both quite a lot and the astra as a performance car is better. As a daily go to work car, the ST is better. Overal, the astra is the far better car.
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Daimo B
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Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Graham88
Braver man than me, that bend scares me
Come and pick you up one night and i'll take you round it
Stick with it, just dont lift off mid bend like I did the other day and have the rear end come out a little. Just like the poo out of my bum at the time
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adiohead
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Registered: 28th Sep 01
User status: Offline
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Focus ST, imo.
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Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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Far the better car? Even from an owners perspective I don't think the Astra standard for standard is better than the Focus ST, they are both decent cars.
Astra has a slight advantage pace wise as it's lighter and has slightly more ponies.
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Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by VXR
quote:
Originally posted by Graham88
Braver man than me, that bend scares me
Come and pick you up one night and i'll take you round it
Stick with it, just dont lift off mid bend like I did the other day and have the rear end come out a little. Just like the poo out of my bum at the time
Oh you are referring to the car? I haven't tried it in mine tbh, I thought you were talking about the bike
Just fitted Paradas on mine so should be better than Ultracrappysessentas
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Those ultrac sessantas are much better then the conti sport contact 3's i had on before which cost a lot more 
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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I thought they weren't that bad (but they were on the car when I bought it and I couldn't compare too much as it is my first turbo car), until I put Paradas on. And they are only marginally cheaper than Paradas!
[Edited on 19-05-2010 by Graham88]
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Daimo B
Member
Registered: 20th Mar 00
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Graham88
Oh you are referring to the car? I haven't tried it in mine tbh, I thought you were talking about the bike
Just fitted Paradas on mine so should be better than Ultracrappysessentas
Yeah in the Astra. I've still got to fettle with my bike front end as its quite unstable at high speed cornering. Got to tighten the front end up.
RE Tyres, had Conti 2s, loved them.
Got Conti 3's as newer replacement to above. Bloody awful tyres, sh1te wet grip, sh1te warm grip. Awful
Now - Verstinner or something German like that. Recommended tyres. I think they are ok, quite good wet and dry grip, but still not as good as the standard Conti2's. Will prob go for the Versti's again if it needs a new set before selling.
3 sets of front tyres in 56,000 miles, few track days too. Not a single mechanical issue, although it has picked up a little door rattle in the drivers door. Still, not bad going 
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Graham88
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Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
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The Paradas are scary in the wet Means I will slow down though so it's all good.
I came out of Bluewater the other night coming up the hill and ESP was flashing in 4th gear
Superb in the dry though, and get so sticky! I can't see them lasting that long, but it's fine.
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l15ter
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Registered: 1st Feb 08
Location: Berkshire
User status: Offline
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Have to agree that the Astra vxr looks better than the Focus ST, but the Focus ST is stil cheaper to buy. Although I'm starting favour for the Astra vxr, firstly cause of the MPG, secondly insurance (only turning 21) and last of all I currently have an Astra sri xp and for a diesel 5door i actually like it.
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Ben G
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Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Only thing about the astra is the xenons being an option.
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l15ter
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 08
Location: Berkshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben G
Only thing about the astra is the xenons being an option.
Never been a fan on xenons for some reason 
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Graham88
Member
Registered: 16th Apr 07
Location: South East Kent Drives: E46 M3
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Ben G
Only thing about the astra is the xenons being an option.
Was a big issue for me when looking for one. I think all newer cars should have xenons but finding a VXR with them standard is few and far between.
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Ben G
Member
Registered: 12th Jan 07
Location: Essex
User status: Offline
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Oh ok. I really miss not having them on the puma 
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Eck
Premium Member
Registered: 17th Apr 06
Location: Lundin Links, Fife
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The thing is... how often does an st have the quoted power? Didn't yours make 250 Ben?
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neil h
Member
Registered: 28th Sep 06
User status: Offline
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Has to be the ST for me, love the looks and the sound of the VXR (especially the 'ring edition) but i've had various bad experiences with the local Vx dealer so i'd rather not have to deal with them again.
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N16K
Member
Registered: 4th Oct 04
Location: Belfast, NI Drives: Corsa D SRi, Tuned Cooper S, B
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VXR imo.
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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made that choice when i bought my vxr after the sales man was bigging up the st so much that we is hen i had a look at it i was pretty disapointed, just doesnt do it for me with the looks in the more 'normal' colours and there is no chance i would drive a bright orange st, went to see the vxr and i was sold, had everything i was looking for really, didnt even go back to drive the st, just bought the vxr
*cheeky ad*
will be up for sale soon, probably looking for £10,500
E36 328
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Ojc
Member
Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
User status: Offline
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Silver VXR, my favourite.
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