Astra VXR v Focus ST [Archive]

the vxr mothership

1st March 2006, 04:31 PM

We've finally got a production ST to test vs our production VXR's.
So first impressions then a back to back drive.
First impressions;
Exterior - its in red and looks rather cheap. Difficult to tell its a 'performance' version. Dreadful ST badge on wing highlights the tackiness.
Interior - Nice seats , bit high and not as figure hugging as ours but good. Extra dials look pretty at night but pointless - tho fun to chase the boost gauge round. Again a feeling of cheapness in controls and quality of dash etc... Instruments look like a regular car and the interior overall does not feel special at all. Disappointed
Engine - Great engine note. Offbeat warble. Gutsy , long throttle pedal masks how quick it can go but once you realise and wring its neck it feels quick. However as noise rises you realise it sounds faster than it is. Otherwise love the engine.
Gearbox/Torquesteer - Box notchier than usual Ford excellence but could be this car. Car torquesteers as much as ours , so not much.
Handling - Slighter softer than ours but very well controlled. Steering nicely weighted and better than Astra. You can jump in this thing and fly down the road. Very nice. Not as edgy as ours and ultimately not as much grip but the driver will make more difference than the chassis on these.
Overall - Not as aggressive or as good looking as Astra. Great engine (but see below) and very good handling/ride. Sort of sits between the SRi and VXR really - really needs an RS version that would then sit above VXR.
Back to back.
We tried roll on's in 2nd 3rd 4th and 5th. In every gear on every occasion , and even getting the jump on the Astra on some occasions the result is the same. The Astra would slowly ease out a few feet then you could visibly see the Astra start to take off and disappear as the Focus warbles away to itself. This was std car vs std car. With a car with the Miltek fitted tha Astra just walks away. With the 280PS and Miltek set up it just disappears.
Mechanically the focus is a nice package and I expect all its customers to be happy with it in isolation. When next to the Astra (or Civic , even Golf) it looked unexciting and flat. The interior is a total let down that fancy coloured fabric cannot liven up. Give the car a facelift , extra 20PS or so and it'd be a contender.
Obviously all just our observations.
Stu

dap

1st March 2006, 05:21 PM

Stuart,
I had a drive in an St at the weekend, Love the noise but the whole car just didnt have any energy or presance, it felt like a Regular focus on Halfords pills.
I thought the gearchange was quite good but all the pedal pressures were all wrong for me.
I think the production VXR Astra is a very capable car, Not really any torque steer if you know how to treat it, a drive in an Escort Rs turbo, willd define what is torque steer.
I thought the ride on the focus was acceptable but on the limit I have more confidence in the VXR
The only thing I dont like About the astra is the steering is too light ,but thats personal preference I think. The Focus felt slightly better in this respect but as a whole car package the VXR would take my money,even more so if it had a lightweight v6 underbonnet.
dp

Aussie

1st March 2006, 05:23 PM

ST is abit souless

the vxr mothership

1st March 2006, 05:37 PM

Stuart,
The only thing I dont like About the astra is the steering is too light ,but thats personal preference I think. dp
Tend to agree. 'Our' steering map is the one that is activated by the Sport button. In Germany however they have a minor panic if we get any heavier on steering weigth with the regular set up. In the UK we tend to prefer a heavier movement once off centre and the Focus ( and Mondeo ) provides what we'd consider a good weight vs feel.
you can actually reprogramme the steering maps on the car but we'd never be allowed to access the coding.....
Stu

Jom

1st March 2006, 06:16 PM

ST is abit souless
agreed, and those wheels! :cry:

MoveOver

1st March 2006, 10:42 PM

Insignia VXR

1st March 2006, 11:43 PM

ChinsVXR

2nd March 2006, 09:02 AM

When I test drove the ST I liked it, but not enough. At the time I couldn't quite put my finger on it. However, on reflection I think Aussie nails it...... the ST felt souless.
The beloved, god bless her and may Alah bless her with a long and properous life, kept on saying that she found in as heavy as a 9 month pregnant sow on steroids.
The VXR felt sharp right from the beginning and offered the challenge of a car that had to be tamed.
Ford have tried too hard and ended up with a 225 bhp Golf GTI :?
I think the real competition will be the 237 bhp unit (insurance friendly number Stu?) VAG are going to drop in the GOLF GTI in April and the SEAT LEON CUPRA in October.
Maybe 240ps is insurance friendly in Germany?
My last car was a MKV GTI and it certainly needed more power. Never found the car a challenge or fun, with 237 I think it will be. The question is how much of a premium will VW charge for it. Knowing them another £1500. That will then be one hell of a price difference.
The Leon could be more of a competitor, but since the old LCR, Seat seems to have lost their way IMHO. Be interesting to see how the new LC goes, looks and handles.
Jonathan

MattS

2nd March 2006, 09:30 PM

I drove one recently on the same day as a drive in a VXR.
The Astra VXR package felt "There" where as the ST you got the feeling of "Come on you know you can do more"
On a longer Journey I can feel that the ST would be the more comfortable ride, and the VXr can never match the fantastic sound of the ST engine.
We have to have a 5dr as our Zaf is the wife's car so the St was an option, but the other half said she could not bare to own a Ford so you can't knock her there.
So a 5drAstra VXr would be the answer..........................
As he runs for cover (Sorry Dougie......could'nt resist :D

jules

3rd March 2006, 07:15 PM

I was going to buy an ST3 in red put a deposite down but could not get one till august some time so i desided to go for the VXR witch i am more than happy with
The ST is not as exciting as our VXRs.

MoveOver

4th March 2006, 01:46 AM

I'll eat me rubber 19" rubber hat if VW bring out a 237bhp Golf. These cars cost a mint to develop and for VW to give up so quickly on the 197bhp unit would be a breathtaking admission of wasted millions, if not 100s of millions of pounds.
The GTi is what it is, technically brilliant, but after all is said and done 6 chillis short of a pepper. This is where Ford (in my personal opinion) have got it wrong with the ST, they just got too close to a baviarian sour crout. The engine may sound great, but the fuel bill will eat a lion size hole thorugh your pocket, it's CO2 emissions will mean no aspiring sales rep will get within 100 sales commissions of it and once the sound effects have worn off any private buyer is going to feel cheated.
My father still talks about the Cortina GTi he drove in the 1960s. I remember him saying that my mother grandmother was always concerned about the speed that the car was travelling at when she was thrown from one end of the back seat to the other. He always used to refer her to the tacho to reassue her that the car's velocity was not quite what is seemed. Each time she sat back re-assured.
I believe in years from today we will all talk about the grandmother we drove in the back of our VXRs, I don't believe it will be quite the same for our compatriots behind the wheel's of their Gold GTis and Ford STs.

Insignia VXR

4th March 2006, 03:31 AM

I'll eat me rubber 19" rubber hat if VW bring out a 237bhp Golf. These cars cost a mint to develop and for VW to give up so quickly on the 197bhp unit would be a breathtaking admission of wasted millions, if not 100s of millions of pounds.
I feel a Clarkson Hair on Pizza style event in the offing here ;)
In the same way that poor old VX made a 'breathtaking admission of wasted millions' and developed the Z20LET/R 200PS to the Z20LEH 240PS the VAG group have done the same with the 2.0 FSI.
But poor old VW were forced down this path by the evil SEAT/AUDI wing of VAG who wanted a unit to compete with the VXR/Mazda MPS3/CT-RR etc to make the 2006 SEAT LEON CUPRA competitive and so Malaga have created the 2.0 FSI 240PS.
So VW are going to be faced with a new sports hatchback from VAG with the golf floor plan, for much less money with a development of their own engine producing another 40PS....not good for VW marketing ;)
Of course it may not finally happen and I was only quoting Auto Express, bastion of auto truth lol, but the engine most definitely exists. :)

Catherine

10th March 2006, 11:48 PM

Wouldn't that make the Golf R32 a little defunct? Surely the GTI and R32 would be a little too close in the power stakes. So they would be having to up the power on both I would have thought.
I also read an interesting post somewhere else earlier this week about the Focus (I think it might have been on Pistonheads). Anyway it was being suggested that when a Focus is run on 98 Ron it produces somewhere in the region of 237 BHP. I don't know how much truth there is in that statement.

Sparky

11th March 2006, 12:20 AM

That is unusal as manufacturers usually always quote using super unleaded.

Catherine

11th March 2006, 10:31 AM

Ive just re-read the pistonheads article, it isn't bhp it is NM of Torque.

Insignia VXR

16th March 2006, 01:31 AM

Wouldn't that make the Golf R32 a little defunct? Surely the GTI and R32 would be a little too close in the power stakes. So they would be having to up the power on both I would have thought.

You could say that the R32 is becoming very defunct anyway.
It has the advantage of four wheel drive, but the disadvantage of a huge lump at the front effecting the handling in a non-positive way, and you can pootle over to revo-technic tuning and get a 265bhp GTI 2.0 FSI for £500.

Stevie VXR

25th March 2006, 12:56 PM

Went for a test drive in the ST this morning my oh my what a totally boring car apart from the Gr8 exhaust note it just doesnt bring anything to the table as Aussie said Soulless is how id describe the thing ,1 thing i liked that the VXr doesnt have is the boost gauge etc :wink:

MoveOver

27th March 2006, 09:45 PM

Saw my first ST today, sea grey, 5 door.
Boy am I glad I opted for the VXR.

Catherine

22nd April 2006, 12:53 PM

One of the car magazines this week was running an article on VW having to launch an all new Golf next year (much earlier than planned). Apparantly it is down to the current Golf being far too expensive to produce.
They were also showing a Golf R36 with Lambo Gallardo inspired 19" wheels.
Getting back to the Focus, we are starting to see quite a few now down here in the S.W. The car looks OK in the more subtle colours, but it looks a dogs breakfast in the Orange. I cannot for the life of me understand how they are suggesting that it is outseling the Astra by a considerable amount.
Perhaps it is because of the volume of TV advertising Ford are running for the ST and the same thing isn't happening for the Astra.

P_D

13th May 2006, 03:25 PM

I have also driven both the ST and the VXR. I have driven the 3 door ST twice, and the 5 door once. I have driven the Astra VXR twice.
The 3 door ST made me smile, it felt quick, I loved it. That was before I drove the VXR. Having driven it the first time, I felt it was difficult to control. Luckily I am used to front wheel drive and so the handling was not alien to my driving style. However all you have to do with the VXR is place your foot on the pedal and already it is jumping and jolting forwards like a banchee. You do not get this in the ST. I believe the ST is a safe, average hot hatch. I also believe the VXR is an unruly beast that only proper drivers, those who understand the technicalities of driving, can reap serious rewards from.
I found the Astra only needed a mm of acceleration around gradual corners to put it on the limits of adhesion. This is despite approaching every corner wide and straight lining the road to obtain maximum wheel grip. This is an odd sensation, one I have never felt before. Most will say, well, it is over powered and blah blah blah. I don't, I just think that it means you can achieve maximum cornering from the car without flooring the pedal round the corners.
The ST's front end looks like a fish anyway. Have you noticed, its beady eyes and wide crustacean eating mouth. The lower paint strip is far too thin on the ST, and this means it is lacking in the style department.

Sparky

13th May 2006, 08:51 PM

Police_driver quote = This is an odd sensation, one I have never felt before. Most will say, well, it is over powered and blah blah blah. I don't, I just think that it means you can achieve maximum cornering from the car without flooring the pedal round the corners.
I have to fully agree, but the factor most ignore (and this is not directed at anyone at all), most people forget that we can adapt to the cars the cars can't adapt to us. As you rightly say, you don't need (or can't ) use all the power in some circumstances and your trailing a throttle to sense what s going on on the front wheels, which makes you, the driver working in harmony with the car, rather in allot of cases(and again not directed at anyone) being the car and there's the driver being detached. We have to become one with the car to fully understand what its going to deliver. --- my pennies worth :)

P_D

13th May 2006, 10:11 PM

Here Here Sparky... You have put it in a nutshell. This theory applies to all cars. I had a Corsa 1.2 16V, not much, but, after 3 years, I knew how to throw that car around like no other.
The result is that rather than just relying on speed alone, you can use the cars plus points to your advantage. My Corsa was Irmscher equipped including the shotgun exhaust, which may or may not have added BHP. But I could literally flick it sideways if I wanted to, knowing exactly its characteristics and when it's centrifugal force woul correct the oversteer. All this with a front wheel drive!
I have raced much bigger cars than mine but often its a complete draw, just keep the revs up high and go go go. Everyone else with follow a natural patch through an S bend, why bother, accelerate through it in a straight line, where circumstances permit, and find yourself coming up behind them quick on the exit.
We adapt to cars and not vice versa. Like everything in life, certain cars have their advantages which if you know when and how to use them, will make you suprised. Looking forward to the Corsa VXR!

Sparky

14th May 2006, 05:53 PM

James
The interesting part of this is go and try Zafira or Vectra VXR. As they are fitted with IDS and CDC, this all starts to look a whole lot different to even the Astra. The feeling your looking for is harder to find. The more you drive them the more you become use to it but just try it and you'll see what I mean. The cars feel like they are floating. I still think its terrfic and when you go back to non IDS you have to adapt again.

P_D

14th May 2006, 07:47 PM

IDS and CDC? Never heard of them before? Obviously though they will be specific traction control / stability control systems I assume? I have only driven the Astra VXR, VXR 220 and the Monaro VXR (6.0), and while they may be present on these models it certainly was not apparent in terms of buttons in the cockpit. But that's if there are buttons to turn them off, I assume like the Astra you have no choice.
Its like the Fords ESP, all these systems are great and safe, and I am all for things like this to be placed in performance hatches. Peoples driving abilities differ greatly. In road situations where sudden circumstances develop requiring the driver to brake, steer or whatever in order to deal with a hazard, if that driver is not experienced either in time at the wheel or car control, they will go into "what they are used to" mode. i.e A new driver of a VXR may respond to an emergency situation as they knew to in their previous car, or what they are used to, which could be any setup of vehicle, not necessarily suited to the setup of the VXR. I can already imagine what might happen if someone decided, for whatever reason, to accelerate around a hazard under pressure, say there was insufficient braking distance in your own lane but also oncoming traffic in the distance. In the Astra, absolute minimal pressure on the accelerator, indeed if any, would suffice in order to respect the grip available. However if your used to driving an under powered car, you might depress the accelerator too much, instantly losing grip and entering a front wheel skid, delaying you and sending you off course. These safety systems are there to stop this happening.
My personal choice if driving is with no traction control, no stability control, just you and the car. Obviously you do not go out and drive like a maniac initially, but through time, you learn the car's limits and can subconsciously apply them to everyday, or track driving. To a driver, I feel these systems impede progress. Great as they are for what they do, I like to be in full control without a computer making decisions for me. A great example of this would be the Twin Turbo Noble which I drove last year. You have no choice but to respect what your driving, and it is in these sorts of cars that driving knowledge and ability make all the difference.
Sparky, I would have thought that you too prefer no traction or safety assistance?

phatlaz

17th June 2006, 10:30 AM

you press the sport button for 5 seconds to turn the electric aids off

Magnex John

21st June 2006, 08:53 PM

I have to say that the VXR is one of the most competant 2WD cars I have ever driven, true it tram lines a little on tar banding & white lines but with those big rims and low profiles that's to be expected.
A very confidence inspiring car and very civilized to boot.
Our FD has a modified R32 & I can tell you that thing is no slouch but then it's a completly different drive - if you get that car out of shape basically you are dead...you'd have to be trying that hard to make it even slightly unsafe.
Then again with a Magnex system, re-map & cams it's probably not your typical R32 (sounds glorious!)
I'd have either tomorrow - then again my re-mapped Seat FR is one hell of a drive too & just seems to get faster & faster!
Focus ST's are a good car too in my view - a totally different drive to the VXR but with plenty of torque and a nice engine note.
Not quite the same edge on handling as the Astra though.
Fave car at the mo? - Audi TT 225 coupe
Car I most want to own - Black 1967 Porsche 911

MikeST

6th July 2006, 03:55 PM

^^^ thanks John and for the Zorst also ;) ^^^

Mike

NOYE S

28th July 2006, 01:22 PM

IanVXR

28th July 2006, 02:20 PM

Hi my astra vxr has gone into the gge today to have sim unit replaced due to noise when turning steering wheel. Have just been contacted by gge saying having trouble reprogramming any help/ advise appreciated Thankyou 079666 02836 I am pi**ed off to say the least

Reprograming!!! :shock: What are they doing!?! :?

As far as I understand it, it is a common problem that a dealer should be able to sort in about 40 minutes. The steering wheel needs to be taken off and something put in to stop the rubbing that is causing the noise.

Sparky

28th July 2006, 09:29 PM

yea, what where they doing. I can only assume the air bag system has to be de-activated and reset by tech 2. Try and find out what they where doing. PM sent
.

Daimo

5th September 2006, 02:20 PM

I disagree about the VXRs handling. I was always aware of its "wavey ***" but after some serious track thrashings, my opinion is totally changed.

Once you've learned how to use the "waveyness" then it helps you stick the front end into the corners. In terms of a standard vauxhall, dam it handles (when compared to every other Vauxhall (bar VX220) in standard form).

Even had a play against a Focus ST... The VXR was edging until a car decided to slow down on a blank motorway hence making me come off throttle. ST driver carried on till we caught him again, then we slowed down again and let him burn off.........

Miyagi

10th September 2006, 02:03 PM

u guys had much exposure to the Mazda 3 MPS yet?

It's going to be a real challenger in the hot hatch market although the styling is a little to subtle for my liking. That can be fixed easily with some better rims though to differentiate it. :)

P_D

20th September 2006, 02:43 PM

Also look out for the new 206 SportHatch, 250BHP

alex_c

20th September 2006, 07:39 PM

i once owned a PS1 then out came the PS2 so i got one then camr the Xbox so i got one of them.

Now the Xbox 360 is out and one day the PS3.

Can you see where i'm going

Enjoy what you have as it will always be out of date the day before you get it.

AlexFi

22nd September 2006, 02:19 PM

Indeed, didn't buy Astra VXR because it was the most powerful, or could blow everything out of the water. Bought it for it's looks, feel and most importantly the way it made me feel.

They could bring out a 300BHP Focus and I wouldn't be interested, just love the astra for what it is.

MORTYST222

15th October 2006, 10:45 PM

S3 VXR

16th October 2006, 04:25 PM

interesting reading, I dont want to ruffle any feathers on here cos I was once a loyal vaux fan having owned a load of corsa's inc a modded 2.0 16v I also owned a zafira gsi and test drove all the vxr's exc the monaro 220 and mariva before buying my current car.

Any way I own a focus st2, when I took the focus out for a test drive I had a smile on my face for a few days later (the vxr's didn't do this) although I still like the looks of the astra alot more then the focus, the drive in the focus was alot less stressful like driving in a normal car then when you want to play it comes alive, the other big reason is i needed a 5dr and some boot space and the focus accomodated this. The other 2 factors where I work nights and with the on off throttle of the astra i would poss be more likely to have an accident than I would with the Focus and also the cost of buying the focus was a big factor and I managed to get a really good one for a very reasonable price.

Darren

Ps if they ever bring a 5dr astra vxr out then I would be very tempted also couldn't get hold of a 888 astraWith your own needs considered you made the right choice, but the simple fact is the VXR is heads and shoulders above all the Hot Hatch competition. Sts dont come near the power and performance of the Astra neither does the Golf GTi and even the R32 struggles as does the Audi S3. Your mention of throttle control being on/off is a complete nonsence and has been expressed so many times in the past, it is quite possible to drive this car at granny speeds with fuel economy down to 45MPG. Most people also comment about the awful torque steer and the terrible handling, again a complete nonsence. What VXR owners will have however is a limited Build car that when the world wakes up and smells the coffee will in time fill the same classic pedestal formerly only home to the RS brand. Come on Ford build us a proper performance car, RS Focus 3000 V6, stop farting about with the mamby pamby ST range.

ptopc

18th October 2006, 09:43 PM

hello
I have the astra less than a week, so i have to drive the car slowly.
Don't really understand the "on/off feature" that people talk about - it's really nonsense.
The car can be driven very smoothly.

Puzzler

19th October 2006, 08:55 AM

Sounds as though he's not actually driven one before. Astra bit too stressful, bless, and the on off throttle nonsense. Or he can't drive properly.

MORTYST222

6th December 2006, 09:17 PM

Puzzler sorry but just taking my advanced driving test so im quite capable of driving a fast car and sorry but Ive probably driven more fast cars than youve had hot dinners.

Most recently had a friends 911 turbo 4 vert which had been re-mapped and also just waiting for the same lads RS4 to come back from having alot of engine work done that will be pushing arounf 900/1000bhp so dont be opening your mouth before you actuallu know what your talking about.

i was expressing my opinion on a public forum and you will notice alot of the car mags have said exactly the same thing.

Sorry rant over

Darren

Puzzler

7th December 2006, 03:13 PM

MORTYST222, of course you are entitled to express your opinion on a public forum, so am I.
But for someone who has driven numerous fast cars and has taken an advanced driving test, the statement "I work nights and with the on off throttle of the astra i would poss be more likely to have an accident than I would with the Focus" is a strange one.
Hope you don't mind me opening my mouth, but my opinion.

MORTYST222

7th December 2006, 04:37 PM

No dont mind at all puzzler but some nights I can be working between 14-16 hours starting from around 2pm to 6am the next day. Theres alot of manual work and it does take it out of you and the last thing I want to be doing is driving down a motorway - and b roads. The ST is a good cruiser and as std im sure it would not beat the Astra but would have a good old go. Evo mag as them both at 1.33 with the astra just taking it by .90 of a sec.....look into that as you want.

Any way im getting my coat now im off to work

Darren

vxrmarc

1st January 2007, 10:59 PM

just found this video on sri-forums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7dsHT8JYo

So whats the verdict....

TwinSport

2nd January 2007, 04:20 PM

The Focus got a better start, then the OPC is a lot faster.

I don't like the ST, 1. because of the design and 2. because of the bad quality.

Here you can see the Astra VXR and Focus ST and some other cars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pERQKEhr-P4&mode=related&search=

I maybe got some tests in german papers but that doesn't help you in anyway I guess.

BTW: That's a nice sound :shock: : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4w4hNuONYU

AlexFi

2nd January 2007, 04:20 PM

5th Gear took both cars round their track and the Astra won by about 6/10th's over the ST. Also when run round the TopGear track it got 1:33:00 whereas the ST got, wait for it, 1:34:90. Bearing in mind as well that the VXR on Topgear was also a preproduction one. Sums it nicely

Arden_One

2nd January 2007, 06:27 PM

For those that may ant to see the videos here they are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQe9tz-Vkac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0PLc122LT4

TwinSport

2nd January 2007, 06:33 PM

The second video I haven't seen yet.
I like english tests more and more. The german ones are so boring :(.

NELLYC

2nd January 2007, 11:28 PM

Lets not forget that its a FORD :lol: :lol: :lol: mmmm!!! classy :lol: :lol: :lol:

MORTYST222

14th January 2007, 11:20 PM

What sort of comment is that NellyC???? Think you need to get yourself in a new Ford the build quality of the Focus and Mondeo are alot better than some more prestige cars out there. The Mondeo ST is fully loaded as std and goes like stink....My ST-2 Focus has alot of std equipment i.e xenons - recaros - heated front and rear screen and for £250 I got the auto wipers, auto lights and auto dimming rear view mirror.

The build quality of Ford in my opinion has come along way and
i was very sceptical before buying my ST2 because of the dreaded Ford build, but my opinion now is its a very good car miles better than my 54 reg vectra sri.

Darren

AlexFi

15th January 2007, 05:36 AM

Just a shame it still isn't a nice as a VXR :lol:

Arden_One

15th January 2007, 04:14 PM

lol yeah, nor as quick

Adski

15th January 2007, 04:25 PM

Did nobody even consider getting a focus???

James

15th January 2007, 04:49 PM

yes, i even put a deposit down on 1 before i ordered the vxr!! i found it a very difficult decision and dont think that i would have been dissapointed with either.

i still think that the st is a better all round car and much better deal (st3 full leather, xenons, 6cd etc... £19k rrp) but i still bought the vxr! it looks better, more exciting and is faster.

i think that the st boys are getting similar hp figures from there stage 2/3 cars but not sure. think the torque is still lower. maybe also has more potential with the extra 500cc, and prob has one of the best engine notes that i have heard 8)

Adski

15th January 2007, 05:00 PM

coudln`t agree more. i think i ended up getting the astra cause of how it looks and its quickness in a straight line. i must admit though, the sound of a car is very important to me and that almost hooked me on the focus :P

Arden_One

15th January 2007, 05:48 PM

I do like the ST especially in orange, just surprised that it has a bigger engine, more cylinders and yet not as quick?

yoshitoshi

21st January 2007, 02:17 AM

I dont know why this is a suprise!! just about every tractor i know has a bigger engine more cylinders more torque more bhp but isn't as fast as the vxr! but for some strange reason ( i think they call it gearing) will pull a plough through a muddy field better than a vxr
:roll:

Arden_One

21st January 2007, 12:08 PM

Ohhhhhhhh right... thanks! However the ST is not a tractor, is almost identical in shape and weight to the Astra and I would imagine a very similar engine setup...

MORTYST222

5th February 2007, 12:30 AM

This is one of the lads off FSTOC hes just got his car back and ill let his review do the talking...its abit long so please bare with me.

My Wolf WR330 Review

Well guys, iv had the car back a few weeks now and im not sure where to start with this review. Firstly i would like to thank all the team at Wolf UK for a service second to none and an attention to detail that would make an operating theatre look messy!

I dropped my car off on a saturday with Gary, and whilst he was filling in the details of my car he gave me the keys to his WR300 and moddest as ever told me not to expect too much, my brother had come along for the ride so he jumped in Gary's aswell. We went off the estate and as i was driving someone else's car i wasnt too harsh with it. I got it onto the M60 and opened it up in 3/4 gears and OMG the diference between this car and mine (in its current state of tune) was measurable in football fields!! I had to have some of this incredible pull! lol. please dont forget that my car was pumabuild stage 3 tuned and decatted when it went to Wolf and was producing an approx 300bhp, so although 30 odd bhp doesnt sound like a big increase i can assure you its in a different world.

Knowing i was making the right decision i had no problems leaving my keys with Gary. Whilst the car was in having the power upped, i treated it to some cosmetic's aswell. I ordered the Stoffler front and rear apron set and the H&R lowering springs.

Again with great attention to detail, Wolf informed me my breaks where knackered and needed new pads all round, and whilst it was there they could do it for me, so i just said yes as it was easy for me.

When i dropped the car off i had an Alloy wheel centre cap missing (from when Fords serviced it!!) but when the car was dropped off for me they had fitted me a new centre cap free of charge!

I might add that my car was dropped off for me at gone 10PM at night to my HOUSE aswell, now that is service!

So the bit you all want to know, whats it like??

I can honestly say i have NEVER driven (or been in for that matter) a car as quick as my ST is now. just this afternoon a subaru impreza RA found out to his dismay what the WR330 sticker on the back meant!

The power delivery is truelly awesome, foot down in ANY gear will bring tears to your passengers eyes! You can really hear the new big turbo roaring and sucking air into the engine at 1.5BAR!! the torque is immense it just pins you straight back in your seat. grip is not fantastic in 1/2 gears but i am pretty sure thats down to my fairly low (3mm) tread, and its having some new Toyo's all round in the next few weeks which should help.

When you open her up and the boost comes in (from about 2k revs aswell!!) you get a fantastic rush as the power rises and pins you back, soon as you let off the throttle you get a superb wastegate chatter and a terrific backfire, changing up the box, there just isnt enough gears in this car, i want to keep changing up! i find myself short shifting alot more than i used to aswell now as you simply DO NOT have to rev this car hard to reap the benefits, change at 4.5k and it will still pull very quickly indeed.

Get it into 3rd (where there is some traction! lol) and you will blow anything away, EVO's, M3's, Scoobs, you name it it dont stand much chance, it really puts the ST into another league. (bearing in mind its got almost 400ft/lb of torque!!)

As for top end speed all i can say is i have no doubt about Wolfs claim of 167+mph and that all im saying on the matter

So in conclusion guys i can hand on heart recommend Wolf to anyone considering a power upgrade, from a tame remap, to a beast fire breathing WR330 spec they will look after you and make you feel like a valued customer.

I would like to mention the lowering springs aswell, the car looks fantastic now and isnt too low, also the ride hasnt been butchered, which was my worst fear as i liked the handling of the car standard, now its very good, little firmer in the bends but on the normal road its almost un-noticeable.

I will be going back to Wolf in Summer for some more bits but for now guys the car is everything i could ever want, thank you Wolf and thank you Ford

This thing must be very quick. There is also a focus st in sweden running 450bhp and awd

Wolf are also in development with there WR360 now that will be immense esp the torque.

Darren

worsy

11th February 2007, 08:13 PM

that's some powerful motor he's got there :shock: what did it cost him ?

MORTYST222

12th February 2007, 11:23 AM

Im not sure Worsey but I think he previously had the Pumabuild set up and it was running a supposedly 300bhp but he now has this and thinks its totally a different car....he must have spent a fair few ££££.

I think the WR300 setup is a few thousand so taking it up to the wr330 will be abit more although he had some of the stuff already I.e full turbo back exhaust CIA induction and some other upgrades so more or less it was the re-map and bigger turbo. The engine is good for it due to the strong internals from factory.

Darren

worsy

12th February 2007, 07:41 PM

cheers darren would like to see that 1 though :) will have to race him :lol: :lol: on a track of course :wink:

waynecoluk

31st March 2007, 06:20 PM

I took out a Focus ST on testdrive yesterday and thought it was rubbish. I can't believe I considered getting one before the VXR. It fely slow compared to the VXR and the interior had shiny black plastics.

Griffin Autosport

15th April 2007, 06:44 PM

I can't believe how slow those st's are tbh, we had a bit do with one today and he just pulled over before i was half way through 5th, at least he put his thumb up and took it like a man! :lol:

TwinSport

15th April 2007, 07:17 PM

Bit Off Topic.

Focus ST vs Astra OPC

Fotos by www.pamali.de.vu
http://pamali5.pa.funpic.de/pages/bilder/2007/vln02/images/100_5917.jpg

http://pamali5.pa.funpic.de/pages/bilder/2007/vln02/images/100_5914.jpg

Guess who made it!

Daimo

9th May 2007, 02:38 PM

We really need a race series like this in this country.

2.0 turbo hot hatches have moved forwards, British motor racing needs to do the same. A hot hatch series would be such a good edition to the BTCC, the only problem is, i think it would actually show up the BTCC cars...

Could have a great lineup...

AStra VXR's
Focus ST
Golf GTIs
Seat Leon Cupra
Honda Civic Type R's (I know they aren't FI)
Mazda (unsure on model, mp5 or something)
Skoda Octavas
Renault Megane 225's

etc

Ojc

9th May 2007, 03:51 PM

What are the torque figures for the Focus ST because I'm sure one managed to pull away from me up a hill on the M25, maybe I wasn't trying hard enough.

TwinSport

9th May 2007, 03:55 PM

320NM, just like the Astra.

Aussie

9th May 2007, 04:05 PM

there is the Dunlop Maxx series starting or has already but im not sure how many entrance there is so far

MORTYST222

15th May 2007, 11:31 PM

OJC depends if it was modded or not? the wolf WR330 is kicking out 511nm and the dreamscience remap is something like 420nm...has std it will pull better than some other cars up hills due to how the torque is setup. I can potter around all day in 5th and still accelerate in 5th like my old zafira gsi did in 3rd.
It is very low geared and sometimes wish there was a 7th gear or a longer 4th - 5th and 6th

Darren

SMOKEQUEEN

27th May 2007, 08:15 PM

there is the Dunlop Maxx series starting or has already but im not sure how many entrance there is so far

i watched this last week from Snetterton. I class D you have

Astra VXR 888 prepared
Nissan 350Z
Megane 225 sport

Astra seems to go well and finished 2nd behind the more powerful 350Z.

I believe its all done on power to weight.

P_D

27th May 2007, 09:43 PM

So the other 2 are standard?

Aussie

28th May 2007, 12:36 PM

stnadard chassie set up and standard engine specs

regs for the race series
http://www.barc.net/competitors/regulations/BarcDunlopSportMaxx2007RegsFinalVersion.pdf

thekirbyfake

30th May 2007, 11:44 AM

MORTYST222

30th May 2007, 06:17 PM

Hi TKF

Nice to see another ST owner over here.

Darren

Deedard

30th May 2007, 06:28 PM

why is this even a sticky thread anyway?

MORTYST222

30th May 2007, 06:37 PM

I dont know ask a mod

worsy

30th May 2007, 06:39 PM

or a biker :?

AlexFi

30th May 2007, 06:39 PM

Always been here since I was made a mod and never thought about it. If there is a concensus then we can remove the sticky from it and let it travel down through the pages to the bottom :wink:

P_D

30th May 2007, 09:07 PM

Have you guys seriously got a sticky about VXR vs ST?

:lol:

Crikey! How insecure can you get?

:wink:

PS P_D you missed a fantastic Paris tunnel run. Would've been good to have a VXR there. Mind you, the marque was well represented by the two fruity Monaros and a briskly driven VX.

I know - wanted to but had plans. Plenty more. Which of the 4-5 ST's were you in?

As for the Monaros I met both of them before - good guys - and when I have driven with them pretty frisky :wink:

Deedard

30th May 2007, 09:15 PM

I vote to take it off sticky, I Don't think it serves any purpose as a sticky thread.

P_D

30th May 2007, 09:43 PM

Yeah I am bored of it too...

VX Mel

30th May 2007, 09:45 PM

I say unsticky as well...

VXRDean

30th May 2007, 09:45 PM

Just take it off it will stop the ST (boys) moaning

VX Mel

30th May 2007, 09:46 PM

Right i've unsticked following the above comments.... however other mods/admin if you want to sticky again please do so :D

m4rtc

30th May 2007, 09:51 PM

Thank god, how many people actually read stickys anyway??
At least now you can look right at the top for new threads to spam.

VX Mel

30th May 2007, 09:54 PM

fiver now I've unsticked this it gets more posts and stays around and get's more attention than before :lol:

thekirbyfake

30th May 2007, 09:57 PM

I know - wanted to but had plans. Plenty more. Which of the 4-5 ST's were you in?
Actually we took 7 ST!

Mine is the blue one in the videos/pics on PH

P_D

30th May 2007, 11:32 PM

Seen a few there, looked a good run. Will catch you at another one I am sure (or should I say - if you can catch me lol lol)

thekirbyfake

31st May 2007, 03:16 PM

Well what with you and your torque steer and me with my horrendous turbo lag I doubt we'll even be able to stay on the same road, let alone go through a tunnel together.

:wink:

corsasrisilver

31st May 2007, 03:29 PM

wat turbo does st have

thekirbyfake

31st May 2007, 04:45 PM

wat turbo does st have
A Volvo one :wink:

worsy

31st May 2007, 05:19 PM

wat turbo does st have
A Volvo one :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol:

simon fletcher

4th November 2007, 12:38 AM

i beat the mk1 cupra hands down

lordnikon

4th November 2007, 12:49 AM

Interesting thread. Have to laugh a little because I think Vauxhalls and Fords are equally poor with regard to build although neither are as bad as they used to be. Also, with this being a Vauxhall forum, of course people are going to prefer the Astra.

Out of interest, have any of you come up against a MK2 Leon Cupra yet?

Yes it was gay !

Needless to say really as it was being driven like a *** from the local dealer who had no respect for any other road user. Still slow though ](*,)

simon fletcher

4th November 2007, 12:55 AM

They have a 1.8T 180bhp engine. What spec is a Meriva VXR then? (never even knew there was such a thing). The MK2 Leon Cupra is a whole different animal to the MK1 :).

1.6T 177bhp 0 to 60 in 7.8 sec top speed of 137 mph have alook at the pics in the meriva section

i had mine on the rolling road
180bhp
200ft lb torque

simon fletcher

4th November 2007, 01:01 AM

to look at it you wouldnt think so but i have had alot of cars off the lights a 07 BMW M3 included i know in a straght line he would have had me but of the mark its a real beast i have had 140 mph out of her on the track :D and it still had some left and it handels so well no body roll one hell of a mota if you ever get the chance of a test drive do it you wont beleave what its like the over boost is so much fun:rolleyes:

Aussie

4th November 2007, 01:56 AM

What spec is your car then? Most standard Cupras are being rolling roaded at 230whp and making calculated 260fly bhp.

My sole encounter with a VXR gave a different result :)

only mag test i seen them up against was top gear on track, same driver, same day, same conditions blah blah blah

best lap time
VXR = 1min 32
Cupra = 1min 33.5

both recorded the same 0-60 times.

So not bad going for the VXR hey!

Turbo

4th November 2007, 11:03 AM

Think Stage 1 vs Stage 1, Stage 2 vs Stage 2 and Stage 3 vs Stage 3 would see the Astra behind :)

Probably the case but it makes sense if the Cupra's are running more power and are a similar weight to the Astra. ;)

Dazturbo6502

4th November 2007, 12:31 PM

One thing I do love about the Astra is the noise with the uprated exhausts. I have had severe problems so far getting Milltek and Jetex to commit to making an OEM style back box for the Cupra. Luckily the system from the FR fits the Cupra, but I am considering the 3" downpipe rather than the 2.75" unit I have (still to fit).

I had a little fun with a Blue Astra VXR one night that sounded the absolute nuts and spat flames at high rev gear changes. Having gone by the info on this forum, guessing it must have been de-catted at least, therefore probably not a Milltek?

I am not sure that the exhausts available now for the Ed30/2.0TFSi Vag units end up being as loud as the ones for the Astra which is a bummer as the on boost rip on the Astra is awesome.

No one is running a De CAT as it will just interfere with the management system too much. All the aftermarket systems fitted to cars on here are running 200 cell Motorsport CATS.

A lot of them are loud as the Remus, and the newer Millteks have a Straight Through centre section.

Aussie

4th November 2007, 01:26 PM

Not going to argue the toss, but regardless, there is talk of the Cupra running "mild" when new and possibly a change in code after the engine is run in giving the additional 20bhp most owners are seeing. It is possible the cars above may have been quite new and this was the case?

Think Stage 1 vs Stage 1, Stage 2 vs Stage 2 and Stage 3 vs Stage 3 would see the Astra behind :)

not all about power mate!

during that test the mps3 running more bhp & a LSD just matched the astra with the R26 1.4sec ahead of the astra.

Insignia VXR

5th November 2007, 12:06 AM

Interesting thread. Have to laugh a little because I think Vauxhalls and Fords are equally poor with regard to build although neither are as bad as they used to be. Also, with this being a Vauxhall forum, of course people are going to prefer the Astra.

Out of interest, have any of you come up against a MK2 Leon Cupra yet?

Have tuned versions of both the VXR and Cupra 2 but I have no idea what you are doing on here or what you hope to gain?

sandyVXR

16th November 2007, 07:42 PM

DaveDempsey

17th November 2007, 11:08 AM

Interesting thread. I quite like the exterior of the ST personally, equally as nice as the VXR imo, but I found the inteior of the ST a let down. Dashboard looked and felt really cheap, and the switch gear looked like it cam eout a 1992 Fiesta, where as the Astra dash etc. feels a lot better built and generally looks a lot more modern in comparison.

No doubting that the noise from the engine in the ST is awesome, although slightly ironic in that if you look onthe Volvo forums its one of the least liked engines.

Both cars need their seat heights looked at imo. as both sit far to high, which is a shame on the VXR as the seating position on the SXi/SRi is excellent, presumably its to do with either the seat design or the seat rials that are used on the VXR heightening the seat. (obviously this wont be something that affects everyone).